North State Journal Vol. 11, Issue 8

Fourth of July America 250 parade on track

Arrest made after N.C. woman claims she was set on re Roseboro

A suspect was arrested Monday after a Roseboro woman with serious burns told authorities a man had doused her with gasoline at her home and set her on re, authorities said. The suspect was located in a wooded area behind a residence and was taken into custody without incident, the Sampson County Sheri ’s O ce said in a statement. The man was served with warrants on several charges, including attempted murder and rst- degree arson, the statement said. Fire ghters and deputies were called to a structure re Saturday night in the town of Roseboro and found a woman with burns over about two-thirds of her body, the sheri ’s o ce said in a previous statement. The woman said a man had forced his way into her home and that the suspect left the scene on a bicycle, according to the sheri ’s statement. The woman was taken to a trauma center for treatment. Her condition wasn’t disclosed.

Diplomats try to arrange more U.S.-Iran talks

Islamabad Diplomats are working through back channels to arrange a new round of talks between the United States and Iran. As Washington enacted its blockade of Iranian ports, Tehran threatened to retaliate by striking targets across the war-weary region. Though last week’s cease re appeared to hold, the showdown over the Strait of Hormuz risked reigniting hostilities.

State budget, teacher pay, property taxes and the Leandro decision dominated the annual event

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The Public School Forum of North Carolina held its annual Eggs & Issues event at the McKimmon

Center on the NC State campus last Tuesday.

Most of the forum’s top issues from the past two years carried over to this year’s event, such as raising teacher pay, “fully funding” state K-12 education, revamping the A-F school accountability model, and addressing “whole child” needs both in and outside of school.

The event also featured

Astronaut Christina Koch was invited to serve as the grand marshal

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

Eggs & Issues forum priorities remain unchanged Audit nds $342K in questioned statewide costs

“This annual audit gives us a chance to examine

Dave Boliek, state auditor

The report marked the rst time in more than 24 years there was no large-scale waste

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — The annual statewide single audit was released last week, examining $28 billion in federal grants spent by state agencies for the 2025 scal year.

The report by the North Carolina O ce of the State Auditor (OSA) examined $43.9 billion in federal funds and found Medicaid made up “more than half” of expenditures. A total of $28 billion in federal money received was examined, with questioned costs

RALEIGH — North Carolina’s Semiquincentennial Committee heard updates on statewide events to mark the nation’s 250th anniversary during an April 8 meeting.

The committee, co-chaired by Rep. John Blackwell (R-Burke) and Sen. Phil Alexander (R-Cleveland), received a presentation from North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Trey Allen on the 1776 North Carolina Constitution, which established the state’s rst framework of self-government after independence.

Allen stressed that the 1776 Constitution placed popular sovereignty front and center.

“All the political power that was exercised by the rst governor under the 1776 constitution and all the government ofcials under that constitution, as is the case today, is power

totaling $342,093 across the report’s 19 ndings.

“The federal government administers a massive amount of funding. Look no further than the $24.7 billion owing through Medicaid,” State Auditor Dave Boliek said in a press release. “This annual audit gives us a chance to examine at a high level how federal grants are used in North Carolina and where there may be questionable expenditures.”

An “improper payment of $113,115” made by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) was found, but the report said the funds have been recouped.

that is delegated by the people,” Allen told the committee.

Allen also highlighted the landmark 1787 Bayard v. Singleton case, decided 16 years before the U.S. Supreme Court’s Marbury v. Madison, that created the principle of judicial review in North Carolina.

The committee also noted a full reprint of the 1776 North Carolina Constitution will be available later this month.

The bulk of the meeting focused on celebration programming items, including concerts, parades, traveling exhibits and the time-limited return of the original Halifax Resolves.

N.C. Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley, speaking on behalf of the Celebrate America Foundation, con rmed that a major patriotic parade will take place in downtown Raleigh on July 4 at 9:30 a.m.

“The General Assembly got fully behind having a patriotic parade in celebration of

the word | Living sacri ces

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacri ce, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” Romans 12:1

The godly life is not one of ease, pleasure and self-indulgence.

We are taught to present our bodies, as a living sacri ce unto God. Ancient o erings were brought to the altar and presented dead. But the Christian sacri ce, instead of being poured out in a bloody oblation, is to be a living sacri ce of service, of love, of devotion.

The great sacri ce of Christ is both the model for all Christian life, and also its inspiration. We look at His six hours on the cross — as if that were its only act and expression. But the cross was not endured by Christ merely during those six hours on Calvary; it was in all His life, in every day and hour of it. Everything He did was in love, and love is always a living sacri ce. He was always sacri cing Himself. On Calvary, He only wrote the word out in capitals.

The cross stands not merely for the su erings of Christ endured in redeeming sinners — but also for the law of love and of sacri ce in every department of Christian living. It is not enough to have the cross on our churches, as a symbol of redemption; or to wear it as an ornament around our neck; the cross must be in the heart — and manifested in the life.

We talk a great deal about the love of Christ — but we must strive to illustrate it and reproduce in our own lives, in our own measure — the sweetness, the charity, the kindness and the helpfulness of Jesus Christ. The cross is everywhere. The more of the “sacri cial” quality we get into our life — the diviner and the lovelier our life will be.

We do not have to be cruci ed on pieces of wood — to bear a cross, and make a living sacri ce. The cross must be in the lives of those who follow Christ; not branded on their bodies — but wrought into their character, their disposition, their

conduct, their spirit. We cannot live a Christian life for a day, without coming to points of sacri ce.

The cross of Christ does not take our own cross from us — Christ does not bear our cross for us. His cross becomes the law of our life and makes it all sacri cial.

Every sacri cial thing we do, reveals the cross. The Beatitudes are all sacri cial.

No one can live the 13th chapter of First Corinthians, and not crucify self continually. All sacri ce at length, blossoms into Christlike beauty, sweetness and joy.

The investigation into the Wilson County town was triggered by a tip

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A state investigative audit report was released near the end of March detailing a series of policy violations by ofcials in the Town of Elm City, a Wilson County community of approximately 1,218 residents.

The report, issued by the North Carolina O ce of the State Auditor (OSA) led by State Auditor Dave Boliek, was initiated after allegations were received through the OSA’s Tipline regarding the town’s nancial practices.

“Purchasing policies are enacted to prevent fraud, waste, and abuse,” Boliek said in the report’s transmittal letter. “As documented in this report, Elm City o cials have on several occasions violated the Town’s policies and increased the risk of fraud, waste, or abuse of tax dollars.”

The investigation covered scal operations, including payments to town o cials, procurement card use, vendor payments, bonus disbursements and the town’s handling of unclaimed funds.

Among the report’s ndings, a former commissioner and former mayor were paid for services they provided as vendors without receiving board approval, as required by the town’s Conict of Interest Policy. Between June 2023 and June 2025, four checks totaling $2,420 were issued to the two o cials for those services.

Details included the former commissioner receiving $2,145 for mechanical work on town vehicles and a water service call, and Tawanda Moore, the former mayor, receiving $275 for shampooing carpets at Town Hall and a sheri ’s substation.

AUDIT from page A1 Of the eight ndings involving NCDHHS, the two issues were identi ed totaling $138.8 million where subawards to counties did not have the required reporting. A referral was made to the corresponding fed-

of

“Take me, Lord, and use me today — as You will. I lay all my plans at Your feet. Whatever work You have for me to do — give it into my hands. If there are those You would have me help in any way — send them to me, or send me to them. Take my time — and use it just as You will.”

J. R. Miller was a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911. His works are now in the public domain. This passage is an edited version.

In both cases, the OSA noted the invoices lacked itemized details, there was no competitive price comparison conducted, and there was no evidence the board reviewed or approved either arrangement. The former mayor received 16 of 18 expense reimbursement checks reviewed, totaling $13,392 out of $13,502 in total reimbursements issued during the review period, according to the report.

The OSA found that six reimbursements totaling $3,751 — all to Moore — lacked itemized receipts. One of the reimbursements was for $2,500 for a 2009 Chevrolet truck the former mayor said she purchased through Facebook Marketplace for the Public Works department. No purchase requisition, order or informal quotes were obtained as required by the town’s Purchasing Policy, and no approval documentation was

found in the meeting minutes.

Five mileage reimbursement payments totaling $496 to Moore between June 2023 and December 2023 had no supporting documentation. Additionally, one mileage reimbursement of $242.56 was calculated incorrectly. The OSA determined the former mayor traveled 151.6 miles, which at the 2024 IRS rate of $0.67 per mile should have totaled $101.57 — an overpayment of $140.99.

The OSA also reviewed 21 vendor payments totaling $141,808 and found that town o cials did not consistently follow the town’s purchasing policy.

Across all purchase thresholds, which included transactions from under $2,500 up to those in the $30,000 to $89,999 range, payments were frequently made without required requisitions, purchase orders or competitive quotes. An example in

eral agencies to determine if other recovery e orts should be made. According to the report, the Department of Commerce found the department “lacked adequate internal controls,” such as review procedures. The lack of controls resulted in $873 million in overstatements and more than $260 million in understatements. The breakdown of those misstatements includes intergovernmental payables being overstated by $500 million and unemployment bene ts expenses overstated by $372.8

the report cites a single paving contract in July 2023 totaling $84,368.

In total, the OSA found $131,393 in purchased services lacked the required requisitions or purchase orders.

During its investigation, the OSA reviewed 187 of 859 Purchase Card (P-Card) transactions made between June 2023 and June 2025, covering $28,265 of the total $74,718 in spending.

Of the P-Card transactions reviewed, 54 of them totaling $5,725 did not have itemized receipts as required by the town’s P-Card Policy. Additionally, 83 purchases totaling $4,738 were made at fuel stations using a town P-Card, which the purchasing policy explicitly prohibits. The policy says fuel purchases are required to be made with fuel cards assigned to speci c town vehicles. The report’s background sec-

tion notes that the former mayor, the nance director serving as of November 2025 and the former nance director all told the OSA they were unaware the town had a Purchasing Policy.

During the review period, $9,400 in employee bonuses were paid outside the town’s payroll system, and employment taxes were not withheld. The OSA found that 25 of 39 bonus payments, totaling $3,000, lacked documented board approval.

The town also had 65 outstanding checks totaling $63,957 in its accounting system, some dating as far back as January 2012, that should have been remitted to the state treasurer as unclaimed funds. As of November 2025, the issue was still unresolved despite being agged in a prior audit.

The town’s most recent completed nancial statement audit covered the scal year ending June 30, 2022, and was submitted almost two years late. Additionally, audits for scal years 2023 and 2024 had not been submitted as of November 2025. In a response signed by current Mayor Gil Wheeler, the town agreed with the ndings and outlined actions it would take, with most targeted for completion by May 2026. The town said it has hired a nance o cer and engaged a third-party CPA to address outstanding nancial statement audits, with full audit completion set for June 2027.

Three allegations reviewed by the OSA involving payments to the former mayor’s nonpro ts, a trailer purchase at an auction and utility payments via Cash App were found to be unsubstantiated. However, the OSA noted the utility trailer purchased in 2022 by Moore, for which she was reimbursed $3,536 by the town, remains registered in the name of the prior owner rather than the town.

bly,” Boliek said. “While the single audit provides a high-level nancial overview, the work done by our team and the ndings and questioned costs will help steer us toward deeper dives into Medicaid and other areas of government spending.”

Election integrity, agency realignment on Hayes’ docket

The NCSBE director also discussed operational challenges and a tight Senate race

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — In an interview with North State Journal, North Carolina State Board of Elections Executive Director Sam Hayes touched on the March primary and the tight Senate District 26 race, and outlined a focus of realigning agency operations, strengthening election enforcement and rebuilding relationships with state lawmakers.

In part 1 of his interview, Hayes discussed the North Carolina State Board of Elections’ (NCSBE) Voter Registration Repair Project and much-needed systems modernization e orts already under way.

Hayes suggested potential changes to operational challenges, such as tight deadlines for counting provisional and absentee ballots under Senate Bill 747.

“One of the other things we’re looking at is trying to count votes earlier,” said Hayes. “Right now, our election workers cannot start counting ballots until the polls close at 7:30. So you’ve got folks sitting around all day. … They’re being underutilized when they could be counting these early votes, counting absentees — getting ahead.” Hayes said earlier counting

FORUM from page A1

commentary on the recent Leandro education funding decision by the North Carolina Supreme Court, which reversed its previous ruling by con rming the legislature controls the purse under the state’s constitution.

“This lawsuit has never ever had anything to do with politics,” Bill Harrison, the forum’s chairman, said. “It has always had everything to do with doing right by all kids.” Harrison was the superintendent of Hoke County Schools when the case was rst led 32 years ago. Ann McColl, a recent director for the forum, called the ruling “nonsense” and said, “We

could get vote totals out much more quickly, adding, he thinks it “would bolster con dence in some of these returns.”

Hayes also remarked on extending voting by one hour on primary night due to an electronic poll book update issue in Halifax County as an example of the board’s commitment to protecting voters’ rights.

The biggest outcome from the primary came in Senate District 26, where longtime Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) su ered a loss after multiple recounts were conducted.

Hayes stressed that the board adhered strictly to state statute, conducting a machine recount followed by a 3% partial district hand-to-eye sample recount in selected precincts.

“We treat every race the same. We stick to the process, we stick to the law,” Hayes said of the race’s recount requests. “You can’t go wrong doing that.”

One of Hayes’ priorities upon taking the helm was a full agency realignment to match sta expertise with the board’s core duties.

“Another one of my priorities coming in was an agency reorg or realignment,” said Hayes. “Just looking at the sta that we have, the sta that I had coming in, where our core competencies are, what our duties and priorities as an agency are, and how we can realign the divisions to work together better, to serve the voters better, to serve the counties better.”

As part of that overhaul, cam-

should take it for what it is — a political decision.”

One panel discussion featured four legislators: Reps. Brian Biggs (R-Randolph), Heather Rhyne (R-Forsyth) and Zach Hawkins (D-Durham), and Sen. Minority Leader Sydney Batch (D-Wake).

Moderator David Jackson, president and CEO of the Boone Chamber of Commerce, raised education funding, teacher pay, the state budget, property taxes, school vouchers and workforce issues ahead of the short legislative session as critical issues.

All the panelists described being public school graduates and emphasized supporting teachers and students, but they dif-

paign nance was spun o into its own standalone division led by longtime board attorney Lindsey Wakely. A new Division of Election Security and Enforcement was also created and placed under Ron Herring, a West Point graduate and former investigator with the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security.

Hayes said Herring’s mandate is clear: aggressively pursue voter fraud and election crimes.

“We really want to start digging into voter fraud, election crimes and building case les and building them up to the point where we can just hand them o to prosecutors,” Hayes explained.

Hayes said the agency is already partnering with all three U.S. attorneys in the state, the FBI, the State Bureau of Investigation and local district attorneys. He cited a recent high-pro le federal case in the Eastern District as an example

fered on priorities. Republicans focused on teacher raises, workforce programs and smart spending, while Democrats stressed the “ scal cli ,” equity and criticized Republican leadership for not acting boldly enough on funding.

The conversation was mostly optimistic about getting the state budget done soon, with calls for bipartisanship, accountability and keeping students rst.

“I can tell you from the House side, teacher pay is one of our biggest priorities,” Biggs, one of the House K-12 Education Committee chairs, said when asked what trade-o s might be considered to reach an agreement on the budget. “That’s one of the

NCDOT HOSTING A PUBLIC OPEN HOUSE A PROPOSAL TO REPLACE THE BRIDGES ON FORESTVILLE ROAD OVER HARRIS CREEK AND OVER HODGES MILL CREEK IN RALEIGH

RALEIGH - The N.C. Department of Transportation is hosting a public meeting to discuss the proposal to replace the bridges on Forestville Road over Harris Creek and over Hodges Mill Creek. The purpose of this meeting is to provide interested citizens with information on the project and gather public input on the proposed design.

Project details and maps can be found on NCDOT’s project input website at publicinput.com/forestvillerd-bridges. The information will be available at the meeting allowing for one-on-one discussions with NCDOT staff, but there will be no formal presentation.

The meeting will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on April 21 at Wake Cross Baptist Church, 3328 Forestville Road, in Raleigh.

People may also submit comments by phone at 984-205-6615 project code 1863 email forestvillerd-bridges@publicinput.com, or mail at the address shown below by May 5, 2026.

By Mail: Lisa Bullard-Gilchrist, EI NCDOT Highway Division 5 – Bridge Program Manager 2612 N. Duke Street Durham, NC 27704

NCDOT will provide auxiliary aids and services under the Americans with Disabilities Act for disabled people who wish to participate in this meeting. Anyone requiring special services should contact Tony Gallagher, Environmental Analysis Unit, at 1598 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-1598, 919-707-6069 or magallagher@ ncdot.gov as early as possible so arrangements can be made.

— a Canadian national recently entered into a plea deal after illegally voting in North Carolina elections for 20 years.

Hayes and NCSBE Deputy Director for External A airs Jason Tyson emphasized renewed cooperation with the General Assembly, which they said had been lacking under the previous administration.

Tyson, who handles both communications and legislative a airs, noted the board has hired a new Senate-focused legislative liaison, Leah Byers, formerly with Sen. Ralph Hise’s ofce. The agency has also begun sending a weekly newsletter to lawmakers and is actively seeking to restore sta ng levels.

“We used to be an agency of 100,” Tyson said. “We’re now 65, so we’re looking to beef that back up to get part of the way to that 100 number.”

The board has some pending legislation for the upcoming short session. Hayes said the agency has worked closely for months with House Elections Chairman Hugh Blackwell on a comprehensive elections bill and met recently with Sen. Brent Jackson (R-Sampson) to discuss budget needs.

Tyson identi ed the board’s agship legislation as House Bill 958.

“Our big omnibus bill is H.B. 958. And it’s a catch-all. You might call it a storehouse for everything election related,” said Tyson, adding, “It’s robust.”

House Bill 958 is currently sitting in the House Committee on Election Law.

The NCSBE has also been involved in improving voter-list maintenance and citizenship veri cation.

Hayes told North State Journal the board has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Homeland Se-

biggest priorities. And we want meaningful rates, not a 1 or 2%.”

He added, “Education, to me, is not something that you can trade o . It’s not something we can negotiate with. It’s something we’ve got to have.”

Rhyne was asked about her experience on the local school board and the House Select Committee on Property Tax Reduction and Reform related to the potential impact of proposed property tax changes on local school funding.

“Those conversations can lead to some great changes and to some great results,” said Rhyne.

“Building those relationships with your county commissioners during this time is going to be extremely important to look at how you’re funded.”

Public School Forum’s interim president and CEO Lauren Fox said of the Opportunity Scholarship program (OSP), which gives tiered grants for students to attend the private school of their choice, that North Carolina “remains the state with the least accountability by a long shot.”

Rhyne countered that statement.

“First I’ll say, let me squash the rumor that there is zero accountability in Opportunity Scholarships,” said Rhyne. “Because there is a whole statute on that you can look at where there is testing and there are reporting requirements for schools that take students that have Opportunity Scholarships.

“From an Opportunity Scholarship standpoint, it’s the one that’s really bipartisan,” Rhyne said, citing polls showing more than 60% support the OSP. “And so, it really is a bipartisan e ort to make sure that our kids are getting the education in an environment that they feel like they will thrive in.”

curity to run voter rolls through the federal SAVE database using the last four digits of Social Security numbers.

The goal of SAVE is to ag potential noncitizens for further review. The NCSBE had tabled the idea last September, later voting in December to move forward.

Regarding SAVE usage, he stressed that the board begins with the presumption that registered voters are eligible but will act on evidence to the contrary.

Hayes also revealed the board is pressing the N.C. Division of Motor Vehicles (NCDMV) for access to full Social Security numbers — currently blocked by the commissioner on legal grounds — and will ask the General Assembly to mandate that access speci cally for voter-list maintenance purposes.

Paul Tine, a former statehouse lawmaker, was named NCDMV commissioner last May.

“I have asked Commissioner Tine at the DMV to provide us with full Socials,” said Hayes. “He has cited state and federal law as a reason not to, but we are asking the General Assembly to change the statute in that regard.”

The NCSBE sought the data from Tine last October. The DMV has agreed to some cooperation, but the NCSBE still hasn’t received the data requested.

Hayes said he understands the sensitivity around personal information.

“We believe that this is necessary to conduct voter list maintenance as required by state and federal law,” said Hayes, “and to make sure that people have condence that our voter rolls are clean and only the people that are on there are supposed to be on there are on there.”

Hawkins said if people want to send their kids to private school, they should pay and not the state.

“Public dollars belong with public schools,” said Hawkins. “If you want to move towards a private education, you should want to pay for it.”

Batch was asked about how the Senate Democratic Caucus will be working to make sure everything education-wise is done from an equitable standpoint given possible revenue issues.

“My Senate Republican colleagues are engaging in magical thinking,” said Batch. “And the fact that they believe that we are not at a scal cli and that we aren’t going to be in a situation where we’re going to end up at some point not having enough money to meet the needs of a state that’s rapidly growing.”

She then referred to Jay-Z for a quote, stating, “We got 99 problems. Money is almost all of them, y’all. … If you give the resources necessary to the school systems, that’s great.”

When asked about property tax priorities emerging at the General Assembly, Batch said, “I think they need to stay out of local property tax business. … You have to pick a lane.

“So if the legislature is going to go ahead and push for this property tax nonsense and say that there needs to be a cap, then my response is, well, then we need to step in, and we need to actually ll that void.”

At the close of the panel, all four lawmakers were asked to sum up the nearing short session in three-word predictions.

Biggs said, “It’s gonna be a long session,” while Rhyne replied, “Lots of opportunity.”

Batch said, “Politics will win,” and Hawkins couldn’t pick three words and said, “It will not be a short session at all.”

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

The transcendent allure of a just society

Trying to determine what is “just” or “done in the name of justice” is not something that can or should be picked up in a random focus group session or online poll.

THE WAR in Iran has triggered an interest in many people to examine the tenets of the so-called “Just War Theory.”

People have been sent scurrying to the library (if they still do such a thing) or scouring the internet (which is sadly an increasingly unsuitable place to nd “the truth” about anything) to nd out what it is in the rst place.

Many say they support the war against Iran and consider it “just” — “just because” they have seen the terrorism and murders instigated and funded by the fundamentalist Islamist leaders of Iran since 1989.

Others say they are against the war against Iran and don’t consider it “just”— “just because” they hate President Donald Trump and don’t consider him to be an honorable leader.

At least people are being forced to consider the deeper meaning of the word “just” as a derivative of the word “justice” and come to a conclusion about what sort of “just” government they want in North Carolina and the United States.

Many are going to church for the rst time in a long time — or the rst time ever — to discover what is “just” and the right thing to do. After all, the concept of “justice” or being morally righteous and transcendent has to come from somewhere. Given the history of mankind over the past 10,000 years, the concept of an overriding universal principle such as justice has to come from an other-worldly source.

G.K. Chesterton masterfully observed in “Orthodoxy” that original sin was an easily provable part of Christianity simply by

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

reading the news or looking around town.

The word “just” in this context derives its meaning as an adjective from ancient Latin, French and Old English words that conveyed the strong sense of making serious decisions after a lot of thought and reason which would be considered morally upright and in conformity with the prevailing religious belief at the time, Christianity. Some etymological sources now indicate this interpretation is archaic in nature, as if the true depth of its meaning no longer is relevant in the 21st century.

“Just War” theory is derived from the writings of St. Ambrose, his student Augustine and other ancient theologians and philosophers. “Just War” has been deeply analyzed and debated by the Catholic Church over the past two millenniums, although other denominations such as the Lutherans have contributed to the important debate of when war may be considered “justi able.”

Having the freedom where philosophers and theologians could examine the moral, ethical and religious implications of going to war was a major breakthrough in civilized human progress. Making public policy decisions on every major issue ranging from education to transportation deserves the same sort of rigorous intellectual, moral and ethical scrutiny that can be exchanged in forums of free speech in a civil and disciplined manner.

Trying to determine what is “just” or “done in the name of justice” is not something that can or should be picked up in a random focus group session or online poll taken by a partisan political group

Political social media influencers need to do better

Even if they do delay the next hearing, that doesn’t mean Brown will never be tried on the state charge.

I’VE BEEN ON social media for many years, and one of the most persistent things that has irked me has been all the times I’ve noticed leftist in uencers with large followings posting information that either isn’t true or is very misleading.

Most often, it has happened through video clips of a Republican politician or conservative commentator giving their opinion in an interview. The in uencer would post the video and what they framed as a quote from the person in the clip. But then you’d watch it and see that either no such thing was said or that it was cut o and taken out of context to mean something di erent from what the in uencer was trying to push.

In other instances, they’d share a link to a story and would include what they wanted you to think was a “gotcha” quote from the piece. But then you’d go read the article and realize that, again, the person and the story being told were taken out of context. Unfortunately, that’s still happening. Also unfortunate has been the growing number of political in uencers on the right who are engaging in posting misinformation, not just about political gures but also current events.

The most recent instance came last week, when it was reported that DeCarlos Brown

Jr., the suspect in the murder of 23-year-old Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska aboard the Charlotte light rail system last August, had been found “incapable to proceed” on the state murder charge.

Almost immediately, conservative in uencers with large followings used the information to provoke outrage by insinuating or suggesting that Brown would never have to stand trial. Further, they rushed to blame judges for the “incapable to proceed” nding.

None of it was true. First and foremost, judges had nothing to do with the nding. What happened was that Brown’s defense attorney led a motion April 7, noting that his client had undergone a competency evaluation at Central Regional Hospital, a psychiatric hospital in North Carolina, last December. It was one of their clinicians who issued the nding, not a judge.

The attorney led the motion in order to request a six-month delay for what is called the “critical stage” hearing, which is currently set for the end of the month, because Brown is in federal custody on federal charges stemming from the case. The defense attorney and state prosecutors understand the “critical stage” hearing can’t be conducted while he’s in federal custody.

with strong leanings one way or the other.

Try to imagine the depth and quality of our governed life together if every political issue was determined and discussed at the same level of seriousness and gravity that great thinkers in the past used to examine the merits or demerits of going to war against an adversary. What is “just” about the breakdown of the American family in many parts of our country, and what can be done about it? What is “just” about the lack of proper education many young people of our nation receive, especially when they are entering a workforce that is vastly di erent from the ones their parents and grandparents entered.

Serious debate and thought can’t just be reserved for going to war, can it? Alexis de Tocqueville toured the young American republic several decades before the onset of the Civil War and observed that the religious faith of America is what held the new nation together. Without the integration of faith from our private life into our public life together, he essentially came to the conclusion that the transcendent allure of a free America would be lost to the world forever.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of the founding of our great country, this is not the time to sit back and wait and see if someone else will do the big things necessary to help restore our basic American traditions and values that can ensure “just” outcomes for the future. We all have a stake in the future and have a seat at the table to do something about it today.

While a judge has yet to rule on the motion, even if they do delay the next hearing, that doesn’t mean Brown will never be tried on the state charge. The state could opt to request treatment that potentially could lead to Brown being capable of standing trial at the state level, but it isn’t something they can do while he’s still in federal custody.

And regarding the federal charges, the o ce of the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina clari ed that “Brown is in federal custody on a federal indictment. The state proceedings, including any competency nding in those proceedings, are completely separate.”

There are many layers to this case, especially with there being charges at the state and federal levels. But all this information was out there before the in uencers posted what they did, and the result of all the misinformation was unnecessary panic among people who understandably want justice for Zarutska. I get that people are eager to see justice done. We all want that. But the facts are important, and anyone responsible for informing the public has an obligation to get it right to the best of their ability. Not doing so is a disservice to the public and, most of all, her family.

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

This is what a world superpower looks like

AMERICA is living through a moment di cult to describe without sounding a little unhinged.

But here goes: We are watching the United States do things that only the United States can do.

In the span of a few days, Americans have watched astronauts push farther into space than any human beings in history, while U.S. forces execute military operations so precise and technologically overwhelming that they look like something written for a Hollywood script. Pilots are being rescued in missions that resemble “Mission: Impossible.” Terrorists are being eliminated with the kind of targeted strikes that only a modern superpower can carry out.

And somehow, this has become so normal that we barely stop to appreciate it.

Last Monday, Artemis II made history.

According to The Wall Street Journal, the astronauts aboard NASA’s Orion spacecraft traveled more than 248,655 miles from Earth — farther than any human beings have ever gone.

President Donald Trump called the crew to congratulate them, and what followed was a reminder of how far beyond our daily politics the American project really reaches.

“Tell me, what is the most unforgettable part of this really historic day?” the president asked. “The whole world is watching and listening. Please tell me.”

Commander Reid Wiseman responded with the kind of awe you would expect from someone looking at the universe from a vantage point no human being has ever had before. He spoke of seeing the moon from a new perspective, of witnessing sights “no human has ever seen before,” even during Apollo. He described an eclipse — the sun, the moon, darkness outside the window, the corona visible — and even the “planet train” lining up in the distance.

It is happening alongside a broader national posture that is unmistakably American: an insistence that the country is not merely capable of greatness but obligated to pursue it.

For years, Americans have been trained to speak about their own country in tones of apology. The national mood has been one long exercise in self-criticism, as if con dence itself were a moral failing.

But there is a reason the rest of the world still looks at the United States as the place where things happen.

People don’t just come here because we have jobs. They come because America still o ers something rare: the opportunity to build, to create, to rise.

For decades, the Iranian regime has played the same game: fund terrorism, destabilize the Middle East, pursue nuclear weapons, develop long-range ballistic missiles, brutalize its own population and then demand to be treated as a legitimate member of the international community.

The Trump administration’s position is simple: That game is over.

What critics conveniently ignore is that Iran has been o ered an o -ramp repeatedly. The United States has not demanded cultural surrender or humiliation. The requirements are basic: Stop pursuing nuclear weapons, stop developing long-range missiles, and stop funding terrorism. That is it.

COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI

Iran could have chosen that path at any time — not just in recent years but over nearly half a century. They could have been reintegrated into the world economy. They could have normalized relations. They could have chosen prosperity over fanaticism.

Instead, they chose escalation.

They chose theocracy. They chose regional domination. They chose to bankroll terror groups and accelerate toward nuclear capability. They chose to become a permanent source of instability.

And now, they are facing the consequences.

The United States has unleashed military power with a level of dominance that has few parallels in history.

This is not a stalemate. This is not a quagmire. By any reasonable historical standard, it is a superpower dismantling a hostile regime’s military capacity in real time.

And still, the president continues to o er Iran a way out: Open the Strait of Hormuz, abandon the nuclear program, and the war ends.

The question Americans should ask is not why the United States is acting. The question is why the Iranian regime would rather watch its military collapse than abandon the tools of terror. It is not simply a government defending itself. It is a revolutionary ideology seeking expansion.

The comforting Western myth — that radical Islamist aggression would vanish if only the United States stopped “provoking” it — collapses under even minimal historical scrutiny. Expansionist religious movements do not stop because they are left alone. They stop when they are defeated.

Trump was asked whether he believes God supports America’s actions.

“I do,” he said, “because God is good. ... God doesn’t like what’s happening.”

He added that he takes no pleasure in war.

That comment will be mocked by the same class of people who mock anything resembling moral clarity. But the underlying point is one Americans should not be afraid to state plainly: Removing tyrants and dismantling terror networks is not immoral. Allowing them to metastasize is.

America is not perfect. No nation is. But the United States remains something rare in human history: a country capable of extraordinary power and, at its best, willing to use that power against evil.

Whether it is sending human beings farther into space than any civilization ever has or confronting regimes that spread violence across continents, the United States continues to occupy a role no other country can ll.

And Americans should feel proud of that — not in a shallow, ag-waving way but in the serious way that comes from recognizing what we are watching unfold.

The world is watching.

And, like it or not, history is still being written in English. Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show,” and co-founder of Daily Wire+. He is a three-time New York Times bestselling author. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Argentina is booming — capitalism remains undefeated

In 2023, more than 100 leading economists from around the world, including progressive darling Thomas Piketty, signed a letter warning that “far-right” Argentine presidential candidate Javier Milei’s policies, which were “rooted in laissez-faire economics,” would cause “devastation,” spike in ation, expand poverty and worsen unemployment.

Celebrated economists never penned any open letters warning that the preceding Peronists’ or Kirchnerists’ perverse blend of fascism, socialism and unionism would drive Argentina — once one of the world’s wealthiest nations — into destitution, unemployment, soaring in ation and bankruptcy.

But that’s how it always goes.

Political scientist Ian Bremmer warned, “Economic collapse is coming imminently.”

Felix Salmon, then-chief nancial correspondent at Axios (now at Bloomberg), argued that Milei’s “wrecking ball” policies would plunge Argentina into “a deep recession.”

When the United States provided Argentina with a $20 billion currency swap line last year, former New York Times columnist and Milei critic Paul Krugman argued that there’s “no plausible scenario in which even $20 billion in U.S. loans will save Javier Milei’s failing economic strategy.” Argentina only tapped around $2.5 billion of that funding and then fully repaid the loan in January with interest, far ahead of schedule.

Well, Argentina’s 2025 GDP also blew past expectations, growing 4.4%, the highest in years. The International Monetary Fund expects the GDP will grow at similar rates in 2026 and 2027.

When Milei’s socialist predecessor, Alberto Fernandez, reopened the economy after COVID-19 and saw the entirely predictable rise in GDP, popular Nobel laureate economist and Hugo Chavez fan Joseph Stiglitz called it an “economic miracle.” Over the next year, in ation rose to 97%, while poverty spiked, real wages fell and GDP stagnated.

Since Milei’s party won power in 2023, in ation has dropped more than 200%, plunging to the lowest level in eight years.

Though this is likely the fastest any nation experiencing hyperin ation has improved its position in modern history, Stiglitz still warns that Milei is leading Argentina into “crisis.”

Yet it had a scal surplus for the second consecutive year in 2025, marking the rst time since 2008 that it accomplished the feat, and the poverty rate dropped signi cantly in 2025, reaching its lowest level since 2018.

The crisis Milei took on was stark: In the rst half of 2024, around 52.9% of the population was living in poverty, with 18% in extreme poverty.

Poverty fell 14 percentage points, to 38%, last year. It is at 31% now.

Milei did all this the old-fashioned way.

He removed price controls, got rid of tari s and opened trade, privatized a slew of government-run agencies, cut red tape, weakened union monopolies, made major cuts in spending and eliminated an array of needless state jobs.

In other words, all the usual stu that free marketers preach will work — and experts warn us will bring on Armageddon.

True capitalism has never been tried. But even partial capitalism works every time.

And we never run out of examples.

After gaining independence and moving away from a planned economy in the 1990s, Estonia was one of the rst former communist nations to embrace free-market solutions. It soon became one of the most successful, tech-driven economies in Europe.

The Poles moved slower, but they also shed socialism for capitalistic reforms, abandoning price controls and scaling back state power.

Now they’re one of the few former communist nations economically on par with the West.

In the 1980s, Ireland was the poorest nation in Western Europe. After its stagnant economy adopted a slew of laissez-faire reforms, deregulations and lower taxes, Ireland not only grew to have a higher GDP per capita than Britain but also became the third-wealthiest nation in the world.

Singapore, once destitute, transformed into a free-market economy and now edges out Ireland on the world’s-richest list.

South Korea, also once one of the poorest nations, undertook economic liberalization e orts in the 1980s and accelerated them in the 1990s, shedding its top-down, government-controlled protectionist economy for a market system.

Now it’s one of the world’s most dynamic economies.

For its rst decades of existence, Israel was a one-party quasi-socialist state with a union-run economy that was constantly teetering on the edge of economic crisis.

It wasn’t until the 1990s, after an extensive deregulation of Israel’s economy, that the nation experienced an explosion of productivity and quality of life.

Israel’s per capita GDP now outperforms most European nations, while its tech sector outperforms most of the world.

Yet no matter how many times the technocrats or socialists or progressives are proven (sometimes catastrophically) wrong, they are never treated as the radicals.

No matter how often free-market reforms work to better the lives of millions, they will never be credited.

David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner, a nationally syndicated columnist and the author of ve books. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

MICHAEL BARONE

39 days: Too much or not enough?

WILL THE U.S.-IRAN war turn out to have been the 39-day war, following the locution of the 12-day Israel-Iran war of June 2025?

The markets, as this is written, seem to think so. Asian stock markets were up last Wednesday morning after President Donald Trump’s cease re announcement and, hours later, so were European markets. U.S. markets had rebounded from initial losses last Tuesday.

The political marketplace was less steady. “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again,” Trump posted on Truth Social at 8:06 a.m. EDT last Tuesday. “I don’t want that to happen,” he reassured readers, “but it probably will.”

It didn’t quite happen. At 6:32 p.m. EDT, just in time to make the old-line network evening newscasts, Trump announced “a double sided CEASEFIRE” on Truth Social. “Subject,” he went on, “to the Islamic Republic of Iran agreeing to the COMPLETE, IMMEDIATE, and SAFE OPENING of the Strait of Hormuz, I agree to suspend the bombing and attack of Iran for a period of two weeks.”

In all these dizzying threats and turnabouts, there are plenteous reverberations of events of the 1970s, which seem to have made a deep impression on the young commercial real estate developer and reality-TV-star-to-be now in his second term as president.

One memory Trump’s postings evoked was that of Richard Nixon’s “madman” theory. Make adversaries afraid, he con ded to aide Bob Haldeman and national security adviser Henry Kissinger, that your president is irrational and angry, that he may be on the brink of wielding America’s awesome power in destructive and unpredictable ways, so that the adversaries, full of dread, will do what he wants.

Of course, Nixon and his aides didn’t tell the public about this at the time. Indeed, the revelations of his Machiavellian maneuvering — yes, Machiavelli actually advocated feigning madness in his “Discourses on Livy” — and his coarse language most Americans in the 1970s found shocking. In contrast, Trump proclaims his own negotiating moves in public in all caps and on his own app, and he employs language that the public in the 2020s has grown accustomed to from streaming series in which characters utter an implausible, apparently obligatory number of F-words per hour.

There’s no question that, as Trump was at pains to say, the military achieved most of its objectives. With astonishingly minimal losses and the astonishing retrieval of a downed pilot, the United States and its allies more than decimated the Iranian regime’s leadership, vastly reduced its supplies of and capacity to replenish weaponry, and vastly degraded — if not destroyed — its nuclear weapons programs.

But it was unable to restore the shipping lanes of the Strait of Hormuz, which allowed Iran’s rulers to impose costs on European allies, East Asian economies and American voters. And the drawdowns on U.S. munitions supplies threatened to undermine the credibility of American deterrence in Asia — a concern for an administration whose national security strategy placed East Asia above the Middle East among its priorities.

Against Iran, Trump failed to duplicate his success in abducting Nicolas Maduro and intimidating his chosen successor to refrain from extraterritorial behavior the U.S. opposes. He fell even further short of eliminating a regime bloody from fresh suppression of domestic opponents and scornful of international mores since its seizure and imprisonment for 444 days of U.S. diplomats — an act of war for which it has never apologized.

That regime may not last forever.

“Iranian authorities,” writes Reuters’ Phil Stewart, “emerge battered and isolated with an economy in tatters, little prospect of rapid recovery and an impoverished, embittered population.” Their relationship with their a uent Gulf neighbors “has been severed — maybe for decades.”

History tells us that there is no simple formula for when a successful revolution breaks out. So far, Israeli predictions and American hopes that a military battering would prompt revolutionary regime change in Iran have not been ful lled, but they may yet be.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co - author of “The Almanac of American Politics.” (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Murphy to Manteo Jones & Blount

Report highlights critical teacher shortages in rural NC

EAST

PIEDMONT

Man accused of pulling gun at restaurant

Mecklenburg County

Halifax Resolves receive new display in honor of 250th anniversary Haywood County

The Halifax Resolves now have a new display case for the founding documents at the Haywood County courthouse. According to local o cials, the wood of the casing is reclaimed from local barns and donated by families in the county. The county partnered with the Daughters of the American Revolution and several community members to make the new case for the documents.

The signing of the Halifax Resolves happened just a few months before the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

A man was charged after a reported disturbance at the Birkdale Village shopping plaza in Huntersville on Saturday evening, according to the Huntersville Police Department. Investigators said the suspect, identi ed as 38-year-old James Servillion Harrison III, was in an argument with another person at North Italia restaurant when he threatened and pointed a gun at them. A loaded weapon was found at the scene with all rounds accounted for. There was no evidence that shots were red, o cials said.

NSJ

N.C. A&T football player dies in motorcycle crash

Guilford County

A 180-day continuance was requested by Decarlos Brown Jr.’s public defender

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — A motion for a continuance has been led in the trial of Decarlos Brown Jr., the man accused of murdering Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on Charlotte’s light rail train system last August. The motion, led by Assistant Public Defender Daniel P. Roberts on April 7, asked a Mecklenburg County Superior Court judge to postpone the Rule 24 hearing in his rst-degree murder case, currently set for April 30. A Rule 24 hearing is a required procedural step in death penalty-eligible cases addressing intervention and management. According to the motion, Brown had been “evaluated at Central Regional Hospital,” and a report issued on Dec. 29, 2025, found he was “incapable to proceed.” Shortly afterward, Brown was indicted in federal court in the Western District of North Carolina and transferred to federal custody. Roberts is requesting a 180-day continuance, or until further order of the court. The state has been noti ed and consented to the delay. The motion argues the

July 1. According to a news release, the delay is due to several days of heavy snowfall during the winter, which created di cult site conditions that slowed crews.

Law partners celebrate kidney donation bond

Forsyth County

A Winston-Salem law partner is approaching one year since a life- changing kidney transplant. Bennett Guthrie partner Erik Harvey received a kidney donation from Elizabeth Lawson, the rm’s associate attorney, in August 2025. Harvey and Lawson have known each other for the last 16 years through work and developed a friendship that has extended to their families. Harvey was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure nine years ago and received dialysis treatments for eight years until Lawson’s o er to donate.

WGHP

the Capitol 250 Freedom Fest, which will follow the Raleigh parade on July 4. “We’ve got living historians, musical performers, food vendors, food trucks, exhibitors — all sorts of things are going to be on the Capitol grounds for our Capitol 250 North Carolina Freedom Fest happening on the same day on July 4th,” said Evangelista.

Other updates shared at the meeting include:

• Over Mountain Victory Trail — The trail is being readied, with the N.C. Land & Water Fund paying to clear a Helene-damaged section in McDowell County.

Library. Additionally, Evangelista updated the committee on

• Race to the Dan — A two - day historical program in Forsyth County taking place Aug. 7-8 featuring speakers from West Point and the Virginia Military Institute. • Freedom 250 Truck — One

A 20-year-old man died Saturday afternoon when his motorcycle crashed along I-40 East in Greensboro, police said. Kelvin Level Broadhurst Jr., 20, of Woodland, South Carolina, was pronounced dead at the scene after his Ducati motorcycle ran o the road and struck a guardrail, according to the Greensboro Police Department. Broadhurst was a member of the North Carolina A&T football team, school leaders con rmed. Police said Broadhurst was traveling east on I-40 and was taking the ramp to U.S. 29 South when he lost control and hit the guardrail. He was ejected from the motorcycle and su ered deadly injuries. Broadhurst was a defensive lineman for the Aggies, playing in 28 career games with 13 recorded total tackles and 1.5 sacks. Greensboro Police, Greensboro Fire and Guilford County EMS responded to the crash. The Greensboro Police Department’s Crash Reconstruction Unit is investigating.

WFMY

Wilmington man charged in stabbing death of Camp Lejeune Marine

New Hanover County

A man is in custody following a deadly stabbing in downtown Wilmington that claimed the life of a Camp Lejeune Marine. According to the Wilmington Police Department, 47-year-old Davy Spencer, of Wilmington, has been arrested and charged with second- degree murder and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill. Lance Cpl. Daniel Montano, 21, died from his injuries on April 6 after being stabbed the night before in the 100 block of North Front Street. WITN

Fayetteville rst responders welcome crisis-response dogs Cumberland County The Fayetteville Fire Department is expanding its focus on re ghter wellness with the addition of a second crisis response dog, aimed at helping crews cope with the emotional toll of the job, according to department o cials. Lucy joins Gri th, the department’s rst crisis response dog, who has been supporting re ghters since 2025. Both dogs are provided through paws4people, a nonpro t that trains service and crisis response dogs to assist rst responders and those a ected by trauma.

WNCN

Navy SEALs stealth boats spotted near Outer Banks

Dare County Three unique stealth-like boats used by Navy SEALs and U.S. Special Forces were spotted at the North Carolina Outer Banks last weekend, according to reports. The two-tone digital gray camo watercraft — o cially called Combatant Craft Assault — are used by the United States Special Operations Command, based at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville in Cumberland County.

O cials say Special Warfare Combat Crewmen typically operate the 41-foot composite-hull boats for special missions of U.S. Navy SEALs and Green Berets. The watercraft can be loaded onto C-17 cargo planes and dropped by parachute. U.S. military helicopters can also carry the boats, which typically feature two machine guns and grenade launchers. Three of the watercraft and several military service members were seen last Saturday at the Oregon Inlet shing center at Nags Head. Raymond Pugh, a captain of a shing vessel at the Outer Banks, told local media the military boats were tied up at the dock.

WNCT

with a child

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

RALEIGH — Former General Assembly Democratic Rep. Cecil Brockman was hit with four new charges of statutory sex o ense with a child at his April 6 court appearance. During that hearing, Brockman requested a public defender be assigned to his case. Brockman was indicted March 2 on charges related to alleged felony statutory sex o enses with a child, felony indecent liberties with a child and felony rst-degree sexual exploitation with a minor. Greensboro Detention Center records show Brockman as being arrested March 3 following the indictment, and court records led

of the six traveling interactive museum exhibits visited Raleigh last month; committee members are working to bring another truck back to the state.

• N.C. Brigade Mannequin Project — All mannequins are complete and scheduled for display on the Capitol grounds July 4.

• Charlotte Augmented Reality Exhibit — A 9,000-squarefoot American Revolution exhibit featuring Kings Mountain artifacts opened Sunday at the Discovery Place Science museum. In an America 250 newsletter, NCDCNR also announced the North Carolina Symphony is asking for art submissions for its video collaboration commemorating the anniversary, titled “One State, One Score: America the Beautiful.”

Participation includes selecting a score that “matches to their instrument and experience level, learn it, record a video,” which is then uploaded to the symphony’s website. Submissions need to be made by April 30. More information can be found at tinyurl.com/ NSJ-250symphony. America 250 exhibits and celebration events in North Carolina can be found at america250.nc.gov.

and our performance audit examined and provided layers of data behind that system,” State Auditor Dave Boliek said in a statement on the report. “With key performance measurements holding the state’s alcohol distribution process to a high standard, this report gives a transparent overview of the supply, demand, costs, and where some improve-

ments can be made,” said Boliek. The March 2026 report examined LB&B Associates, which has managed the state’s liquor distribution under contract since 2004. The current contract runs through 2031 and cost $21.9 million in state scal year 2025. Distillers ship liquor to two state-owned warehouses in Raleigh and Clayton. LB&B receives those shipments, stores the inventory, and delivers it to the 452 local ABC stores operated by 171 local boards. North Carolina is one of 17 states that control and regulate the sale and distribution of alcoholic beverages. Auditors reviewed ve contractually required key performance indicators for the eight quarters in scal years 2024 and 2025. LB&B met the targets for cost metrics, order accuracy and safety reporting in every quarter. Invoices and fees were accurate and timely, orders were lled with 99% accuracy and safety reports were submitted on time.

The audit found the vendor did not meet the on-time delivery standard in any quarter. The contract requires 99% of deliveries to local stores to arrive within 30 minutes of the scheduled time in scal 2024 and within one hour in scal 2025. Actual on-time performance averaged 96.4% across the two years, ranging from 96.3% to 98.1% in individual quarters. Most delays were caused by driver shortages, mechanical problems with vehicles and severe weather. LB&B also missed the ll-rate target in one of the eight quarters. The contract calls for a minimum of 165,000 cases shipped each week. The single shortfall

NORTH CAROLINA

CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE

SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NUMBER: 26E000438-250

In the Matter of the Estate of: HARLEY WYMAN FISHER Deceased.

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as CoExecutors of the Estate of Harley Wyman Fisher, deceased, late of Cumberland 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 July 2, 2026 (which is three (3) months after the day of the rst publication of this notice), 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 2nd day of April, 2026. Laurie Ann Dukic and Harley Wyman Fisher, Jr. Co-Executors of the Estate of Harley Wyman Fisher, Deceased c/o J. Thomas Neville Yarborough, Winters & Neville, P.A. P.O. Box 705 Fayetteville, NC 28302-0705 Publish: 04/02/2026, 04/09/2026, 04/16/2026 and 04/23/2026 NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NUMBER: 26E000341-250

In the Matter of the Estate of: EUGENE HENRY MADDOX Deceased.

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Eugene Henry Maddox deceased, late of Cumberland 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 July 9, 2026 (which is three (3) months after the day of the rst publication of this notice), 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 9th day of April, 2026. Eugene Henry Maddox, Jr. Executor of the Estate of Eugene Henry Maddox, Deceased c/o J. Thomas Neville Yarborough, Winters & Neville, P.A. P.O. Box 705 Fayetteville, NC 28302-0705

Publish: 04/09/2026, 04/16/2026, 04/23/2026 and 04/30/2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA

CUMBERLAND COUNTY

ADMINISTRATOR NOTICE

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Stachis K. Alers, deceased, late of Cumberland County, This is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 9th day of July 2026, (Which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 9th day of April 2026. Adlai Alers, Executor of the Estate of Stachis K. Alers Adlai Alers 6701 Agnes Scott Ct, Fayetteville, NC 28311 First day of publication 9 Apr 2026

Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice Estate File # 26E000449-250

The undersigned,having quali ed as Administrator/Executor of the estate of Martha P.Branham,deceased,late of cumberland county,hereby noti es all persons, rms,and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the second day of July 2026, (which is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice)or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. The second day of April 2026 Administrator/Executor-Wanda B Graham Address-622 Hermosa Ct City/State,zip-Fayetteville,N.C.28314 of the Estate of Martha P.Branham

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Robin L. Cox a/k/a Robin Lynn Cox Cumberland County Estate File No. 26E000192-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Robin L. Cox a/k/a Robin Lynn Cox, Deceased,

NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Judy Whitaker Davis, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of July, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This is the 25th day of March, 2026. Ti any Quinn Davis 3484 Wilmington Hwy. Fayetteville, NC 28306 Of the Estate of Judy Whitaker Davis, Deceased

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E000448-250 Administrator’s/Executor’s Notice

The undersigned, having quali ed as Carol L. Wild of the Estate of Eugenia W. Felder , deceased , late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 26th day of June, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 26th day of March, 2026. Carol L. Wilds

Administrator/Executor 6616 Brookshire Street Address Fayetteville, North Carolina 28314 City, State, Zip Of the Estate of Eugenia W Felder , Deceased.

ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E000375-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

The undersigned having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Mary Olivia Spielmann, Deceased late of Cumberland 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 July 2, 2026 at 336 Lakeview Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28301, 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 2nd day of April, 2026 Judith White Tomlinson, Administrator of the Estate of Mary Olivia Spielmann, deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC Post O ce Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 (910) 485-8899 04/02/2026, 04/09/2026, 04/16/2026 and 04/23/2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Mary Harrison Hall a/k/a Mary H. Hall

Cumberland County Estate File No. 26E000421-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Mary Harrison Hall a/k/a Mary H. Hall, Deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Sarah Harrison Hall Beasley, Executor of the Estate of Mary Harrison Hall a/k/a Mary H. Hall, at 406 Park Avenue, Fayetteville, NC 28305, on or before the 3rd day of July, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of Mary Harrison Hall a/k/a Mary H. Hall are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above.

This the 2nd day of April, 2026. Sarah Harrison Hall Beasley, Executor of the Estate of Mary Harrison Hall a/k/a Mary H. Hall

Williford McCauley - Attorney for the Estate of Mary Harrison Hall a/k/a Mary H. Hall

Mailing address: P. O. Box 53606 Fayetteville, NC 28305 Physical address: 235 Green Street Fayetteville, NC 28301

NOTICE

State of North Carolina County of Cumberland In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File 25E001740-250Of: Yvonne A Horne Administrators Notice

The undersigned having quali ed as Administrator of the estate of Yvonne A Horne, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons, rms an corporations having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of July 2026 which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery .All persons indebted to said estate will please make payment to the undersigned Cherita Horne 2717 Preston Woods Ln #11 Fayetteville NC 28304 Administrator of the estate of Yvonne A Horne, deceased

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA In The General Court Of Justice County of Cumberland Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E000475-250

Executor’s Notice

named above. This the 2nd day of April, 2026. Robert R. Cox, Ancillary Executor of the Estate of Robin L. Cox a/k/a Robin Lynn Cox Williford McCauley - Attorney for the Estate of Robin L. Cox a/k/a Robin

ADMINISTRATOR’S NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E000457-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

The undersigned having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Dale Patrick Ivey, Deceased, of Cumberland 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 July 16, 2026 at 1411 Maywood Street, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28305, 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 16th day of April, 2026 Carol Greiner Ivey, Administrator Estate of Dale Patrick Ivey, deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC Post O ce Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 (910) 485-8899 04/16/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/30/2026 and 05/07/2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Estate of Thomas Michael Lecka a/k/a Thomas M. Lecka a/k/a T. Michael Lecka Cumberland County Estate File No. 26E000432-250

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Thomas Michael Lecka a/k/a Thomas M. Lecka a/k/a T. Michael Lecka, Deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to Rob Williford McCauley, Administrator of the Estate of Thomas Michael Lecka a/k/a Thomas M. Lecka a/k/a T. Michael Lecka, at P.O. Box 53606, Fayetteville, NC 28305, or 235 Green Street, Fayetteville, NC 28301, on or before the 3rd day of July, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of Thomas Michael Lecka a/k/a Thomas M. Lecka a/k/a T. Michael Lecka are requested to make immediate payment to the Administrator named above.

This the 2nd day of April, 2026.

Rob Williford McCauley, Administrator of the Estate of Thomas Michael Lecka a/k/a Thomas M. Lecka a/k/a T. Michael Lecka

Williford McCauley - Attorney for the Estate of Thomas Michael Lecka a/k/a Thomas M. Lecka a/k/a T. Michael Lecka

Mailing address: P. O. Box 53606 Fayetteville, NC 28305 Physical address: 235 Green Street Fayetteville, NC 28301

NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File #26E000530-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA CUMBERLAND COUNTY

ADMINISTRATION NOTICE

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Melree H. Tart, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before the 10th day of July, 2026 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 9th day of April, 2026. Administrator of the Estate of Melree H. Tart Rebekah T. Wiens 234 Courtyard Lane Fayetteville, NC 28303

Notice to Creditors

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Mary Reist Mathews AKA Mary Kristine Mathews, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 9th day July, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in the bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 9th day of April, 2026. Executor: Kristina April Addis Address: 6400 West Friendly Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27410 Of the Estate of Mary Reist Mathews AKA Mary Kristine Mathews, Deceased Estate File #: 26E000535-250

NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Before the Clerk Estate File # 26E000452-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County Administrator Notice The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of, Timmy Dall Mullis, deceased, late of Cumberland County, this is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned at 4169 Maxwell Road, Autryville, North Carolina 28318 on or before the 9th of July 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 29th day of March 2026. Gina Miller, Executor of the Estate of Timmy Dall Mullis

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND NOTICE TO

them to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of July2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 2nd day of April 2026. SALLY NAVARRA ZUFELT 316 CARTWRIGHT DRIVE FAYETTEVILLE, NC 28303 Administrator of the estate of FREDDIE ROCCO NAVARRA. 23Mar26

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E000186-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND The undersigned having quali ed as Co-Executors of the Estate of Rosina R. Newton aka Rosina Rauer Newton, Deceased late of Cumberland 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 July 2, 2026 at 2614 Fashion Lane, Fayetteville, North Carolina 28304, 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 2nd day of April, 2026 Christa W. Engle, Co-Executor and Willie R. Newton, Co-Executor of the Estate of Rosina R. Newton aka Rosina Rauer Newton, deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC Post O ce Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 (910) 485-8899 04/02/2026, 04/09/2026, 04/16/2026 and 04/23/2026

EXECUTOR’S NOTICE

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division Estate File # 26E000417-250 STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND

The undersigned having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Joyce B. Nunnery aka Joyce Bowen Nunnery, deceased, late of Cumberland 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 July 9, 2026 at 13808 North Meadows Court, Wake Forest, North Carolina 27587, 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 9th day of April, 2026 David Edward Nunnery, Executor of the Estate of Joyce B. Nunnery aka Joyce Bowen Nunnery, deceased c/o Gilliam Law Firm, PLLC Post O ce Box 53555 Fayetteville, NC 28305 (910) 485-8899 04/09/2026, 04/16/2026, 04/23/2026 and 04/30/2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF MARGARET OLIVIA PETTIFORD CUMBERLAND County Estate File No. 26E000008-250 All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Margaret Olivia Pettiford, deceased, of Cumberland County, North Carolina, are noti ed to present their claims to the Executor, Brenda Crawley, 102 Cypress Lake Cir., Hope Mills, NC 28348 on or before the 5th day of July, 2026 (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice), or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. Debtors of the Decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the Executor named above. This the 26th day of March, 2026. Brenda Crawley Executor of the Estate of Margaret Pettiford Davis W. Puryear Hutchens Law Firm Attorneys for the Estate 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Run dates: April 2, April 9, April 16 and April 23, 2026

Notice To Creditors

In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division before the Clerk Estate File 26E000179-250 State of North Carolina Cumberland County Administrator’s notice. The undersigned having quali ed as the executor the estate, Angela Phillips, deceased. This is to notify all persons having claims against said estate to present them to the undersigned on or before June 26 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 19th day of March 2026. Administrator of the Estate Angela Smith Phillips PO Box 204 Godwin, NC 28344

Administrator’s/Executor

DAVIDSON

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Clarence Stewart Hough, deceased, late of Cumberland County, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present their claim to the undersigned on or before the 2nd day of July, 2026, (which date is three months after the day of the rst publication of this notice) or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payments to the undersigned. This the 2nd day of April, 2026.

Lori H. Murphy Executor 1517 Marlborough Road Fayetteville, NC 28304 Of the Estate of Clarence Stewart Hough, Deceased

2026, as Administrator of the Estate of David Patrick Galleo (26E000396640), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC,

please make prompt payment to the undersigned at the above address. This 16th day of April 2026. Andrea Galleo Administrator ESTATE OF DAVID PATRICK GALLEO David Anderson Attorney at Law 9111 Market St, Ste A Wilmington, NC 28411 Publish: April 16, 2026 April 23, 2026 April 30, 2026 May 7, 2026

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NEW HANOVER COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS THE UNDERSIGNED, Elizabeth C. Johnson, having quali ed on the 20th day of March, 2026, as Executor of the Estate of Jerry W. Johnson (26E000320640), deceased, does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said Estate that they must present them to the undersigned at DAVID E. ANDERSON, PLLC, 9111 Market Street, Suite

NEW HANOVER

NOTICE Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of HILDA COLE GRAHAM, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of TAYLOR B. CALLICUTT, ATTORNEY AT LAW, PO Box 2445, Asheboro, North Carolina 27204, on or before July 10, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 9th day of April, 2026

Dawn Graham Cox, Administrator of the Estate of Hilda Cole Graham, deceased

TAYLOR B. CALLICUTT ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 2445 Asheboro, NC 27204 (336) 953-4661

PUBL/DATES: 04/09/26 04/16/26, 04/23/26, 04/30/26

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Co Administrators of the Estate of Donald Sherman Henley, Sr. of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned CoAdministrator at the Law O ce of Andrew J. Weiner, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before July 16th 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of heir recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 16th day of April 2026. Donald Sherman Henley, Jr. CoAdministrator David Brent Henley, Co-Administrator Donald Sherman Henley, Sr. Estate Andrew J. Weiner, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of BETTY DAVIS HUNT, of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Administrator at the Law O ce of Andrew J. Weiner, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before July 9th 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of heir recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 9th day of April 2026. Timothy Raeford Hunt BETTY DAVIS HUNT, Estate Andrew J. Weiner, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 2nd day of April, 2026 Amanda Goss, Administrator of the Estate of Wanda Kay Allred Feather, deceased TAYLOR B. CALLICUTT ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 2445 Asheboro, NC 27204 (336) 953-4661 PUBL/DATES: 04/02/26 04/09/26 04/16/26 04/23/26

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Viola Kidd Lambert, of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Executor at the Law O ce of Richard L. Cox, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before June 28th 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of heir recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 26th day of March 2026. Gerald Clyde Lambert Viola Kidd Lambert, Estate Richard L. Cox, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

NOTICE Having quali ed as Co-Administrators of the Estate of Nancy Laughlin Lanier, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned do hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of TAYLOR B. CALLICUTT, ATTORNEY AT LAW, PO Box 2445, Asheboro, North Carolina 27204, on or before July 6, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 2nd day of April, 2026

Michael Ray Lanier and Suzanne Lanier Sidden, Co-Administrators of the Estate of Nancy Laughlin Lanier, deceased

TAYLOR B. CALLICUTT

ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 2445 Asheboro, NC 27204 (336) 953-4661

PUBL/DATES: 04/02/26 04/09/26 04/16/26 04/23/26

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of William Charles Norris, of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Executor at the Law O ce of Richard L. Cox, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before July 16th 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of heir recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 16th day of April 2026. Dahlia Gubalane Oldham a/k/a Dahlia Oldham Norris, Executor William Charles Norris, Estate Richard L. Cox, Attorney Gavin & Cox 113 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 Telephone: 336-629-2600

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Richard James Stinson aka Richard J. Stinson, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of Ivey & Eggleston, Attorneys at Law, 111 Worth Street, Asheboro, North Carolina 27203, on or before July 20, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 16th day of April, 2026

Terry Ann Stinson Administrator of the Estate of Richard James Stinson aka Richard J. Stinson Marion “Beth” McQuaid, Attorney IVEY & EGGLESTON, ATTORNEYS AT LAW 111 Worth Street Asheboro, NC 27203 (336) 625-3043

PUBL/DATES: 04/16/26, 04/23/26, 04/30/26, 05/06/26

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

25SP000439-120

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Tyler Eugene Norris and Kristie Courtney Norris (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Tyler Eugene Norris and Kristie Courtney Norris) to Cynthia Porter eld, Trustee(s), dated August 28, 2020, and recorded in Book No. 14454, at Page 0292 in Cabarrus County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Cabarrus County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Concord, Cabarrus County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 20, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Concord in the County of Cabarrus, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Lying and Being in Ward Number Six (6) of the City of Concord, Number Twelve (12) Township of Cabarrus County, North Carolina in the Southwestern corner of the intersection of Beverly Drive, NE and Scenic Drive, NE and Being all of Lot Number 7 in Block “A”, Section Three (3) in the Subdivision of BEVERLY HILLS, as surveyed and platted, a copy of which plat is led in the O ce of the Register of Deeds for Cabarrus County in Map book 10, Page 39, to which map book and page reference is hereby made for a complete description thereof by metes and bounds. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 261 Scenic Drive, Northeast, Concord, North Carolina. For informational purposes only, being known as 261 Scenic Drive, NE, Concord, NC 28025.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating

NOTICE

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of J. Truman Stout aka Joseph Truman Stout, late of Randolph County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of the decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of TAYLOR B. CALLICUTT, ATTORNEY AT LAW, PO Box 2445, Asheboro, North Carolina 27204, on or before July 10, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms or corporations indebted to said estate should make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 9th day of April, 2026 Evanna V. LaPrade, Executor of the Estate of J. Truman Stout aka Joseph Truman Stout, deceased TAYLOR B. CALLICUTT ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 2445 Asheboro, NC 27204 (336) 308-0354

PUBL/DATES: 04/09/26 04/16/26 04/23/26 04/30/26

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Larry Bryant Walker of Randolph County, NC, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned Executor at the Law O ce of Richard L. Cox, 113 Worth Street, Asheboro, NC 27203 on or before June 28th 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of heir recovery. All persons indebted to said estate please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 26th day of March 2026. Christina Garrison a/k/a

debt and failure to

of the

the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the

of the

for sale at public auction at the

debt, the undersigned will

of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 11:00AM on April 27, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Frederick A. Fripp and Tijuana D. Fripp, dated March 27, 2003 to secure the original principal amount of $203,900.00, and recorded in Book 6038 at Page 323 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the

be modi ed by

of

CUMBERLAND

NORTH CAROLINA

OF SALE

and by virtue of the

and

contained in the above-referenced

and because of default in

secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 29, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

To locate the POINT OF BEGINNING, begin at a stake in the northern margin of Camden Road (60.0 foot right-of-way) where same is

and

Deed of Trust

instruments appearing in the

is

but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 3513 Kennicot Court, Fayetteville, NC 28311 Tax Parcel ID: 0531-01-3735 Present Record Owners: The Estate of Frederick A. Fripp and Tijuana D. Fripp The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Frederick A. Fripp and Tijuana D. Fripp. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property o ered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any

intersected by the western line of the tract of land conveyed to K.A. Williams and wife, Myrtle B. Williams, by Edwin J. Liebers and wife, Leatha L. Liebers, by deed dated April 30, 1959, and recorded in Book 769, Page 495, Cumberland County Registry, and runs thence with the northern right-of-way margin of said Camden Road, North 62 degrees 25 minutes East 391.82 feet to a stake, runs thence with the eastern margin of a 60.0 foot road called “Dorian Road” North 27 degrees 35 minutes West 131.77 feet to the point of tangency of a curve runs thence continuing with the eastern margin of said Dorian Road as same curves to the right on a curve the radius of which is 155.22 feet, an arc distance of 78.32 feet to a point in the eastern margin of said Dorian Road, another point of tangency of said curve; and runs thence with the eastern rightof-way margin of said Dorian Road, North 01 degrees 19 minutes East 265 feet to an iron stake, the POINT OF BEGINNING.

BEGINNING at an iron stake in the eastern right-of-way margin of Dorian Road, the POINT OF BEGINNING as above de ned and located, same being in the eastern rightof-way margin of said Dorian Road, and runs thence with the eastern right-of-way margin of said Dorian Road, North 01 degrees 19 minutes East 120 feet to an iron stake, runs thence South 88 degrees

88 degrees 41 minutes West 178.7 feet to an iron stake in the eastern right-of-way margin of said Dorian Road, the POINT OF BEGINNING.

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

Said property is commonly known as 3243 Dorian Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306. A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid

WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any

land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Roman Espada.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be

Banana Ball comes to Chapel Hill, B4

the Thursday SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA SPORTS

NCAA weighs 5-year eligibility limit for college athletes

An NCAA panel is scheduled to discuss potential changes to eligibility rules that would incorporate age into the process. The proposal would give athletes ve years of eligibility with the clock starting at the earliest of two dates: either when they turn 19 or graduate high school.

MLS Yazbek, Schwake propel Nashville to 2-1 victory over Charlotte Patrick Yazbek picked up an assist and goal, as Nashville SC held on for a 2-1 victory Saturday over Charlotte FC. Edvard Tagseth’s goal in the 14th minute gave Nashville a 1-0 lead. Charlotte had a chance to cut the de cit, but Idan Toklomati’s penalty kick was stopped. Archie Goodwin scored on a penalty kick in the 90th minute. Kristijan Kahlina turned away ve shots for Charlotte (3-2-2).

MLB Dodgers great Lopes, in eld xture and record-setting base stealer, dead at 80 Los Angeles Davey Lopes, a longtime Los Angeles Dodgers in elder, died last week. He was 80. Lopes was a four-time All- Star, playing in four World Series and winning in 1981. He holds the franchise record for most games played at second base and was known for his 418 steals for the Dodgers. Lopes managed the Milwaukee Brewers and coached for several teams, winning another World Series with the Phillies.

McIlroy becomes Masters champion again; chase on for more majors

A new approach and outlook to the tournament helped him get the repeat

By Doug Ferguson

The Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Ga. — Rory

McIlroy went from becoming the sixth player with the career Grand Slam to only the fourth player to win the Masters two years in a row. Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods are the only other players to occupy both clubs.

Elite company, indeed.

If joining the rst group wasn’t di cult enough for McIlroy — 11 years of trying to get the nal leg of the Grand Slam — then winning his second Masters green jacket was a clear reminder of how hard it was to get there.

“I thought it was so di cult

“This year I realized it’s just really di cult to win the Masters.”

Rory

McIlroy

to win last year because of trying to win the Masters and the Grand Slam,” McIlroy said. “And then this year I realized it’s just really di cult to win the Masters.”

So where does he go from here?

McIlroy went into a funk last year after ful lling a lifelong dream. He became irritated by endless questions about what would motivate him, which mountain was next to scale, when all he wanted to do was soak it all in. He nally got back on track at the Irish Open.

That doesn’t sound like it will

be a problem this time around.

“I felt like the Grand Slam was the destination, and I realized it wasn’t,” McIlroy said after ending another wild Sunday afternoon at Augusta National

Young leads NC golfers with third-place nish in Masters

The former Demon Deacon led by two on the nal day

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

CAMERON Young couldn’t have asked for much more. He went into the nal day of the Masters tied for the lead, then built a two-shot margin midway through Sunday’s round.

Well, maybe he could have asked for a little bit more.

The former Wake Forest golfer had a three-putt bogey on the sixth hole, then took another bogey on the seventh when he hit a fairway shot into the bunker. That cost him his lead, and he nished 10 under for the tournament, tied for third, which was worth $1.08 million.

“There is no negative to take away other than obviously I would’ve loved a di erent

result,” Young said. “I pretty much had a birdie chance on every hole and didn’t make any. That’s how it goes sometimes.”

The nal-round 73 came after a remarkable Saturday when Young shot 65 and

wiped out a big lead for Rory McIlroy, catching the eventual repeat champion atop the leaderboard.

Young set a Masters record, becoming the rst player to erase an eight-shot de cit in

with a one-shot win over Scottie Sche er.

“I just won my sixth major, and I feel like I’m in a really

See MCILROY, page B3

the third round to lead after 54 holes.

“There’s certainly no lead that’s safe out there,” Young said. “But at the same time, Rory loves it here. I don’t think anyone would have been surprised if he went out and shot 65. But if he does open the door, you have to take advantage.”

“I’m owed nothing. My past results don’t dictate what I do tomorrow,” Young said. “I’ve got to go earn whatever I get out of tomorrow, and the best way that I know to do that is kind of try to attack the day like I have the last three.”

Unfortunately, his attack fell just short on Sunday.

Here’s a look at how the other six golfers with North Carolina connections performed at Augusta.

Michael Brennan

The former Demon Deacon made his rst Masters start at age 24 and was the second-best golfer with N.C. ties. He shot a 72-72-70-73 to nish 2 under par and tied for 24th. He hired a new putting coach — Marcus Potter — two weeks before the tournament, and that seemed

THURSDAY

4.16.26

TRENDING

JJ Redick:

The Los Angeles Lakers coach wants to move on after the Dallas Mavericks contradicted his contention that their medical sta incorrectly conducted an MRI on Austin Reaves. Redick claimed the Mavs’ medical team “scanned the wrong area” and had to do two MRIs to identify Reaves’ Grade 2 left oblique strain. The Mavs issued a statement saying the scan was performed properly.

JJ Redick:

One day later, the Lakers coach downplayed his midgame shouting match with Jarred Vanderbilt. Redick and Vanderbilt exchanged words in a visible, vocal argument after Redick called timeout and removed Vanderbilt from the game 16 seconds into the second quarter. Redick said the argument was caused by “just a con uence of things.”

Dexter Lawrence:

The Giants nose tackle and Wake Forest native was one of three players not present for the voluntary beginning of John Harbaugh’s rst o season program as coach. Word emerged that Lawrence has requested a trade. Harbaugh said prospects were high for Lawrence to remain with the Giants. Lawrence was a 2019 rst-round pick of the Giants and a three-time Pro Bowler.

Beyond the box score

POTENT QUOTABLES

“You can only imagine the thoughts going through my head … but that’s life sometimes.”

Former Charlotte FC

standout Patrick Agyemang, after su ering an Achilles injury that will keep him from playing for Team USA in the World Cup.

“It makes it very easy. I just have to hit 3-wood all the time.”

Sergio Garcia on playing the nal 16 holes of the Masters without a driver after he smashed it during a tantrum in the second hole tee box.

PRIME NUMBER

$69.4M

Amount earned by the Big Ten in NCAA revenue distributions from the 2026 basketball tournaments with $63 million coming from the men. The SEC totaled $56.2 million, the Big 12 $42.9 million and the ACC $34.2 million.

NASCAR

Ty Gibbs, right, outdueled Ryan Blaney and Kyle Larson in overtime at Bristol, breaking through for his rst Cup Series victory in his 131st start. Gibbs, the grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs, led the nal 25 laps and held o two Cup Series champions. Blaney, who started from the pole, nished second. Larson, who led a race-high 284 laps and won the rst two stages, nished third.

The Chicago White Sox are paying tribute to Pope Leo XIV, a Chicago native and longtime fan of the team. The team will hand out pope-themed hats to all fans at their Aug. 11 game. The hats are shaped like the Pope’s miter, with the team’s sock logo in the middle.

Terry Rozier, who is facing federal charges related to a gambling operation, was waived last Friday by the Miami Heat. The former Hornets guard was with Miami for one game this season and didn’t play. He was arrested by federal o cials at the team hotel the following morning.

NHL playo s have plenty of fresh blood, new Stanley Cup champion will be crowned

By Stephen Whyno The Associated Press

THE STANLEY CUP will have a new home this year after the back-to-back champion Florida Panthers had their season derailed by injuries.

They’re not the only perennial contender to miss the playo s, either, with the reigning Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets as well as the Toronto Maple Leafs failing to qualify.

The Bu alo Sabres among the half-dozen newcomers in the 16 -team eld. The Pittsburgh Penguins and Philadelphia Flyers are back in the dance, too, and set for a cross-state rivalry series in the rst round.

The Colorado Avalanche have been dominant since October and go in as the favorite after clinching the best regular-season record in the NHL. That

has rarely been an indicator of who hoists the Cup at the end of four rounds.

“Every team in the playo s can win,” Dallas Stars defenseman Tyler Myers said. “Every series is a tough series. That’s what’s so amazing about the NHL playo s: It brings out the best in everybody, in every team, and it creates an unbelievable battle no matter who’s playing.”

New blood in NHL playo s

Bu alo ended the longest postseason drought in league history at 14 seasons and did so after losing 18 of its rst 29 games. The Sabres not only did that but nished atop the Atlantic Division.

“It’s something that we strived for from Day 1,” said Lindy Ru , who is among the fa-

vorites to be coach of the year.

“You’ve got to feel good about getting there. It’s hard. We’re in a division that’s been extremely hard to get there. You’ve got to look back and say that we did a lot of good things to get to this point.”

The Sabres also look as if they can do some damage in the wide-open East without Florida. They’ve been the best team since the Olympic break.

Also hot down the stretch was Pittsburgh, which quali ed for the rst time since 2022 in new coach Dan Muse’s rst season. The Penguins were long shots to make it, but now the trio of Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang gets another chance.

“A lot of people doubted us and I guess counted us out, and it just put fuel on the re for us,” said defenseman Ryan Shea,

who’s set to make his NHL playo debut at 29. “I’ve been in the playo s in the AHL, which was fun, but this is the best league in the world.”

The Utah Mammoth made it in the franchise’s second season in Salt Lake City. The Anaheim Ducks are also back with a young core coached by threetime Cup-champion Joel Quenneville.

Central Division path toughest

Colorado is justi ably the best bet to win it all. Nathan MacKinnon could be the MVP, Cale Makar the top defenseman, and the reacquisition of Nazem Kadri at the trade deadline gives the Avalanche the depth to envision another parade in Denver this summer, four years since the previous

A statue was unveiled of Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki at the Seattle Mariners’ T-Mobile Park. There was just one problem at the ceremony — a broken bat. As the club pulled the curtain o the statue, the bat in bronze snapped and opped down. It did not take long for the Mariners to x the statue. Suzuki’s bat was soon turned upright and reconnected at the handle.

one. To do so, they’ll have to go through either Dallas or the Minnesota Wild in the second round just to reach the Westnal.

“Con dent for sure: Believe in this group. I know we have what it takes,” captain Gabriel Landeskog said. “It’s going to be a long, tough road and mentally, physically grinding. I think we’re ready for it.”

Stars versus Wild opens the playo s with a bang, pitting two of the top seven teams in the league in a best-of-seven series that ensures one of them will be gol ng by mid-May.

From going for gold to chasing the silver chalice

Several players who won gold with the U.S. at the Olympics have the chance to add a Stanley Cup ring to their trophy case for the year, including Hurricanes defenseman Jaccob Slavin. The same goes for some Canadian stars who see their silver medals as a symbol of losing and get an opportunity to make up for it.

NC State, Gainey have work to do in rst portal window

The Wolfpack have seen six players enter the transfer portal so far

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

THE NC STATE Wolfpack have moved quickly to build out the sta for their men’s basketball program following the sudden departure of former head coach Will Wade.

After hiring Justin Gainey as the new head coach at the end of March, the Wolfpack built out the rest of their sta in just over a week, adding Alvin Brooks III, Riley Collins, Matthew Driscoll and Anthony Goins as assistant coaches and Bill Comar as director of operations.

And now that the sta is set, the focus shifts to constructing a roster for the 2026-27 season.

NC State is going to have its work cut out for it too, as between those using up their remaining college eligibility and the players that have entered the transfer portal, the team has just three returning players left on the roster: Jerry Deng, Musa Sagnia and Zymicah Wilkins.

The NCAA transfer portal window o cially opened April 7 and will remain open until April 21, giving NC State just a few more days to try and ll out the team.

“Everybody is well aware of

what we have to do, where we have to be, to be competitive from a resources standpoint,” Gainey said.

Losses

The biggest anticipated loss for the Wolfpack looks like it’s going to be sophomore sniper Paul McNeil.

The 6-foot-5 guard got a much bigger role with the Wolfpack this season and took full advantage of it, averaging 13.8 points while shooting 42.7% from beyond the arc.

Blue blood begin portal madness

UNC and Duke have di erent needs as the o season begins

By Shawn Krest North State Journal

THE COLLEGE basketball season has been over for a little more than a week. That’s more than enough time for the new round of madness to begin.

The transfer portal opened as the season came to an end, and UNC and Duke have both had plenty of activity as they begin to shape next year’s team.

Both teams entered the o season coming o of blown 19-point leads in the NCAA Tournament. However, they were in very different positions regarding the stability and recent history of the two programs.

Duke was still feeling the pain of a season it felt ended too early, as the top-seeded Blue Devils fell in an Elite Eight upset, missing out on a repeat trip to the Final Four. However, in the big picture, coach Jon Scheyer has Duke on solid ground as one of the top programs in the nation and an annual contender for the national title.

UNC, meanwhile, parted ways with coach Hubert Davis, who replaced a Hall of Fame coach a year before Scheyer did the same in Durham. The Tar Heels had success under Davis that most other programs

good spot with my game and my body,” he said. “I don’t want to put a number on it, but I feel like this win is just ... I don’t want to say a stop on the journey, it’s just part of the journey.”

Trying to put a number on how many majors he will win began long before he won his rst Masters, much less the second one. McIlroy won his rst major in the 2011 U.S. Open at Congressional by shattering the 72-hole scoring record at 268. That prompted Padraig Harrington to say, “If you’re going to talk about someone challenging Jack’s record, there’s your man.”

Nicklaus has the gold standard of 18 majors. Woods is next at 15. McIlroy is at six, tied with

would envy, but the team’s uneven performance drew the ire of a fanbase used to sustained excellence on the level of their nearby rival.

The team broke away from a coaching tree dating back to the birth of the ACC — well over a half-century of history — and hired former NBA coach Michael Malone.

There’s still plenty more activity to come at both schools, but here’s a look at how the programs came out of the gate as rosters begin to form.

Duke

After not losing a scholarship player to the transfer portal last o season, Duke seemed to be the model of stability, mixing old and new approaches with homegrown talent that sticks around to develop and one-and- done freshman superstars. However, Duke saw multiple players enter the transfer portal in the rst week. Sophomore shooter Darren Harris was the rst to depart, moving on to Indiana. He was followed into the portal by Nikolas Khamenia, a McDonald’s All-American who averaged 5.7 points o the bench. He saw his playing time increase in the postseason and seemed a candidate to have a breakout sophomore year on the level that Isaiah Evans or Patrick Ngongba saw this season.

While McNeil hasn’t o cially entered the portal yet, it’s been reported that the Richmond Senior alum intends to transfer and has reportedly been meeting with other teams already as well.

Another big loss for the Wolfpack will be freshman guard Matt Able.

The 6-foot-4 Florida native appeared in 34 games this season, averaging 8.8 points, 3.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game.

Able had one of the highest compete levels on the team this

year. Despite that and in addition to being the fth-highest scorer on the team, he never really saw an uptick in minutes or opportunity.

Able, who was a top-25 recruit, is also putting his name into the NBA Draft.

The Wolfpack also saw a pair of redshirts depart in Jayme Kotkuniemi and, most notably, Cole Cloer.

Cloer, a Hillsborough native and a 2026 four-star recruit, enrolled early at NC State but did not play as he rehabbed an injury.

In addition, the Wolfpack saw a trio of reserves enter the portal: Alyn Breed, Terrance Arceneaux and Colt Langdon.

Breed averaged 14 minutes, 4.5 points and 1.3 assists in his 21 appearances, while Arceneaux had 30 appearances, averaging 15 minutes, 3.8 points and 2.6 rebounds. Langdon battled injuries most of the season and played under three minutes on the year.

Potential additions

The Wolfpack haven’t landed any commitments so far from the portal, but they have been linked to a handful of di erent players.

NC State hosted two players last weekend for o cial visits: Tennessee guard Bishop Boswell and Santa Clara guard Christian Hammond.

Gainey obviously worked closely with Boswell at Tennessee and more than likely played a hand in his recruitment. Boswell is from Charlotte.

The 6-foot-4 guard averaged 6.2 points, 3.1 assists, 4.4 rebounds and 1.2 steals per game

Duke has also been actively shopping potential incoming transfers. The Blue Devils hosted Kansas big man Flory Bidunga, but he opted to transfer to Louisville over the weekend. There were reports that Duke may have cooled after receiving indications that Ngongba was planning to return, spurning a potential jump to the NBA. No Blue Devils have announced intentions to enter the draft yet, although Evans and national Player of the Year Cameron Boozer are expected to. Depending on what junior guard Caleb Foster does, that may be the extent of Duke’s losses.

Duke is looking at several portal guards, although their interest level will likely depend on Foster’s decision.

UNC

Malone quickly assembled a coaching sta , retaining Sean May and Pat Sullivan from Davis’ UNC sta and adding former Arkansas assistant Chuck Martin and former Providence head coach Kim English.

The Heels already had four players in the portal before Malone was hired. Malone convinced two of them — Jaydon Young and Isaiah Denis — to return to the fold. Freshman point guard Derek Dixon departed for Arizona, and shooter Jonathan Powell opted for Pitt.

That initial four has been joined by another four 2025-26 Tar Heels — sophomore big men James Brown and Zayden High, point guard Kyan Evans and shooter Luka Bogavac, who originally said he planned to return but then left for Oklahoma State.

UNC has added one in-

Nick Faldo, Lee Trevino and Phil Mickelson.

Fred Couples piled on this week when he said on Thursday, “By the way, Rory may never lose this thing again after last year.”

And the following day Couples added, “I mean, he really could win ve more of these.”

Easy, right?

“Yeah, I don’t make it easy,” McIlroy said. “I used to make it easy back in my early 20s when I was winning these things by eight shots.”

He still holds the PGA Championship record for margin of victory when he won at Kiawah Island by eight shots in 2012, the year after his eight-shot victory at Congressional.

“No, it’s just hard. It’s hard to win golf tournaments, especial-

ly around here,” he said. “You’ve had maybe a couple of runaway winners over the years, but it always seems to be a very tight nish at this golf course.”

It wasn’t easy a year ago when he lost a Sunday lead once on the front nine and twice on the back nine before beating Justin Rose in a playo . And it didn’t look that way this time when he lost a six-shot lead on Saturday, and then twice found himself two shots behind di erent players, Cameron Young on the front nine and Justin Rose on the back. Sche er was in range and had to settle for making 11 straight pars. Young had birdie putts on eight straight holes on the back nine and converted none of them.

“Everybody is well aware of what we have to do, where we have to be, to be competitive from a resources standpoint.”

NC State coach Justin Gainey

with the Volunteers and was a steady part of the rotation on a team that made the Elite Eight. Hammond had a big year with the Broncos, averaging 15.6 points, 2.5 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.2 steals.

247Sports analyst Travis Branham also reported that NC State had an in-person meeting with Robert Morris transfer DeSean Goode. The 6-foot-8 forward averaged 15.2 points and 8.7 rebounds with the Colonials and ts the bill when it comes to the way Gainey envisions his frontcourt.

“When I think about my roster and what I want it to look like, ideally, I do want to have depth in the frontcourt,” Gainey said. “I do want to have size in the frontcourt and on the wings as well.”

There’s also the fact that guys like McNeil, Able and Cloer haven’t ruled out returns to NC State either, and so it will be up to Gainey and his sta to convince them that Raleigh is the right place for them.

NC State has the resources available to compete in this era of college basketball; we just have to see if Gainey can do a better job identifying the right kind of talent in the portal.

12.1

Scoring average for Neoklis Avdalas last season

coming transfer. Combination guard Neoklis Avdalas, who averaged 12.1 points with Virginia Tech as a freshman, will suit up for Malone next season. The Heels have been involved with several other players. They reportedly contacted Khamenia and have also met with Wake Forest guard Juke Harris. The Heels also saw ve-star guard recruit Dylan Mingo, who decommitted on the same

And then McIlroy was a whisker away from trouble over thenal hour — the wedge that barely cleared the false front on the 15th, a sporty up-and-down from o the 17th green that gave him a two-shot cushion going to the last hole, and a drive so far right McIlroy wasn’t sure where it was when he walked o the tee.

McIlroy and Sche er have combined to win four of the last ve majors. Sche er is a U.S. Open short of joining the career Grand Slam club, and his position at No. 1 in the world is not threatened even after McIlroy’s latest Masters title.

“I’ve competed against him for a long time, and you don’t win the amount of tournaments that he’s won out here without being

day the Heels hired Malone, ofcially part ways with the team. Mingo, along with older brother Kayden, who is in the portal after deciding to leave Penn State, reportedly visited UNC last week but all parties decided to go their separate ways.

Jarin Stevenson announced that he would return to UNC next season, while freshman big man Caleb Wilson con rmed his intention to depart for the NBA Draft. That leaves the biggest unknown from last season’s roster as Henri Veesaar, who led the Heels in scoring and rebounding.

UNC was involved with several portal big men, including Alabama’s Aiden Sherrell, but he appears close to joining Duke’s Harris at Indiana, perhaps an indication that Veesaar may be considering a return.

pretty resilient,” Sche er said. McIlroy is the rst player since Adam Scott in 2013 to have taken three weeks o before winning the Masters. There’s a sense that will be part of his plan going forward when possible. He felt like more than an honorary member as many trips as he took to Augusta in the last few weeks.

“I think it’s a good blueprint,” McIlroy said. “I’m not going to take three weeks o before every major. ... When I’ve talked to Jack Nicklaus over the years how he prepared for majors, and he would go the week before, and he would simulate a tournament.

“I think that’s certainly a good way to prepare going into the next majors.”

3 European nations to base World Cup operations in North Carolina

Germany, Norway and Scotland will train in N.C. cities

By Jesse Deal North State Journal

CHARLOTTE — Even without hosting a single match, North Carolina will play a visible role in this summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Three European men’s national teams — Germany, Norway and Scotland — have selected cities across the state as their training bases, bringing an international presence to the Triad and Charlotte regions in the weeks leading up to and during the tournament.

The selections position the state as a key logistical hub for the expanded World Cup, which will kick o June 11 across the United States, Canada and Mexico. The tournament, the rst to feature 48 teams, will span 16 host cities, with the nal set for July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.

Germany will be based in Winston-Salem, operating out of Wake Forest University. The four-time World Cup champions will train at W. Dennie Spry Soccer Stadium and reside at The Graylyn Estate, a 94-year- old boutique hotel on the National Register of Historic Places that sits 1.9 miles from the training facility.

Wake Forest athletic director John Currie said the university is ready for the moment.

“Wake Forest is proud to partner with Winston-Salem to serve as the German men’s national team’s home base during the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Currie said. “Hosting a four-time World Cup champion re ects the strength of our university soccer culture, which is truly world-class — most recently highlighted by our women’s program nishing as the 2024 NCAA runner-up and our men’s team capturing the 2024 ACC Championship.”

Banana Ball brings party to Chapel Hill

The baseball-themed entertainment amounts to a traveling circus that attracts many fans

By Bob Sutton North State Journal

CHAPEL HILL — Bill Belichick heard home-crowd cheers in front of a crowd of about 50,000 spectators at Kenan Stadium.

All it took was the UNC football coach joining the Savannah Bananas’ coaching sta for the bottom of the fth inning Saturday night.

After some theatrics, Belichick took a spot as the rst-base coach. It nearly didn’t go well for the Bananas.

Robert-Anthony Cruz of the Bananas reached rst base, but he was doubled o by the Texas Tailgaters on a line drive to second base. Hold on, Belichick threw a challenge ag and, after replay review, the call was overturned.

Belichick hugged Cruz amid the celebration.

“I swear to you that play was not scripted,” said Jared Orton, president of the Bananas.

Belichick didn’t stick around long as he exited after that half-inning, departing with the familiar UNC entourage that was with him for just about every step

NC PLAYERS from page B1 to pay o , literally, as he took home a $182,250 purse.

Ben Gri n

The Chapel Hill native and former East Chapel Hill and UNC golfer also made his Masters debut. He made the cut after shooting 72 and 69 on the rst two days and was the top Masters rookie of the 22 to make the cut.

“I’m in great shape,” Grifn told Golfweek last Friday. “Thirty-six holes away from having a chance. That’s all I can ask for, so far. It’s been an incredible experience and just trying to build and continue to believe in myself.”

There was talk of him possi-

during the last football season.

But the Banana Ball show continued, so much so that it took the Banana Ball version of extra innings to determine the outcome.

The Bananas won. And they did so again Sunday afternoon (this time the special guest was UNC freshman men’s basketball player Caleb Wilson, who threw the rst pitch — a strike). What it was like

The scene for the Banana Ball visit came with back-to -back sellouts, with crowds of 50,000 for both games.

This traveling circus made its rst visit to Chapel Hill. Unlike what might have been described as a circus during the 2025 football season at the stadium, the patrons seemed to enjoy this one.

As Banana Ball has moved into larger stadiums, it’s rare that back-to-back games are contested at the same football venue.

Orton said going to college venues has come about as the schools look for more revenue streams.

“They’re all getting creative with the ‘let’s use our stadium’ thing,” he said.

The weekend stop accounted for two of more than 180 Banana Ball games scheduled for this year.

bly becoming the rst debuting player to win the Masters since Fuzzy Zoeller in 1979. A 70 on Saturday and a nal-round 77 scuttled that talk, however. He nished at even par, which was good for a tie for 33rd and $121,500.

Ryan Gerard

The 26-year-old Raleigh native and Ravenscroft graduate was a college teammate of Grifn’s at UNC and also made his Masters debut. That seemed to a ect him in Thursday’s rst round. “I was so much more nervous than I thought I was going to be,” Gerard told Ravenscroft Magazine. “I was like ‘Oh, it’s not that bad. I’ve played majors before. This isn’t too crazy.’

The site has previously hosted high-level professional training, including Brazil’s SE Palmeiras club during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup, underscoring its readiness for international competition.

UNCG athletic director Brian Mackin said his department is prepared to meet Norway’s training needs.

“We are proud that Team Norway will prepare for the 2026 World Cup here at UNCG,” Mackin said. “Our athletics facilities and support teams are ready to deliver an elite training environment worthy of international competition.”

Germany will compete in Group E, opening play June 14 against Curaçao at NRG Stadium in Houston before facing Ivory Coast on June 20 at BMO Field in Toronto and Ecuador on June 25 at MetLife Stadium.

Norway will establish its base at UNC Greensboro, training at the school’s recently upgraded soccer stadium. The $3.6 million venue, originally opened in 1991 and renovated in 2024, features Bermuda-style grass, modern lighting, a video-capable scoreboard and seating for 3,540 spectators.

Norway is set to open Group I play June 16 against Iraq at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., followed by matches against Senegal on June 22 in East Rutherford and France June 26 back in Foxborough.

Over in the Queen City, Charlotte FC will host Scotland’s national team at its east Charlotte training facility, Atrium Health Performance Park. The 52,000-square-foot complex will serve as both the team’s headquarters and primary training site throughout the tournament.

“It is our honor to host the Scotland national team at our home for this summer’s FIFA World Cup, and we’re proud that our facility re ects the high standards of a nation compet-

It’s a major undertaking. The Bananas traveled 205 workers for the event, and hired about 250 more locally to assist.

The traveling party included Banana Nanas (senior citizen dance team), Man-Nanas (think of a dad bod cheerleading squad) and a mini-marching band.

The eld at Kenan Stadium was transformed into a base -

Then I got up there and we’re sitting there for a little bit longer. … I probably got to the tee a little bit earlier than I should have because then I was waiting for a while.” He managed to shoot par on Thursday and again on Friday to make the cut. He nished with a Saturday 68 and Sunday 77 to nish 1 over and tie for 38th, taking home $101,250.

Akshay Bhatia

The 24-year-old Wake Forest native made news early in the week when former NFL star and social media superstar Jason Kelce served as his caddy for the Par 3 contest. He didn’t nish above par in that, or in either of his two rounds in the Masters, shoot-

ing on the world’s biggest stage,” Charlotte FC general manager Zoran Krneta said. “At Charlotte FC, we have built a high-performance training center that supports the day-to - day demands required for elite competition. Our facility ensures Scotland has every advantage as they set their sights on the world’s biggest prize, and we wish them all the success at the FIFA World Cup.”

Scotland will compete in Group C alongside Haiti, Morocco and Brazil, marking its return to the World Cup stage for the rst time since 1998. The team opens June 13 against Haiti at Gillette Stadium, remains there to face Morocco on June 19, and concludes group play June 24 against Brazil at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami.

While no World Cup matches are scheduled in North Carolina, Charlotte will still host a major international xture ahead of the tournament. The United States men’s national team, which has selected Great Park in Irvine, Calif., as its home base, will face African champion Senegal in a pre-World Cup friendly on May 31 at Bank of America Stadium.

With teams spread across Winston-Salem, Greensboro and Charlotte, local communities are expected to see an inux of economic activity, media presence and fan engagement throughout the summer.

The World Cup is the most-watched sporting event in the world, with an estimated 5 billion viewers in 2022, including more than 1.5 billion who watched the nal between Argentina and France.

stream entering the stadium from lines that had twisted in various directions. Several mentioned how it was their rst time on the UNC campus.

While many fans showed up already out tted in Bananas gear, others donned apparel supporting the Texas Tailgaters. The coach for the Tailgaters was Joe Mikulik, whose managerial roles in professional baseball included time in North Carolina cities with the Burlington Indians and Asheville Tourists. He’s the winningest manager in Tourists’ history.

Bananas founder Jesse Cole, in his yellow tux, relaxed in the press box a couple of hours before the rst pitch before making his way through the crowd down the stadium stairs and onto the eld.

Players tossed footballs into the stands. During player warm-ups, many threw baseballs into the crowd to play catch with youngsters. Others appeared to be working on their acrobatics and dance moves.

The concourses were ooded with souvenir tents, even though a larger display was outside the gates on campus.

ball diamond. Home plate for the ball eld was in the end zone near the Blue Zone in the corner of the home side of the stadium for those familiar with the UNC football setup.

The Saturday game began at 7 p.m., but the show commenced well before that with activities outside the stadium.

The gates opened 2½ hours prior to rst pitch, with a steady

ing 73 and 77 to nish 6 over. He was on the cut line with three holes to play on Friday, then provided plenty of drama, bogeying on 16 to put himself in danger. He holed out from a bunker on 17 to get back under the cut line before a double-bogey on 18 sent him home.

Andrew Novak

The 31-year-old Raleigh native made his rst Masters start. He nished 75 and 76, missing the cut at 7 over.

“I three-putted four times early today because I was not prepared at all for how slow the greens were,” he told The State. “On the putting green, they were still rolling fast. I didn’t realize how much slower they are going to be this morning, and it

The in-stadium pregame entertainment rose to a fever pitch for an hour that included a choreographed session of about 30 minutes.

The Bananas produce the games on YouTube. There’s a Spanish-language version as well.

When the game began, the scoreboard showed the time remaining (counting down from two hours).

From there, the party raged on.

“There is no negative to take away other than obviously I would’ve loved a di erent result.”

Cameron Young

took me a little too long to adjust to that.”

“I don’t think I’ve gotten worse at golf,” he said after the round. “I don’t know why the scores are worse, but right now nothing is really working.”

Max Greyserman

The 30-year-old Duke alum also missed the cut, shooting 79 and 77 to nish 12 over.

CUMBERLAND

Deeds, is/are Judy K. Liby. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property o ered for

25SP001307-250

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale

contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Whitney D Crockett a/k/a

Whitney Crockett and Tayten D Crockett

a/k/a Tayten Crockett to Hilton T. Hutchens, Jr., Trustee(s), which was dated August 22, 2024 and recorded on August 26, 2024 in Book 12046 at Page 85, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Being all of Lot 44, in a subdivision known as Plat No. 5 Cape Rock sh Estate, Section One, and the same being duly recorded in Plat Book 62, Page 12, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

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

Said property is commonly known as 4182 Owls Head Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306.

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

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 22, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit:

NOTICE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

26SP000236-250 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY CLARISSA DECHABERT JONES DATED SEPTEMBER 21, 2023 RECORDED IN BOOK NO. 11828, AT PAGE 0387 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE OF SALE

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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, CUMBERLAND COUNTY 25 SP001288-250

and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Cumberland County courthouse at 1:30 PM on April 22, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Clarissa Dechabert Jones, dated September 21, 2023 to secure the original principal amount of $118,030.00, and recorded in Book No. 11828, at Page 0387 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended.

Address of property: 540 Palindrome Ct, Hope Mills, NC 28348 Tax Parcel ID:

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Whitney D Crockett and spouse, Tayten D Crockett.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may,

0413-43-2719

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Clarissa Dechabert Jones. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property o ered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with

after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor

the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing.

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the

Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Skybound Properties LLC, Mortgagor(s), in the original amount of $208,400.00, to Kiavi Funding, Inc., Mortgagee, dated July 2nd, 2024 and recorded on July 16th, 2024 in Book 12016, Page 0073, Cumberland County Registry. Default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Anchor Trustee Services, LLC having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door or other usual place of sale in Cumberland County, North Carolina, at 2:00 PM on April 28th, 2026, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit: BEGINNING at a stake in the northern margin of Banyan Road 4 feet west of the southwest corner of Lot Number 89, and running thence North 2 degrees 00 minutes East 200 feet to a stake; thence North 86 degrees 58 minutes East 68 feet to a stake; thence South 2 degrees 00 minutes West 200 feet to a stake in the northern margin of Banyan Road; thence with the northern margin of Banyan Road South 86 degrees 58 minutes West 68 feet to the beginning, being all of Lot Number 89 and the eastern 4 feet of Lot Number 90 and the western 14 feet of lot number 88 of LaFayette Village as surveyed by Watkins and Vogel, July 1950, recorded in Book of Plats Number 13, Page 32, in the O ce of the Register of Deeds for Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 5106 Banyan Road, Fayetteville, NC 28304 Tax ID: 0417-00-9161 Third party purchasers must pay the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, any land transfer taxes, the excise tax, pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105228.30, in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Courts fee, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308, in the amount of Forty- ve Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount of Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS WHERE IS. There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, special assessments, land transfer taxes, if any, and encumbrances of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Skybound Properties LLC . PLEASE TAKE NOTICE: An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the Clerk of Superior Court of the county in which the property is sold.

to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Cumberland County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 23 in a Subdivision known as Cypress Pond, Phase I as shown on plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 110, Page 105, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Insurance Company, Trustee(s), which was dated August 26, 2022 and recorded on August 26, 2022 in Book 11558 at Page 50, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on April 22, 2026 at 01:30 PM, and will sell

purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or

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

Said property is commonly known as 3693 Pioneer Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

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

Phase One Recorded in PB 109 Pg. 051, and the same being duly recorded in Plat Book 111, Page 142, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Parcel ID: 0422-77-9848

Property Address: 1119 Masterpiece Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 1119 Masterpiece Dr, Hope Mills, NC 28348. A Certi ed Check ONLY (no personal checks) of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Anthony Flores and spouse, Alyssa Samaniego.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may,

AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/ or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Paul Anthony Rebultan.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property

Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination (North Carolina General Statutes §4521.16A(b)(2)). Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of termination. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the

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

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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the

pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination. Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their

If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

26SP000115-250

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Willie C. Young (Deceased) and Barbara A. Young (PRESENT RECORD

OWNER(S): Willie C. Young and Barbara A. Young) to The Caudle Law Firm, P.A., Trustee(s), dated September 25, 2024, and recorded in Book No. 12072, at Page 0829 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 27, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Spring Lake in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

25SP000027-250

and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 145 in a subdivision known as Holly Hill, Section Four Revised, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 34, Page 42 Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 609 Freda Court, Spring Lake, North Carolina. The above described property is conveyed subject to Restrictive Covenants and Easements as appear of record in the aforesaid Registry. In addition to any Easements as shown on the Recorded Plat a Fie Foot Drainage and Service Easement located along the rent and side lot lines is hereby reserved. For history of Title see Deed recorded in Book 2391, Page 817 in the aforesaid Registry. Parcel ID: 0501195365 Being the same property conveyed to Willie C. Young, Jr. and wife, Barbara A. Young, as tenants by the entirety from Willie Charles Young, Jr (aka Willie C. Young, Jr) by Deed dated July 11, 2011 recorded on July 27, 2011 in Book 08689 Page 0134 and Instrument No. 24154. Being the same property conveyed to Willie Charles Young, Jr., unmarried from Mary Young, unmarried by Deed dated October 16, 1978 recorded on October 19, 1978 in Book 2681 Page 305. Being the same property conveyed to Willie Charles Young, Jr. and wife, Mary

Young from Bowen Construction Co., A N. C. Corporation by Deed dated June 15, 1973 recorded on June 15, 1973 in Book 2391 Page 817.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make

any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Joyce C. Carpenter (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Joyce C. Carpenter) to WFG National Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated August 26, 2023, and recorded in Book No. 11811, at Page 0864 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 20, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The land referred to herein below is situated in the County of Cumberland, State of North Carolina, and is described as follows: BEING all of Lot 30, Block F, Lafayette Village, Section XII, plat of which is duly recorded in Book of Plats 26, at Page 2, Cumberland County Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2014 Lombardy Drive, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Parcel/APN/Tax ID: 0416-02-8899

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

23SP000742-250

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Terrance Eugene Pope (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Terrance Eugene Pope) to John B. Third, Trustee(s), dated September 30, 2020, and recorded in Book No. 10890, at Page 0672 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 20, 2026 and will sell to the

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 26SP000136-250 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Abundant Widows Win, LLC to Stephen D. Lowry, Trustee(s), dated the 30th day of December, 2024, and recorded in Book 12141, Page 488, in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in the City of Fayetteville,

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

25SP001165-250

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by William H. Jones (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): William H. Jones) to KD Smith, Trustee(s), dated July 21, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 7309, at Page 441 in Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Cumberland County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on April 27, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as

highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Fayetteville in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of 43, THE VILLAGE AT SYCAMORE SUBDIVISON, per plat and survey thereof recorded in Plat Book 123, Page 76, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina, reference to which plat is hereby made for a more particular description of same. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 2521 Thorngrove Court, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

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

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying

Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 p.m. on April 27, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the City of Fayetteville, in the County of Cumberland, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: BEING ALL OF UNIT NUMBER 3, PHASE XXIII, AS SHOWN ON PLAT OF STEWART’S CREEK CONDOMINIUMS II, RECORDED IN CONDOMINIUM BOOK OF PLATS 3 AT PAGE 1-7, CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA REGISTRY. Together with improvements thereon, said property located at 1021 Wood Creek Drive, Apt 3, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Parcel ID: 9498-42-6123-103 Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in NCGS §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by NCGS §7A-308(a)(1).

follows: All that certain parcel of land in Cumberland County, State of NC, as more fully described in Book 6508, Page 453 ID # 0467-48-9455, being known and designated as Lot 11, Eastover Village, Section Six, led in Plat Book 91, at Page 133. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 824 Shakertown Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina.

Being the same property conveyed by Fee Simple Corporate Warranty Deed from Greentree Servicing LLC fka Conseco Finance Servicing Corp. a Limited Liability Company under the laws of the State of Delaware to William H Jones, dated 04/23/2004 recorded on 04/30/2004 in Book 6508 Page 453 in Cumberland County Records, State of NC.

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

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

residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government.

If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also

residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government.

If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also

The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is

7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior

being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion,

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm, LLP P.O. Box 1028 Fayetteville, NC 28302 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, NC 28311 Phone No: (910)864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslaw rm.com Firm Case No: 15467 - 69749

being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in its sole discretion, if it believes the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. 4521.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may after receiving the notice of foreclosure sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in this notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination.

greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. Additional Notice for Residential Property with Less than 15 rental units, including Single-Family Residential Real Property An order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. § 45-21.29 in favor of the

encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE

26SP000070-910

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Alyssa Beth Valdez (Deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Alyssa Valdez) to Willard & Willard, L.L.P., Trustee(s), dated August 31, 2021, and recorded in Book No. 018675, at Page 01601 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina, default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on April 27, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake,

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

OF NORTH CAROLINA WAKE

North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: A Unit ownership designated as Unit No. 3 in Building I, of Cameron Village Townhouses, Phase III, a condominium, according to maps led in Condominium File No. 12 in the o ce of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, and the Declaration of Unit Ownership thereof wherein J.W. York is the Declarant, dated the 1st day of November, 1979, and recorded on the 21st day of February, 1980 in Book 2810, Page 484, Wake County Registry, as amended by FirstAmendment to Declaration, dated the 22nd day of July, 1980 and recorded on the 24th day of July, 1980, in Book 2845, Page 3 of the aforesaid registry and as amended by the Amended and Restated Declaration of Condominium for Cameron Village Townhouses recorded on the 16th day of April 2021 in Book 18457, Page 1043, Wake County Registry; Including the Unit located thereon; said Unit being located at 1649 Sutton Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina. TOGETHER WITH all of the easements, rights and appurtenances appertaining thereto, all according to said Declaration of Unit Ownership, amended as aforesaid, and Exhibits annexed and attached thereto and made a part thereof, which Unit is to be utilized for dwelling unit purposes all as described and set forth in said Declaration of Unit Ownership; TOGETHER WITH the percentage of undivided interest appertaining to the said

LOAN SERVICING, LLC v. BRIAN DYLAN JOHNSON; ANY KNOWN SPOUSE OF BRIAN DYLAN JOHNSON; JILLIAN FAITH PARISI; ANY KNOWN SPOUSE OF JILLIAN FAITH PARISI; CHESAPEAKE LANDING CONDOMINIUM ASSOCIATION, INC.; GODDARD & PETERSON, PLLC; SECRETARY OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; 25CV043412-910 Party to be served: BRIAN DYLAN JOHNSON; ANY KNOWN SPOUSE OF

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE FILE NUMBER: 24SP002640-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a Deed of Trust executed by DAVID FARRELL AND KIMBERLY K. FARRELL dated November 22, 2019 in the amount of $112,000.00 and recorded in Book 017666, Page 01702 of the Wake County Public Registry by ANTHONY MASELLI OR GENEVIEVE JOHNSON, EITHER OF WHOM MAY ACT, Substitute Trustee, default having been made in the terms of agreement set forth by the loan agreement secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, ANTHONY MASELLI OR GENEVIEVE JOHNSON,

EITHER OF WHOM MAY ACT, having been substituted as Successor Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O cial Records of Wake County, North Carolina, in Book 19783, Page 1314, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will o er for sale at the courthouse door in Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, on April 30, 2026 at 11:00am, and will sell

GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 25SP002071-910 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JALEN CHAD MILLER AND ERICA RONTISA MILLER DATED AUGUST 25, 2023 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 19418 AT PAGE 1598 IN THE WAKE COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 25SP002100-910 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Donna Murphy and Grace Murphy (deceased) (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Grace Murphy and Donna Murphy) to Stuart Clarke at Thorpe & Clark, Trustee(s), dated July 25, 2003, and recorded in Book No. 010307, at Page 02486 and re-recorded in Book No. 10656, at Page 672 in Wake County Registry, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modi ed by the following: A Loan Modi cation recorded on April 24, 2014, in Book No. 15638, at Page 1355 , default having been made in the payment of the promissory note secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Substitute Trustee Services, Inc. having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust by an instrument duly recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds Wake County, North Carolina and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute

to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: PARCEL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER(S): 0137445 ADDRESS: 103 WEST MARSHA GAYLE COURT FUQUAY VARINA, NC 27526 PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): DAVID FARRELL AND KIMBERLY K FARRELL THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN IS SITUATED IN THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, COUNTY OF WAKE, AND IS DESCRIBED IN DEED BOOK 017666, PAGE 01702, AS FOLLOWS: THE LAND IS DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEING ALL OF LOT 9, NEILS CROSSING, PHASE I, AS SHOWN ON A MAP RECORDED IN BOOK OF MAPS 1985, PAGE 462, WAKE COUNTY REGISTRY. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to one hour as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS,

expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Wake County courthouse at 11:00AM on April 30, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Jalen Chad Miller and Erica Rontisa Miller, dated August 25, 2023 to secure the original principal amount of $539,117.00, and recorded in Book 19418 at Page 1598 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 3904 Leeson Trail, Raleigh, NC 27616 Tax Parcel ID: 0492984 Present Record Owners: Jalen Chad Miller and Erica Rontisa Miller

Trustee will o er for sale at the Wake County Courthouse door, the Salisbury Street entrance in Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on April 27, 2026 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Raleigh in the County of Wake, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot 28, of Tradewinds Subdivision according to a plat recorded in Book of Maps 1987, Page 2046 Wake County Registry Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 3613 Castle Gate Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina.

Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23. Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320

recorded in Book 18617 at Page 1784 in the O ce of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina; and because of the default in the payment of the indebtedness secured thereby and failure to carry out and perform the stipulations and agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the indebtedness secured by the Deed of Trust, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will place for sale, at public auction, to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at Wake County Courthouse, 316 Fayetteville Street, Raleigh, North Carolina on APRIL 27, 2026 AT 1:30 O’CLOCK P.M., all of Borrowers’ right, title and interest in and to the real property described hereinbelow, together with any improvements and xtures existing or hereafter placed on or attached to the real property, and all other appurtenant rights and privileges, situated, lying and being in Wake County, State of North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the City of Raleigh, Wake County, North Carolina and being more particularly described as follows: BEING all of Lot 67 in Wyngate Subdivision, Phase 3 as shown on plat recorded in Book of Maps 1998, Page 272, Wake County Registry. Parcel ID: 0242053 Known as: 9905 Wyngate Ridge Drive, Raleigh, North Carolina 27617 Address of property: 9905 Wyngate Ridge Drive, Raleigh, NC 27617 Tax Parcel ID: 0242053 Present Record Owners: Bryan A. Williams and Brittney M. VornDickWilliams

Unit in the common areas and facilities of the Condominium property, all as described and set forth in said Declaration of Unit Ownership, amended as aforesaid. Trustee may, in the Trustee’s sole discretion, delay the sale for up to three hours as provided in N.C.G.S. §45-21.23.

Should the property be purchased by a third party, that party must pay the excise tax, as well as the court costs of Forty-Five Cents ($0.45) per One Hundred Dollars ($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). Should the property be purchased by a third party, 31 CFR 1031.320 requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens

105 LAVENDER CT., CARY, NC 27513

BRIAN DYLAN JOHNSON; JILLIAN FAITH PARISI; ANY KNOWN SPOUSE OF JILLIAN FAITH PARISI

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the aboveentitled special

WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale and reinstatement

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Jalen Chad Miller and Erica Rontisa Miller. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property o ered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid

requires certain qualifying residential real estate transactions to be reported to the federal government. If you are the successful bidder in this proceeding, you may be required to provide all applicable identifying information about yourself and, if applicable, any entity or trust purchasing the property. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. Also, this property is being sold subject to all taxes, special assessments, and prior liens or prior encumbrances of record and any recorded releases. Said property is also being sold

The terms of the sale are that the real property hereinbefore described will be sold for cash to the highest bidder. The Substitute Trustee reserves the right to require a cash deposit or a certi ed check not to exceed the greater of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00). In the event that the note holder or its intended assignee is exempt from paying the same, the successful bidder may also be required to pay revenue stamps on the Trustee’s Deed, any Land Transfer Tax, and the tax required by N.C.G.S. §7A-308(a)(1). The real property hereinabove described is being o ered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS” and will be sold subject to all superior liens, unpaid taxes, and special assessments. Other conditions will be announced at the sale. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any

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

FROM

COLLECTOR. THE PURPOSE OF

COMMUNICATION IS TO COLLECT A DEBT AND ANY INFORMATION OBTAINED WILL BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE, except as stated below in the instance of bankruptcy protection. IF YOU ARE UNDER THE PROTECTION OF THE BANKRUPTCY COURT OR HAVE BEEN DISCHARGED AS A RESULT OF A BANKRUPTCY PROCEEDING, THIS NOTICE IS GIVEN TO YOU PURSUANT TO STATUTORY REQUIREMENT AND FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES AND IS NOT INTENDED AS AN ATTEMPT TO COLLECT A DEBT OR AS AN ACT TO COLLECT, ASSESS, OR RECOVER ALL OR ANY PORTION OF THE DEBT FROM YOU PERSONALLY. Sarah A. Waldron or Terrass Scott Misher, Esq ROBERTSON, ANSCHUTZ, SCHNEID, CRANE & PARTNERS, PLLC Attorneys

or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any resale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental

subject to applicable Federal and State laws. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the con rmation of the sale

physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being o ered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. The sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law required. If the Trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the ling of a bankruptcy petition prior to the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the Trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party,

Home again

North Carolina’s Christina Koch, left, was greeted by NASA’s Johnson Space Center Director Vanessa Wyche after her return home to Houston on Sunday following a 10-day trip around the moon and back.

the BRIEF this

week

Appeals court orders judge to end contempt investigation of Trump administration deportation ights

A federal judge must end his “intrusive” contempt investigation of the Trump administration for failing to comply with an order over ights carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last year, a divided appeals court panel ruled Tuesday. Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion in forging ahead with criminal contempt proceedings stemming from the March 2025 deportation ights, according to the majority opinion by a three -judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Pope heads to Cameroon as separatists announce pause in ghting

Algiers, Algeria Pope Leo XIV is heading to the central African nation of Cameroon on the second leg of his Africa tour. He’s bringing a message of peace to its separatist region, where ghters have announced a three-day pause in ghting. He’ll also have talks Wednesday with President Paul Biya. The 93-year-old leader is the world’s oldest. His grip on power was extended for an eighth term in a widely disputed election last year. The Vatican says ghting corruption and insisting on the correct uses of political authority are expected to be themes of Leo’s visit. Leo was traveling to Cameroon from Algeria, the rst stop on his four-nation Africa tour.

$2.00

Chatham Schools presents preliminary local budget ask

The request seeks an additional $3.7 million in funding

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — Chatham County Schools presented its preliminary draft for its local appropriations request to the county commissioners. At the Chatham County Schools Board of Education’s April 13 meeting, the board was presented with the preliminary request.

“We want to be real clear that our draft budget is really what we’re calling a blueprint for scal responsibility and stability to ensure that we continue working through our student outcomes,” said Superintendent Anthony Jackson.

In total, the county is looking to ask for an additional local county investment of around $3.7 million, bringing the total local funding request to around $55 million.

“The $3.7 (million) is not all that we’re requesting,” said Chief Finance O cer Brittany Smith. “It’s a continuation budget on top of an additional ask.”

Police chief explains use of Flock cameras in Pittsboro

The town currently uses nine automatic license plate recognition cameras

By Ryan Henkel Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commis-

“(Williams’ disclosures put) our nation, our war ghters, and our allies at risk.” FBI o cial

sioners met April 13 for its regular business meeting.

The board rst heard a presentation on Flock cameras, which have received a good deal of community backlash as of late, from the Pittsboro Police Department.

“Our objective, as any police department or law enforce -

The woman is accused of sharing Delta Force secrets with an author

By Gary D. Robertson

The Associated Press

RALEIGH — An Army veteran accused of revealing classi ed information about an elite commando unit — members’ names, tactics and a unit alias among them — to a journalist and on social media will be released awaiting a possible trial, a judge ruled Monday. Courtney Williams, 40, who is charged with four counts of communicating and disclosing national defense

ment, is to deter crime,” said Pittsboro Police Chief Clarence Johnson. “We know we’re not gonna prevent all crimes, but we want to have all the necessary tools that we can to try and solve crimes if and when they do occur here in town.”

The Flock Safety ALPR Camera program works by alert-

information about a “special military unit” at Fort Bragg, after working for it as a civilian, appeared in federal court in Raleigh.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian Meyers agreed to release Williams, who was arrested last week and wore a striped jumpsuit in court, under home detention and location monitoring. She’s barred from having contact with the media or using social media, Meyers said. Williams’ attorney, Christian Dysart, declined to comment after the hearing, which came more than a week after a

The additional funding will go toward supporting instruction, sta ng, student services and district operations; facility, infrastructure and operational

ing departments when a license plate that is connected to a vehicle of someone who has committed a crime or a missing person is captured by a camera connected to the system.

The town currently has nine Flock cameras, and according to Johnson, the locations for the cameras were chosen speci cally due to the frequency of break-ins and reported crimes in those areas.

A lot of citizens have brought up privacy concerns in relation to the cameras; however,

April 6

• Michael Anthony Raneri, 38, was arrested for driving while impaired and child support violation.

• James Lamonte Cotton, 48, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill in icting serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon in icting serious injury and possession of a rearm by a felon, and other charges.

• Vernon Wayne Newby, 69, was arrested for possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine, felony possession of cocaine and possession of drug paraphernalia, and other charges.

April 7

• Micah Christopher Bailey, 38, of Hillsborough, was arrested for simple assault.

• Shane Doyle Osburn, 40, of Pittsboro, was arrested for simple assault.

April 8

• Mathivanan Pothiyappan, 49, of Chapel Hill, was arrested for attempted rst degree murder.

• Guiseppe Lorenzo Cataldo, 49, of Durham, was arrested for a domestic violence protective order violation.

• Danilo Perez Perilla, 18, of Staley, was arrested for a pretrial release order violation.

• Marcie Lynn Moody, 51, of Siler City, was arrested for a pretrial release order violation.

April 9

• Ahmond Rashed McCrimmon, 20, of Siler City, was arrested for larceny of a rearm.

• Kayla Nicole Jansen, 29, of Pittsboro, was arrested for simple assault and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

April 12

• William Tyrell Davenport, 42, of Chapel Hill, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.

• Kelly Gene Headen Jr., 40, of Siler City, was arrested for high-risk sex o ender online conduct and a sex o ender residence violation.

• Juan Luis Moreno-Escoto, 49, of Pittsboro, was arrested for speeding.

• Kimberly Marie Russell, 42, of Pittsboro, was arrested for breaking and entering.

16-year-old from Florida charged with sexually assaulting, killing stepsister on cruise ship

The 18-year-old cheerleader’s body was discovered concealed under the cabin bed

By Ed White The Associated Press

A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in Florida in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship, the U.S. Justice Department said Monday.

Timothy Hudson was indicted March 10. But the entire case was sealed until last Friday, weeks after U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom said he would be prosecuted as an adult at the request of prosecutors.

Anna Kepner had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship in November with her family. Before the ship was scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found concealed under a bed in a room she was sharing with two other teens, including the younger stepbrother.

The cause of Kepner’s Nov. 6 death was determined to be mechanical asphyxia, which is when an object or physi-

cal force stops someone from breathing.

An email and voicemail seeking comment from Hudson’s attorneys were not immediately returned Monday.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,” U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said in a written statement. “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters.”

Kepner was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, some 40 miles east of Orlando. At her memorial service in November, family members encouraged people to wear bright colors instead of the traditional black “in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul.”

Teens prosecuted in federal court are extremely rare. Hudson was initially charged Feb. 2, and he pleaded not guilty the next day in Miami. He was subsequently seen at the courthouse, wearing a ball cap and a hoodie pulled tightly around his face. But his status was not fully known because his age barred public disclosures by his lawyers,

“He committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife, and whom he was being raised to view as a sibling.”

Alejandra López, Assistant U.S. Attorney

the government or the court.

A judge on Feb. 6 said Hudson must wear an electronic tether while living with an uncle. The order was changed to allow him to join his father for a few days last week at a landscaping business.

Prosecutors objected to Hudson’s release, citing dangerousness, and asked a judge Monday to revisit that order now that he has been charged as an adult. Defense lawyers will have a week to respond.

“He committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife, and whom he was being raised to view as a sibling,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra López said in a court ling.

April

Philip

Pittsboro

Shops

Works by six Chatham Artists Guild members — Patricia Martin, Irena Cepullyte, Lara O’Keefe, Anna Julian, Pamela Freese and Laura Harris — are featured in a

reception. Guests

over to the

MOSAIC Market after the reception. 79°West Coworking & Innovation Hub 120 Mosaic Blvd., Suite 120 Pittsboro

April 18

Author Talk — Sue Soltis, “The Moon Moved In” 11 a.m.

Author Sue Soltis presents her children’s book “The Moon Moved In” as part of the N.C. Science Festival Statewide Star Party; copies will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of McIntyre’s Books. Free and open to the public.

Chatham Community Library, Holmes Family Meeting Room 197 N.C. Highway

Teachers, are you looking for new opportunities to fund projects for your classroom?

Central Electric is awarding up to $15,000 in Bright Ideas education grants to local educators in K-12 classrooms for the 2026-27 school year. Educators in K-12 classrooms with creative ideas for learning projects are encouraged to apply for a grant up to $2,000.

Grant applications will be accepted through Sept. 15. However, it pays to apply early.

All teachers who submit their applications by the early bird deadline of Aug. 15 will be entered into a drawing for one of ve $100 Visa gi cards. Scan the QR code or visit NCBrightIdeas.com for more information or to apply!

NASA already has next Artemis ight in sights following astronauts’ triumphant moon yby

South Pole water ice could fuel NASA’s planned lunar base

By Marcia Dunn

The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Never-before-glimpsed views of the moon’s far side. Check. Total solar eclipse gracing the lunar scene. Check. New distance record for humanity. Check.

With NASA’s lunar comeback a galactic-sized smash thanks to Artemis II, the world is wondering: What’s next? And how do you top that?

“To people all around the world who look up and dream about what is possible, the long wait is over,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said as he introduced Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen at Saturday’s jubilant homecoming celebration.

Now that the rst lunar travelers in more than a half-century are safely back in Houston with their families, NASA has Artemis III in its sights.

“The next mission’s right around the corner,” entry ight director Rick Hen ing observed following the crew’s Paci c splashdown on Friday.

In a mission recently added to the docket for next year, Artemis III’s yet-to-be-named astronauts will practice docking their Orion capsule with a lunar lander or two in orbit around Earth. Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Je Bezos’ Blue Origin are racing to have their company’s lander ready rst.

Musk’s Starship and Bezos’ Blue Moon are vying for the all-important Artemis IV moon landing in 2028. Two astronauts will aim for the south polar region, the preferred location for Isaacman’s envisioned $20 billion to $30 billion moon base. Vast amounts of ice are almost certainly hidden in permanently shadowed craters there — ice that could provide water and rocket fuel.

The docking mechanism for Artemis III’s close-to-home trial run is already at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. The latest model Starship is close to launching on a test ight from South Texas, and a scaled- down version of Blue Moon will attempt a lunar landing later this year.

NASA promises to announce the Artemis III crew “soon.” Like 1969’s Apollo 9, Artemis III aims to reduce risk for the moon landings that follow.

Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart loved ying the lunar module in low-Earth orbit — “a test pilot’s dream.” But

Church News

OAKLEY BAPTIST CHURCH

As Oakley Baptist Church (2300 Siler City-Glendon Road, Siler City) seeks to begin its next chapter, we are enjoying hearing a word from the Lord from various old and new friends. Our service begins at 10:30 a.m., but we also have Sunday School classes for every member of the family at 9:30 a.m. We would be blessed if you joined us for any and all of these speakers in the coming weeks.

April 19 – Gary McCollough

April 26 – Spencer Andrews

May 3 – Eddie Ellison

We look forward to meeting you at any of these services and in the future, and invite you to pray with us as we seek a new pastor. To learn more, go to oakleybaptist. org or email us at oakleybaptistchurch@gmail.com.

EMMAUS BAPTIST CHURCH

SPRING REVIVAL • APRIL 19-22

Pastor Bob Pitman will be our guest pastor this week.

Beginning Sunday morning, April 19 – Early service: 8:45 a.m. – Late Service: 11 a.m. Sunday through Wednesday evenings: 7 p.m.

“It’s going to take risk to explore, but you have to make sure you nd the right line between being paralyzed by it and being able to manage it.”

Amit Kshatriya, NASA associate administrator

there’s no question, he noted, that “the real astronauts,” at least in the public’s mind, were the ones who walked on the moon.

Wiseman and his crew put their passion and feelings on full display as they ew around the moon and back, choking up over lost loved ones as well as those left behind on Earth.

During their nearly 10-day journey, they tearfully requested that a fresh, bright lunar crater be named after Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll, who died of cancer in 2020. They also openly shared their love for one another and Planet Earth, an exquisite yet delicate oasis in the black void that they said needs better care.

Artemis II included the rst woman, the rst person of color and the rst non-U.S. citizen to y to the moon.

“Wonderful communicators, almost poets,” Isaacman said from the recovery ship while awaiting their return.

Apollo’s manly, all-business moon crews of the 1960s and 1970s certainly did not do group hugs.

For those old enough to remember Apollo, Artemis — Apollo’s twin sister in Greek mythology — couldn’t come fast enough.

Author Andy Chaikin said he felt like Rip Van Winkle awakening from a nearly 54 -year nap. His 1994 biography “A Man on the Moon” led to the HBO miniseries “From the Earth to the Moon.”

“It’s amazing how far we’ve come and how di erent this experience is from back then,” Chaikin said from Johnson Space Center late last week.

The hardest part, according to NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya, is becoming so close to the crews and their families and then blasting them to the moon. He anxiously monitored Friday’s reentry alongside the astronauts’ spouses and children.

“You know what’s at stake,” Kshatriya con ded afterward. “It’s going to take risk to explore, but you have to make sure you nd the right line between being paralyzed by it and being able to manage it.”

Calling it “mission complete” only after being reunited with his two daughters, Wiseman issued a rallying cry to the rows of blue- ight- suited astronauts at Saturday’s celebration.

“It is time to go and be ready,” he said, pointing at them, “because it takes courage. It takes determination, and you all are freaking going and we are going to be standing there supporting you every single step of the way in every possible way possible.”

Emmaus Baptist Church 2430 Silk Hope Gum Springs Road Pittsboro, N.C. 27312 919-542-4974

Horton High School Alumni Association 2026 Scholarship Application

Applications are being accepted for Horton High School Alumni Association 2026-2027 Scholarship

Descendent of Horton High School alumnus or attendee of Horton High School may apply.

• Apply on website: www.hortonhighalumni.com

• CLICK: “Scholarship”

Deadline for application: June 1, 2026 JMHS CLASS OF 1971 55TH REUNION

SATURDAY, APRIL 18TH, 2026 CONTACT - JIM SIZEMORE 919-545-5006

THE CONVERSATION

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

We are one crew

As they went beyond our planet’s atmosphere, these astronauts challenged humankind to move beyond “us versus them” and become “we.”

EVEN WITH everything else going on at home and abroad, the journey of Artemis II around the moon captured our collective attention. We were amazed by the astronauts’ pictures of the bright blue dot we call home and of a total solar eclipse seen from behind the moon.

The space mission came up during a monthly gathering of gentlemen at my church, and one of them noted that, with all the problems in the world, why are we spending so much money going to space? I concede that this argument makes a valid point.

To my way of thinking, however, the mission of Artemis II is for all humankind. We can learn from the astronauts themselves.

The astronauts aboard Artemis II were Canadian and American, male and female, black and white. Each individual was at the top of their eld, excelling in bravery, expertise and knowledge. Together, they formed an incredible crew. Astronaut Christina Koch de ned a “crew” as those with a “shared purpose, silent sacri ce … giving grace and accountability.”

As they went beyond our planet’s atmosphere, these astronauts challenged humankind to move beyond “us versus them” and become “we.” We share the spaceship Earth and, like crew members, we are (in Koch’s words) “inescapably linked.”

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

The Artemis II crew was also personally relatable. They had a clogged toilet problem, and they joked about it!

They also grieved together. One of them, with the tting last name of Wiseman, had a new crater named after his wife, Carroll, who had died of cancer in 2020. The entire crew wept and held onto each other as they spelled out her name, letter by letter. They were literally farther from Earth than any other human, and yet they felt like part of our family.

In addition to potty humor, grief and sorrow are as much a part of the human experience as pride over accomplishments. Just as we do not all achieve the same things, we do not all su er the same losses — and yet, all of us will su er loss at some point. Loss is as inevitable as gravity on Earth, and while it weighs on us, sharing our grief can alleviate even our darkest moments, which (like the moon) we often hide from the light. History will remember the space voyage of Artemis II. I pray that, on this whirling planet, we will remember the reality of loss and the lessons of grief so that we might care for one another like a crew and thereby make this planet a safer, kinder and more loving place.

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.

Here’s a textbook for the school

Hopefully I’ve done more than put some of the audience to sleep.

CERTAIN EVENTS are automatic with the coming of Spring.

Baseball is one.

Yay.

The appearance of wild onions in the yard and the smell of them the rst few times you — or someone else, if you’re lucky — runs the mower over them is another.

The ugly side e ects of an avalanche of pollen is still another. This year it’s been extremely bad for those of us who nd it impossible to breathe when your nose and mouth are full of green dust, the same green dust that makes red cars change colors.

When you say your prayers this week, ask for rain. Maybe even try begging.

And yet another is when, as the poet says, a young man’s fancy turns lightly toward thoughts of love or something like that.

But still another is what happens when folks realize they’re about to graduate from high school or college or tech school or wherever they’ve gone for additional education, training or experience.

Especially high school …

Through the years, I’ve had the chance to speak to a few high school classes at their baccalaureate services, and I’ve always relished those opportunities. Hopefully I’ve done more than put some of the audience to sleep because that event marks a milestone for the folks involved, and I’ve viewed it as an opportunity to congratulate and to encourage.

High school graduation events, however, I’ve never done. Typically, at least in our fair county, those addresses come from the students themselves, which isn’t a bad thing. It’s a chance for those seniors to remember common bonds and to realize that while they may always be, for instance, the Class of 2010 or 1991 or 1623 or whatever, that they will never again be just like they are at that moment.

For some, that can be a sobering, even scary thought, while others can’t wait. Anyway, if I were given an opportunity to speak at such a time, I think I’d like to pass on what I read was the core of an address made by a more-than-successful businessman at a graduation. In that address, he told the students 11 things he said they did not and will not learn in school.

of life

His main point was how “feel-good” politically correct teachings have created a generation of children with no concept of reality and how this concept has set them up for failure in the real world. Those points, or rules, include:

Rule 1: Life is not fair. Get used to it.

Rule 2: The world won’t care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something before you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will not make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You will not be the company VP with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your grandparents had a di erent word for ipping burgers. They called it “opportunity.”

Rule 6: If you mess up, it’s not your parents’ fault, so don’t whine about your mistakes. Learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents were not as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parents’ generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life has not. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades, and they’ll give you as many times as you want to get the right answer. This doesn’t bear the slightest resemblance to anything in life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don’t get summers o , and very few employers are interested in helping you to nd yourself. You can do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is not real life. In real life, people actually have to leave the co ee shop or bar and go to a job.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you’ll end up working for one.

I think he was trying to make one more stab at educating the youngsters. I hope it helps.

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

Silver isn’t so bad, after all

When buying into perceived techie helplessness, what does this adult woman do as problems, inevitably, arise?

FESSING UP.

What’s this fessing up bit?

Fessing up to having white (or silver) hair. In the eyes of our current culture, my white (or silver) hair tends to signify I’m of a certain age and therefore relatively helpless (and female, to boot) in a technology-laden world. “Older Folks Do Not Do Technology!” Period.

Please accompany me for a brief empowerment trip back to my childhood. Gifted with a chemistry set by my parents, I was headed for big-time magic-making. Big time! Well, either that or a big mess. Such a joy to mix several chemicals in a test tube and produce the smell of sulfur, just permeating the house. It was still a form of empowerment, however. Other free-form experiments left test tubes frothing, covering the bathroom counter, dripping to the tile oor. (Where was Mr. Clean when you needed him?) Even though I was responsible for cleaning up the frothy mess on the oor, I was in celebratory mode. Not sure if mom and dad were celebrating, though …. Negative cultural PR about being female began rolling into my world. My “let’s experiment” instincts hit a wall. Science and techie stu morphed into foreign lands for which I knew not how to get tickets. Lions, tigers and sharks surely inhabited those lands. Perceived helplessness just oozed into my life.

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

When buying into perceived techie helplessness, what does this adult woman do as problems, inevitably, arise? Call someone for help! (Some folks were even on speed dial.) My believed techie powerlessness was always, always answered by the interventions of others. Whew!

Then, COVID-19, like a veritable bull in a china shop, barged into all our lives. I was left to my own feeble devices for resolving tech problems, courtesy of social isolation. Science-y and tech de cits came home to roost on my doorstep. What does one do with guests on your doorstep? Invite ’em in for a friendly chat. Get to know ’em. And that’s exactly what I did. I began actively asking myself questions, googling those techie places where I was stuck. Experimenting, again and again, until more light found its way into my technology darkness. I loved the light of my slowly building empowerment so much that I continued chugging into tech world. Me, wow! No, I’ve not evolved into a post-pandemic techie whiz. Next life, maybe? However, as incredible as it may seem, friends are now asking me (!!) for techie assistance. Bring on my next challenge, says the silver-haired one, just grinning away!

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

How to reverse societal decline

Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice.

RETAIL STORES locking up items is the symptom of a much larger problem.

I recently went to Walmart and had ibuprofen on my shopping list. I went to the medicine section and — groan — saw this $5 item locked behind glass. There were a couple of other people already waiting, so I looked around for a call button. That’s when one of the people waiting said an employee was already helping them but needed to get more boxes.

I was utterly confused.

One of the waiting customers remarked that he was from Florida and that stores there didn’t have items behind locked glass. What a di erence having Ron DeSantis as governor makes. I generously spared him a full rundown of how Democrats passed a soft-on-crime bill in 2019. Not punishing criminals led to a dramatic increase in retail theft. Stores are taking steps to stop theft — and I soon learned how inconvenient those measures are for everyone else.

Eventually, a Walmart employee returned carrying clear plastic boxes with locking tops. She removed each customer’s desired item from behind the glass and put it in the locking box. At checkout, another employee unlocked my box so I could pay for my item.

This is ridiculous.

I don’t blame Walmart. I wouldn’t want criminals stealing from me either.

But there’s plenty of blame to go around.

Criminals are responsible for their own actions. The bill that Democrats passed in 2019, gutting criminal penalties, is part of the problem. In 2020, the Nevada Supreme Court signi cantly weakened bail in Nevada. That’s played a role. Legislative Democrats have largely resisted Gov. Joe Lombardo’s attempts to put teeth back into Nevada’s crime laws.

The left’s soft-on-crime policies stem from its worldview. A worldview is someone’s underlying beliefs that they use to interpret and make sense of what’s going on. Everyone has a worldview, even if most people don’t think about it consciously. When people talk past each other in a policy discussion, it’s often because their worldviews con ict. You have to dig underneath the surface to expose the root of the disagreement.

The left has embraced critical theory,

BE IN TOUCH

which divides people into binary groups based on nances, race or other characteristics. This split produces some groups that are more successful than others. Intersectionality is the left’s way of combining and ranking these groups.

Critical theorists believe that the successful group obtained their elevated status by victimizing those in the other group. These supposed oppressors created systems and institutions to entrench their dominance of the victim group.

How a group can get rich robbing poor people is never quite explained.

But you can see the implications. Individual responsibility is thrown out the window since success or failure is a function of group membership, not personal choices. Stealing is proof the system has failed. As such, the government shouldn’t punish a thief for something that’s beyond his control. Government policy should overtly favor oppressed groups, not set an objective standard for individuals to follow.

Further, those objective standards, like “don’t steal,” aren’t neutral principles. They’re tools the powerful use to cement their privilege. One of the deepest roots of this poisonous philosophical plant is a rejection of absolute truth.

Most Democrats won’t fully articulate this. For one, many people haven’t fully thought through their worldview. Outside of a college campus, it also sounds like a conspiracy theory — because it is one.

Critical theory is bogus. For one, you can’t logically reject absolute truth while claiming that your belief system is true. It’s also morally wrong to judge people based on their skin color instead of their character.

Finally, this worldview fails in practice. Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice. That’s not a success story. In other cities, like San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, stores have shut down entirely over crime.

It is possible to reverse this societal decline — but it requires rejecting the worldview causing the rot.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Letters to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or mailed to 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.

Contact a writer or columnist: connect@ northstatejournal.com

Trump is denounced — even by some Republicans — over the ‘war of choice’

ABOUT THE WAR against Iran, most polls nd it especially unpopular among Democrats, independents and even some Republicans who feel double-crossed because President Donald Trump campaigned against “endless wars” and promised not to start a new one.

As to Trump’s criticism of “endless wars,” supporters should not have taken it seriously for several reasons. First, we have “endless wars” because we have endless enemies. And they have a vote. Second, one could argue that the war against Iran is not new. After all, Iran’s leaders have been calling for America’s annihilation for 47 years. Third, presidents make decisions based upon events, many of which are unforeseen.

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

Woodrow Wilson campaigned in 1914 to keep America out of World War I. He ultimately took the country to war. Before our entry into World War II, several Americans supported an antiwar movement called America First. A couple of college students named Gerald R. Ford and John F. Kennedy supported this movement. Then came Pearl Harbor.

Assuming Iran was on the brink of acquiring the ability to make a nuclear bomb — their own negotiators admitted Iran had enough enriched uranium to make 11 bombs — this left Trump a couple of options: do nothing, the route taken by previous presidents, or stop them. Rather than kick the can down the road, Trump chose to stomp on it.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, prominent lawyer David Boies chastised fellow Democrats for opposing the war and letting their animosity against Trump cloud their judgment.

“If (Trump) hadn’t acted, his successor would have been left with an even more dangerous choice than his predecessors left him. ... What is harder to understand, and particularly troubling for our country, is opposition rooted simply in antipathy toward Mr. Trump himself,” he wrote.

As for the war’s unpopularity, opponents call Trump a liar as to the intel purporting to show Iran is an imminent threat. Critics say he failed to consult, let alone get support from, our allies.

But consider the decision President George W. Bush made to go to war. Many now call the Iraq War a blunder of epic proportions. Much of the country believes Bush “lied us into the war.”

Let’s revisit. At rst, 72% of Americans, according to Gallup, supported that war.

Bush obtained resolutions in support of the war from both the House and the Senate. The widely held belief that Iraq had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction was only one of the many reasons set forth in the resolution. The resolution also noted that Iraq used chemical weapons on its own people and on the Iranians; that Iraq was stealing from the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme and likely using the money for military purposes; that Iraq was shooting at the British and American planes patrolling the southern and northern no- y zones; and that Saddam Hussein had attempted to assassinate President George H.W. Bush.

George W. Bush formed a “coalition of the willing” consisting of 48 nations, including the U.S., U.K., Australia and Poland, that committed troops to the e ort.

The war became unpopular. Many denounced Bush as a liar and a war criminal despite his pre-war e ort to form a coalition, to get buy-in from both Democrats and Republicans and to obtain a unanimous resolution from the U.N. Trump did none of this before going to war against Iran. He is excoriated as viciously as was Bush, who did all the things critics accuse Trump of not doing. So the real issue comes down to whether Trump is doing the right thing.

During the Iran-Iraq war, the Iranian regime used children to clear mine elds — costing tens of thousands of young lives. There was a term for this. It is a war crime.

Iran is now mobilizing boys as young as 12 to ght the U.S. and Israel. There’s a term for this. It is a war crime. And it is forcing citizens to form human chains to stand in front of military targets. There is a term for this. It is a war crime.

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies. This is why this fanatical regime cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. This is why Trump is correct to implore the civilized world to join the ght.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

obituaries

winning the

110th

Bob Hall, father of wheelchair racing and 2-time winner of Boston Marathon, dead at 74

He designed racing chairs and pioneered wheelchair athletes’ acceptance at major marathons

By Jimmy Golen

The Associated Press

BOSTON — Bob Hall, a childhood polio survivor who became known as the father of wheelchair racing after twice winning the Boston Marathon and then going on to build racing chairs for the generations of competitors that followed, has died. He was 74.

The Boston Athletic Association said on Sunday that Hall’s family con rmed his death after a long illness.

In 1975, Hall convinced Boston Marathon organizers to let him into the race and was promised a nishers’ certi cate like the one the runners got if he completed the 26.2-mile distance in under 3 hours. (In 1970, Vietnam War veteran Eugene Roberts, who had lost both of his legs in the war, needed more than six hours to nish.)

Hall crossed the line in 2:58.

“It had nothing to do with, per se, the marathon, but it was about the inclusion,” Hall said last year, when he served as the grand marshal in Boston on the 50th anniversary of his pioneering ride. “It was that I was bringing people along.” Hall returned to the Boston race in 1977, when it was designated as the site for the National Wheelchair Championship, and prevailed in a eld of seven. As they crested Heartbreak Hill, eventual men’s winner Bill Rodgers and fth-place nisher Tom Fleming slowed to encourage him.

“The interaction was a sign that we were fully accepted as athletes,” Hall said.

Hall, who lost the use of both legs from childhood polio, sued in 1978 to have wheelchair racers admitted into the New York Marathon, a ght that wasn’t settled until the race created men’s and women’s wheelchair divisions in 2000.

“Because of him crossing that nish line, we’re able to race today. And it’s evolved so much since then.”

Tatyana McFadden

“Bob Hall is an incredible man,” ve-time Boston winner and eight-time Paralympic gold medalist Tatyana McFadden said last year. “I’m so thankful for him. And I think we all are, as wheelchair racers, because he really paved the way.”

Hall nished in the top three in Boston three other times, and remained active with the race. More than 1,900 wheelchair racers have followed him from Hopkinton to Boston; this year’s race on April 20 will include 50 more, along with 50 others in eight para divisions competing for more than $300,000 in prize money.

The BAA said that Hall taught “how we can continue to ensure athletes of all abilities have competitive opportunities on the highest stage here in Boston.”

“Bob designed innovative wheelchair equipment, raced with courage, and was proud to be a two-time Boston Marathon champion,” the BAA said. “He helped lead a technological change, transforming simple wheelchairs into racing chairs built for peak athletic performance. Bob’s in uence and e ort ve decades ago led to the global circuit of wheelchair racing today.”

Many of the competitors — including McFadden and seven-time Boston winner Marcel Hug — learned to race in chairs built by Hall.

“Because of him crossing that nish line, we’re able to race today. And it’s evolved so much since then,” McFadden said last year. “It was him. It was him being brave and saying, ‘I’m going to go out and do this because I believe that we should be able to race Boston Marathon just like everyone else.’ So he had the courage to do that.”

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

Dave McGinnis, former Cardinals head coach and longtime NFL assistant, dead at 74

A defensive coach beloved throughout the NFL for his passion and loyalty

By Teresa M. Walker The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former Arizona Cardinals head coach and longtime NFL assistant Dave McGinnis, long known simply as “Coach Mac,” died Monday. He was 74.

McGinnis, who had been in declining health, died at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital with his family at his side, according to the Tennessee Titans. He had been the Titans’ color commentator on game broadcasts since 2017 and was a constant presence on radio shows and team podcasts.

“He was family,” controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk. “Coach Mac gave so much of himself to this organization over the years, and his passion, loyalty and love for the Titans never wavered. He cared deeply about the people around him, and that kindness and authenticity left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.”

McGinnis went 17-40 for the Cardinals from 2000 to 2003, earning the job after nearly ve seasons as defensive coordinator. He also helped the Cardinals’ push for their current stadi-

“Coach Mac truly loved the game and everything — and everyone — associated with it, especially his players.”

Michael Bidwill, Arizona Cardinals owner

um before being red following a 4-12 record in 2003. That was despite a breakout season from receiver Anquan Boldin as the AP’s O ensive Rookie of the Year.

Arizona owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement the Cardinals were saddened to hear of McGinnis’ death.

“As Dave often said, he was a ‘ball coach’ through and through, and no one ever lled that role with more passion, enthusiasm and charisma,” Bidwill said. “Coach Mac truly loved the game and everything — and everyone — associated with it, especially his players. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”

A respected defensive mind, McGinnis began his NFL career with the Chicago Bears in 1986 as linebackers coach, a season after the franchise won the Super Bowl. He spent 10 years in Chicago working under

head coaches Mike Ditka and Dave Wannstedt.

McGinnis brie y looked like he would become the Bears’ head coach in 1999 when the team announced his hiring after an interview. However, McGinnis said he had never agreed to a contract, the Bears apologized and the coach pulled his name from consideration.

After he left the Cardinals in 2003, McGinnis was hired as the linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans under coach Je Fisher. He stayed in that role — eventually being promoted to assistant head coach — until 2011. McGinnis followed Fisher to the St. Louis Rams in 2012, where he worked until 2016 as assistant head coach before turning to being a broadcaster with the Titans.

“His passion for the Titans and love for the game came through in every interaction and every broadcast, and he had a unique way of making everyone around him better,” said Burke Nihill, the Titans president and chief executive o cer.

Before his NFL career, McGinnis was an assistant for 13 years at the college level, working at TCU, Missouri, Indiana State and Kansas State.

The Snyder, Texas, native was a three-year starter at defensive back for TCU and graduated in 1973.

Sid Kro t, ‘HR Pufnstuf’ children’s TV visionary, dead at 96

H.R. Pufnstuf aired just 17 episodes but became an enduring cult classic

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — Sid Kro t, the Canadian-born entertainment wizard who teamed with his brother and fellow puppeteer Marty Kro t to create such cult favorites as children’s 1960s TV show “H.R. Pufnstuf,” has died at age 96.

Kro t’s death, which came three years after the death of Marty Kro t, was announced on Instagram by his friend and business partner Kelly Killian. Additional details were not immediately available.

“The last six years of my life were devoted to him, and his to me,” Killian wrote. “In that time, he taught me more than I could ever put into words — about the art of Hollywood, the magic of the stage, and the depth and complexity of human

nature. I wish so very much that I had more time with him.”

The Kro ts popularized cultural gures ranging from the inept Weenie the Genie to siblings Donny and Marie Osmond.

TV fans of a certain age would long remember “H.R. Pufnstuf,” the live-action puppet series with its cheerful theme song, the dragon who gave the show its name — and served as mayor of Living Island — and such memorable, supporting characters as the larcenous witch Wilhelmina W. Witchiepoo, and her patented Vroom Broom. “H.R. Pufnstuf” only aired for 17 episodes, in 1969, but lived on for decades in reruns and syndication. It ranked 27th in a 2007 TV Guide poll of all-time cult favorites. Other Kro t productions included “Land of the Lost,” “Electra Woman and Dyna Girl” and “Pryor’s Place,” featuring comedian Richard Pry-

“In that time, he taught me more than I could ever put into words — about the art of Hollywood, the magic of the stage, and the depth and complexity of human nature.”

Kelly Killian, friend and business partner

or. Their children’s shows were so far- ung at times that critics suspected the Kro ts were under the in uence of drugs — allegations the brothers rejected — but they also oversaw such wholesome programming as the “Donny & Marie,” the Osmonds’ 1970s variety show. The Kro ts received a Daytime Emmy for lifetime achievement in 2018, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star two years later.

criminal complaint was led in her case.

The complaint was unsealed last week on the same day a grand jury indicted Williams and the U.S. Justice Department announced her arrest. An FBI o cial said then her alleged disclosures put “our nation, our war ghters, and our allies at risk.” Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, the government says, along with monetary penalties.

Court documents say Williams, who was hired as a defense contractor in 2010 and became a Department of Defense employee months later, worked for a “special military unit” at Fort Bragg until 2016 and held a top-secret security clearance.

Although the reporter and unit are not named in the court lings, dates and details match an article and book about the Army’s secretive Delta Force written by Seth Harp.

Williams, who lives about 35 miles from Fort Bragg, was the focus of a 2025 Politico article with the headline: “My Life Became a Living Hell: One Woman’s Career in Delta Force, the Army’s Most Elite Unit.” The article, which describes Williams as serving previously in the Army as an interrogator and Arabic linguist, coincided with the release of Harp’s book, “The Fort Bragg Cartel,” which alleges sexual harassment and discrimination.

The indictment alleges that between 2022 and 2025, Williams was in contact with the author, resulting in more than 10 hours of phone calls

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

The Army’s Delta Force is headquartered at Fort Bragg.

and exchanging hundreds of text messages. The indictment alleges in part that Williams unlawfully disclosed a “cover alias identity issued and owned” by the unit; tactics and techniques the unit used to “execute covert missions without being detected”; and “true names of individuals” assigned to the unit, and “their capture during a sensitive military mission in a foreign country.”

Harp said last week in a written statement that Williams is a “courageous whistleblower” on discrimination and harassment within Delta Force and contends former unit members reveal incidentally on podcasts and YouTube shows unit details that the government

now labels a crime by Williams.

“I am con dent that the DOJ’s slapdash indictment, full of misleadingly juxtaposed quotations taken out of context, will fall apart upon careful scrutiny,” Harp wrote.

An FBI agent’s a davit said that Williams had signed nondisclosure documents regarding classi ed materials while working for the unit and as she left her job.

The a davit says Williams messaged the journalist on or about the article’s release expressing concern about “the amount of classi ed information being disclosed.” And in another alleged exchange, she told her mother she may get arrested “for disclosing classi ed information.”

CAMERAS from page A1

Johnson stated that the system does not continuously track nor does it have facial recognition capability.

“It’s a case-driven investigative tool,” Johnson said. “That’s all it is. We have to have a case to go in and look at these cameras.” Johnson also stated that the data retention on the devices, which contractually belongs to the town, is limited to 30 days, and while the department can search license plates captured by the cameras during that span, it is hard deleted after that 30 - day period. The department said it also does not use the cameras to track individuals or groups, and the department does not use the data for things such as immigration or tra c enforcement.

“We don’t care what you do as long as you’re not breaking the law,” Johnson said. “I cannot stop what other agencies are doing across the country, but I can for sure guarantee that if somebody messes up here, then they’ll be held accountable.”

The department conducts a monthly audit of all searches within the system, and as of February 2026, it has prohibited the use of data for immigration-related searches and reproductive care investigations and removed itself from participation in the nationwide network.

“We should have presented on this earlier to get the information out to the community,” Johnson said. “We have been listening and we have been diligently working to try and change things. We want to do the best we can for us and for y’all.”

However, there were still concerns amongst some commissioners surrounding the use of the Flock system by other agencies outside of Pittsboro in cases of subpoenas and the like.

“We have trust in you, we have trust in our sheri ’s department, but maybe not so much a little higher up,” said Commissioner Candace Hunziker. “So while you might not care who goes to say a protest, there may be other agencies who do.”

“I was deeply impressed with the depth and breadth of the report,” said Commissioner John Bonitz. “I’m

“We don’t care what you do as long as you’re not breaking the law.”

Clarence Johnson, Pittsboro police chief

more convinced than ever in my con dence in (Johnson) and your team’s concerns about safety and your diligence and carefulness in applying the law to protect the town and its people. My concerns remain about the corporate ownership of the Flock company.”

The board also held two public hearings related to property matters, with the rst being for a preliminary plat approval for a major residential subdivision, Womble Tract.

The property comprises around 100 acres and the plan is to construct 408 residential units, consisting of 112 townhomes and 296 single-family homes.

The lots will have sewer and water provided by TriRiver, and north and southbound turn lanes will be installed on Chatham Parkway to serve the project.

In addition, the development will provide a 10-foot multiuse path, 5-foot sidewalks on both sides of internal streets and an approximately 4,270-foot paved greenway trail.

In lieu of parkland, the developers will pay a rate of $4,750 per dwelling unit.

The second hearing was a request to rezone just under 75 acres of undeveloped property located south of U.S. Highway 64 E and west of Old Rock Spring Cemetery Road from Residential Agricultural to Multifamily Residential Conditional Zoning.

The goal with the rezoning is to construct a 300 residential unit development that is split between townhomes and single-family lots.

As part of the town’s affordable housing requirements, the project shall pay $1 million to Chatham Habitat for Humanity to help oset development costs for the Robert’s Run project.

Following the hearings, the board approved both requests.

The Town of Pittsboro Board of Commissioners will next meet May 11.

LEARN ABOUT LAND - Chatham Land Experts, www. learnaboutland.com - 919-362-6999.

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POWELL SPRINGS APTS. Evergreen Construction introduces its newest independent living community for adults 55 years or older, 1 and 2 bedroom applications now being accepted. O ce hours: Tuesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call 919-5336319 for more information, TDD #1-800-735-2962, Equal housing opportunity, Handicapped accessible. A2,tfnc

ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS now for one-bedroom apartments, adults 55 years or older. Water included, appliances furnished, on-site laundry, elevator, keyless entry. Section 8 accepted. No security deposit. Application fee $25 per adult. Call Braxton Manor, 919-663-1877. Handicap accessible. Equal Housing Opportunity. J14,tfnc

AUCTIONS

RICKY ELLINGTON AUCTIONEERS - Equipment, business, liquidation, estates, land, houses, antiques, personal property, coins, furniture, consignments, bene ts, etc., NCAL #7706, 919-548-3684, 919-6633556.

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A ordable Professional Lawncare – Mowing, weed eating and Small bush hog jobs –Call Mike at 919-267-0475. 4tp

WILL HAUL OFF: scrap metal, junk cars, big trucks, farm machinery, batteries etc. Call – 336-483-5936 or 336-622-5355 2tp

RAINBOW WATER FILTERED VACUUMS, Alice Cox, Cox’s Distributing - Rainbow - Cell: 919-548-4314, Sales, Services, Supplies. Serving public for 35 years. Rada Cutlery is also available. A26,tfnc

JUNK CARS PICKED UP Free of charge. Due to many months of low steel prices and unstable steel markets, we cannot pay for cars at this time. Cars, trucks, and machinery will be transported and environmentally correctly recycled at no charge. 919-542-2803. A2,tfnc

LETT’S TREE SERVICE - tree removal, stump grinding, lot clearing. Visa & Master Card accepted. Timber. Free estimates. 919-258-3594. N9,tfnc

FOR SALE

1975 Ford 4000 Diesel Tractor – (Needs Work), RC 200-72 Bush Hog, 72” cut, Runs Good and in Good Shape, and a Hay Pick. $1,800 for all three! Call 336-508-0356. 5tp

HAY FOR SALE - $25/ROLL CALL - 919-663-6056 3tp

24 Hour Family Contact

Staff • 24 Hour Home Care 4 Hour Minimum • Medication Administering

PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE

A public hearing will be held by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on Monday, April 20, 2026, beginning at 6:00 p.m. The public hearing will be held in the courtroom of the Historic Courthouse in Pittsboro, North Carolina at 9 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro NC 27312. Additional information is available at the Chatham County Planning Department o ce. Speakers are requested to sign up at the meeting prior to the hearing. You may also sign up on the county website prior to the meeting at www.chathamcountync.gov by selecting the heading County Government, then Commissioner Meetings, then Public Comment. The public hearing may be continued to another date at the discretion of the Board of Commissioners. The purpose of the Public Hearing is to receive input, both written and oral, on the issues listed below: Legislative Request: A legislative public hearing requested by the Chatham County Planning Department to amend the e ective date of the adopted Uni ed Development Ordinance from June 1st, 2026, to June 1st, 2027, as a result of legislative action S382. A legislative public hearing general use rezoning requested by EC PROPCO, LLC to rezone Parcels 5377, 5376, 78264, 5470 from R-1 Residential to Ind-H Heavy Industrial, on 292.288 acres, located o Christian Chapel Church Rd., Cape Fear Township. A legislative public hearing rezoning requested by Fearrington Property Development, LLC to rezone Parcels 2867, 2868, 2869, 2842, 2807, 2820, 95254, located o 724 Andrews Store Rd, Parker Herndon Rd, and Morris Rd., from R-1 Residential to CD-CC Conditional District Compact Community, being approximately 371.822 acres, Baldwin Township. A Legislative public hearing requested by Toll Southeast LP Company Inc. for a map amendment to the Chatham Cary Joint Land Use Plan for parcel 19986, being approximately 6.5 acres, located at 955 Earnest Jones Rd, from Very Low Density Residential to Low Density Residential. Substantial changes may be made following the public hearing due to verbal or written comments received or based on the Board’s discussions. Notice to people with special needs: If you have audio or visual impairment, unique accessibility requirements or need language assistance, please call the number listed below prior to the hearing and assistance may be provided. If you have any questions or comments concerning these issues, please call the Chatham County Planning Department at 919-542-8204, or write to P.O. Box 54, Pittsboro N.C. 27312. Please run in your paper: April 9th and 16th, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

ESTATE OF DAVID MANSFIELD BUNNELL-FILE

NO.26E000166-180

ALL PERSONS, rms and corporations having claims against David Mans eld Bunnell, deceased, of Chatham County, NC, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before July 20, 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 April, 2026.

Anne E. Bunnell, Executor c/o Whitaker & Hamer, PLLC 121 E. Main Street Clayton, NC 27520

Chatham News + Record

4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of David Clement McCormick, deceased of Chatham County, North Carolina, on the 2nd day of April, 2026, the undersigned hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of the attorney for the estate on or before the 18th day of July, 2026, or this Notice will be pled in bar of recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Issued this 16th day of April, 2026. Barbara L. McCormick, Personal Representative, c/o Christina Goshaw Hinkle, Attorney for the Estate, 3211 Shannon Road, Suite 400, Durham, NC 27707. Chatham News & Record: 4/16, 4/23, 4/30, 5/7NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS COUNTY OF CHATHAM

THE UNDERSIGNED, having quali ed on the 30th day of March 2026, as Executor of the ESTATE OF ABNER GRISWOLD BEVIN, AKA ABNER GRISWOLD BEVIN JR., 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 10th day of July 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 April 2026. CHRISTOPHER MARSHALL BEVIN SR., EXECUTOR ESTATE OF ABNER GRISWOLD BEVIN

c/o Shirley M. Diefenbach, Attorney Walker Lambe, PLLC Post O ce Box 51549 Durham, North Carolina 27717

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

The undersigned, having quali ed on the 26th day of March, 2026, as Co-Executors of the Estate of Evelyn Barrow, 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 of July, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate, please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This 2nd day of April, 2026.

Peter Barrow and Nancy Serrurier, Co-Executors of the Estate of Evelyn Barrow c/o Gwendolyn C. Brooks, Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707 THE CHATHAM NEWS: 4/2, 4/9, 4/16, and 4/23/2026

Notice to Creditors

File Number: 26E000115-180

Having Quali ed as Executor of the Estate of John Alfred Gorman, 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 July, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment.

This the 3rd day of April, 2026. Executor for the Estate Lynn Elizabeth Williford 87603 Aycock Chapel Hill, NC 27517

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE TO CREDITORS CHATHAM COUNTY

HAVING QUALIFIED as Executor of the Estate of Patricia Collins Perry 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 2nd day of July, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.

This the 26th day of March, 2026.

Ronald P. Collins, Executor Of the Estate of Patricia Collins Perry 117 West Raleigh Street Siler City, North Carolina 27344

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

26E000193-180 The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Rachel O. Brooks, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, noti es all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned at her address, 1179 Charlie Brooks Road, Moncure, North Carolina, 27559, on or before the 16th day of July, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment. This 10th day of April, 2026. Amy Jo Brooks 1179 Charlie Brooks Road Moncure, North Carolina 27559 GUNN & MESSICK, PLLC P. O. Box 880 Pittsboro, North Carolina 27312-0880 April 16, 23, 30, May 7

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION FILE NO: 25CV000297-180 linda harris, Plainti vs. SHIHEIM MONTRELL SUGGS, Defendant TO: SHIHEIM MONTRELL SUGGS

Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the above Court in the aboveentitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is compensation for bodily injury arising from an automobile accident on 1/15/2023. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than May 26, 2026, and upon your failure to do so, the parties seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought.

This 8th day of April, 2026. Eliot F. Smith FARRIS & THOMAS LAW, P.A.

Attorneys at Law P. O. Box 2848 Wilson, NC 27894-2848 Telephone: (252) 243-3000

PUBLISH DATES: 4/16/26, 4/23/26, 4/30/26

NOTICE

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHATHAM PUBLIC NOTICE HEARING ON INTENT TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE A PORTION OF NC HWY 902

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Chatham County Board of Commissioners has scheduled a public hearing to consider the closing of a portion of NC HWY 902. The public hearing has been scheduled for April 20, 2026, at 6:00 o’clock p.m. at the Superior Court Courtroom, Historic Chatham County Courthouse, Pittsboro, North Carolina at 9 Hillsboro Street, Pittsboro NC 27312. The hearing is being held pursuant to the provisions of NCGS §153A-241 and the Resolution of Intent to Permanently Close a portion of NC HWY 902 that was approved and adopted by the Chatham County Board of Commissioners on February 16, 2026 upon Petition led by Gavin Mekemson, Maura McKeon and Triple A Homes, Inc. (“Petitioner”). This the 16th day of February, 2026.

Chatham County Board of Commissioners

ATTEST: Clerk to the Board

Chatham County Board of Commissioners

NOTICE TO CREDITORS:

Chatham County, North Carolina RE: THE ESTATE OF DOMENIC MAROTTA–26E000068-180 Having quali ed as EXECUTOR of the Estate of DOMENIC MAROTTA deceased, CHATHAM County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 1st day of July, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. This the 2nd day of APRIL, 2026. ALFONSO MAROTTA, EXECUTOR DSR Legal, PLLC PO Box 51596 Durham, NC 27717

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE

The undersigned, having quali ed on the 20th day of March 2026, as Executor of the Estate of Jody Lynn Kulick, 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 26th day of June 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. On this 26th day of March 2026

George Charles Kulick, Jr Executor of the Estate of

Jody Lynn Kulick

Gwendolyn C. Brooks, Esquire

Kennon Craver, PLLC 4011 University Drive, Suite 300 Durham, North Carolina 27707

3/26, 4/2, 4/9 and 4/16 The Chatham News

Notice to Creditors

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Anthony Michael Hayes, Deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina are noti ed to present their claims to the below-named Administrator on or before June 26, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are requested to make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 26th day of March, 2026.

Marsha L. Henthorn, Administrator c/o Thomas R. Crawford

Attorney at Law Crawford Law Firm P.O. Box 300 Sylva, NC 28779-0300

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

26E000128-180

ALL persons having claims against Linda Kay Betulius, deceased, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before Jun 26 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This the 26th day of March, 2026. Gregory Gary Duell, Executor C/O Huston Law Firm, PLLC 2501 Blue Ridge Road, Suite 300 Raleigh, NC 27607 M26, 2, 9 and 16

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS AND DEBTORS OF Dora

Elizabeth Bachtel Mathisen

All persons, rms and corporations having claims against Dora Elizabeth Bachtel Mathisen, late of Chatham County, North Carolina, are noti ed to exhibit them to Barbara Jean Ramsland as Executor of the decedent’s estate on or before July 18, 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 16th day of April 2026. Barbara Jean Ramsland, Executor c/o Janet B. Witchger, Atty. TrustCounsel 1414 Raleigh Rd., Ste. 203 Chapel Hill, NC 27517

NOTICE

“All persons having claims against the estate of SALLY CHENEY MILLER of Chatham County, NC, who died on February 27, 2026, are noti ed to present them on or before Friday, July 17, 2026 to True Campbell, Executrix for the estate of Sally Cheney Miller, c/o Schupp & Hamilton, PLLC, 3013 Rippy Lane, Hillsborough, N.C. 27278, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery.”

DATES: 04/16/2026, 04/23/2026, 04/30/2026, 05/07/2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#26E000168-180

The undersigned CARLA REIL, having quali ed on the 27TH Day of MARCH 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of BARBARA FARRELL, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 9TH Day OF JULY 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 APRIL 2026.

CARLA REIL, EXECUTOR 1270 MARTHAS CHAPEL ROAD APEX, NC 27523 Run dates: A9,16,23,30p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#26E000181-180

The undersigned HELEN FAYE MARKHAM, having quali ed on the 1ST Day of APRIL 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of PHILLIP LAWRENCE MARKHAM, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 9TH Day OF JULY 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 APRIL 2026. HELEN FAYE MARKHAM, ADMINISTRATOR 4090 NC HWY.751 APEX, NC 27523 Run dates: A9,16,23,30p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#26E000130-180

The undersigned WALTER RICHARD O’CONNELL, JR., having quali ed on the 9TH Day of MARCH 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of NANCY WRIGHT BEACH deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 2ND Day OF JULY 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 APRIL 2026. WALTER RICHARD O’CONNELL, JR., ADMINISTRATOR 740 PENINSULA FOREST PLACE CARY, NC 27519 Run dates: A2,9,16,23p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA

CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#26E000148-180

The undersigned PAMELA HOWARD SCHAECHER, having quali ed on the 17TH Day of MARCH 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of ROBERT FRANCIS SCHAECHER deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 26TH Day OF JUNE 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 26TH DAY OF MARCH 2026.

PAMELA HOWARD SCHAECHER, EXECUTOR 4624 FORSYTH PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: M26,A2,9,16p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY FILE#26E000156-180

The undersigned TRACI B. NUNN, having quali ed on the 18TH Day of MARCH 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of MARY H. BROWN deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 26TH Day OF JUNE 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 26TH DAY OF MARCH 2026. TRACI B. NUNN, ADMINISTRATOR 90 JOHNSON FARM ROAD NEW HILL, NC 27562 Run dates: M26,A2,9,16p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#26E000153-180 The undersigned JEANNE P. MAXWELL, having quali ed on the 17TH Day of MARCH 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of MARGARET ANGELA GILSENAN deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 26TH Day OF JUNE 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 26TH DAY OF MARCH 2026. JEANNE P. MAXWELL, EXECUTOR PO BOX 3052/27515 CHAPEL HILL, NC 27515 Run dates: M26,A2,9,16p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#26E000169-180 The undersigned JAY W. MARSHALL, having quali ed on the 9TH Day of APRIL 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of JOANNE MARSHALL, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 16TH Day OF JULY 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 APRIL 2026. JAY W. MARSHALL, EXECUTOR 5696 SUGAR GROVE ROAD GREENS FORK, IN 47345 Run dates: A16,23,30,M7p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#23E000651-180 The undersigned GEORGE DAVIS CATES, having quali ed on the 9TH Day of APRIL 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of GEORGE DAVIS CATES, deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 16TH Day OF JULY 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 APRIL 2026. VIRGINIA B. CATES, EXECUTOR 87 EASY ST. PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: A16,23,30,M7p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA CHATHAM COUNTY

FILE#26E000148-180 The undersigned PAMELA HOWARD SCHAECHER, having quali ed on the 17TH Day of MARCH 2026 as EXECUTOR of the Estate of ROBERT FRANCIS SCHAECHER deceased, of Chatham County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 26TH Day OF JUNE 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 26TH DAY OF MARCH 2026. PAMELA HOWARD SCHAECHER, EXECUTOR 4624 FORSYTH PITTSBORO, NC 27312 Run dates: M26,A2,9,16p

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Personal Representative of the Estate of Gerald Stephen Koermer, deceased of Chatham County, North Carolina, on the 19th day of March, 2026, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to exhibit them to the undersigned at the o ce of the attorney for the estate on or before the 28th day of June, 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 26th day of March 2026 Scott C. Koermer, Personal Representative, c/o Larry H. Rocamora, Attorney for the estate, McPherson, Rocamora, Nicholson & Hinkle, PLLC, 3211 Shannon Road, Suite 400, Durham, NC 27707. March 26, April 2, 9, 16 2026

Artemis II’s record-breaking journey around moon ends with dramatic splashdown

The crew paved the way for a sustainable moon base

By Marcia Dunn

The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Artemis II’s astronauts closed out humanity’s rst lunar voyage in more than half a century with a Pacific splashdown on Friday, blazing new records near the moon with grace and joy.

It was a dramatic grandnale to a mission that revealed not only swaths of the lunar far side never seen before by human eyes, but a total solar eclipse and a parade of planets, most notably our own shimmering Earth against the endless black void of space.

With their ight now complete, the four astronauts have set NASA up for a moon landing by another crew in just two years and a full-blown moon base within the decade.

The triumphant moon-farers — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen — emerged from their bobbing capsule into the sunlight o the coast of San Diego.

In a scene reminiscent of NASA’s Apollo moonshots of yesteryear, military helicopters hoisted the astronauts one by one from an in atable raft docked to the capsule, hauling them aboard for the short trip to the Navy’s awaiting recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha.

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said from the recovery ship.

NASA’s Mission Control erupted in celebration, with hundreds pouring in from the back support rooms. “We did it,” NASA’s Lori Glaze rejoiced at a news conference. “Welcome to our moonshot.”

Their Orion capsule, dubbed Integrity, made the entire plunge on automatic pilot. The lunar cruiser hit the atmosphere traveling Mach 33 — or 33 times the speed of sound — a blistering blur not seen since the 1960s and 1970s Apollo.

The tension in Mission Control mounted as the capsule became engulfed in red-hot plasma during peak heating and entered a planned communication blackout. All eyes were on the capsule’s life-protecting heat shield that had to withstand thousands of degrees during reentry.

SCHOOLS from page A1 needs; covering the current year shortfall between protected and actual charter enrollment and the required local funding adjustment tied to charter enrollment. Per state requirements, 24% of the additional local funding request must go toward charter schools in the county, meaning that the district would only get around $2.8 million of that funding.

Of that, $1.725 million is ded-

TAKE NOTICE

INGALLS / NASA VIA AP

Watching the drama unfold nearly 2,000 miles away, the astronauts’ families huddled in Mission Control’s viewing room, cheering when the capsule emerged from its six-minute blackout and again at splashdown. The last time NASA and the Defense Department teamed up for a lunar crew’s reentry was Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II came screaming back at 36,174 feet per second — or 24,664 mph — just shy of the record before slowing to a 19 mph splashdown.

Until Artemis II, NASA’s fresh-from-the-moon homecomings starred only white male pilots. Intent on re ecting changes in society, NASA chose a diverse, multinational crew for its lunar comeback. Koch became the rst woman to y to the moon, Glover the rst black astronaut and Hansen the rst non-U.S. citizen, bursting Canada with pride. They laughed, cried and hugged all the way there and back, striving to take the entire world along with them.

Artemis II’s record yby, views of the moon

Launched from Florida on April 1, the astronauts racked up one win after another as they deftly navigated NASA’s long-awaited lunar comeback, the rst major step in establishing a sustainable moon base.

Artemis II didn’t land on the moon or even orbit it. But it broke Apollo 13’s distance record

icated to xed cost obligations, with $975,000 being for personnel costs and $750,000 for operational costs.

Jackson pointed to ve key budget drivers including personnel costs, operational costs, charter school enrollment impacts, enrollment and sta ng, as well as funding instability from both state and federal sources.

“Realistically, we’re looking at an enrollment that’s kind of tapered o for a minute while we continue to wait for things to happen with infrastructure in

and marked the farthest that humans have ever journeyed from Earth when the crew reached 252,756 miles. Then in the mission’s most heart-tugging scene, the teary astronauts asked permission to name a pair of craters after their moonship and Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.

During Monday’s record-breaking yby, they documented scenes of the moon’s far side never seen before by the human eye along with a total solar eclipse. The eclipse, in particular, “just blew all of us away,” Glover said.

Their sense of wonder and love awed everyone, as did their breathtaking pictures of the moon and Earth. The Artemis II crew channeled Apollo 8’s rst lunar explorers with Earthset, showing our Blue Marble setting behind the gray moon. It was reminiscent of Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise shot from 1968.

Born a decade after Apollo, Isaacman greeted the astronauts with hugs as they headed from the helicopters to the ship’s medical bay for routine checks. They walked by themselves, refusing the wheelchairs o ered them.

“We are back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon, bringing them back safely and to set up for a series more,” Isaacman said. “This is just the beginning.”

Their moonshot drew global attention as well as star power, earning props from President Donald Trump; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; Britain’s King Charles III; Ryan Gos-

“This year’s budget is not an expansion budget. It just can’t be. It’s focused on stability.”

Superintendent Anthony Jackson

our community, but other things are starting to crowd around that,” Jackson said. “This year’s budget is not an expansion bud-

ling, star of the latest space ick “Project Hail Mary”; Scarlett Johansson of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and even Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner of TV’s original “Star Trek.” Artemis II was test ight for future moon missions

Despite its rich scienti c yield, the nearly 10-day ight was not without technical issues. Both the capsule’s drinking water and propellant systems were hit with valve problems. In perhaps the most high-pro le predicament, the toilet kept malfunctioning, but the astronauts shrugged it all o .

As for the heat shield, military aircraft crews photographed it from afar during reentry, and divers checked it from underneath as the capsule oated in the Paci c. More detailed examinations are planned.

“We can’t explore deeper unless we are doing a few things

get. It just can’t be. It’s focused on stability.”

The district currently doesn’t know exactly what will be required as a state budget has yet to be passed, hence the preliminary estimates.

The board was also presented with the district’s 2026-27 capital outlay budget, which totals just under $3 million.

The budget aims to address one-time expenditure projects related to buildings, furniture, equipment, technology or vehicles.

that are inconvenient,” Koch said, “unless we’re making a few sacri ces, unless we’re taking a few risks, and those things are all worth it.”

Added Hansen: “You do a lot of testing on the ground, but your nal test is when you get this hardware to space and it’s a doozy.”

Under the revamped Artemis program, next year’s Artemis III will see astronauts practice docking their capsule with a lunar lander or two in orbit around Earth. Artemis IV will attempt to land a crew of two near the moon’s south pole in 2028.

The Artemis II astronauts’ allegiance was to those future crews, Wiseman said.

“But we really hoped in our soul is that we could for just a moment have the world pause and remember that this is a beautiful planet and a very special place in our universe, and we should all cherish what we have been gifted,” he said.

The 2026-27 budget plans for asbestos abatement, playground and athletic facility upgrades, door replacements, re alarm system replacements, ooring, HVAC, plumbing, lighting and acoustic projects, paving and sidewalks, furniture and equipment replacements, K-12 1:1 student laptop program, teacher laptop refresh, TV refresh and the purchase of three custodial/ maintenance vehicles.

The Chatham County Schools Board of Education will next meet May 11.

CHATHAM SPORTS

Seaforth bests Northwood in 6-sport fest on April 7

The Hawks won in baseball, boys’ tennis and boys’ golf

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

PITTSBORO — In the hourslong spring edition of the Battle of Pittsboro between Seaforth and Northwood, the Hawks got the edge.

Seaforth hosted Northwood in six varsity sports — baseball, softball, boys’ lacrosse, girls’ soccer, boys’ tennis and boys’ golf — on April 7. The Hawks won the overall com -

petition with a record of 3-2-1.

However, the most thrilling win of the night came in boys’ lacrosse when Northwood knocked off Seaforth 10-9 in overtime thanks to a game-winning goal from senior Grayson Cox. The Chargers defeated Seaforth for the first time since 2023.

After a timeout 30 seconds into the four-minute sudden-death overtime period, the Chargers were in no rush to fire a shot as they passed the ball around the Seaforth defense for nearly a minute. Once the ball ended up back in Cox’s hands, he made a

move and attacked the middle to land his fifth and most important goal of the game.

“It wasn’t a designed play,” Cox said. “It wasn’t set up for me. I wasn’t the one who was supposed to score the ball. It just happened to be that way, and it was my stick. I’m fortunate enough for it to be my stick. We were just playing lacrosse.”

Both teams went back and forth leading up to that point.

After Northwood went on a three-goal run in the rst quarter to take a 3-1 lead, Seaforth responded with three consecutive scores to regain the advan-

ASHEEBO ROJAS / CHATHAM NEWS & RECORD

Maddie Kaczmarczyk res o a pitch against Jordan-Matthews on April 8.

Chatham Central takes softball series over J-M

The Bears extended their winning streak to six

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — Chatham Central’s dominant night in nearly all facets of the game resulted in a 12-1 win over rival Jordan-Matthews on April 8. The Bears logged 13 hits, while junior pitcher Maddie Kaczmarczyk, who pitched a complete game, notched

11 strikeouts, gave up four hits and allowed the Jets’ only run of the night in thenal inning. “(The umpire) was calling it outside,” Kaczmarczyk said. “So I’m going to throw it out there because I know I’m going to get the strike. We had a week o , and I just wanted to come back and win our rst game back.” Junior Chloe Brewer led Chatham Central at the plate by going 3 for 5 with two RBIs. Her double in in the second inning scored a run and

“They want it just as bad as we do as coaches.”

John Warf

extended the Bears lead to 3-0. “It was de nitely an adjustment,” Brewer said. “(Lilli Hicks) was coming out throwing it down the middle, and obviously we’ve got to attack that head on. Outside, I struggle with that a little bit more, but just making sure I get the bat on the ball and get the runners in. That’s basically all you’ve got to do. Make something happen.”

Senior Heidi Vicente Perez,

See SOFTBALL, page B3

2023

The last time Northwood’s boys beat Seaforth in lacrosse

tage. In the nal minute of the second half, Northwood junior Charlie Stevens scored to give the Chargers a 6-5 lead, followed by Seaforth senior Jack Petrusa tying the game with a goal at the buzzer.

The Chargers led 9-8 entering the fourth quarter, but Seaforth junior Oscar Ditter evened the score with 11 minutes left to play.

Northwood senior goalkeeper James Flanagan recorded 12 saves, and junior midfielder Eli Minges won nine faceoffs. Stevens finished with two goals, and senior at -

tack Jackson Glinski scored three times.

“This was a true team effort from bench to the players that were out on the field,” Northwood coach Randy Cox said. “Northwood should be proud of the way these boys played.”

On the softball field, Northwood’s pitching and defense helped hand Seaforth its first loss, 7-2. The Hawks out-hit the Chargers 12-6, but Seaforth left 11 runners on base. Northwood’s freshman pitcher Logan Thompson earned the win with 10 strikeouts, two earned runs and a walk.

“I really just focused on hitting my strike zone and making sure I knew that I had a defense behind me,” Thompson said.

Down 1-0, Northwood exploded for four runs in the top

ROUNDUP

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record Baseball

Seaforth’s Jaedyn Rader struck out nine batters and gave up one hit on the mound to help the Hawks defeat Northwood 1-0 on April 8. The Hawks have won ve in a row as of Sunday. After a dominant 23-0 victory over Triangle Math and Science on April 7, Chatham Charter pulled o a 6-5 comeback win over East Wake in extra innings on April 8. Ryder Murphy scored the game-tying run in the bottom of the seventh on a passed ball, and Jace Young walked o the win with an RBI single (Westin Phillips scored the run). The Knights have won 10 of their last 11 as of Sunday. Chatham Central won three straight games with two victories over North Moore (12-1 and 10-1) and a win over Southern Wake (12-1).

Before its 10-0 loss to Southern Lee, Jordan-Matthews defeated Glenn 7-4 on April 6. Conference standings as of Sunday (overall, conference) Central Tar Heel 1A: T1. Clover Garden (8-7, 4-0); T1. Chatham Charter (13-3, 4-0); 3. River Mill (6-5, 2-2); T4. Southern Wake (0-7, 0-4); T4. Central Carolina (0-6, 0-4) Greater Triad 1A/2A: 1. South Stokes (11-6, 7-1); 2.

2

No-hitters for Seaforth’s Emma Grace Hill this season

Chatham Central (8-6, 4-4); 3. North Stokes (3-13, 3-5); 4. South Davidson (5-10, 1-6) Four Rivers 3A/4A: 1. Northwood (9-7, 5-1); T2. Uwharrie Charter (13-4, 4-2); T2. Southwestern Randolph (11-4, 4-2); 4. Eastern Randolph (7-11, 3-3); T5. North Moore (49, 1-5); T5. Jordan-Matthews (4-11, 1-5) Big Seven 4A/5A: 1. Cedar Ridge (11-4, 5-0); 2. South Granville (12-4, 7-1); 3. Seaforth (11-4, 4-2); 4. Orange (9-7, 3-3); T5. Durham School of the Arts (4-9, 0-4); T5. Webb (2-9, 0-3); T5. Carrboro (4-10, 0-6) Power Rankings (week of April 6): 1. Seaforth; 2. Chatham Charter; 3. Northwood; 4. Chatham Central; 5. Jordan-Matthews Softball

Seaforth bounced back from its rst loss of the season in a huge way, beating Northwood 15-5 and Carrboro 10-0. Pitcher Emma Grace Hill threw her second no-hitter of the season against the Jaguars.

FEST, page B5 See ROUNDUP, page B5

Grayson Cox

Northwood, lacrosse

Northwood senior Grayson Cox earns athlete of the week honors for the week of April 6.

Cox scored the game-winning goal in overtime to help the Chargers take down Seaforth for the rst time since 2023 on April 7. He nished that game with ve goals. In Northwood’s loss to Croatan Saturday, Cox scored four goals and set a new school record for total career points with 253 (goals and assists). The record was previously held by Lars Hoeg.

As of Sunday, Cox leads the Chargers in goals per game (3.4). He has recorded double-digit points in two games this season.

Jordan-Matthews honors War ord; Slaughter earns 300th career win

The two coaches went “head to head” in the 2000s

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

SILER CITY — The story of Jordan-Matthews athletics can’t be told without late former baseball coach Jimmy War ord.

That’s not just because of his own athletic achievements and his decades spent on the diamond. It’s just as much due to the love he had for the school.

Before a baseball game against Chatham Charter, Jordan-Matthews reciprocated that sentiment in War ord’s favorite place. Current coaches, former players and War ord’s family, including his daughter Mary Beth Cooke and grandsons Wade and Reece Cooke, gathered near home plate at Jimmy War ord Field on April 9 to share kind words and memories that embodied his impact on the community.

War ord died Jan. 15.

“I always said he was true blue Jet,” former Jordan-Matthews basketball coach and athletic director John Phillips said. “They said that about Tommy Lasorda that he bled Dodger Blue. Well, Coach Warfford, he bled J-M blue. He loved J-M because he loved the people who were associated with the school.”

War ord graduated from Jordan-Matthews in 1959 and was known around the community for scoring the rst touchdown on the eld at what is now Phil E. Senter Stadium. He taught and coached multiple sports at Jordan-Matthews over a span of three decades, leading the baseball program from 1982-2010. In that time, he steered the Jets to multiple playo appearances, and he was later inducted into the school’s athletics hall of fame in 2013.

“While those teams may have changed from year to year, one thing never did,” Jordan-Matthews Athletic Director Barry West said, “Coach War ord’s commitment to doing things the right way. He taught his players more than how to hit a baseball, eld a ground ball

“He taught what it meant to be part of something bigger than yourself.” Barry West on Jimmy War ord

or execute a perfect bunt. He taught discipline. He taught accountability. He taught what it meant to be part of something bigger than yourself.”

Even after his long run of service to the school, War ord always came back.

He walked laps on the track early in the morning before the heat reached its peak. In the evenings, he was often found in the stands watching Jordan-Matthews baseball.

On Saturdays, when things were quiet on campus, Warfford would be back at the diamond checking on the eld and watching the sprinklers from the dugout.

“Oftentimes, I would call him and say, ‘You want to do something? Or come up here and visit?’” Cooke said. “He’d say, ‘Well, I got to check the J-M schedule rst and see what’s going on.’” Said Cooke, “Nothing brought him more joy than being around town and somebody saying, ‘Hey coach,’ and he’d turn around, and it was a player or somebody that he played against.”

For that reason, it was “ tting” that Jordan-Matthews faced o against Chatham Charter on April 9.

Bill Slaughter coached against War ord while he was leading Chatham Central in the 2000s. Before they went “head to head” in numerous rivalry matchups, the two coaches’ relationship began when they met during an American Legion season in the late ’70s.

“We were proud to be a part of the (memorial),” Slaughter said. “When (Jordan-Matthews) called Monday and asked if we’d be interested, I said, ‘Absolutely.’ It’s for a great cause, a great man.”

With the ve-inning, 14-0 decision over the Jets, Slaughter earned his 300th career win. It was his 130th career win at Chatham Charter after logging 170 wins, including the 2006 state title, at Chatham Central.

“It makes me feel old because that means I’ve been doing it for a long time,” Slaughter said. “It’s been fun. I’ve enjoyed every game of the 300. It’s just part of being around for a long time.”

After the game, Chatham Charter’s players celebrated Slaughter with a water shower.

Senior Garrison Clark said one of the biggest things he’s learned from Slaughter is to “keep going after people.”

“We know we’re a small school, so we’ve just got to battle and ght,” Clark said. Against the Jets, Clark pitched a one-hitter with seven strikeouts. Sophomore Ryder Murphy went 3 for 4 with three runs, three RBIs and two stolen bases.

White commits to UNC, Stevenson to return to Chapel Hill

The former Seaforth athletes will play at home next season

By Asheebo Rojas Chatham News & Record

TWO FORMER Seaforth athletes have been making waves up the road.

UNC forward Jarin Stevenson announced his return to the Tar Heels for his senior season Monday following weeks of anticipation on his future. After averaging career highs of 8.1 points and 4.4 rebounds per game in his rst season with UNC, Stevenson will help usher in the Michael Malone era this winter.

Former Virginia guard Gabby White, who entered the transfer portal after her freshman season, committed to UNC following a visit Monday.

“It was just really fun just being able to be back at home,” White said about the visit. “Really being able to see what campus was like and then just getting to see all the girls and get to talk to all the sta as a player and not just one of the coach’s kids, I think it was really fun and really cool.”

White will get to play under her mother, UNC associate head coach Joanne Aluka-White, for the rst time in her basketball career.

“Just seeing how my mom impacts other people just in general, not just on the basketball court, but just in regular life, I think that’ll be really cool to see from my perspective,” White said. “Sometimes I might get a little annoyed when she gives me coaching advice, but I mean, that’s just something we’re going to have to push through.”

SOFTBALL from page B1

junior Maeson Smith and Kaczmarczyk all recorded two hits. Kaczmarczyk led the team with two stolen bases and knocked in two RBIs.

With as well as it hit the ball, Chatham Central also relied on Jordan-Matthews’ errors to score. The Jets committed four errors between the third, fourth and fth innings, and those mistakes led to four runs.

In the third inning, an error at third base allowed junior An-

“I just realized that I was willing to play for (her mom), and I was willing to give this a real shot.”

Gabby White

This past season, White played in 34 games and made three starts. She helped Virginia to a 22-12 record and its rst NCAA Tournament appearance since 2018. In March, the Cavaliers became the rst First Four team to reach the Sweet 16.

White’s best game came in a 109-103 triple-overtime win over Wake Forest, in which she recorded career highs of 22 points and 12 rebounds on a 56.3% shooting clip.

After nishing the season averaging 6.1 points and 3.4 rebounds, White entered the portal due to the ring of Virginia coach Amaka Agugua-Hamilton earlier this month.

“Just being able to play for her, it was just an amazing experience,” White said. “I went there for her and for her sta , so just to be able to play there and have the success that we did, it means a lot. When it comes to her being released, honestly, it was just a shock to me, my family.”

White heard from “a few” schools shortly after entering the portal, including UNC. Despite her family ties to the program, the Tar Heels weren’t initially in mind because she didn’t always see herself tting into their playing style, and she wasn’t too keen on the idea of playing for her mom. Nevertheless, UNC was White’s only visit during her time in the portal.

“Once I had the conversation, they explained how I would be in such a pivotal role for this program and everything,” White said. “It kind of just switched my mind, and I just realized that I was willing to play for [her mom], and I was willing to give this a real shot.”

sley Preslar to reach rst and record an RBI as Kaczmarczyk ran in the Bears’ fourth run.

Three at-bats later, an error on a y ball from sophomore Addison Goldston brought Preslar and Perez home to extend the lead to 6-0. Perez scored the Bears’ seventh run of the night in the fth inning after a Jordan-Matthews error on her pop y allowed her to reach third base. Goldston batted her home in the next at-bat. In the sixth inning, Perez

Although the Tar Heels didn’t o er White out of high school, she’d also already built a relationship with UNC coach

continued the Bears’ hot night with an RBI single. In the following at-bat, Maddy Wingerter, who was hit by a pitch earlier in the inning, scored on a passed ball to make it a 9-0 advantage.

Chatham Central went on to win the second game of the series over Jordan-Matthews 6-3 on April 9.

Despite being out-hit nine to seven, the Bears were rewarded after another night of solid baserunning.

Freshman Lillie Poe went 2 for 2 from the plate and re-

Courtney Banghart.

“I’ve known her a long time,” White said. “Our relationship is really good, just knowing her as a person (and) as my mom’s boss. I think it’s changed a little bit more because now she’s recruiting me as an actual coach and not just like Joanne’s daughter.”

At her new, yet familiar, home, White looks to carry over her identity as a two-way player. She also hopes to develop her scoring abilities even more.

corded one RBI. Brewer went 1 for 3 with two runs, an RBI and a team-high two stolen bases. With the two wins, Chatham Central improved to 12-3 on the season and extended its win streak to six.

During their most recent stretch of games, the Bears have taken down some quality opponents, including conference foe South Stokes and Apex Friendship, which is an 8A team. Starting catcher Addison Goldston has also returned to the lineup after spring break, providing

“Becoming a true three-level scorer,” White said. “Being able to get to the basket with ease, hit the mid-range, hit the pull up 3 and then just facilitating and pushing the pace. I think those are some of the really big things, and rebounding, that will help me on this team.”

another solid hitter to the Bears’ o ensive attack. As of Sunday, Chatham Central ranks fourth in the 1A RPI standings, which puts it in position for a high seed when the playo s begin in less than a month.

“They’re willing to put in the work,” Chatham Central coach John Warf said about his team.

“They’re asking to come. We have to tell them to go home. So, they’re willing to work. They want it just as bad as we do as coaches. That’s a great chemistry to have.”

SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA HOCKEY

Denver beats Wisconsin

2-1 for its 11th national title, 3rd in 5 years

Las Vegas Kyle Chyzowski tipped in a shot from the point with 5:52 left to back up a sensational performance from goalie Johnny Hicks and rally Denver to a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin for the Pioneers’ third national championship in ve years. The victory also extended the Pioneers’ record to 11 national titles overall. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference remains the sport’s premier league by claiming eight of the past 10 national champions.

MLB Former major leaguer Garner, who managed Astros’ rst World Series team, dead at 76

Houston Phil Garner, a three-time All- Star in elder who went on to manage the Houston Astros to their rst World Series appearance, died at 76 after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Nicknamed “Scrap Iron” for his blue-collar approach to the game, Garner had a 16-year playing career with the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. He made All-Star teams with Oakland in 1976 and with Pittsburgh in 1980 and 1981.

WNBA

Griner to sign with Connecticut Sun

Phoenix Brittney Griner is nalizing a deal to join the Connecticut Sun. The 10-time All-Star spent last season with the Atlanta Dream after playing the rst 11 years of her career for Phoenix, which drafted her No. 1 in 2013. The 35-year-old Griner is from Houston, and the Connecticut franchise is moving there in 2027. The 6-foot-9 forward won a WNBA title in 2014 with Phoenix and was the league’s leading scorer in 2017 and 2019.

NBA

Embiid has appendectomy, leaving former MVP’s status for postseason in doubt

Houston Joel Embiid had an appendectomy in Houston after Philadelphia’s star big man was stricken with appendicitis overnight. The team announced that the surgery had been completed last Thursday night as the 76ers were playing the Houston Rockets. Coach Nick Nurse did not give a timetable for Embiid’s return, but it seems unlikely that the former MVP would be able to return for the play-in tournament or the rst round of the playo s.

BOXING

Pacquiao takes over Mayweather’s old gym amid rematch tension between boxers

Los Angeles Manny Pacquiao is preparing for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas. The ght is surrounded by controversy, with Mayweather calling it an exhibition, while Pacquiao insists it’s a professional bout. Meanwhile, Pacquiao is transforming a former Mayweather gym in Hollywood into Pacquiao Prime Boxing, a private training center. This move symbolizes a new direction, focusing on performance and athlete development. Beyond boxing, Pacquiao is expanding his business ventures, including a digital wallet platform and plans for more gyms.

Masters gnomes become hot commodity at Augusta National

Speculation is rampant that this is the nal year of production for the collectible

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Ga. — John James arrived at Augusta National an hour before the gates opened to patrons for the 90th Masters — all for the purpose of securing a 131⁄2-inch tall gnome.

“Had to have one,” said James, who was attending the Masters from Wycko , N.J. “It’s a novelty.”

This is the 10th and perhaps nal year Augusta National will sell the limited edition gnome, which features the traditional old man with a white beard in colorful golf attire. Each year’s gnome is di erent, with the 2026 edition featuring the character dressed in khaki pants with a white-and-green striped polo shirt and blue vest holding an umbrella in one hand and a Masters-themed cup in the other.

The gnomes have become wildly popular — and increasingly valuable — over the last decade.

With only about 1,000 available each day, the gnomes regularly sell out within an hour each morning at the merchandise shop before being restocked the following day. This year’s gnome sells for $59.50 plus tax and is only available at Augusta National.

It has become a big money-maker for some patrons on the resale market.

The bidding for one gnome on eBay reached $620 last Friday. Another can be purchased directly for $670 plus delivery cost. On Facebook Marketplace, some gnomes are being sold for $800. Fueling the price is speculation this may be thenal year that the gnome will be produced.

Masters chairman Fred Ridley was asked earlier in the week if this will be the nal edition. He responded by saying, “I’ve been asking that question for several years, and they won’t tell me the answer. So I can’t help you.”

When asked if he’d consider selling his gnome, James laughed and said, “Maybe.”

“I mean, I just spent more than $1,000 in the gift shop, so

Heat

“I’ve been asking that question for several years, and they won’t tell me the answer. So I can’t help you.”

Masters chairman Fred Ridley on the future of the gnome

from what I’ve heard, the gnome might pay for all of it,” James said. “I’ll have to think about it, but it’s de nitely an option.”

John Van Pay, who came from San Antonio, got caught up in the gnome hysteria after talking with a friend associated with the LIV tour the night before attending the Masters. He con-

vinced his son, Bryce, to wake up early and get to the course, and limited to one per person, they each walked out of the merchandise shop with a gnome.

“Yeah, we kept hearing about this gnome, and the rumor is it’s going to be the last year they produce them,” Van Pay said. “So next thing you know, we are waiting in line at 7 a.m. to buy this gnome at the shop.”

Van Pay said he plans to keep his gnome as a souvenir of his trip to the Masters, calling it “a great piece of memorabilia” and something that “is going to look great on the shelf.” The younger Van Pay is a little more torn; he’s an avid memorabilia collector, mostly dealing with Funko Pop.

Bryce Van Pay recounted how he recently had a $10 trading card that exploded on

the market and reached $300 in value following the release of the most recent Marvel movie, only to watch its worth slip to $100 a few months later. Van Pay lamented not selling it when it was at its most valuable.

“The Masters gnome is a hot seller, and I’m not sure if it’s going to go up and down (in value),” the younger Van Pay said. “There is a lot in circulation right now (on eBay and other platforms).”

He said given the possibility this is the last gnome produced, the wiser nancial decision might be to hold onto it for a while.

With that, his father jumped in and said: “Well, he’s my only son, so he can sell his now and make money and have mine when I hand it down to him.”

waive Rozier, last o cial act of season derailed by federal gambling charges

The former Hornet did not play this season

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

MIAMI — Terry Rozier, who is facing federal charges related to a gambling operation, was waived by the Miami Heat last Friday in an expected and procedural move to open up another roster spot before the postseason. Rozier was with the Heat for one game this season — the opener at Orlando on Oct. 22, a contest in which he did not play. He was arrested by federal o cials at the team hotel the following morning on charges that he o ered information to help people win bets on his stat totals in a 2023 game when he was with the Charlotte Hornets.

Miami will convert two-way player Jahmir Young to a standard contract, meaning he’ll be eligible to play in the postseason. The Heat opened the play-in tournament Tuesday against Charlotte, and if they win two play-in games, they’ll begin the playo s against Detroit on Sunday. Rozier was placed on leave by the NBA shortly after his arrest. He has collected his $26.6 million salary this season; the Heat were rst pay-

ing it into an interest-bearing account, and an arbitrator later ruled that Rozier should be getting the money despite his legal issues.

The Heat traded for Rozier in January 2024, unaware of the gambling probe. Miami sent Kyle Lowry and a 2027 rst-round pick to Charlotte in return for Rozier; last month, the Hornets wound up giving Miami a second-round pick in this year’s draft, a largely unprecedented move presumably to close the dispute over what wasn’t disclosed at the time of the original deal.

Miami, like all teams, had until 5 p.m. Friday to waive a player with either an expiring contract or one where the team held an option for next season. The Heat, albeit in name only, have continued listing Rozier on injury reports as

“not with team” all season, and his nameplate has even remained over his stall in the team locker room even after it became obvious that he would not be with the team again. It’s not known how much contact Rozier — who was in the nal year of his four-year, $96.2 million contract — has had with the Heat since his arrest. He did reach out to some in the organization via text in celebration of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game against Washington, but hasn’t been known to have been around the team in any way since October. The NBA was aware of unusual prop bet activity surrounding Rozier’s performance in that March 23, 2023, game he played with Charlotte against the New Orleans Pelicans; it was agged by sports-

2

Number of times Terry Rozier scored ve rst-quarter points in his NBA career. One was the game where he’s accused of faking an injury as part of a gambling operation

books that afternoon, but a league probe — not the federal investigation — found no reason at that time to keep him from playing. Rozier was in the starting lineup for Charlotte for that game and played reasonably well in 91⁄2 minutes of action, with ve points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. That remains one of only two times in his career that he had that many points, rebounds and assists in a rst quarter. Rozier cited foot pain as his reason for not returning to that game. The Hornets have not said publicly if they were aware of any federal probes into Rozier’s conduct at that time.

Rozier has averaged 13.9 points per game in his career, which includes stops with Charlotte and Boston before coming to Miami. He appeared in 95 games with the Heat.

Fewer players from outside Power Four being selected by NFL teams during draft

The college talent is getting concentrated at the top of the football food chain

By Arnie Stapleton

Associated Press

The

JUST LIKE Cinderella teams have become less of a factor at the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, fewer long shots are reaching the NFL Draft from small schools.

Blame NIL riches and the crowded transfer portal, a combination that has led to a concentration of talent in the power conferences.

The SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 dominate college football, commanding higher revenue, better television ratings and bigger budgets.

And more and more, they’re siphoning stars from the nonpower leagues.

“Jerry Rice still gets drafted by the 49ers, but I don’t know that it’s from Mississippi Valley State today,” Denver Broncos coach

FEST from page B1

of the fourth inning. Facing two outs in the inning, freshman Ruby Parks helped extend the Chargers’ lead with a double that scored two runs.

In the bottom of the fth inning, three straight hits from Seaforth’s Annika Johansson, Blair Hill and Emma Grace Hill and a walk for Alyssa Harris led to loaded bases with one out. But instead of Seaforth driving home more runs, a y out from Kaylynn Long and a strikeout by Thompson ended another scoring opportunity for the Hawks.

ROUNDUP from page B1

Chatham Central extended its win streak to seven with a 16-1 win over Central Carolina.

Chatham Charter logged 16 hits in a 14-2 win over Cornerstone Charter on April 9, notching its fth win in a row.

Northwood fell to Cedar Ridge 11-1.

Conference standings as of Sunday (overall, conference)

Central Tar Heel 1A: 1. Clover Garden (14-0, 8-0); 2. Chatham Charter (7-5, 4-2); 3. River Mill (6-5, 5-3); 4. Central Carolina (1-11, 1-7); 5. Ascend Leadership (0-8, 0-6)

Greater Triad 1A/2A: 1. South Stokes (9-6, 6-1); 2. Chatham Central (13-3, 4-1);

Sean Payton said of the Hall of Fame wide receiver who had one of the biggest rags-to-riches journeys in league history. “That’s where he started, but I think it may be from — pick a big school.”

Hardwood, gridiron parallels

March Madness used to regularly feature little-known schools that rose from obscurity to capture the hearts of hoops fans. But last year, all 16 regional seminalists hailed from power conferences for the rst time since the bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985. The same thing happened this year. What has transpired on the hardwood is manifesting itself on the gridiron.

Consider: Only 24 of the 257 players selected in the NFL Draft last year came from nonpower conferences. That continued a trend since 2022, when 70 draftees came from nonpower conferences. That number dipped to 38 in 2023, then to 34 in 2024.

The two nonpower school

Northwood pulled away in the sixth inning after a series of three straight walks followed by consecutive singles from Thompson senior Allison Bryant that scored three runs.

Thompson led the Chargers with a 2-for-3, one-RBI performance at the plate. Parks logged two runs, two RBIs and a stolen base.

Seaforth took the evening’snale with a 5-2 win in baseball.

Bryce Huneycutt allowed one hit and zero earned runs in four innings pitched, while Bauer Bowling and Jaedyn Rader combined for zero hits

3. North Stokes (6-8, 1-3); 4. South Davidson (4-10, 0-6) Big Seven 4A/5A: 1. Seaforth (11-1, 6-0); 2. Cedar Ridge (10-3, 5-1); 3. Orange (5-8, 4-2); 4. South Granville (5-6, 3-3); 5. Webb (9-3, 2-3); 6. Carrboro (3-10, 1-5); 7. Durham School of the Arts (0-12, 0-7) Power Rankings (week of April 6): 1. Chatham Central; 2. Seaforth; 3. Northwood; 4. Jordan-Matthews; 5. Chatham Charter Girls’ soccer

Seaforth senior So a Viana scored the only goal the Hawks needed to beat Northwood 1-0 on April 9. Woods Charter took down 5A opponent Cedar Ridge 9-4 on

rst-rounders last year were Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who was selected sixth overall by Las Vegas, and North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel, who was drafted 18th by Seattle.

Boise State has long been a powerhouse program, producing seven NFL draft picks since 2021, and the North Dakota State Bison have won 18 national championships, including 10 FCS titles since 2010 and eight Division II titles.

Others hailed from the likes of Alabama A&M, Central Arkansas and Western Kentucky.

What about this year?

There could be a bigger dearth of small-school names called in this year’s draft on April 23-25 in Pittsburgh because of the 319 prospects invited to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, only 17 were from nonpower conference schools.

That includes safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren of Toledo, whom NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah rates as the

on the mound. Rader entered the game in the seventh inning, facing loaded bases (all walks). He notched three strikeouts and walked in a run to close the game.

“Just be ready when the time comes,” Rader said. “I know my teammates have my back, so all I have to do is just work the zone.”

Seaforth took control of the game from the beginning. After a fly out by Colin Dorney to start the bottom of the first inning, five straight Hawks reached a base as a result to two singles from Rader and Bowling and three walks, al -

April 9, remaining undefeated this season.

Jordan-Matthews defeated Chatham Charter 4-2 on April 7, and the Jets dominated Central Carolina 11-2 on April 9 to win their third straight game.

Boys’ lacrosse

Seaforth lost to Carrboro 12-6 Friday, dropping the third of its last four games. Northwood fell to Croatan 13-7 Saturday.

Girls’ lacrosse

Northwood won its rst game of the season over Riverside-Durham 17-7 on April 8. Seaforth fell to Chapel Hill 15-6 on April 9.

16th-best prospect in the draft, and San Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson, whom Jeremiah ranks 40th.

Consequences of concentration

This phenomenon has changed the way some NFL teams scout college prospects, cutting down on their trips to check out players on small campuses.

“I think as you set your schedule for where you want your scouts to spend their most time, I think even in the last couple of years, you want them more in those places, concentrated areas like we talked about,” Broncos general manager George Paton said. “Not that there’s not going to be good players in some of these other smaller schools.”

It’s just that plenty of them have transferred to the power conferences where, besides more money, they get more exposure and build their personal brand.

lowing Seaforth to take an early 4-0 lead. “They walked us a lot, and they made some mistakes,” Rader said. “So, we just capitalized off their mistakes and ran the bases on them. Made them feel pressure.”

From there, both teams struggled to land hits. North-

wood freshman Mason Lutterloh notched the Chargers’ only hit with a single in the top of the fourth inning, scoring junior Finn Sullivan.

Rader recorded Seaforth’s only other hit with a single in the bottom of the fifth inning, but in the next at-bat, he was

Small school successes

Paton drafted one of the best small college nds this decade when he picked guard Quinn Meinerz of Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

One of 37 smaller school draftees that year, Meinerz quickly established himself as one of the league’s top guards, and in 2024, he showed up in a gold paisley suit to sign his new $80 million contract. Since then, he’s earned back-to-back rst-team All-Pro honors.

Playing “for the love of the game” at the Division III level, Meinerz found himself on NFL radars despite playing in the obscure Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“There’s a pretty good scouting department across the entire NFL,” Meinerz said, “and they’ll come nd you.”

That they will, but more and more scouts don’t have to bother straying too far from the campuses of the Power Four.

called out on a fielder’s choice while advancing to second base. He finished the game as the Hawks’ offensive leader, going 2 for 2 with a team-high two runs.

In the girls’ soccer matchup, Seaforth and Northwood concluded a defensive battle with a 0-0 draw.

The Hawks took the boys’ tennis match 9-0, and they won their home boys’ golf meet over Northwood, Chatham Central and Jordan-Matthews with a score of 151 (7 over par). Seaforth senior Ty Willoughby finished first with a score of 35 (one under par).

this week in history

Paul Revere rides, Revolutionary War begins, Mark Twain dies at 74

APRIL 16

1917: Vladimir Lenin returned to Russia from exile in Europe by train, taking command of the Russian Revolution that would overthrow the provisional government and pave the way for the Soviet Union.

1945: A Soviet submarine torpedoed the German transport ship MV Goya in the Baltic Sea, killing as many as 7,000 civilian refugees and wounded soldiers as the vessel sank within minutes.

1963: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” defending civil rights protests and declaring, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

APRIL 17

1961: Approximately 1,400 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in a failed attempt to topple Fidel Castro. Cuban forces crushed the incursion within three days.

1964: Geraldine “Jerrie” Mock completed the rst solo around-the -world ight by a woman, landing her single - engine Cessna in Columbus, Ohio, after a 29 - day journey.

1975: Cambodia’s ve -year civil war ended as the capital, Phnom Penh, fell to the Khmer Rouge, whose brutal regime would claim an estimated 1.7 million lives before it was over

thrown in 1979.

APRIL 18

1775: Paul Revere began his famous ride from Charlestown

and

to Lexington, Massachusetts, warning colonists that British troops were approaching.

1906: The deadliest earthquake in U.S. history struck San Francisco, followed by res that swept the city. More than 3,000 people are believed to have died in the quake, estimated at magnitude 7.9.

1955: Physicist Albert Einstein died in Princeton, New Jersey, at age 76.

APRIL 19

1775: The American Revolutionary War began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, launching an eight-year con ict between American colonists and the British Army.

1897: The rst Boston Marathon was held, with John J. McDermott winning in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 10 seconds.

1943: Tens of thousands of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto began a valiant but ultimately

doomed uprising against Nazi forces.

APRIL 20

1812: Vice President George Clinton died in Washington at age 72, becoming the rst U.S. vice president to die in o ce.

1912: Boston’s Fenway Park hosted its rst o cial game, with the Red Sox defeating the New York Highlanders before an estimated 27,000 spectators.

1999: Two students killed 12 classmates and a teacher and wounded 23 others before taking their own lives at Columbine High School near Denver.

APRIL 21

1836: An army of Texans led by Sam Houston defeated Mexican forces under Antonio López de Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, the nal battle of the Texas Revolution.

1910: Author Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, died in Redding, Connecticut, at age 74.

2016: Music icon Prince was found dead at his home near Minneapolis from an accidental fentanyl overdose at age 57.

APRIL 22

1889: The Oklahoma Land Rush began at noon as thousands of homesteaders staked claims to nearly 1.9 million acres of former Indian Territory.

1915: German forces launched their rst large-scale chlorine gas attack against Allied troops at the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium during World War I. 1954: Televised sessions of the Senate Army-McCarthy hearings began, examining Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s claims of communist in uence in the U.S. government and Army.

Humberstone continues constructing lush pop universe with ‘Cruel World’

Fans of brooding pop will enjoy the singer’s second album

By Elise Ryan The Associated Press

ON HER 2023 debut album,

“Paint My Bedroom Black,”

Holly Humberstone considered her interior life, turning to her worries, wishes and emotions for inspiration. The British singer-songwriter’s sophomore album, “Cruel World,” sees Humberstone take her atmospheric pop and look outward — at the space between breakups, long- distance relationships, connections and settings that make up a life.

If before, she looked to mute out color (“I’m gonna paint my bedroom black,” as she once sang) here, she embraces shades of the world around her.

Lyrically, Humberstone draws on their symbolism (the guitar-and-sax retro “Red Chevy,” the psychedelic “Blue Dream,” the plaintive ballad “Peachy”). Yellow appears as a “patch of

POLYDOR VIA AP

“Cruel World” is singer Holly Humberstone’s follow-up to her 2023 debut release

“Paint My Bedroom Black.”

golden sun” on “Lucy,” an ode to her sisters and girlhood; orange is the mandarin light that interrupts “Blue Dream”; green is the globe that “keeps on spinning to the beat” on the frantic

“Cruel World” Holly Humberstone

Four stars out of ve

On repeat: “To Love Somebody,” “Red Chevy”

Skip it: “So It Starts …,” if you want to jump right in

For fans of: Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams

love song “To Love Somebody.”

“White Noise” looks for comfort in the external: “So play a sad song DJ,” Humberstone pleads over the country-tinged track, chimes and a lap steel sneaking in beneath synths and percussion. “I just want to sway tonight,” she sings. She’s overstimulated but still looks to a busy dance oor for relief.

Sonically, Humberstone has always embraced abundance. She’s succeeded in building a lush musical world since her early EPs, because of her knack

for pairing cool, vulnerable lyrics with her temporal sound, which combines live instrumentation with electronics.

And it’s apparent from the top: The album starts with the 45-second instrumental “So It Starts …”, strings warming up over synths that build to a cinematic climax. The driving melody carries into “Make It All Better,” and the strings return on album closer “Beauty Pageant,” which also samples the French love song “Le Coup D’soleil.” Throughout the album, Humberstone’s melodies are employed with full condence. On the intro, they are melted together like a wax seal for the project.

“Open your window darling, the world is in full bloom,” Humberstone coos over acoustic guitar on “Lucy.” The reminder is there for someone else, but it also feels like acknowledgment from Humberstone that despite heartache and uncertainty, she’s ready to embrace it all. And by stepping out of herself, she’s reached a new horizon.

Jackson, Smith, Ladd reunite to celebrate 50th anniversary of classic ‘Charlie’s Angels’

The show was a top-10 hit for ABC in its rst two of ve seasons, ending in 1981

By Beth Harris The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Once upon a time there were three little girls who starred as private detectives answering to a never-seen boss in a show that turned into a pop culture phenomenon called “Charlie’s Angels.”

Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd reunited to mark the show’s 50th anniversary at PaleyFest LA last Monday night. They were greeted with a standing ovation and whoops and cheers from an audience at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

The hourlong crime adventure series debuted Sept. 22, 1976, in a pre-internet and streaming world when there were just three major television networks.

“I knew the show was di erent, special and unique,” Smith told the audience. “Three women chasing danger instead of getting rescued.”

Jackson added, “We made an impact, I think.” Farrah Fawcett-Majors be-

came a 1970s icon with her feathered hair and sexy swimsuit poster. She left after the rst season to pursue a lm career. She died in 2009. She was replaced by Ladd, who showed up on her rst day wearing a Farrah Fawcett Minor T-shirt. She had turned down producer Aaron Spelling three times, knowing how beloved Fawcett had been.

“I knew that there was nobody that was going to replace Farrah, so I made a joke of myself,” Ladd said on the red car-

pet. “Everybody laughed. Farrah would have done something like that.”

Jackson added, “Cheryl stepped in and we didn’t miss a beat.”

Critics weren’t kind, however, calling the show “jiggle television” because the women dressed scantily to go undercover and slamming it for vapid acting.

“It didn’t bother me,” Jackson said on the red carpet. “I knew what we were doing and Gloria Steinem knew what we were do-

From left, Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd, cast members in the classic television series “Charlie’s Angels,” pose together at the PaleyFest LA 50th anniversary celebration of the show last Monday at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

ing, and some other very impressive people knew what we were doing. We were helping to punch a hole in that glass ceiling and that makes a big di erence.”

Five decades later, the show remains popular in reruns and DVDs, having spawned a lm series starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu.

“We were giving people an hour to sit back, put their feet up, forget everything and watch television,” Jackson said, “and then again just kind of subtly getting the message in there that

“We were giving people an hour to sit back, put their feet up, forget everything and watch television.”

Kate Jackson

women are just as capable, intelligent, can do anything that a man can do.”

The mostly older audience cheered and laughed as scenes from various episodes were played. Included in the highlights were Shelley Hack, who lasted one season after replacing Jackson, and the late Tanya Roberts, who appeared in the nal season. Smith and the late David Doyle, who played Charlie’s go-between, were on the show’s entire run.

Smith, who is 80, and Ladd, who is 74, went on to prolific careers in made-for-TV movies and guesting on other shows. Jackson, who quit after three seasons, later starred in the CBS hit “Scarecrow and Mrs. King.” Jackson left the business nearly 20 years ago to raise her son. Now 77, she said, “I’m ready to go back.”

famous birthdays this week

Bobby Vinton hits 91, Hayley Mills turns 80, George Takei is 89, The Cure’s Robert Smith celebrates 67

THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

APRIL 16

Singer Bobby Vinton is 91. Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is 79. Football coach Bill Belichick is 74.

Actor Ellen Barkin is 72. Singer Jimmy Osmond is 63. Actor Jon Cryer is 61. Actor- comedian Martin Lawrence is 61.

APRIL 17

Actor David Bradley is 84.

Actor Clarke Peters is 74. Author Nick Hornby is 69. Actor Sean Bean is 67. Rock singer Maynard James Keenan (Tool) is 62. Actor Lela Rochon is 62. Actor Kimberly Elise is 59. Singer-songwriter Liz Phair is 59. Actor Jennifer Garner is 54. Singer Victoria Beckham is 52.

APRIL 18

Actor Hayley Mills is 80. Actor James Woods is 79. Actor Rick Moranis is 73. Actor Eric Roberts is 70. Actor Jane Leeves is 65. Ventriloquist- comedian Je Dunham is 64. Talk show host Conan O’Brien is 63.

APRIL 19

Singer-songwriter Roberto Carlos is 85. Actor Tim Curry is 80. Motorsports Hall of Famer Al Unser Jr. is 64. Actor Ashley Judd is 58. Latin pop singer Luis Miguel is 56. Actor James Franco is 48. Actor Kate Hudson is 47.

APRIL 20

Actor George Takei is 89.

Actor Jessica Lange is 77. Actor Clint Howard is 67. Former MLB rst baseman Don Mattingly is 65. Actor Crispin Glover is 62. Actor Andy Serkis is 62. Actor Shemar Moore is 56. Actor-model Carmen Electra is 54.

APRIL 21

Actor - comedian -filmmaker Elaine May is 94. Author -activist Sister Helen Prejean is 87. Singer Iggy Pop is 79. Actor Patti LuPone is 77. Actor Tony

APRIL

Jack Nicholson is

Singer Mel

maker

‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa,’ ‘Beef,’ Glen Powel, Elle Fanning

“Big Mood” returns to Tubi for a second season

The Associated Press

SADIE SANDLER starring in the Net ix comedy “Roommates” and fresh tunes from Zayn Malik 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: Elle Fanning playing a single mom who creates an OnlyFans account in “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Capcom’s Pragmata o ering gamers a moon-based adventure, and Net ix’s critically acclaimed series “Beef” is back for a second season with a new cast.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Sadie Sandler, eldest daughter of Adam, is starring in the new Net ix comedy “Roommates,” about a college freshman and her boundaryless dormmate (Chloe East). Nick Kroll and Natasha Lyonne play her parents in a cast that also includes Francesca Scorsese, Carol Kane and Storm Reid. It’s streaming Friday.

Edgar Wright’s new take on Stephen King’s dystopian 1982 novel “The Running Man,” starring Glen Powell, will be streaming on Prime Video on Friday. The movie opped at the box ofce, making less than $69 million on a reported budget of $110 million. Reviews weren’t the greatest either. The Associated Press’ Jake Coyle wrote that, “from the start, the darkest shades of King’s book have been snu ed out of this blandly entertaining remake that swaps out the brutalist 1980s nihilism of the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie for a satirical portrait of America lacking in bite and prescience.” But, Coyle added, “if there’s one aspect of Wright’s lm that feels genuinely connected to today, it’s the movie’s media metaphor.”

A young girl (Sophie Sloan) hires her hitman neighbor (Mads Mikkelsen) to kill the monsters she thinks ate her family in the R-rated “Dust Bunny,” the debut feature from “Hannibal” series creator Bryan Fuller. The lm, streaming on HBO Max starting Friday, got generally good reviews, with Manohla Dargis writing in The New York Times that it

is “a blast of delightful, visually sumptuous nonsense.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

It has been exactly 10 years since Malik became the rst member of One Direction to release a solo record. His 2016 album “Mind of Mine” was a declaration of autonomy for the young performer, ambitious R&B tracks from a strong singer known for his breathy falsetto. He was playing to his strengths then and has continued to do so in the decade

that followed. On Friday, that arrives with the release of “Konnakol,” his fth full-length record. He’s one of the biggest names on the planet to the contemporary electronic dance music fan in your life: The house superstar John Summit will release “Ctrl Escape” on Friday via Experts Only and Darkroom Records. It’s an equal opportunity record, one for the ravers and those who prefer to watch Ultra Music Festival performances on YouTube from the comfort of their own living room, alike.

The English disco -pop singer Jessie Ware will release “Superbloom,” also on Friday. She’s as ready to soundtrack a late night on the dance oor as she’s ever been — like on the single “Ride,” which interpolates the theme from the 1966 spaghetti Western lm “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and melts into her sequined synths. “Come be my cowboy, baby, come, let’s ride,” she sings, more discotheque than honky-tonk. “You know I want you, I need you tonight, tonight.”

SERIES TO STREAM

In the Apple TV dramedy “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Fanning plays a young mom who had an a air with a college professor, got pregnant and is raising the baby on her own. She launches an OnlyFans persona to make money. Michelle Pfei er and Nick O erman play her parents. The series is based on a bestselling novel of the same name. Cast members from last summer’s iteration of “Love Island USA” take front and center in a second season of “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.” After returning home from Fiji, cameras resumed following the contestants, including winners and former couple Ama-

“If there’s one aspect of Wright’s lm that feels genuinely connected to today, it’s the movie’s media metaphor.”

Jake

Coyle, AP Film Writer

ya Espinal and Bryan Arenales. Guess what? The drama followed them home. The rst two episodes are streaming now on Peacock.

Net ix’s critically acclaimed series “Beef” is back for a second season with a new cast. The show, which was originally intended to be a limited series, is now an anthology. The new episodes star Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny. It premieres Thursday.

Nicola Coughlan’s contemporary dark comedy “Big Mood” returns for a Season 2 on Tubi on Thursday. Coughlan and Lydia West star as Maggie and Eddie, longtime co - dependent best friends living in East London. Their friendship fell apart after Maggie, who su ers from bipolar disorder, decided to stop taking her medication and Eddie felt increasingly neglected. Season 2 picks up one year later.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

The moon has been in the news a lot lately, so it’s a good time to pay a visit courtesy of Capcom’s Pragmata. Unfortunately, the lunar base where it’s set has been rocked by a massive moonquake — and some parts of it have been weirdly altered by a mysterious substance called Luna lament. Two heroes emerge from the rubble: a guy named Hugh who’s skilled with rearms, and an android named Diana who’s a master hacker. Blast o Friday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch 2 or PC.

Nintendo’s Switch has become the console of choice for people who like to build cozy communities, thanks to hits like Animal Crossing and Pokémon Pokopia. But perhaps you’d like your neighbors to look more like your friends and family. Welcome to Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, which lets you populate an island with humanoid Mii avatars. Of course, these people can be fussy, so you’ll need to make them happy with food, clothes and furniture while building more places for them to play. Before you know it, they’ll be making friends, falling in love and having kids. And you can send your character to visit another human’s Switch. Get to know Mii on Thursday.

Duplin Journal

Libraries plan to merge

Wallace

The Town of Wallace has reached a tentative agreement to merge the Thelma Dingus Bryant Library operations with the Duplin County Library system, with the change set to begin July 1. The county will gradually assume sta ng and operational responsibilities over four years, while the town will continue maintaining the facility. O cials say the move will reduce costs and expand access to resources and services for residents.

Film screening on “Forever Chemicals”

Warsaw

The Duplin County NAACP will host a screening of “Forever Chemicals: North Carolina’s Toxic Tap Water” on April 21 from 6-8 p.m. at the KEMBA Center at 124 Water Tank Road. The event will include food, a guest speaker and a Q&A session. The program is presented in partnership with several environmental organizations.

Intersection features new all-way stop

Beulaville

The intersection of N.C. 241 and Sarecta Road is now an all-way stop. The change, which went into e ect Monday, is intended to improve safety.

Man charged in juvenile sexual assault case

Duplin County A 28-year-old man was arrested last week following an investigation into an alleged inappropriate relationship with a 13-year- old. The man, Quintin Jashawn McLean, faces felony charges, including statutory rape and indecent liberties with a child, and is being held under a $250,000 secured bond.

Four arrested following tra c stops

Beulaville

Four individuals are facing charges following tra c stops conducted April 8 by the Duplin County Sheri ’s O ce Special Operations Division along Jackson Store Road and N.C. 41. According to authorities, suspected illegal narcotics were located during the stops. Cynthia Miller, Christopher Alphin, Quincy Melvin and Angelo Arp were each charged with various o enses, including alleged drug possession, outstanding warrants and rearm-related violations. All four were taken to the Duplin County Jail.

$2.00

Hall of Fame honors Duplin icons

Alice Scott and the late William Costin Sr. were inducted at the annual banquet

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — The Duplin County Hall of Fame inducted two recipients on April 7 during its annual banquet. The Duplin Hall of Fame began in 1994 as a way to show proper tribute to Duplin County citizens, both past and present, who have made signi cant con-

tributions to the “growth, development, and well-being” of Duplin County, the state and the world as a whole. Each year, one honoree from Duplin’s past and one living honoree are awarded places in the Hall of Fame at the awards banquet.

Charles Marshall Ingram, a Hall of Fame board member, presented the award for the honoree from the past. This year’s honoree was William J. Costin Sr. Costin was born to tenant farmers outside Warsaw in 1925. His family purchased a farm in foreclosure in 1932 and worked hard to never face foreclosure

themselves. Costin was the oldest of 12 children, and he had to leave school to work on the farm. At 17, he enlisted in the Navy and served in World War II. He volunteered to serve on three different minesweepers in the Pacific Theater, and all three earned battle stars. Costin spent his free time studying and earned his high school equivalency degree while still continuing to rise in rank in the Navy. Costin spent his whole career in the Paci c Theater and was part of many important attacks including the 82-day in-

Calico Bay residents to weigh proposed sewer system

The new plan promises relief but hinges on community buy-in and a ordability

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — A long-discussed plan to address failing septic systems in two Duplin County communities is nearing a key decision point, as residents prepare to weigh in

later this month on whether to move forward. Representatives from AgriWaste Technology, Inc. (AWT) and the North Carolina Rural Water Association recently briefed county commissioners on the project’s progress. Kevin Davidson with AWT said an upcoming April 28 meeting with residents of the Calico Bay community will be critical in gauging whether there is enough support to move forward.

The e ort is part of a federal-

ly backed initiative aimed at addressing gaps in wastewater access in underserved areas. Calico Bay and East Log Cabin Road were selected due to persistent septic system failures and unsuitable soil conditions.

Engineers warn that without a shared, large-scale solution, the issues will continue and could limit future development in both communities.

The proposed solution is a septic tank e uent pump system. Davidson explained that

vasion of Okinawa, Japan. As a result of his heroism, he was awarded four medals: the Navy Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Paci c Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal. When he returned home, Costin served in the National Guard for three years, met and married a woman from Mount Olive, started a family and settled into farming. Like his parents, Costin started as a tenant farmer then bought a foreclosed property. Costin paid o his loans early, and three years

each home would retain its septic tank, but instead of relying entirely on that system, wastewater would be pumped through a septic tank e uent pump to Wallace’s lift station near James Andrews Road.

Central to the plan is the creation of a new water and sewer authority to serve the two communities, manage the system and serve as the applicant for grants and nancing.

Davidson emphasized that forming the authority is essential. Without it, the project cannot move forward or qualify for key funding opportunities. That’s where residents come in. A community meeting scheduled for April 28 in Calico Bay will give homeowners a chance to hear the

The housing boom could outpace school capacity

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — Last week, Wallace Town Council member Glenn Price delivered a detailed brie ng on anticipated residential growth in Wallace to Duplin County Commissioners, warning that rapid development could place increasing pressure on local schools. Price said the issue is both signi cant and time-sensitive as more than 1,000 new housing units are planned or under development in and around Wallace. Much of the construction is concentrated near major corridors such as N.C. 41, where available land and existing wa-

ter and sewer infrastructure have made development more feasible. Price said the area is also bene ting from regional growth tied to nearby job markets, particularly in the Wilmington area.

As new homes are built and occupied, o cials expect a corresponding increase in school enrollment, particularly at Wallace Elementary School and Wallace-Rose Hill High School. Both schools are already operating near capacity, with some reliance on mobile classrooms.

Price said the full impact of the growth may begin to be felt within two to three years, with more signi cant strain possible within four to ve years as additional housing projects are completed.

“This issue is not gonna a ect just the town of Wallace, but it’s gonna a ect Rose Hill, and also Teachey.” Glenn Price

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later, he was able to increase their land to 111 acres — the farm is still in the family today.

Over the course of his life, Costin was honored for his successful farming with awards and leadership roles. He was recruited by the Duplin County Cooperative Extension Service to start a 4-H club in Warsaw, and it became a 22-year-long passion.

Costin served on numerous county and state boards for agriculture, and he was a Duplin County commissioner for three terms. Costin was a devoted member of Warsaw United Methodist Church and served in many roles there, including 40 years as a Sunday school teacher. He cared deeply for the Veterans of Foreign Wars and donated family land to help make Post 9810 in Warsaw possible.

“The honoree committed himself at an early age to improving the quality of life for his family, his community, his country, and his state and nation … His legacy is one of faith, family, sacri ce, service and an unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others,” Ingram said.

Marilynn Kornegay Hroza, Duplin County Hall of Fame president, unveiled a picture of Costin and hung a ribboned medal on it. Costin’s son and daughters were present to accept the award and thanked everyone for commemorating their father.

Sheila Smith Futrell, a Hall of Fame board member, introduced the living honoree. This year’s living recipient was Alice Smith Scott. Scott was born into hard work

THURSDAY

SATURDAY

Wallace board swears in o cer, passes grant resolutions

From public safety to park expansion, the town council addressed key community priorities

By Curt Simpson Duplin Journal

WALLACE — It was a light agenda but a packed house in the Wallace Woman’s Club Thursday evening when the Wallace Town Council held their regular monthly meeting. The meeting opened with a special moment as several members of the Wallace Police Department watched the swearing-in of their newest o cer, Alex Sholar. A Duplin County native, Sholar previously served as a cadet with the department while completing 800 hours of Basic Law Enforcement Training at James Sprunt Community College. Mayor Jason Wells administered the oath, and Sholar’s brother, Trooper Caleb Sholar of the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, pinned the badge on his uniform. In an e ort to address blighted properties, the council unanimously passed a resolution accepting a $556,400 Community Development Block Grant. The federal funds will be used to demolish the former Dobbins School on Old Teachey Road and two dilapidated homes located within the boundaries of Farrior Park at Boney Mill Pond. The grant, awarded with assistance from the Cape Fear Council of Governments, will also cover site cleanup. The Council of Governments will receive $95,000 from the grant to help manage the project and oversee expenditures. The council also heard a rezoning request from developer Avery-Davis of Knightdale.

The company is seeking to rezone approximately 45 acres in the Tin City area from its current residential and highway business designations to Planned Development Residential (PDR). Avery-Davis has already been active in developing much of the Tin City area and plans to build another housing subdivision on the property, located near Wendy’s on Tobacco Drive, the Wallace ABC Store and First Bank on Strawberry Lane.

Before the rezoning can be approved, a public hearing must be held. The council scheduled the hearing for its next meeting on May 14.

In other business, the council passed a resolution authorizing an application for a $750,000 Parks and Recreation Trust Fund grant. If

REBECCA WHITMAN COOKE FOR DUPLIN JOURNAL

Marilynn Kornegay Hroza places a medallion on a photograph of the late William J. Costin Sr., who was posthumously inducted into the Duplin County Hall of Fame.

as the fth of seven children on a farm in 1943. She maintained many leadership roles in school, and graduated valedictorian and class president of her senior class at B.F. Grady. By 20, she was married and pursuing a bachelor’s degree with a teaching certi cate. During her college years, she co-authored and published research articles. Once graduated, she taught at James Kenan and East Duplin schools. She went back to school, published more articles and obtained her doctorate in food science. From there, she accepted a position at East Carolina where she became the nutrition department chair by the age of 33. She served on government councils and won awards, but life shifted when she

and her husband moved their family home to Duplin County. She commuted for a few years before pivoting to a career in Duplin County Schools. For nine years, she led the charge in bettering Duplin County Schools, including starting a college credit program that was a precursor to the current Career and College Promise program, and building three new K-8 schools: B.F. Grady Elementary, Chinquapin Elementary and Beulaville Elementary. Her e orts served as the blueprint for four more K-8 schools later. Scott served on various committees to bene t the county and state. In 2009, Scott and her husband started a nonprofit, Kneeling Pines Farms. With

awarded this fall, the grant would help fund new soccer elds and tennis courts at Farrior Park. The town would need to provide a $375,000 match, which o cials plan to cover through donations and fundraisers. Town Manager Rob Taylor noted that all work would need to be completed within three years of receiving the grant.

Finally, the council went into closed session to discuss a property sale. Upon returning to open session, Taylor announced that the council had accepted the high bid of $251,000 for the Rose House at 725 E. Southerland St. The home, which became town property during the acquisition of land for Farrior Park in 2014, was declared surplus and o ered at auction.

this nonpro t, they take produce from their own garden and make homemade goods and owers to sell to the public. The pro ts from the sales are then donated to bene t others. Their donations have included drug and alcohol rehabilitation centers, scienti c research, and education scholarships.

“(Scott) has demonstrated a lifetime of service to her family, her church, her community, Duplin County and beyond,” Futrell said. “Her professional life and dedication to her nonpro t work has been characterized by const ant involvement — not just a one-time action. As an educator through teaching, administration and leadership in professional organization, the students she has helped to train and the programs she helped implement have carried her in uence way beyond the boundaries of Duplin County and North Carolina. … Whenever (Scott) saw a need, she would nd a way to meet it ... in ways that brought her around full circle to her roots.”

Scott was present to receive her award. She came with her husband and family members to receive the medal from Hroza. She received a standing ovation from the crowd and thanked them all for their kindness and nomination.

Since its inception, 63 Duplin County citizens have been inducted to the Duplin County Hall of Fame. A permanent site with pictures of each inductee stands in the Duplin County Courthouse. Inductees are nominated through a paper application system and voted on by a committee of volunteers.

coming up in

April 18

Garden Gala

1 p.m.

Southeastern Gardens of NC at Johnson Nursery hosts the event, kicking o festival season. The event features lunch by Mad Boar, drinks, live music by Mark Da er, garden tours, a silent auction and an after-party at Mad Boar.

985 Johnson Nursery Road, Willard

Duplin Winery 50th Anniversary party 5-8 p.m.

Celebrate 50 years at Duplin Winery Vineyard & Amphitheater in Rose Hill. Doors open at 4 p.m. Tickets are $20. The event features a concert with Chocolate Chip & Company, food trucks, fresh local bites and drinks for purchase, and commemorative merchandise. Rain or shine; bring a lawn chair or blanket.

918 West Charity Road, Rose Hill

Hog Wild Cook-O

Noon-3 p.m.

The Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce will host its annual Hog Wild Cook-O at the corner of N.C. Highways 241 and 41 at the Superior Metal Structures building. The event will feature music by Carl Newton’s Review. Barbecue plates will be available for purchase.

Proceeds will support the Beulaville Area Chamber of Commerce in promoting local businesses and community projects.

171 N.C. Highway 41, Beulaville

April 24

Choral Concert Celebration 6 p.m.

Trans guration of Jesus Catholic Church in Wallace will host a free choral concert celebrating music director Lara Capparuccia’s 20th anniversary. The program features classical and contemporary works, including selections by Vivaldi and Natalie Sleeth, along with original compositions. Refreshments will follow.

506 East Main St., Wallace

Kenansville o cials prepare for budget season ahead of June deadline

O cials weighed sewer funding, new playground progress and an upcoming budget workshop

By Mark Grady For Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — It’s that time of year when the Town of Kenansville needs to compile its budget for the upcoming scal year. Town Manager Anna West told the Board of Commissioners at its meeting on April 7 that a budget workshop needs to be scheduled soon. Since the new budget needs to be approved by June 30 and preceded by a public hearing, West recommended the workshop be held within the next few weeks so all deadlines can be met.

In order to approve the new budget by June 30, the board plans to meet soon for the workshop and then have time to advertise the public hearing on the budget for the May board meeting. State law requires the notice for the public hearing be released at least 10 days prior to the hearing. June 30 is another deadline for the board. That date is also when all new board members must complete ethics training. West advised the new board members that they can complete the required training online.

A few immediate budget matters were covered in the meeting, including the news that there was approximately $100,000 left in a Commu-

nity Development Block Grant the town received to help with sewer line repairs in the town. The town is waiting on approval to use the remaining funds

to add some additional slip lining to sewer lines and to add a manhole. The board tabled a decision on how to handle a pub -

Beulaville board discusses construction policy, tax collection measures

O cials considered new construction standards, drainage responsibilities and infrastructure projects

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

BEULAVILLE — A proposed construction standard, drainage responsibilities and major infrastructure planning were among key topics discussed during the Beulaville town board meeting on April 6.

Public Works Director Ricky Raynor explained the need for a standardized policy for new construction to ensure plumbing compatibility.

“If I don’t have something

“This issue is not gonna a ect just the town of Wallace, but it’s gonna a ect Rose Hill, and also Teachey,” said Price.

Although municipal leaders do not control school funding or operations, which fall under county authority, Price stressed that early coordination will be critical to avoiding overcrowding and ensuring adequate planning.

“Classrooms, shared spaces, and support services will be challenged to keep pace,” he said.

According to Price, several

standardized and a line breaks, I have to cut everyone o ,” Raynor explained. Town Manager Lori Williams said the need for a standardized policy comes as a result of several construction requests coming in. The board welcomed the idea.

“It will probably increase our response time overall,” said Mayor Hutch Jones. The new construction policy will be submitted to the board for approval at the May meeting. Thereafter, it will be available on the town’s website.

major housing developments are either underway or in advanced planning stages. Among them is Rock sh Pointe, a 32-lot subdivision adjacent to Wallace Elementary School, where infrastructure is already in place. The Eastwood development includes 42 homes, with construction progressing and prices between $375,000 and $425,000. Additional projects include Crossroads, a planned 208-home development awaiting a lift station upgrade to start building, and Bryant Farm, a large mixed-use development approved for 276 apartments, 221 townhomes

Raynor and Williams also presented complaints from residents concerning the maintenance of ditches within the town right of way. The board discussed whether or not it is the responsibility of the town or the homeowner to maintain the areas.

“We ask permission of the home owner as a common courtesy, but we have the right to do what is necessary for the common good,” Jones clari ed.

Public Works reported that 2.7 inches of rainfall were recorded, and 174,000 gallons of water were used per day in the month of March.

Police Chief Karl Mobley

and 254 single-family houses.

Price said these projects, combined with other planned developments and annexations, could bring more than 1,100 new housing units to the area.

“Even at that number of homes and one kid. You’re looking at pushing your school system,” he explained.

Wallace o cials estimated that new single-family homes are $350,000 on average.

shared that the police department made a large fentanyl tra cking arrest. Code Enforcement O cer Jamie Rogers shared that spring cleaning has begun, and they are addressing overgrowth.

“If a bush or tree is blocking the view of tra c or hitting cars in the road, it is a code violation,” Rogers explained. Williams shared that three bids were submitted for engineering on the upcoming USDA project. Williams recommended splitting the overall project into two parts, and then allowing Stroud to do the stormwater project and Adams the water-sewer project. The board requested clari cation

“Imagine that we’re able to get these homes built. … You’re looking at $2.3 (million) for the county in taxes,” Price said. “The town will probably see $2.1 (million) approximately.”

According to Price, Wallace Elementary and Wallace-Rose Hill o cials have indicated they may be able to absorb limited growth in the short term, but both schools are already using portable classrooms, and space for expansion, particularly at Wallace Elementary, is limited.

Commercial growth is also accelerating alongside residential development. New businesses under construction or planned include locations for Royal Farms, Wawa, Chick- l-A, Starbucks and Wa e House, as well as additional retail.

lic works vehicle that was recently damaged in a re until more information could be obtained on whether it would be more cost-e ective to repair the truck or purchase a new one.

The board voted to accept Kenansville Police Chief Jackie Benton’s request to sell a Dodge Charger as surplus since the department recently acquired a Dodge Wrangler. Benton said he will advertise the Charger in hopes of getting the best price possible for the sale.

During department reports, Benton said the police department has recently been dealing with a new type of intruder in town.

“We have a cat problem,” Benton said, adding they have trapped as many as 20 feral cats within the past few weeks to be delivered to animal control.

Kenansville Parks and Recreation Director Courtney Brown reported the new playground at Kenan Park is almost completed, and there are plans to hold a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the handicap-accessible and inclusive playground, which was built with grants.

Brown also said that thanks to a $10,000 grant from Monarch, a new basketball court will soon be built at Kenan Park. She also reported that the spring and summer sports programs are underway.

In other business, the board voted to select Commissioner Michael Maddox as its voting delegate to the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

about how separation would affect the overall cost. Williams a rmed that each part of the project requires di erent engineering; therefore, no additional costs would be incurred. The board approved splitting the engineering services. It will be over two years before the project moves to the construction phase.

The board reviewed and approved a 2025 Local Water Supply Plan, scheduled meetings to discuss the next scal budget, and scheduled a public hearing concerning the next scal budget to occur during the board’s May meeting. Williams discussed the need to explore further tax collection measures, including garnishments and foreclosures on $50,000 in delinquent taxes currently outstanding. The board approved moving forward with stricter collection tactics.

The meeting ended in a closed session to discuss contracts.

Beyond Duplin County, development pressures are extending into neighboring Pender County, where an additional 569 homes are being considered near Interstate 40. Price said the cumulative e ect of regional growth underscores the urgency of long-term planning for schools.

“We have a duty as a council to make sure that the board is aware of what’s going on in Wallace and the magnitude of growth that we expect to see,” said Price.

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

| PHILIP GLADDEN

The most important things

BEFORE THE CREW of the Artemis II mission ew around the dark side of the moon on April 6, the Orion spacecraft pilot Victor Glover radioed a message about the mysteries of space. He then talked about “one of the most important mysteries on Earth, which is love.” He added, “Christ said, in response to what was the greatest command, that it was to love God with all you are. And he also, being a great teacher, said the second is equal to it. And that is to love your neighbor as yourself.” He ended his message, “We love you from the moon.”

Astronaut Glover’s message from the moon is reminiscent of the thoughts of other space explorers who have been awed and humbled by the magnitude of their missions, the expanse of the cosmos and the beauty of our Earth suspended in the blackness. Their cosmic perspective compels them to re ect on humanity back on Earth and to express their hope for the peoples and nations of our world to learn to live together

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

in love and with a common purpose. Glover’s appeal to Jesus’ teaching about the Great Commandment caught my attention because of a similar idea I read recently on Facebook from Jared Byas, co-host of the podcast “The Bible for Normal People” and co-author of the book “Genesis for Normal People.” A few years ago, Byas posted on X, “Wouldn’t it be embarrassing to nd out that when Jesus said the entire Bible is summed up by ‘Love God. And love your neighbor as yourself,’ he really meant it? I mean, I’ve spent so much time thinking so many other things are important — that just aren’t.”

In the Gospel of Mark version of the Great Commandment story, the scribe who asks Jesus, “Which commandment is the rst of all?” goes on to say that loving God above all else and loving neighbor as yourself “is much more important than all whole burnt o erings and sacri ces.” Jesus agrees with the man and commends him for his answer.

In the Gospel of Luke, Jesus warns against thinking other things are more important than doing what love requires. He criticizes the teachers of the law and says, “For you tithe mint and rue and herbs of all kinds, and neglect justice and the love of God.” That sounds like what the prophet Amos taught, “He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

I do not have the cosmic perspective of the Artemis II astronauts, but since my retirement in 2023 I have spent much time re ecting on how many times in my ministry I spent “so much time thinking so many other things are important — that just aren’t.” If we take Victor Glover’s message from the moon to heart, our lives, our communities, and our world will be all the better.

Philip Gladden is a retired minister who lives in Wallace.

Trump is denounced — even by some Republicans — over the ‘war of choice’

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

ABOUT THE WAR against Iran, most polls nd it especially unpopular among Democrats, independents and even some Republicans who feel double-crossed because President Donald Trump campaigned against “endless wars” and promised not to start a new one.

As to Trump’s criticism of “endless wars,” supporters should not have taken it seriously for several reasons. First, we have “endless wars” because we have endless enemies. And they have a vote. Second, one could argue that the war against Iran is not new. After all, Iran’s leaders have been calling for America’s annihilation for 47 years. Third, presidents make decisions based upon events, many of which are unforeseen. Woodrow Wilson campaigned in 1914 to keep America out of World War I. He ultimately took the country to war. Before our entry into World War II, several Americans supported an antiwar movement called America First. A couple of college students named Gerald R. Ford and John F. Kennedy supported this movement. Then came Pearl Harbor.

Assuming Iran was on the brink of acquiring the ability to make a nuclear bomb — their own negotiators admitted Iran had enough enriched uranium to make 11 bombs — this left Trump a couple of options: do nothing, the route taken by previous presidents, or stop them. Rather than kick the can down the road, Trump chose to stomp on it.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, prominent lawyer David Boies chastised fellow Democrats for opposing the war

and letting their animosity against Trump cloud their judgment.

“If (Trump) hadn’t acted, his successor would have been left with an even more dangerous choice than his predecessors left him. ... What is harder to understand, and particularly troubling for our country, is opposition rooted simply in antipathy toward Mr. Trump himself,” he wrote.

As for the war’s unpopularity, opponents call Trump a liar as to the intel purporting to show Iran is an imminent threat. Critics say he failed to consult, let alone get support from, our allies.

But consider the decision President George W. Bush made to go to war. Many now call the Iraq War a blunder of epic proportions. Much of the country believes Bush “lied us into the war.”

Let’s revisit. At rst, 72% of Americans, according to Gallup, supported that war. Bush obtained resolutions in support of the war from both the House and the Senate. The widely held belief that Iraq had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction was only one of the many reasons set forth in the resolution. The resolution also noted that Iraq used chemical weapons on its own people and on the Iranians; that Iraq was stealing from the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme and likely using the money for military purposes; that Iraq was shooting at the British and American planes patrolling the southern and northern no- y zones; and that Saddam Hussein had attempted to assassinate President George H.W. Bush.

George W. Bush formed a “coalition

of the willing” consisting of 48 nations, including the U.S., U.K., Australia and Poland, that committed troops to the e ort.

The war became unpopular. Many denounced Bush as a liar and a war criminal despite his pre-war e ort to form a coalition, to get buy-in from both Democrats and Republicans and to obtain a unanimous resolution from the U.N. Trump did none of this before going to war against Iran. He is excoriated as viciously as was Bush, who did all the things critics accuse Trump of not doing. So the real issue comes down to whether Trump is doing the right thing.

During the Iran-Iraq War, the Iranian regime used children to clear mine elds — costing tens of thousands of young lives. There was a term for this. It is a war crime.

Iran is now mobilizing boys as young as 12 to ght the U.S. and Israel. There’s a term for this. It is a war crime.

And it is forcing citizens to form human chains to stand in front of military targets. There is a term for this. It is a war crime.

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

This is why this fanatical regime cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. This is why Trump is correct to implore the civilized world to join the ght.

Larry Elder is a best-selling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Public meeting held on proposed Farrior Park upgrades

The proposal includes a soccer complex, and new pickleball and tennis facilities

By Ena Sellers Duplin Journal

WALLACE — The Town of Wallace recently held a public meeting to gather input on a proposed application to the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) for improvements to Farrior Park.

The project under consideration includes the development of a soccer complex as well as dedicated facilities for pickleball and tennis. Preliminary plans presented at the meeting outlined features designed to meet standard dimensions for organized play, which could allow the park to host competitive events. Approximately 20 people attended the public meeting.

Town officials indicated the project is intended to expand recreational opportunities for residents and im-

SEWER from page A1

details, ask questions and decide if they support the plan. If there is su cient backing, organizers will ask county commissioners to formally establish the authority.

“We don’t expect everybody to agree … but the folks that have failed water systems, they de nitely have a desire to do it,” he said.

A ordability remains a major factor in whether residents will support the project. Ofcials aim to keep monthly costs between $50 and $60 per household. Much of the upfront construction cost could be covered by grants, particularly for

prove existing infrastructure. The proposed facilities would provide additional space for youth and adult sports, as well as general community use.

“Everyone seemed both curious and excited about the plans for Farrior Park, especially about the soccer fields and tennis courts,” said Mayor Pro Tem Francisco Rivas-Diaz, who views the project as a “strategic investment in the identity and economy of our people.”

Rivas-Diaz noted that the project represents a strategic investment in Wallace’s identity and future. By creating high-quality, modern facilities, the town is laying the groundwork to become a regional hub for sports.

“We are positioning Wallace as a destination for regional tournaments and sports tourism,” he said, explaining that such a designation carries signi cant economic promise.

Rivas-Diaz noted that visiting teams, families and spec-

residents who choose to connect early.

The project plan includes installing connection points throughout the community, allowing homeowners to join immediately or at a later date, though not under the samenancial terms.

“As part of the project, we will come along and put those connection points in at every single parcel. Whether or not somebody connects to it is their own decision,” said Davidson. “If you connect to it now, we’re going to try to cover you under the grants.”

Homeowners who choose to connect later, particularly after a septic system failure,

tators could potentially bring increased activity to local shops and restaurants generating a ripple e ect that supports Wallace small businesses and strengthens the local economy.

“This grant application is a testament to that proactive leadership,” said Rivas-Diaz. “We’re not just planning for the present; we’re building a legacy for future generations.” Community members in attendance were invited to provide feedback on the proposal as part of the application process. Input collected during this stage will be included in the town’s submission.

The PARTF grant program, administered by the state, provides matching funds to local governments for parks and recreation projects. If awarded, the $750,000 grant would o set a signi cant portion of the total project cost, with the town responsible for a $375,000 match that ocials plan to raise through donations, fundraisers and other local contributions.

could end up paying thousands of dollars out of pocket, he said.

Progress in the East Log Cabin Road area remains uncertain due to annexation requirements. Davidson said the most practical option would be to connect to the Town of Teachey’s gravity sewer line south of East Log Cabin Road, but residents have so far resisted due to added cost. Davidson suggested that a water and sewer authority could help resolve that issue, as the authority would serve as the contracting entity with Teachey.

After years of discussion, ofcials say the upcoming community meeting could mark a turning point for the project.

Visitors explore wildlife, fossils, farming

EcoBLAST brought interactive science exhibits, animals and education to the Cowan Museum

By Rebecca Whitman Cooke For Duplin Journal

KENANSVILLE — The Cowan Museum of History and Science in Kenansville welcomed guests Saturday for ecoBLAST: Green and Wild, an interactive outdoor event focused on nature, science and environmental education.

Exhibits stretched across the museum lawn, featuring hands-on activities from local and state organizations.

The N.C. Fossil Club o ered dirt from eastern North Carolina quarries for visitors to sift through in search of shark’s teeth. Ecological Marine Adventures, based at the aquarium in Surf City, brought marine life samples and a live corn snake.

The Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center displayed turtle shells and provided information on sea turtles. The Cape Fear Parrot Sanctuary brought a live parrot and o ered T-shirts. James Sprunt Communi-

ty College featured hydroponic pods, allowing visitors to plant and take home kale seedlings. WNCT-9 presented storm demonstrations and information on weather preparedness. Duplin County Beekeepers shared information about di erent types of bees and hive care.

The North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences brought a live lizard and snake and shared information about reptiles. The exhibit also included animal pelts from species once native to the region. Additional exhibitors highlighted native plants with live samples.

Throughout the event, visitors enjoyed hands-on activities and free samples, including butter y crafts from the Cowan Museum and hydroponic plant samples from JSCC. Attendees had frozen treats and farm-to -table options from food trucks on site.

The Cowan Museum also was open free to the public. Inside, exhibits showcased agriculture and rural life with artifacts used in kitchens, homes, outdoors and businesses. A large fossil and rock display was featured on the main oor, with additional exhibits upstairs.

CAROLINA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL

First weekend in May In Historic Downtown Wallace

The Gardens of Southeastern North Carolina April 18th, 1–6pm

DUPLIN SPORTS

Double trouble: Rivers, Cave share top honor

Tiny and few di erences in the all-around play of JK’s Y’Anna Rivers and ED’s Kinsey Cave

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WALLACE — East Duplin’s Kinsey Cave and James Kenan’s Y’Anna Rivers both zipped in 19 3-pointers.

Stopping there would lead to the proper postseason decision as to which Duplin County female would be Ms. Basketball.

Here’s the thing. All statistical and observational analysis lead to the same conclusion.

The cross-county rivals will share the crown for the 2025-26 season. Cave, who was the top player the

previous two seasons, did not fall o by any means, and she, in fact, did more than the previous two seasons for the Panthers.

And she had to because of graduation losses. It might also be noted ED’s roster is lled with younger, developing players who will be solid players and leaders in the future.

Rivers was blessed with a slightly better and more tenured supporting sta , yet there was no denying that the Tigers junior made a leap into the best players in the East. She went from arriving to being a scene stealer and showing skills that are foreign to Duplin players.

Such as her 3.2 blocks per game.

That’s a bit more than Cave, but no one can throw an accurate baseball pass like this Panther. It expands to

another level when one of her teammates successfully follows her lead for an accurate heave.

So while Cave and Rivers have similarities, an advantage in the eye of one beholder is often countered “but she doesn’t do that as well” by an alert fan on the opposite side.

Cave averaged 14.5 points; Rivers 15.5.

Rivers tallied 357 points; Cave 348.

Both shot 45% from the eld. Cave hit for 69% from the free -throw line; Rivers made 61%. Cave had a 6.4-to-4.3 rebounding edge.

Rivers’ steal ratio was 4.0; Cave was at 2.9.

Cave returned from an injury to

See PLAYERS, page

After losing three players who scored more than 1,000-career points, ND soared because of the play of Abby Rose, the top-scoring player in Duplin County

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

CALYPSO — In the past few months, Duplin Journal has received several forms of communications — emails, letters, conversations — from fans regarding the selection of the all-Duplin sports teams.

One suggested we were so misinformed that last season’s Ms. Basketball selection — ED’s Kinsey Cave — was wrong because “she was only the second-

or third-best player on her own team.”

Others suggested bias even as they were shouting out their own biased opinions with the justication that “they know because it’s my kid/student, and I’ll always stand up for him/her.”

As the representative from Duplin Journal, this writer gets one vote. Every head coach also has a vote. That’s it.

See HOOPS, page B3

Second-year head coach

Aaron Smith’s use of his players was a key to JK’s revival season

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

WARSAW — It’s nearly impossible to watch the James Kenan girls’ basketball team and not see the role Y’Anna Rivers has on the Tigers’ success. And yet one player isn’t enough to win 20 games. It wasn’t only Rivers’ talent and move to the next level as a player that drove the Tigers.

Credit second-year head coach Aaron Smith for nding and developing the right pieces to put around Rivers, who can do it all on a basketball court. Smith, an East Duplin graduate in 2010, who wrote this year’s script, is Duplin County’s Coach of the Year.

He got Gabbi Outlaw and Aleyah Wilson to play at a higher level, and both are all-county rst-team picks. The pair were starters a season ago and matured in their skills and approach to the game.

See SMITH, page B4

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK SPONSORED BY BILL CARONE

Ava Noble

East Duplin, softball

To the surprise of no one, Ava Noble was unstoppable in the rst half of the softball season.

The East Duplin junior, who sat out last season because of a knee injury, has been a continuousring spark plug for the Panthers’ o ense.

She’s whacked out 28 hits in 13 games, which includes six doubles, ve triples, two home runs and 18 RBIs, for a .609 mark, which is tops among all players in the Duplin Journal area.

Noble is toting a .604 on-base-percentage and is at 1.087 in slugging and 1.727 in OPS.

ED is 11-2 will play key ECC series with Pender (11-0, 4-0) and South Lenoir (9-5, 3-1) in the next two weeks.

She’s also providing solid defense at shortstop and has stolen 13 bases in as many attempts.

Her hot bat was expected if her body returned close to where it was before the injury. She had 35 hits in 18 games as a freshman. Her .538 mark was accented by 13 extra-base hits and 18 RBIs.

JK’s Shylah Sloan has hit four home runs this season, including back-to-back shots in her last two games.

Tigers return from early from break to pound past Stallions

The biggest game of the regular season for the JK softball team is an April 16 showdown against Midway

By Michael Jaenicke Duplin Journal

JACKSONVILLE — The James Kenan softball team is hitting on all cylinders, literally.

The Tigers pounded out 15 hits last Friday during a 13-9 conquest of Southwest Onslow after returning two days before the o cial ending of spring break.

JK took a 7-4 lead in the third inning and added three runs in each of the next two frames to improve to 10-2.

Jourdan Joe laced three hits and knocked in three runs.

Kinzley Sloan, Sadie Casteen and Kendia Gideons each added two hits and combined for four RBIs.

Shylah Sloan homered for the second straight game. She has gone yard four times this spring. She also hurled 52⁄3 innings in the circle for the win.

Ava Jones nished thenal 11⁄3 innings after scoring twice for JK’s fth win in six games.

BASEBALL

Four losses send Panthers back to drawing board

East Duplin may have gotten better during the Easter break, but four consecutive losses to quality teams beat up the Panthers’ record.

The one that got away from head coach Brandon Thigpen’s gang was an 8-7 loss in an eight-inning setback to former league foe North Lenoir.

The Hawks scored the nal three runs of the game after ED had leads of 4-1 and 7-5.

Jack Tuck ripped two hits

in four trips to the plate and knocked in a run.

Colton Holmes and JP Murphy each had a pair of RBIs. Gavin Holmes, who is second in Duplin in hitting at .500, also punched in a run.

The result of playing a third game in as many days led to disaster as Charles B. Aycock jumped on the Panthers’ pitchers for 11 hits in a 15-4 rout.

Previous losses to North Johnston and Rosewood acted as the rst two of four holiday bumps.

Tuck, Gavin Holmes and Luke Hall drove in runs against the 5A Golden Falcons. CBA blew apart a 3-3 game in the fourth with a 12-run barrage.

ED (8-5) was the lone Duplin school to play baseball during spring break.

Crusaders take down two NCHSAA schools

Jesse Smith drove in seven runs in three games, and that was good enough for NCISAA school Harrells Christian Academy to win two of three games against NCHSAA teams at the Clinton Easter Tournament.

Smith ripped a pair of hits and had two RBIs during a 6-3 triumph over Lakewood.

Collin Cole scattered six hits in 61⁄3 innings, striking out ve and walking one during a 92-pitch performance.

Avery Hall, who scored twice, got the nal two outs. Reid Strickland and Davis Rogers each had a run-scoring hit.

Smith, Strickland and Drake Smith each drove in a run in a 6-3 loss to the host school. Peyton Gomez added a pair of base knocks. Thirteen strikeouts were a black mark in HCA’s box score, as Josh Slater (51⁄3 innings) and Henry Bass (12⁄3) combined to toss 125 pitches.

The Crusaders (8-5) recovered to knock o West Columbus 8-3 as Jesse Smith drove in three runs and Drake Smith added two singles, a double and two walks to score three times.

HCA broke a 3-3 deadlock with three runs in the sixth and two in the seventh.

Futrell, Machado pace Wildcats to rivalry win over Stallions

Tyler Futrell drove in three runs and Marion Machado scored three times to lead Richlands to an 8-7 win over rival Southwest Onslow. Tanner Brinson singled, doubled and knocked in a run, as did Weston Schopen.

Richlands broke a ve -game losing streak and exacted revenge on the Stallions’ 14-9 win during that stretch.

Last Friday, Dixon tallied a sixth inning to earn a 5-4 win over the Wildcats. Richlands (4-12) must work diligently in its nal seven games to make the 5A playo s. SOCCER

Hafner goal spurs Stallions past Tigers

Senior captain Adah Hafner scored the lone goal of the match in the second half as Southwest Onslow beat James Kenan last Friday in Jacksonville.

JK’s (8-4) next six games are against Swine Valley Conference teams, ve of which the Tigers have wins over this season.

Princeton (11-1-2) and JK (8-4, 6-1) square o for a share of the league title in Warsaw on April 28.

The Tigers host the Stallions for their regular season nale, two days after trying to sweep Wallace-Rose Hill.

This isn’t a Parents’ All-Star Team or a Vice Principal and Administrators’ Select Team.

With that as a backdrop, let’s discuss a rst-team player who have been the third-best player in Duplin County — North Duplin’s Abby Rose.

While JK’s Y’Anna Rivers and ED’s Kinsey Cave were clearly the best two players, anyone watching all four county teams throughout the season also noticed that Rose, who like Rivers and Cave, is a coach’s dream player.

She will kick o capsules of the other four rst-team players. See B1 for a story on Ms. Basketball.

This winter the rst-team list was expanded to include six players.

Why, you ask?

Because the talent was there and each player o ered something special, often something the others didn’t show.

It was as necessary as it was a few years back when it was announced there wouldn’t be a Mr. Basketball for the boys. No one stood out, and there were ve cloned players who all averaged around 10 to 12 points.

That’s hardly star quality and quite unlike what we saw from the following four female hoopsters and the two aforementioned honorees.

Abby Rose, ND, So.

While Rivers and Cave were doing their thing at the 3A and 4A level, Rose was blooming into a star that pops in any classi cation, though playing mostly 2A schools.

Why did Rose rise in the ranks?

Because she can shoot, and frankly, many times that’s enough because it’s a rare sight in this part of the state.

But she can dribble, rebound, understands the game, reads and reacts to what happens on a court like it’s her own strategic battle eld.

Rose averaged a county-high 16.6 points while yanking down 6.1 rebounds, handing out 2.4 assists and poking her way to 2.4 steals.

And if that isn’t convincing, the eye test of watching her develop was key to the Rebels’ 18-8 nish. She was the foundation that helped ND roll to its fth great season in a row.

ND’s record from 2000 to 2021 isn’t exactly advertising material for basketball, but the new tradition is a market success, and it continues through Rose.

Not lost in the shu e was how she stepped in after the departure of three 1,000-point scorers — Reece Outlaw, Tatewayna Faison and Addy Higginbotham.

Expect her to join that club, barring an injury.

Aleyah Wilson, JK, Jr.

Wilson gave JK energy, spunk and toughness while also scoring (12.2 points), clearing the boards (6.1), playing defense and making moves on the oor (3.2 steals) that led to success for the Tigers. Her two weaknesses were foul trouble and keeping a cool head during intense play. Both got in the way but did not stop the junior. She shot 44% from the eld and made 108 free throws.

ALL-DUPLIN GIRLS’ BASKETBALL 2026

Coach of the Year:

Aaron Smith, JK

First Team

Co-Ms. Basketball: Kinsey Cave, ED, Jr.

Co-Ms. Basketball:

Y’Anna Rivers, JK. Jr.

Abby Rose, ND, So.

Aleyah Wilson, JK, Jr. Libby Fulghum, ND, Sr. Gabriel Outlaw, JK

Lilly Fulghum, ND, Sr.

Fulghum made herself into a basketball player after being no more than mediocre as a junior (6.9 points., 2.7 rebounds).

The senior, who will play softball at Charlotte, averaged 12.2 points, 4.6 rebounds, 4.4 assists, 2.6 steals and became a leader on a team that lacked depth.

Her competitive juices inspired teammates to match her “hustle ethic.” Fulghum has also been an all-county rst-team player in volleyball and softball.

Gabriel Outlaw, JK, Sr.

Perhaps the best outside shooter in Duplin, Outlaw drilled 24 shots from beyond the 3-point line while averaging 10.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.8 steals. One of her better e orts came when she tossed in 15 during a 59 - 57 win over 7A Topsail.

Outlaw’s dribbling and speed made it tough on both o ensive and defensive players on the outside.

SECOND TEAM

Marion Francis, WRH, So.

The Bulldogs transfer center is just learning her way around the paint, though she averaged 10.5 points, 10.0 rebounds and 1.3 blocks.

Her addition was a key to WRH’s 17-11 mark to tie the Bulldogs 2015 squad (17-9) for the most wins in this quarter-century.

Zoe Cavanaugh, ED, Sr.

Cavanaugh might be the most unsung player in Duplin, but head coach Mark Lane got the most of her and used her in ways the senior never imagined.

The senior, who played nearly everywhere, was a superb defender, averaged 7.3 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.5 steals. The three - sport senior has worn blue colors for 103 games during her hoops career.

Second Team Marion Francis, WRH, So. Zoe Cavanaugh, ED, Sr. Zakoya Farrior, ED, Sr. Maggie Brown, ND, So. Andraia Scarborough, ED, Sr.

Honorable Mention

QuoRyiona Vines, WRH, Fr. Bennett Holley, ED, Fr. Savannah Smith, WRH, Sr. LaBria McGowan, JK, Sr. Lorena Rodriguez, ED, Fr. Abigeal Norris, ND, Jr.

Zakoya Farrior, ED, Sr.

Knee surgery slowed but did not stop Farrior, who is a sure-shot rst-team player if healthy. She averaged 6.3 points but poured 12 in the ECC Tournament nal as ED topped previously unbeaten Clinton.

The hangover from a knee injury seemed to stop Farrior from reaching her full potential, though she showed other aspects of her game, especially on the defensive end.

Maggie Brown, ND, So.

The future is bright for a sophomore who averaged 8.2 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 2.3 steals.

Andraia Scarborough, ED, Sr.

Scarborough stepped up to be the paint warrior for ED, as she averaged 6.2 points, 7.9 rebounds. Two of her best outings came when she pitched in 13 against 6A Jacksonville (14 points, 10 rebounds) and 7A Ashley (13 points, 15 boards) in upset wins.

HONORABLE MENTION

QuoRyiona Vines, WRH, Fr. Look out for this short bundle on the courts to be the ultimate spark plug in a few years. Vines averaged 7.5 points, 2.8 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 2.6 steals.

Bennett Holley, ED, Fr. Averaged 6.0 points and 2.7 steals and, like Vines, will be charting to higher ground in the next three seasons.

Savannah Smith, WRH, Sr. Got to play on a winning team for the rst time in her career. Averaged 7.8 points, 1.5 steals and 2.7 boards.

LaBria McGowan, JK, Sr. Played far better than her 3.3 points and 4.4 rebounds would suggest.

Lorena Rodriguez, ED, Fr. Rodriguez made an impact in the second half the way Holley did in the rst half of the season. She averaged 6.2 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.6 steals and was a speedy defender.

SOFTBALL STATS

NBA Embiid has appendectomy, leaving former MVP’s status for postseason in doubt

Houston Joel Embiid had an appendectomy in Houston after Philadelphia’s star big man was stricken with appendicitis overnight. The team announced that the surgery had been completed last Thursday night as the 76ers were playing the Houston Rockets. Coach Nick Nurse did not give a timetable for Embiid’s return, but it seems unlikely that the former MVP would be able to return for the play-in tournament or the rst round of the playo s.

WNBA

Griner to sign with Connecticut Sun

Phoenix Brittney Griner is nalizing a deal to join the Connecticut Sun. The 10-time All-Star spent last season with the Atlanta Dream after playing the rst 11 years of her career for Phoenix, which drafted her No. 1 in 2013. The 35-year-old Griner is from Houston, and the Connecticut franchise is moving there in 2027. The 6-foot-9 forward won a WNBA title in 2014 with Phoenix and was the league’s leading scorer in 2017 and 2019.

MLB Former major leaguer Garner, who managed Astros’ rst World Series team, dead at 76

Houston Phil Garner, a three-time All- Star in elder who went on to manage the Houston Astros to their rst World Series appearance, died at 76 after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Nicknamed “Scrap Iron” for his blue-collar approach to the game, Garner had a 16-year playing career with the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. He made All-Star teams with Oakland in 1976 and with Pittsburgh in 1980 and 1981.

BOXING

Pacquiao takes over Mayweather’s old gym amid rematch tension between boxers Los Angeles

Manny Pacquiao is preparing for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas. The ght is surrounded by controversy, with Mayweather calling it an exhibition, while Pacquiao insists it’s a professional bout. Meanwhile, Pacquiao is transforming a former Mayweather gym in Hollywood into Pacquiao Prime Boxing, a private training center. This move symbolizes a new direction, focusing on performance and athlete development. Beyond boxing, Pacquiao is expanding his business ventures, including a digital wallet platform and plans for more gyms.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#26E000120-300

The undersigned JOY KING PATE, having quali ed on the 25TH Day of MARCH 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of JOYCE ANN KING deceased, of Duplin County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 9th Day OF JULY 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 APRIL 2026.

JOY KING PATE, ADMINISTRATOR

1171 FRIENDSHIP CHURCH ROAD FAISON, NC 28341

Run dates: A9,16,23,30p

NORTH CAROLINA DUPLIN COUNTY

FILE#26E000108-300 The undersigned DOUGLAS MYRON MATTHEWS, having quali ed on the 17TH Day of MARCH 2026 as ADMINISTRATOR of the Estate of DAVID CHARLES MATTHEWS deceased, of Duplin County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them on or before the 26TH Day OF JUNE 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 26TH DAY OF MARCH 2026.

DOUGLAS MYRON MATTHEWS, ADMINISTRATOR 3966 HAITHCOCK RD. RALEIGH, NC 27604

Run dates: M26,A2,9,16p

1995.

The above tract is a part of Lots 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 in Block 31 of the S. B Wilson Subdivision as recorded in Map Book 216, page 187 and also being that land described in a Deed in Daryl W. Ambrose and wife, Janice L. Ambrose as recorded in Book 904 page 608 of the Duplin County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

Said property is commonly known as 322 East Cavenaugh Street, Wallace, NC 28466.

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

Said property to be o ered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being o ered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are SHIRLEY C. UNDERWOOD.

An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in

which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b)(2)].

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

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

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

If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN

Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as de ned in the RRE Rule, prior to closing.

Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC

Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC

Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403

PHONE: (910) 392-4988

File No.: 17-00587-FC03

NOTICE

Yet Smith’s work went deeper into the roster. Senior LaBria McGowan also made a signi cant jump and was solid all season. Junior Zaniya Brown (3.1 points), sophomore Kendia Smith (4.9) and freshman Kendonyua Morrisey (3.3) may have unimpressive scoring numbers, but each played into the equation that got JK to nish 20-5.

Smith, the pastor of Kenansville Baptist Church for nearly six years, beat out East Duplin’s Mark Lane for the honor, though his other two counterparts at North Duplin (18-8 under Jon Kornegay) and Wallace-Rose Hill (17 wins under rst-year coach Jermel Miller) also had outstanding seasons.

JK went 7-1 before falling for the rst of four times to Goldsboro, which would later win a 3A title.

The next phase of the Tigers’ season included six straight wins, including conquests of Ashley, Jacksonville and Topsail in holiday tournaments the nal days of the year.

“We knew we could play with anyone after that,” Smith said. “Our con dence soared. We went into games always expecting to win.”

Two triumphs over longtime nemesis ED were sprinkled around another setback to the Cougars (28-2). The third matchup, a 47-41

PLAYERS from page B1

lead ED past previous unbeaten Clinton to the ECC Tournament title. And this is also important but only a factor: Rivers led JK to a 44-41 win over ED on Jan. 13. Cave missed the second matchup because of an ankle injury, won by the Tigers 47-31 on Feb. 19. But without Cave on the court, Rivers was one of three Tigers with eight markers, while Gabriel Outlaw led the way with 17. JK lost in the fourth round of the playo s to nish 20-5, with four of its setbacks to 4A champ Goldsboro.

ED left the playo s in the third round to wind up 20-7, yet it had a bit tougher schedule than JK. Even so, both schools won games against higher-classi cation schools with solid basketball programs.

loss in the Swine Valley Tournament nal, was the biggest heartbreak.

JK stormed past Beddingeld and Wake Prep Academy before falling to the Cougars 67-41 in the fourth round of the playo s.

Yet a season de ned by four losses to the 3A champ that went 28-2 is miles ahead of what has transpired in the past quarter-century for JK. Smith got the Tigers to 9-9 in his rst campaign in Warsaw. JK was 21-49 the previous three seasons before he arrived and had not been over .500 in nine years.

JK is the winningest Tigers team since the 2012-13 squad under Wendy Lanier went 21-3.

JK returns a block of players next season in hopes of surpassing Goldsboro, a perennial power in the East.

Smith, who coached under Lane for a short time at ED, has held posts at Harrells Christian Academy (in Sampson County) and Liberty Christian (Richlands), yet his current position and his connection to the community gives o positive vibes on a number of fronts.

He graduated from the University of Mount Olive in 2014 and then earned a master’s degree in divinity in church revitalization from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Smith and his wife, Emily, have two children, Thatcher and Waylon.

Both Ms. Basketball recipients have basketball in their bloodlines.

Cave’s father, Greg, and brother, Kendell, both played for UNCW. Rivers’ mother, Sherrell, aunt Leahanie (a JK assistant coach under Smith) and uncle Davon were signi cant Tigers hoopsters during their playing days. Now for the best news. The battles between JK-led Rivers and ED-led Cave — and between armchair basketball fans — will continue next season.

JK loses an all-Duplin player (Outlaw), but returns enough talent to be a factor, especially with fellow rst-teamer Aleyah Wilson on the prowl.

ED loses two key seniors, but freshmen Bennett Holley and Lorena Rodriguez are both emerging talents. And yet the eight other players that are on the court during a JK-ED matchup will spin around the play of Rivers and Cave.

Notice is

given that the Duplin County Board of

and Review will

its rst meeting on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at 2:00 pm in the Commissioner’s Room, Duplin County Administrative Building, 224 Seminary Street, Kenansville, NC. This meeting is held for the purpose of review and hearing appeals of listings and valuations. The following

Cecil Franklin Eakins

Aug. 21, 1942 –March 11, 2026

Cecil Franklin Eakins went to his heavenly home on March 11, 2026, in Punta Arenas, Chile. He and Judie were on a South American and Antarctic cruise when Cecil was taken ill.

He was born on August 21, 1942, in Duplin County to Cecil G. and Mildred Johnson Eakins.

After graduating from Atkinson High School in 1960, Cecil attended Ringling School of Art (now Ringling University) in Sarasota, Florida. When he entered Ringling, he found that most of the students had studied art in high school, but Atkinson did not o er any type of art classes which left Cecil with a huge disadvantage. Because of his amazing talent and his hard work ethic, he graduated in 1963 second in his class. With this education, he set out on a career as art director for an advertising agency in High Point and then two other advertising agencies in Winston-Salem, one which he was fty percent owner. In 1987, he and his wife moved to Dallas, Texas where Judie had an opportunity to do a turnaround of a company and Cecil had time to focus on his ne arts. He continued working for a couple of clients remotely while spending time painting. In 1987, he and his wife, Judie, combined their talents to open a design and photography studio in Dallas. Over the next thirteen years, with a sta of 150 talented people, they developed the still to this day best photography and design studio in North America. In 2000, they were approached by three di erent buyers and as they now had grandchildren in Wilmington, as well as aging parents it seemed like God had, once again, shown his hand in their life so they sold and moved to Wilmington where they continue to live.

Since a young boy, Cecil’s passion had been his painting. As a third-grade student, he produced a painting so good that his principal, Mr. Shaw, hung it in his o ce. Cecil’s paintings have been recognized around the world as originals and prints and have been sold in the US as well as Canada, England, Australia, and other countries. He was commissioned by The Franklin Mint to do a series of 12 songbirds, which they produced on collector plates and sold throughout the world. While all this recognition was great, the thing Cecil enjoyed most was giving an original painting or print to someone in his life who meant so much to him.

Cecil’s parents, Cecil and Mildred Eakins, and mother and father-in-law, Frances and Pearlie Norris, preceded him in death.

Cecil is survived by his wife of 62 years, Judie Norris Eakins; his son, Dr. Darrin F. Eakins; granddaughter, Emily Rose Eakins; grandson, Alex William Eakins; brother, Dr. Bill Eakins (Shelby); sister, Pat Eakins Simmons (Skeet); sisters in laws, Sheila Norris Miller and Sherry Norris Reeves; brother in laws, Dale Norris (Diane), Ronny Norris, and Tommy Norris (Sarah); special friends, Melanie Wooten and Amanda Aburahmeh; and many nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews in the Eakins and Norris families.

The Celebration of Life service for Cecil Franklin Eakins will be at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Wrightsville United Methodist Church with Pastor Doug Lain conducting the service.

Following the Celebration of Life service, there will be a reception and a time for sharing memories in the church fellowship hall.

It is Cecil and Judie’s request that no neckties be worn at Cecil’s Celebration of Life service.

The family suggests that you consider, in lieu of owers, a memorial contribution to Wrightsville United Methodist Church, 4 Live Oak Drive, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480, or to Kelly Volunteer Fire Department, PO Box 39, Kelly, NC 28448.

L.D. Vick Sr.

Aug. 16, 1935 – April 6, 2026

Goldsboro- It is with humble acceptance of God’s will that we announce the passing of Mr. LD Vick, age 90, on Monday, April 6, 2026, at his residence. He was a warrior who endured much with grace, and we invite you to honor the remarkable legacy he leaves behind. The Celebration of Life will be on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 1 p.m. at The Throne Room AT Elm Grove Church Ministries, 118 Booker Street, Pikeville, NC 27863. There will be a viewing from 12-12:50 p.m. We extend our deepest condolences to the family and continue to lift the family in your thoughts and prayers during their time of bereavement.

L.D. Vick Sr. departed this life on April 6, 2026, at the age of ninety, at home, with family and friends surrounding him. LD left us peacefully, leaving behind a legacy of love, kindness, and cherished memories.

Born on August 16, 1935, in Wilson County, L.D. was the child of Willie Vick and Nancy Lewis. Throughout his life, he touched the hearts of all who knew him as Janks and Baeboy, with a generous spirit and unwavering compassion. LD was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend, and will be remembered for his infectious laughter, wisdom, and the ability to bring joy to any room. Most of all, he will be remembered for his love of dancing, for having a shimmy like no other.

LD dedicated much of his life to working in various hog processing plants and for the county of Wayne as a housekeeper, making a lasting impact on those around him. He enjoyed good music, dancing, and playing cards, and was frequently engaged in watching wrestling, boxing, National Geographic animal shows and NASCAR racing. LD’s warmth and kindness will be dearly missed by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

LD, is survived by his children Minister Darrine Langston (Samuel), Shirley Vick Randolph, Dorothy Pearl Johnson (Jaime Johnson), LD Vick Jr., Alford Bell, and Beverly Moore, and a special friend Tanya Mumford. He is also survived by a host of grandchildren, greatgrandchildren, and a sister Mattie Lee Vick Hamilton (Cherrie), nieces, and nephews, as well as many dear friends. He was preceded in death by his loving wife Savannah Marie Faison Vick, two sons John Earl Faison and LeeRoy Faison, son-in-law Melvin Randolph, three brothers, John June Vick, Albert Lee Vick, James Allen Vick and a sister Julia Lewis (Cissy) LD Vick Sr. will be remembered always for his love, generosity and the beautiful mark left on this world. May he rest in peace.

Debra Irene Hill

May 4, 1960 – April 10, 2026

Debra Irene Hill, 65, of Chinquapin, NC, passed away April 10, 2026, at Kenansville Health and Rehabilitation Center located in Kenansville, NC. A graveside service to celebrate her life will be 3 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Batts Cemetery in Chinquapin, NC.

Jennifer Lynn Norris

April 3, 1991 – April 5, 2026

On Sunday, April 5, 2026, Jennifer Lynn Norris left her earthly life in Wadesboro, North Carolina.

Jennifer Norris was born on April 3, 1991, in New Hanover County and was born to her parents, Jimmy Leon Norris Sr., and Lynn Norris Newton. She was a valued employee at Terra Bella Assisted Living and Memory Care in Southern Pines, North Carolina.

She will be remembered by her beautiful daughters, Amberlyn Noel Tarlton and Mckenzie Nicole River Gathings; Her Parents, Jimmy Leon Norris Sr. and Lynn Norris Newton and her husband, Matthew Newton Sr. ; Her Brothers and Sisters, Amanda Norris, Taylor Walker, Jeremy Bryan, Travis Carter, Matthew Newton Jr., Kayla Register, Tori Cavenaugh, Mathew Register and she was preceded in death by her beloved brother, Jimmy Leon Norris Jr., Whom she loved dearly; Her grandfather, Zebbie Norris and his wife, Lori Norris and her several nieces and nephews.

Jennifer touched many lives through her compassion, sel essness and love for others. She had a way of lighting up every room she entered, and she wouldn’t leave until she left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her with her beautiful heart and loving spirit. With anyone who knew Jennifer, she never knew a stranger, but to everyone she met, she would always share how much her two daughters, Amberlyn and McKenzie, meant to her, describing them as the joy of her life and her greatest pride in life. Jennifer had an intuitive ability to be a source of comfort and strength and had a way of knowing when someone needed laughter, a shoulder to cry on, or just a simple reminder that they were not facing things alone. She created a space where others felt safe, seen, valued and genuinely cared for, and her presence brought a sense of comfort that will stay with people forever. Jennifer brought warmth and light into the lives around her, and she will be deeply missed and forever remembered for all the love and light she brought into this world.

Edith Ann Batts Perry

Oct. 25, 1941 – April 8, 2026

Mrs. Edith Ann Batts Perry, age 84, of Burgaw, NC, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Novant Health New Hanover Regional Medical Center in Wilmington, NC. A viewing will be held on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, one hour prior to the service from noon to 12:45 pm, immediately followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Funeral Home Cemetery in Magnolia, NC.

Left to cherish her precious memories are her children: Lolita Taylor of Wilmington, NC, Tamira Pride (Daryl) and Marshall Perry of Burgaw, NC; one sister, Shirley Batts Herring of Warsaw, NC four grandchildren: Myya Pride, Marshawn Perry, Theodore Taylor and Patricia Taylor; one greatgrandchild, Zen Pride; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss her dearly.

Emma Usher

Nov. 14, 1932 – April 5, 2026

Rose Hill, North Carolina — Emma Catherine Brown Usher, 93, of Rose Hill, passed away Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Warsaw Health and Rehab.

Mrs. Usher was born on November 14, 1932, in Duplin County to Lawton Brown and Ruth Kissner Brown.

She attended East Carolina University (ECU), where she earned a bachelor’s degree. She had a lifelong love of learning and teaching and spent time as an educator. She especially enjoyed sharing the history of the “Old North State.” She was married to Marvin Usher.

Mrs. Usher will be remembered as a devoted mother, grandmother, and great great-grandmother who had strong faith and found her greatest joy in her family. She had a kind and strong presence, a love for storytelling, and a passion for preserving the history and traditions she held dear. Her warmth, wisdom, and gentle spirit left a lasting impression on all who knew her, and her legacy will live on through the generations she so dearly loved.

Mrs. Usher is survived by her sons, Dr. Timothy Usher (Carolyn) of San Bernardino, California, and Je rey Usher of Rayne, Louisiana; her daughter, Mary Albertson of Clayton, North Carolina; her grandchildren, Virginia Usher (Derek Whiting), Christian Usher, M.D, Charlotte Burns, Cherie Mattox (Tommy), Dustin Allen Albertson, Jake Tucker (April), and Samantha Tucker; and her great-grandchildren, Oda Whiting, Audrie Outlaw, Lydia Bonds, Danielle Mattox, Benjamin Burns, Jacob Usher, Taylor Rae Pierce, Melodie Albertson, Mylayla Albertson, Mira Belle Albertson, Malachi Sanders, Madison Tucker, Austin Tucker, and Hunter Tucker. She is also survived by one great-great-grandchild, Piper Fowler, and her sisters, Hilda Fowler and Patsy Brown.

In addition to her parents, Mrs. Usher was preceded in death by her husband, Marvin Usher; her daughter, Reba “Penny” Joyce Tucker; her son-in-law, Robert Tucker; her grandson, Nicholas Usher; her sister, Nella Faye; and her brother, Lawton “L.E.” Brown.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Concord Baptist Church. Visitation will follow the service.

Feb. 20, 1955 – April 10, 2026

Marion Rhonda Melton, 71, passed peacefully from her earthly life on Friday, April 10, 2026, at home with love and family. She was born in Richmond, Virginia, the daughter of Acie Vernice Faulk and Marion Glyn Faulk. In addition to her parents, Marion was preceded in death by her sister, Sharon Elaine Batten. Marion is survived by her sons, Daniel Kevin Melton and Sterling Ray Melton Jr.; grandchildren, Sterling Ray Melton III, Alexandra Lee Melton, and Noalee Ellen Melton; brother, David Faulk; sister, Anita Gerganous; and many extended family and dear friends. The memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 2, 2026, at United Faith Fellowship Church, 211 S. First Avenue, Atkinson, NC 28421. Pastor Don Yerby will conduct the service. Shared memories and condolences may be sent to the family at quinnmcgowen.com

Ralph Lee

Sr.

June 24, 1956 – April 4, 2026

Mr. Ralph Lee Sr., age 69, of Raleigh, NC, passed away on Saturday, April 4, 2026, at Sampson Regional Medical Center in Clinton, NC.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 1:45 p.m., one hour prior to the service, immediately followed by the funeral service at 2 p.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Funeral Home Cemetery in Magnolia, NC.

His living legacy includes his two daughters: Chauntele Philips (Alonzo) of Carlisle, PA and Jacqueline Benjamin (Peuge) of Atlanta, GA; three sons: Darrell Ricks (Chyresse) of Laurel, MD, Ralph Lee Jr. (Jewelan) of Richmond, VA, and Ikey Thomas (Kaneisha) of Bennettsville, SC; four sisters: Shirley Mughnee (John) of Charlotte, NC; Delores Lee and Patricia Lee, both of Queens, NY and Pamela Lee of Conway, SC; four brothers: Curtis “Red” Pino (Teresa) of Conway, SC, Eric Frost (Shira) of Grayson, GA, Derrick Frost (Sylvia) of Lawrenceville, GA and Johnny “Timmy” Lee (Victoria) of Queens, NY; thirteen grandchildren, four great-grandchildren; numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Susie Gresham Lanier

Sept. 10, 1938 – April 8, 2026

Susie Gresham Lanier, 87, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at her home.

She is preceded in death by her spouse, Major Lanier Jr., parents, Willard & Annie Gresham, brother, Clayton Gresham, and a son-inlaw, Je rey Copley.

Visitation is Monday, April 13, 2026, from 6-8 p.m. at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC.

A funeral service is Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC.

Interment will be at L.R. Gresham Cemetery at 691 West Stanford St. in Beulaville, NC.

She is survived by son Joseph Lanier (Christy) of Beulaville, NC; daughters Rhonda Copley (Rod Howard) of Pink Hill, NC, and Wanda Wheeler (James) of Beulaville, NC; sisters JoAnn Stroud of Kenansville, NC and Mary Sanderson of Beulaville, NC; brother James Morris Gresham (Kathy) of Detroit, MI; grandchildren Adam Wheeler, Michael Wheeler, Curtis Lanier, Samantha Benson and Ethan Lanier; great-grandchildren Gavin Wheeler, Gabby Wheeler, Kendall Lanier, Jackson Lanier, Carlie Benson, Penelope Wheeler, Madi Kate Johnson, Peyton Johnson, Jayden Wheeler, Jordan Wheeler, Sophia Wheeler, Xander Wheeler and Junie Lanier; and special nephew Luke Lanier of Beulaville, NC.

Floyd Steve Murray Sr.

Oct. 19, 1955 – April 7, 2026

Floyd Steve Murray Sr.,70, of Wilmington, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at Lower Cape Fear LifeCare in Wilmington, surrounded by his loving family.

He was born on October 19, 1955, in Wilmington, to the late Henry Floyd Murray and the late Norma Ruth Bordeaux.

Floyd proudly served as a police o cer in Wallace for 16 years. Known for his sel ess nature, Floyd was always looking out for those around him, o ering help without hesitation and putting others before himself. After his time in law enforcement, Floyd also worked as a gasoline truck driver, continuing his life of hard work. He will always be remembered as a beloved father, grandfather, brother, and a true servant to others.

Floyd is survived by his son, Floyd Steve Murray Jr., and wife, Ti any Hamilton; his daughter, Amanda Murray; his grandsons, Shon Greene, Alexander Hamilton; his sister, Carolyn Murray Johnson and husband, Jack; numerous nieces and nephews; and his furry friend, Gracie the dog. No services to be held at this time.

Elijah Heath

April 8, 1941 – April 10, 2026

Elijah Heath, 85, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026, at his home.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Tom & Ethel Heath, son, J. Scott Heath, grandson, Branson Scott Heath, brothers, Paul Heath, Herman Heath, Parker Heath, Ernest Heath, Walter Heath and Thomas Heath.

A funeral service will be held Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 7 p.m., followed by a visitation at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC.

A graveside service will be Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 11 a.m., at Kennedy-Cole Cemetery in Beulaville, NC.

He is survived by wife Lynn Cole Heath of Beulaville, NC; daughter Barbara Heath of Beulaville, NC; daughter-In-law Jennifer Brown Heath of Beulaville, NC; sisters Edna Kennedy and Beatrice Houston, both of Pink Hill, NC; grandchildren Bryan Jones (Ami). Devin Jones and Camden Heath; and great-grandchildren Brayden Jones and Kaleb Jones

Air Force Senior Master Sergeant Duane Emery Nixon

April 11, 2026

Air Force Senior Master

Sergeant Duane Emery Nixon, age 63, of Wallace, NC, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at his home.

A viewing will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, one hour prior to the service from noon to 12:45 p.m., immediately followed by the funeral service at 1 p.m. at the Rose Hill Funeral Home Chapel in Rose Hill, NC. Burial will follow at Duplin Memorial Gardens in Teachey, NC.

Left to cherish his precious memories are his wife, Judy Wiggins Nixon of the home; son, Brandon R. Nixon, of Wallace, NC; father, Enoch Nixon Jr. of Hampstead, NC; brothers: Bryan Nixon (Yolanda) of Leland, NC and Darrell Nixon of Hampstead, NC; sisters: Cathy Black (John) of Wilmington, NC and Lisa Nixon of Hampstead, NC; aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends that will miss him dearly.

Beth Diane Chrisley

April 18, 1995 – April 7, 2026

Beth Diane Chrisley, 30, passed away on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

A funeral service will be Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at 7 p.m. followed by visitation at Community Funeral Home in Beulaville, NC.

A graveside service will be Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Zeb & Jesse Turner Cemetery at 819 Church Road in Pink Hill, NC.

She is survived by parents Thomas Wright (Brenda) of Lithia, FL, and Stacey Jones (Corky) of LaGrange, NC; son Blake Wright of Kinston, NC; daughter Kaylee Harper of Kinston, NC; sisters Kristin Wright and Amber Jones, both of LaGrange, NC; Taylor Jones of Pink Hill, NC, and MaKensie Tyler, Nashville, TN; brothers Kurtis Tyler of San Diego, CA; Alek Wright of Winter Haven, FL, Hunter Jones of Kinston, NC, and Nicholas Jones and Logan Jones, both of LaGrange, NC; and ancé George Harper of Kinston, NC.

Margaret “Peggy” Ellen Caison McCormick

Jan. 19, 1943 – April 11, 2026

Margaret “Peggy” Ellen Caison McCormick, 83, a loving and gracious lady, passed from her earthly life Saturday, April 11, 2026, after several years of declining health.

She was born on January 19, 1943, in Pender County, the daughter of Leslie H. Caison and Emma Jane Walker Caison. In addition to her parents, Peggy was preceded in death by her brother, Leslie Caison Jr. Peggy is survived by her devoted husband, Eddie Ray McCormick; sons, Stephen McCormick and his wife, Teresa and Alan McCormick and his wife, Pam; granddaughter, Sydni McCormick; brother, Robert “Bobby” Caison (Karen); sisterin-law, Amelia Caison; and several nieces and nephews. Peggy was truly a family caregiver, as in her younger years, Peggy took loving care of many folks in her family. She possessed a heart of gold, a Christian spirit, and a willingness to help others. Peggy is now at peace in her heavenly home, all healed and whole.

A graveside service will be 4 p.m. Monday, April 13, 2026, at Moores Creek Baptist Church Cemetery with the Rev. Philip Eakins conducting the service. The family will receive friends at the cemetery following the graveside service.

Stanly NewS Journal

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Appeals court orders judge to end contempt investigation of Trump administration deportation ights

A federal judge must end his “intrusive” contempt investigation of the Trump administration for failing to comply with an order over ights carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last year, a divided appeals court panel ruled Tuesday. Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion in forging ahead with criminal contempt proceedings stemming from the March 2025 deportation ights, according to the majority opinion by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Pope starts Africa tour in Algeria, calls for peace against Iran war’s backdrop Algiers, Algeria Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Algeria for a rst- ever papal visit, calling for peace amid the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. His 11- day tour includes four African nations, promoting Christian-Muslim coexistence.

She spent nearly 30 years in local government

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Former Albemarle Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Kiser was recognized for her nearly three decades of service in local government during a special presentation at the Albemarle City Council meeting on April 6.

Kiser, who led the city’s Parks and Recreation Department for nine years, o cially retired March 1 after a total of 281⁄2 years in municipal government. Mayor Ronnie Michael presented her with a city retirement certi cate honoring her tenure and contributions.

“Lisa has been a valued employee for the city and has been our Parks and Recreation director for several years,” Michael said. “On behalf of the citizens of Albemarle, may-

The o -duty CMPD o cer charged in Stanly County

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

LOCUST — An o - duty

Charlotte -Mecklenburg Police Department o cer was arrested and charged with driving while impaired in Stanly County last week, according to law enforcement o cials.

O cer Dylan Auch, 29, was taken into custody April 8 by the Locust Police Department. He faces charges of driving while im-

or and city council, we have authorized this certi cate and extend best wishes for a well-earned rest and a long

paired, expired registration and operating a vehicle without a valid inspection, authorities said. According to court records, Auch was stopped while driving on West Main Street in Locust. O cers reported he had a strong odor of alcohol, red, glassy eyes and admitted to drinking prior to driving. Documents show he registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10, above North Carolina’s legal limit of 0.08. Records also indicate the vehicle Auch was operating had an expired registration and

and happy life. If you don’t know, Lisa is very active in our community. She’s also very active in the Chamber of Commerce, so I’m sure you will continue to see her in our community again.”

Addressing council members and attendees, Kiser reected on a career shaped by a lifelong connection to recreation, beginning with childhood swimming lessons and

The 18-year-old cheerleader’s body was discovered concealed under the cabin bed

By Ed White The Associated Press

A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in Florida in the death of his 18-year- old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship, the U.S. Justice Department said Monday.

Timothy Hudson was indicted March 10. But the entire case was sealed until last Friday, weeks after U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom said he would be prosecuted as an adult at the request of prosecutors.

Anna Kepner had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship in November with her family. Before the ship was scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found concealed under a bed in a room she was sharing with two other teens, including the younger stepbrother.

The cause of Kepner’s Nov. 6 death was determined to be mechanical asphyxia, which is when an object or

“He

Alejandra López, Assistant U.S. Attorney

physical force stops someone from breathing.

An email and voicemail seeking comment from Hudson’s attorneys were not immediately returned Monday.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,”

U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said in a written statement. “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious o enses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters.”

Kepner was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, some 40 miles east of Orlando. At her memorial service in November, family members encouraged people to

wear bright colors instead of the traditional black “in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul.”

Teens prosecuted in federal court are extremely rare. Hudson was initially charged Feb. 2, and he pleaded not guilty the next day in Miami. He was subsequently seen at the courthouse, wearing a ball cap and a hoodie pulled tightly around his face. But his status was not fully known because his age barred public disclosures by his lawyers, the government or the court.

A judge on Feb. 6 said Hudson must wear an electronic tether while living with an uncle. The order was changed to allow him to join his father for a few days last week at a landscaping business.

Prosecutors objected to Hudson’s release, citing dangerousness, and asked a judge Monday to revisit that order now that he has been charged as an adult. Defense lawyers will have a week to respond.

“He committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife, and whom he was being raised to view as a sibling,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra López said in a court ling.

April 16

April 17

April 18

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

Trump is denounced — even by some Republicans — over the ‘war of choice’

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

ABOUT THE WAR against Iran, most polls nd it especially unpopular among Democrats, independents and even some Republicans who feel double-crossed because President Donald Trump campaigned against “endless wars” and promised not to start a new one.

As to Trump’s criticism of “endless wars,” supporters should not have taken it seriously for several reasons. First, we have “endless wars” because we have endless enemies. And they have a vote. Second, one could argue that the war against Iran is not new. After all, Iran’s leaders have been calling for America’s annihilation for 47 years. Third, presidents make decisions based upon events, many of which are unforeseen.

Woodrow Wilson campaigned in 1914 to keep America out of World War I. He ultimately took the country to war. Before our entry into World War II, several Americans supported an anti-war movement called America First. A couple of college students named Gerald R. Ford and John F. Kennedy supported this movement. Then came Pearl Harbor.

Assuming Iran was on the brink of acquiring the ability to make a nuclear bomb — their own negotiators admitted Iran had enough enriched uranium to make 11 bombs — this left Trump a couple of options: do nothing, the route taken by previous presidents, or stop them. Rather than kick the can down the road, Trump chose to stomp on it.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, prominent lawyer David Boies chastised fellow

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Democrats for opposing the war and letting their animosity against Trump cloud their judgment.

“If (Trump) hadn’t acted, his successor would have been left with an even more dangerous choice than his predecessors left him. ... What is harder to understand, and particularly troubling for our country, is opposition rooted simply in antipathy toward Mr. Trump himself,” he wrote.

As for the war’s unpopularity, opponents call Trump a liar as to the intel purporting to show Iran is an imminent threat. Critics say he failed to consult, let alone get support from, our allies.

But consider the decision President George W. Bush made to go to war. Many now call the Iraq War a blunder of epic proportions. Much of the country believes Bush “lied us into the war.”

Let’s revisit. At rst, 72% of Americans, according to Gallup, supported that war. Bush obtained resolutions in support of the war from both the House and the Senate. The widely held belief that Iraq had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction was only one of the many reasons set forth in the resolution. The resolution also noted that Iraq used chemical weapons on its own people and on the Iranians; that Iraq was stealing from the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme and likely using the money for military purposes; that Iraq was shooting at the British and American planes patrolling the southern and northern no- y zones; and that Saddam Hussein had attempted to assassinate President George H.W. Bush.

How to reverse societal decline

Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice.

RETAIL STORES locking up items is the symptom of a much larger problem.

I recently went to Walmart and had ibuprofen on my shopping list. I went to the medicine section and — groan — saw this $5 item locked behind glass. There were a couple of other people already waiting, so I looked around for a call button. That’s when one of the people waiting said an employee was already helping them but needed to get more boxes.

I was utterly confused.

One of the waiting customers remarked that he was from Florida and that stores there didn’t have items behind locked glass. What a di erence having Ron DeSantis as governor makes. I generously spared him a full rundown of how Democrats passed a soft- on- crime bill in 2019. Not punishing criminals led to a dramatic increase in retail theft. Stores are taking steps to stop theft — and I soon learned how inconvenient those measures are for everyone else.

Eventually, a Walmart employee returned carrying clear plastic boxes with locking tops. She removed each customer’s desired item from behind the glass and put it in the locking box. At checkout, another employee unlocked my box so I could pay for my item. This is ridiculous.

I don’t blame Walmart. I wouldn’t want criminals stealing from me either.

But there’s plenty of blame to go around. Criminals are responsible for their own actions. The bill that Democrats passed in 2019, gutting criminal penalties, is

part of the problem. In 2020, the Nevada Supreme Court signi cantly weakened bail in Nevada. That’s played a role. Legislative Democrats have largely resisted Gov. Joe Lombardo’s attempts to put teeth back into Nevada’s crime laws.

The left’s soft- on- crime policies stem from its worldview. A worldview is someone’s underlying beliefs that they use to interpret and make sense of what’s going on. Everyone has a worldview, even if most people don’t think about it consciously. When people talk past each other in a policy discussion, it’s often because their worldviews con ict. You have to dig underneath the surface to expose the root of the disagreement.

The left has embraced critical theory, which divides people into binary groups based on nances, race or other characteristics. This split produces some groups that are more successful than others. Intersectionality is the left’s way of combining and ranking these groups.

Critical theorists believe that the successful group obtained their elevated status by victimizing those in the other group. These supposed oppressors created systems and institutions to entrench their dominance of the victim group.

How a group can get rich robbing poor people is never quite explained.

But you can see the implications. Individual responsibility is thrown out the window since success or failure is a function of group membership, not personal choices.

George W. Bush formed a “coalition of the willing” consisting of 48 nations, including the U.S., U.K., Australia and Poland, that committed troops to the e ort.

The war became unpopular. Many denounced Bush as a liar and a war criminal despite his pre-war e ort to form a coalition, to get buy-in from both Democrats and Republicans and to obtain a unanimous resolution from the U.N. Trump did none of this before going to war against Iran. He is as excoriated as viciously as was Bush, who did all the things critics accuse Trump of not doing. So the real issue comes down to whether Trump is doing the right thing.

During the Iran-Iraq war, the Iranian regime used children to clear mine elds — costing tens of thousands of young lives. There was a term for this. It is a war crime.

Iran is now mobilizing boys as young as 12 to ght the U.S. and Israel. There’s a term for this. It is a war crime.

And it is forcing citizens to form human chains to stand in front of military targets. There is a term for this. It is a war crime.

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

This is why this fanatical regime cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. This is why Trump is correct to implore the civilized world to join the ght.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host.

(Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Stealing is proof the system has failed. As such, the government shouldn’t punish a thief for something that’s beyond his control. Government policy should overtly favor oppressed groups, not set an objective standard for individuals to follow.

Further, those objective standards, like “don’t steal,” aren’t neutral principles. They’re tools the powerful use to cement their privilege. One of the deepest roots of this poisonous philosophical plant is a rejection of absolute truth.

Most Democrats won’t fully articulate this. For one, many people haven’t fully thought through their worldview. Outside of a college campus, it also sounds like a conspiracy theory — because it is one.

Critical theory is bogus. For one, you can’t logically reject absolute truth while claiming that your belief system is true. It’s also morally wrong to judge people based on their skin color instead of their character.

Finally, this worldview fails in practice. Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice. That’s not a success story. In other cities, like San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, stores have shut down entirely over crime.

It is possible to reverse this societal decline — but it requires rejecting the worldview causing the rot.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

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Swalwell’s exit shakes up chaotic California gubernatorial race

Allegations

forced him from the race and Congress

By Michael R. Blood The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s abrupt exit from the race for California governor — then his announcement he would leave Congress — left his rivals scrambling to lock down his former supporters in a crowded contest with no clear leader, injecting more turmoil into the campaign to lead the nation’s most populous state.

Swalwell’s decision to suspend his campaign Sunday followed allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, that were published Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. While pulling out of the race he remained de ant in a post on the social platform X, saying, “I will ght the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my ght, not a campaign’s.”

On Monday, he posted a statement on X, saying he planned to resign from Congress but did not provide a date for his departure. He wrote it was unfair for his constituents to have him distracted from his duties.

For rival candidates in a wide-open race, the key issue is where Swalwell’s supporters will go. He was among the most prominent Democrats in the contest, with mail ballots scheduled to go to voters in early May in advance of the June 2 primary election. Most of the well-known candidates are expected to appear on stage together Tuesday during a forum in Sacramento.

Katie Porter, one of the leading Democrats, posted a line from a San Francisco Chronicle column on X, “Democrats can pull victory from the jaws of defeat by coalescing around Porter.” Billionaire hedge fund manager-turned-liberal activist Tom Steyer said he secured the support of a handful of lawmakers, including Rep. Jared Hu man, a Democrat whose coastal district runs north of San Francisco, not far from Swalwell’s home turf. Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles mayor, pitched a new ad promising to lower gas and grocery costs in a state known for its punishing cost of living.

With seven established Democrats and two leading Republicans on a primary ballot with more than 50 candidates, the race remains uid. While Swalwell has suspended his campaign, his name cannot be removed from the ballot.

“Nobody has really caught re,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta, who is not involved in the campaign. Swalwell’s supporters “will scatter out to other candidates.”

Shifting alliances with Swalwell’s departure

In Sacramento, a handful of state lawmakers quickly switched their support from Swalwell to Steyer. Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz said he believes Steyer will put in the work to form strong relationships with the legislature. Steyer’s business background — he has nev-

er held public o ce — means he’ll challenge the status quo, Schultz added.

Democratic Assemblymember Corey Jackson — who also shifted to Steyer — said he wanted to back a candidate who had a legitimate chance of winning. He said in a statement that he and Steyer shared a “commitment to building an economy rooted in dignity for working people.”

San Jose’s Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan, running for governor in his rst statewide election, sought to distinguish his record from Steyer and another leading candidate, Republican Steve Hilton, who hosted a show on Fox News for six years and has Trump’s endorsement.

With Swalwell out, “now we have a eld that’s got a billionaire who made his fortune investing in private prisons, ICE facilities, oil and gas companies … and a MAGA-backed TV commentator on the other hand,” Mahan said on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.”

“California deserves so much better,” Mahan said.

Many voters remain distant from governor’s race

Swalwell is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial during his rst term in early 2021. But in a media environment dominated by Trump, the race remains distant from many California voters.

After the publicity about sexual misconduct allegations, “I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper,” Acosta added.

Swalwell was considered a leading contender along with Steyer and Porter and two Republicans, Riverside County Sheri Chad Bianco and Hilton. But Republican activists haven’t rallied around Hilton, despite Trump’s support; at a California Republican Party convention over the weekend the party declined to endorse a candidate in the race.

Democrats have feared the party’s large number of candidates could lead to them getting shut out of the general election in November. That’s because California has a primary system in which only the

top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.

Swalwell had become a clear target for his Democratic rivals as he began to lock up institutional support. Some had seized on rumors of sexual misconduct that circulated on social media for weeks before the Chronicle’s report.

The San Francisco Chronicle spoke to a woman who alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024. The woman said she did not go to police at the time of the assaults because she was afraid she would not be believed. In both cases the woman said she was too intoxicated to consent to sex. CNN reported on allegations that appeared to come from the same woman, and spoke to several other women who accused Swalwell of other sexual misconduct.

Neither outlet named the woman, and The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify her account and identity. Her lawyer declined to comment.

The alleged 2024 incident occurred in New York, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s O ce said it’s investigating. That o ce urged anyone with knowledge to contact its special victims division. The Alameda County District Attorney’s o ce, which covers Swalwell’s California district, said no one has reached out to the o ce with allegations against Swalwell.

House colleagues call for Swalwell to resign

Swalwell’s swift downfall came amid rising pressure for him to leave Congress. He earlier lost the support of powerful labor unions that had backed his candidacy, along with one-time allies like California U.S. Sen. Adam Schi and Rep. Jimmy Gomez. Some representatives had said they would support the rare step of expelling him from the U.S. House should he refuse to step aside. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation Monday.

Swalwell, who is originally from Iowa, was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters.

KISER from page A1

expanding into a profession centered on community impact.

“Recreation has always been a part of my life, and it has shaped who I am,” she said.

“While some people may think my career was all fun and games, it has been so much more than that. It has been rooted in passion, purpose and a deep belief in creating opportunities for others, especially for those who may not have had the same chances I did.”

Kiser emphasized the role of parks and recreation in building community.

“Parks and recreation isn’t just about facilities or programs — it’s about building community, creating memories and o ering opportunities and instilling values that last a lifetime.”

During her time with the city, Kiser oversaw several key projects, including the remodeling of the E.E. Waddell Center gym, the creation of a dog park, installation of new pickleball courts and upgrades to ball eld lighting. The department also launched new after-school programs, introduced Food Truck Friday events and developed a comprehensive parks and recreation master plan.

Along with support from her family and the city government leaders, Kiser credited her sta for the department’s success.

“To my incredible team at Albemarle Parks and Recreation, there are no words big enough to capture what you mean to me. You hold a permanent place in my heart. Together, we accomplished so much.”

The city is currently seeking a new parks and recreation director following Kiser’s retirement.

The Albemarle City Council will hold its next regular meeting on April 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Artemis II’s record-breaking journey around moon ends with dramatic splashdown

The crew paved the way for a sustainable moon base

By Marcia Dunn

The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Artemis II’s astronauts closed out humanity’s rst lunar voyage in more than half a century with a Pacific splashdown on Friday, blazing new records near the moon with grace and joy.

It was a dramatic grandnale to a mission that revealed not only swaths of the lunar far side never seen before by human eyes, but a total solar eclipse and a parade of planets, most notably our own shimmering Earth against the endless black void of space.

With their ight now complete, the four astronauts have set NASA up for a moon landing by another crew in just two years and a full-blown moon base within the decade.

The triumphant moon-farers — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen — emerged from their bobbing capsule into the sunlight o the coast of San Diego.

In a scene reminiscent of NASA’s Apollo moonshots of yesteryear, military helicopters hoisted the astronauts one by one from an in atable raft docked to the capsule, hauling them aboard for the short trip to the Navy’s awaiting recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha.

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said from the recovery ship.

NASA’s Mission Control erupted in celebration, with hundreds pouring in from the back support rooms. “We did it,” NASA’s Lori Glaze rejoiced at a news conference. “Welcome to our moonshot.”

Their Orion capsule, dubbed

ARREST from page A1

inspection, with the inspection listed as having lapsed on March 31, 2025.

Auch was issued a $1,500 secured bond, which he later posted. He is scheduled to appear in court May 12.

The Charlotte -Mecklenburg Police Department conrmed Auch was o duty at the time of the incident and that the arrest occurred outside of its jurisdiction. CMPD’s Internal A airs Division has launched an internal investigation into the matter.

BILL INGALLS / NASA VIA AP

The Orion spacecraft with Artemis II crewmembers aboard approaches the surface of the Paci c Ocean for splashdown o the coast of California last Friday.

Integrity, made the entire plunge on automatic pilot. The lunar cruiser hit the atmosphere traveling Mach 33 — or 33 times the speed of sound — a blistering blur not seen since the 1960s and 1970s Apollo.

The tension in Mission Control mounted as the capsule became engulfed in red-hot plasma during peak heating and entered a planned communication blackout. All eyes were on the capsule’s life-protecting heat shield that had to withstand thousands of degrees during reentry. Watching the drama unfold nearly 2,000 miles away, the astronauts’ families huddled in Mission Control’s viewing room, cheering when the capsule emerged from its six-minute blackout and again at splashdown.

The last time NASA and the Defense Department teamed up for a lunar crew’s reentry was Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II came screaming back at 36,174 feet per second — or

“O cer Auch’s arrest is a serious matter, and our community deserves clear accountability.”

Estella Patterson, CMPD chief

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew.”

Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator

24,664 mph — just shy of the record before slowing to a 19 mph splashdown.

Until Artemis II, NASA’s fresh-from-the-moon homecomings starred only white male pilots. Intent on re ecting changes in society, NASA chose a diverse, multinational crew for its lunar comeback.

Koch became the rst woman to y to the moon, Glover the rst black astronaut and Hansen the rst non-U.S. citizen, bursting Canada with pride. They laughed, cried and hugged

“O cer Auch’s arrest is a serious matter, and our community deserves clear accountability,” Patterson said.

all the way there and back, striving to take the entire world along with them.

Artemis II’s record yby, views of the moon

Launched from Florida on April 1, the astronauts racked up one win after another as they deftly navigated NASA’s long-awaited lunar comeback, the rst major step in establishing a sustainable moon base.

Artemis II didn’t land on the moon or even orbit it. But it broke Apollo 13’s distance record and marked the farthest that humans have ever journeyed from Earth when the crew reached 252,756 miles. Then in the mission’s most heart-tugging scene, the teary astronauts asked permission to name a pair of craters after their moonship and Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.

During Monday’s record-breaking yby, they documented scenes of the moon’s far side never seen before by the human eye along with a total solar eclipse. The eclipse, in particular, “just blew all of us away,” Glover said.

Their sense of wonder and love awed everyone, as did their breathtaking pictures of the moon and Earth. The Artemis II crew channeled Apollo 8’s rst lunar explorers with Earthset, showing our Blue Marble setting behind the gray moon. It was reminiscent of Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise shot from 1968.

Born a decade after Apollo, Isaacman greeted the astronauts with hugs as they headed from the helicopters to the ship’s medical bay for routine checks. They walked by themselves, refusing the wheelchairs o ered them.

“We are back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon, bringing them back safely and to set up for a series more,” Isaacman said. “This is just the beginning.”

Their moonshot drew global attention as well as star power, earning props from President

Donald Trump; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; Britain’s King Charles III; Ryan Gosling, star of the latest space ick “Project Hail Mary”; Scarlett Johansson of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and even Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner of TV’s original “Star Trek.” Artemis II was test ight for future moon missions

Despite its rich scienti c yield, the nearly 10 -day ight was not without technical issues. Both the capsule’s drinking water and propellant systems were hit with valve problems. In perhaps the most high-pro le predicament, the toilet kept malfunctioning, but the astronauts shrugged it all o .

As for the heat shield, military aircraft crews photographed it from afar during reentry, and divers checked it from underneath as the capsule oated in the Paci c. More detailed examinations are planned.

“We can’t explore deeper unless we are doing a few things that are inconvenient,” Koch said, “unless we’re making a few sacri ces, unless we’re taking a few risks, and those things are all worth it.”

Added Hansen: “You do a lot of testing on the ground, but your nal test is when you get this hardware to space and it’s a doozy.”

Under the revamped Artemis program, next year’s Artemis III will see astronauts practice docking their capsule with a lunar lander or two in orbit around Earth. Artemis IV will attempt to land a crew of two near the moon’s South Pole in 2028.

The Artemis II astronauts’ allegiance was to those future crews, Wiseman said.

“But we really hoped in our soul is that we could for just a moment have the world pause and remember that this is a beautiful planet and a very special place in our universe, and we should all cherish what we have been gifted,” he said.

NOTICE OF ALBEMARLE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING

As a result of the arrest, Auch has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of that investigation, o cials said. Auch joined CMPD in February 2023 and is currently assigned to the department’s Hickory Grove Division.

“I expect every member of the Charlotte -Mecklenburg Police Department to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards, both on and o duty. One individual’s action is not re ective of the dedication and integrity of the many men and women who serve this community every day.”

In a statement, CMPD Chief Estella Patterson addressed the arrest and emphasized expectations for o cer conduct.

No additional details about the circumstances leading up to the arrest have been released.

The incident remains under investigation.

Vernon Wayne Brockwell

June 4, 1945 – April 10, 2026

Vernon Wayne Brockwell, 80, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 10, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Stanly Funeral Home Chapel, o ciated by Pastor Gary Posey. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., prior to the service.

Born June 4, 1945, in Rowan County, Wayne was the son of the late Vernon and Pauline Brockwell. He lived a full and adventurous life, known for his vibrant personality and passion for entertaining others.

Wayne is lovingly survived by his wife of 20 years, Martha Dale Brockwell of the home. He is also survived by his son, Je Young, stepchildren, Larry James Fowler Jr. (“The Boy”) and Shannon Leann Fowler (“The Girl”); grandchildren, Trinity Brockwell, Tristan Brockwell, David Young, and Christian Young; stepgrandchildren, Chamille Paige Davis and Jeremiah Gage Davis; and special friends, Woodson Stegall, James Messer, and Ronn Posey.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Timothy D. Brockwell in 2014 and Michael Brockwell in 2026.

Wayne was widely known as a talented tribute artist, bringing joy to many through his performances of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. He loved singing karaoke at local restaurants and had a zest for life that showed in his many interests, including collecting rearms, hunting, scuba diving, and parachuting. Above all, he cherished time spent with his grandchildren and looked forward to his Sunday morning co ee traditions.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the sta of Tillery Compassionate Care for the compassion and support shown to Wayne during his declining health.

In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Tillery Compassionate Care, 960 N. 1st Street, Albemarle, NC 28001.

Wayne will be remembered for his larger-than-life spirit, his love of music and adventure, and the deep love he had for his family and friends. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him, and he will be dearly missed.

OBITUARIES

LARRY KENT TROUBLEFIELD

MARCH 3, 1940 – APRIL 8, 2026

Larry Kent Trouble eld, 86, of Midland, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Novant Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte.

His funeral service will be 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Stanly Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ron Lo in o ciating. Burial will follow in Fairview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from noon until 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle, prior to the service.

Born March 3, 1940, in Stanly County, NC, he was the son of the late Wade Max Trouble eld and Lizzie Whitley Trouble eld. Mr. Trouble eld was a retired truck driver in the steel industry.

He will be remembered by his family as a true country boy at heart. He loved his tractors and was happiest outside working and playing in the yard. He enjoyed gardening, listening to classic country music, especially Loretta Lynn and Perry Como, and sharing the story of how he met Loretta Lynn at the Grand Ole Opry by sneaking in through the back. He also dearly loved his dog, Blue.

Mr. Trouble eld is survived by his wife, Deborah Ward Trouble eld of the home; son, Kent Trouble eld and wife, Nancy, of Garden City Beach, SC; daughter, Michelle Chidester of Conway, SC; sister, Sue Harkey of Locust; grandchildren, Thad Trouble eld and Lindsey Chidester; and step-sons, Brian Murphy and Todd Murphy, both of Kingston, NY. He was preceded in death by his brother, Max Trouble eld, and sister, Shirley Rummage.

Memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s memory to Tillery Compassionate Care at tillerycompassionatecare.org.

NELL WHITLEY JACUMIN

JULY 31, 1934 – APRIL 8, 2026

Nell Whitley Jacumin, 91, of Oakboro, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Nell was born July 31, 1934, in Stanly County to the late Richard Rudolphus Whitley and the late Eva Eunice Smith Whitley. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, William Lawrence Jacumin Jr.; daughter, Karen Elizabeth Jacumin Carpenter; brothers, Craig Whitley, Crowell Whitley, Lee Whitley, John Whitley, Roy Whitley, and Reece Whitley; sisters, Sunie Odessa Whitley, Myrtle Whitley Hamilton, Wilma Whitley E rd and Gatha Whitley Hartsell. She led her family with a steady hand and an unshakable spirit, the one who made things happen, who held everyone together, and who showed what true dedication looks like. Through her example, she raised daughters who learned to stand on their own, to be strong, independent women who carry her strength within them. As the youngest of 11 siblings, she was the rst daughter to graduate college. She graduated from Kings Business College of Charlotte with an Associate of Medical Assisting. She met her loving husband during a dance held at the American Legion Hut in Valdese, NC, and married six months later. They enjoyed traveling, especially to the beach and Dollywood. She worked for Miller Orthopedic/OrthoCarolina for 50 years as a medical secretary. Nell was an avid prayer warrior and faithful member of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church, Oakboro. She was also a member of the church choir and always loved listening to Gospel music. After her second retirement, she enjoyed caring for her precious grandbabies and taking them everywhere from the coast to the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Most of all, she was a wonderful mom, Maw-Maw, and aunt.

Survivors include daughter, Kathryn Jacumin (Robert) High of Norwood; daughter, Lisa (Terry) Kendall of Indian Trail; son-inlaw, Ricky (Tracie) Carpenter; grandchildren, Nicholas Carpenter, Kiersten (David) Goins, Nathan, Madelyn and Meghan Sedberry, Alyssa Boone and William High; great-grandchildren, Tripp and Toby Goins; and beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2-2:45 p.m., Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., o ciated by Rev. Ed Lowder. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 679, Oakboro, NC 28129, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

MICKEY LOYD CAUBLE

JAN. 31, 1946 – APRIL 8, 2026

Mickey Loyd Cauble, 80, passed away at home on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., while surrounded by his family in prayer.

Mickey was the son of George and Glennie Cauble, who preceded him in death. He was blessed with a loving sister, Brenda Cauble Howell (Marshall) of Norwood.

On June 4, 1967, he married Carol Jean Le er, who survives. Mickey was blessed with four children, including Kendy (Damon) of Love Valley, Carla (Kevin) of Midland, John (Christa) of Kannapolis, and Laura, deceased. Grandchildren include Kenna, Ethan, Chloe, Will, Mary-Elizabeth, Landon, Carlynn, Jay, Xander and Cyrus. Greatgrandchildren are Serena, Chase, Brooks and Ivy. A special “son” to Mickey is Jeremy Bowers.

From an early age, Mickey loved to create items from wood, and it became obvious that this was his calling from God. As he continued, he became a businessman and later a teacher in the woodshop at Albemarle High School, where he found his greatest success, working with young people. He strongly felt God had led him from the beginning, growing from a painfully shy young child to an empowered man who spoke before a lled auditorium at ECU, where he gave help to many others who were struggling to create successful programs for students.

Mickey never forgot that he was led by the Lord to use his Godgiven talents to bring out the best in others.

Services for Mickey Cauble will be on April 18, 2026, at 2 p.m. in First Lutheran Church in Albemarle, NC. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the church parlor. Following the service, close friends and family will exit for interment in the columbarium, while all others will exit to the gym for food and fellowship.

JAMES HAROLD LITTLE

JULY 20, 1935 – APRIL 8, 2026

James Harold Little, a longtime pharmacist who served the Stanly County community with kindness and compassion for more than 50 years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, with his loving family by his side. He was 90 when he was called home to heaven to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A native of Oakboro, Little co-owned and operated the Davis-Little Drug Company with Jim Davis, where he developed a reputation and legacy as a quintessential hometown pharmacist who not only lled prescriptions but also built deep, caring relationships with the friends and neighbors he served. Even after retiring from the local drug store, Little continued to serve the community by working for national pharmaceutical chains until his mid-70s.

Outside of the pharmacy, Little’s life was anchored by his deep devotion to his faith and to his family. Throughout his life, Little’s faithfulness to the Lord was expressed through his service to the local church. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro, and he previously served as both a deacon and a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Oakboro, First Baptist Church of Midland and Fairview Baptist Church in Albemarle.

Little’s passion for the gospel extended into his decades of service with the Stanly South Camp of The Gideons International, working to distribute Bibles with a belief that God’s Word could change a life forever. He was also active in prison ministry. In all of his endeavors, Little lived his life by the biblical principle of putting others before himself and valuing their needs above his own.

A lifelong learner with a spirit of fun and adventure, Little was a licensed pilot who enjoyed the freedom of the skies in the cockpit of an airplane, the open road on his motorcycle or the quiet strategy of a game of checkers. He attended Oakboro High School and earned his undergraduate degree from N.C. State University and his pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Little also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.

Born July 20, 1935, Little was the youngest son of the late John Luther Little and Gertie Whitley Little. In addition to his parents, Little was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Irene Barbee Little; two brothers, J. Clegg Little and Marvin Little; a son-in-law, Dwayne Nance; and two great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Nance and Joel Nance.

Little is survived by two daughters: Monica E rd and her husband, David, of Sparta; Evette Orcutt and her husband, David, of Wendell; four grandchildren: Katie Nance; David James Orcutt and his wife, Samantha; Dillion Nance and his ancée, Haley; and Daniel Orcutt and his ancée, Lauren; and two great-grandchildren: Iveigh Nance and Everson Nance.

The family will receive friends from 12:30–1:45 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the church, o ciated by Rev. Shad Hicks. Burial will follow at Oakboro Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in the following ways: CARE Cafe, P.O. Box 1022, Albemarle, NC 28002, where Little enjoyed fellowship, companionship and compassionate care over the past few years; or to Gideons International South Stanly Camp, P.O. Box 182, Albemarle, NC 28002.

DAVID WAYNE LANIER

FEB. 25, 1961 – APRIL 9, 2026

David Wayne Lanier, 65, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Born on February 25, 1961, in Stanly County, he was the son of the late Leroy Wayne Lanier Sr., and Ethel Dennis Lanier.

David was a hardworking man who spent much of his working life as a cook in the fast food industry.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy Wayne Lanier Sr., and Ethel Dennis Lanier.

He is survived by brothers Wayne Lanier, Eddie Lanier, and Larry Burris, and sister Frances Burris, as well as by family members and loved ones who will cherish his memory. The family will remember David for the life he lived and the memories he leaves behind. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

CHARLES “WHIT” MELBOURNE WHITLEY

JAN. 26, 1936 – APRIL 11, 2026

Charles “Whit” Melbourne Whitley, 90, of Stan eld, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Whit was born January 26, 1936, in Stanly County to the late Roy Dixon Whitley and the late Maggie Yow Whitley. He was also preceded in death by his son, Charles Steven Whitley; granddaughter, Amy; and four siblings, Clayton, Bill, Doris and Louise.

He loved his Ford Truck, the Tar Heels, deviled eggs, cat shing, gardening, and spending time with family.

Survivors include son, Ricky (Laura) Whitley of Locust; grandchildren, Amber, Dustin and Brian; and several greatgrandchildren. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

STANLY SPORTS

West Stanly baseball wins Beach Diamond Invitational

The Colts are still undefeated this season

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

RED CROSS — Playing in the Beach Diamond Invitational, West Stanly remained unbeaten and captured the spring tournament title with a 7-6 comeback win over Richmond Senior on April 8.

The Colts (17-0, 6-0 Rocky River) rallied from a 4-3 decit entering the seventh inning, scoring four runs to take control late. Richmond Senior (12-4, 8-1 Mid-South) answered with two runs in the bottom half but fell short as West Stanly held on in Shallotte.

The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Raiders. West Stanly reached the championship game with earlier tournament victories over Randleman and East Bladen.

The Colts, who lead the Rocky River Conference standings, continue a strong run fol-

lowing last season’s 23-8 nish and runner-up showing in the 2A West Regional. West Stanly went a perfect 10-0 in conference play a year ago and has not lost a regular-season league game since 2022. Now competing as a 4A program under the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s eight-class model, the Colts are pursuing a fourth consecutive conference title.

West Stanly returned home to host CATA on Tuesday and was scheduled to host Pinecrest on Wednesday before traveling to CATA for a rematch Friday.

North Stanly 11,

Carolina Forest 0

Over in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the North Stanly Comets (14-3, 5-1 Yadkin Valley) went 4-0 at the Mingo Bay Spring Break Classic, nishing it o with a shutout win over the Carolina Forest Panthers (14-5, 8-1 Region 5) on Friday.

Sitting atop the Yadkin Val-

The

ley Conference standings, the Comets have nonconference matchups at Southeast Guilford on Wednesday and at home versus Community School of Davidson on Thursday before launching into a home doubleheader with Gray Stone on Friday.

South Stanly 13, Central Davidson 3

The South Stanly Rowdy Rebel Bulls (9-9, 5-1 Yadkin Valley) snapped a three-game skid with a 13-3 consolation bracket win over the Central Davidson Spartans (10-6, 8-0

Pfei er men’s lacrosse wins fourth straight USA South title

The Falcons have won 26 conference games in a row

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

MISENHEIMER — For the fourth consecutive season, the Pfei er men’s lacrosse team has secured the USA South Athletic Conference regular-season championship.

The Falcons (12-2, 7-0 USA South) clinched the title Saturday with a 30-4 rout of Wil-

liam Peace at WakeMed Park in Cary, locking up the conference’s top spot ahead of second-place Southern Virginia (6-0, 5-1 USA South).

Pfei er set the tone early against the Pacers (8-7, 1-5 USA South), holding them scoreless in the rst quarter while posting 11 goals, including six in the opening 10 minutes. The Falcons maintained their o ensive surge throughout, adding seven goals in both the third and fourth quarters to put the game out of reach.

“Getting better every single day is our goal.”

Tucker

Nelson, Pfei er coach

Fourteen Pfei er players recorded at least one point in the win.

Sophomore Davis Palombo led the way with six goals and two assists, while senior Tiger Hopkins added ve goals and one assist. Junior Ethan Miles

Wins for West Stanly to start the season

PAC Seven) in the Beach Diamond Invitational in Shallotte on April 8.

Tied with North Stanly at the front of the YVC conference standings, the Bulls hosted Albemarle on Tuesday and will host Mount Pleasant on Wednesday before play-

contributed four goals and three assists, and sophomore Dylan Sullivan nished with three goals and four assists.

The Falcons dominated statistically, outshooting William Peace 69-16 and controlling possession with a 28-of-37 advantage in faceo s.

Under seventh-year coach

Tucker Nelson, Pfei er has now won nine straight games and extended its conference winning streak to 26. The Falcons have not lost to a USA South opponent since April 15, 2023.

Nelson also recently became the program’s all-time winningest coach, now with 82 career victories after this past weekend.

“Getting better every single day is our goal,” Nelson said. “I grew up as a coach’s son, which can be hard but you learn a lot. You learn about doing the little

ing at Albemarle on Thursday. Forest Hills 1, Albemarle 0

With only one win in their past eight games, the Albemarle Bulldogs (3-10, 1-5 Yadkin Valley) came up short again Thursday in Marshville as Forest Hills (7-10, 1-5 Rocky River) pulled out a 1-0 home win.

The Bulldogs played South Stanly in Norwood on Tuesday and will meet the Bulls again Thursday at home, with Albemarle looking for its rst conference victory since an 8-6 road win at North Rowan on March 17.

things that a lot of coaches don’t want to do, especially with building relationships. I have to give a lot of credit — for my philosophies and the way I coach — to my father.”

Pfei er closed out its regular season Tuesday at home against Brevard College at Lefko-Mills Field in Misenheimer.

The Falcons will next turn their attention to the USA South Tournament, which they will host from April 25 through May 2. Pfei er has won each of the past three conference tournaments.

Last season, the Falcons nished 15-4 overall and 8-0 in league play, capturing both the regular-season and tournament titles before advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament, where they fell to St. Mary’s (Maryland) 18-9 in the opening round.

NCAA HOCKEY

Denver beats Wisconsin 2-1 for its 11th national title, 3rd in 5 years

Las Vegas Kyle Chyzowski tipped in a shot from the point with 5:52 left to back up a sensational performance from goalie Johnny Hicks and rally Denver to a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin for the Pioneers’ third national championship in ve years. The victory also extended the Pioneers’ record to 11 national titles overall. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference remains the sport’s premier league by claiming eight of the past 10 national champions.

MLB

Former major leaguer Garner, who managed Astros’ rst World Series team, dead at 76

Houston Phil Garner, a three-time All- Star in elder who went on to manage the Houston Astros to their rst World Series appearance, died at 76 after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Nicknamed “Scrap Iron” for his blue-collar approach to the game, Garner had a 16-year playing career with the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. He made All-Star teams with Oakland in 1976 and with Pittsburgh in 1980 and 1981.

WNBA

Griner to sign with Connecticut Sun

Phoenix Brittney Griner is nalizing a deal to join the Connecticut Sun. The 10-time All-Star spent last season with the Atlanta Dream after playing the rst 11 years of her career for Phoenix, which drafted her No. 1 in 2013. The 35-year-old Griner is from Houston, and the Connecticut franchise is moving there in 2027. The 6-foot-9 forward won a WNBA title in 2014 with Phoenix and was the league’s leading scorer in 2017 and 2019.

NBA Embiid has appendectomy, leaving former MVP’s status for postseason in doubt

Houston Joel Embiid had an appendectomy in Houston after Philadelphia’s star big man was stricken with appendicitis overnight. The team announced that the surgery had been completed last Thursday night as the 76ers were playing the Houston Rockets. Coach Nick Nurse did not give a timetable for Embiid’s return, but it seems unlikely that the former MVP would be able to return for the play-in tournament or the rst round of the playo s.

BOXING

Pacquiao takes over Mayweather’s old gym amid rematch tension between boxers

Los Angeles

Manny Pacquiao is preparing for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas. The ght is surrounded by controversy, with Mayweather calling it an exhibition, while Pacquiao insists it’s a professional bout. Meanwhile, Pacquiao is transforming a former Mayweather gym in Hollywood into Pacquiao Prime Boxing, a private training center. This move symbolizes a new direction, focusing on performance and athlete development. Beyond boxing, Pacquiao is expanding his business ventures, including a digital wallet platform and plans for more gyms.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@stanlynewsjournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at noon

SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUPS

BASEBALL

SOUTH STANLY (9-9, 5-1 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost vs. Southern Nash 15-13

• Won vs. Central Davidson 13-3

This week’s schedule

• April 14 vs. Albemarle

• April 15 vs. Mount Pleasant

• April 16 at Albemarle

WEST STANLY (17-0, 6-0 IN CONFERENCE)

• Won vs. East Bladen 5-3

• Won at Richmond 7-6

This week’s schedule

• April 14 vs. Central Academy

• April 15 vs. Pinecrest

• April 17 at Central Academy

NORTH STANLY (14-3, 5-1 IN CONFERENCE)

• Won vs. Wellsville 12-0

• Won vs. Tyler 11-0

• Won vs. Chester 12-5

• Won vs. Carolina Forest 11-0

Upcoming schedule

• April 15 at SE Guilford

• April 16 vs. Community School of Davidson

• April 17 vs. Gray Stone Day (2)

• April 16 at South Stanly

• April 20 at Mooresville

NORTH STANLY (3-12, 1-4 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost at Providence Grove 5-4

• Lost vs. High Point Christian Academy 10-0

• Lost at Randleman 7-2

Upcoming schedule

• April 14 at Gray Stone Day

• April 16 at Concord

• April 17 vs. Gray Stone Day

• April 20 vs. North Davidson

ALBEMARLE (0-5, 0-3 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost at South Stanly 1-0 (FF)

Upcoming schedule

• No games scheduled this week

GRAY STONE DAY (3-7, 0-4 IN CONFERENCE)

• No games last week

Upcoming schedule

• April 14 vs. North Stanly

• April 17 at North Stanly

GIRLS’ SOCCER

SOUTH STANLY (3-5, 2-3 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost vs. Gray Stone Day 7-2

The grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs got the win in his 131st Cup start

The Associated Press

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Outdueling two NASCAR Cup Series champions for the rst victory of his career, Ty Gibbs made an emphatic and emotional breakthrough Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The win came in the 131st Cup start for the grandson of NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner and former Super Bowl-winning coach Joe Gibbs.

Ty Gibbs also is the son of the late Coy Gibbs, who also helped run his father’s team before unexpectedly dying in his sleep on Nov. 6, 2022 — the day after his son won the championship in NASCAR’s second-highest division.

Ty Gibbs, 23, moved to the Cup Series the next year and had multiple near-misses (runner-up nishes at Darlington in 2024 and Chicago last year) before reaching Victory Lane in his fourth season.

“This is one of my best experiences,” Joe Gibbs said.

“When I think about Coy, he brought Ty up the entire time. I know he’s probably watching.”

Ty Gibbs interrupted his grandfather’s postrace interview in the pits with a hug.

“This is the man right here,” said Ty, whose mother, Heather, also is a co-owner of JGR.

“Yeah,

Ty Gibbs

“I’ve never seen somebody work so hard in my life, him and my mom. I come to the shop at 6 a.m. or 7 p.m., and there’s nobody there, but they are always there. They work their (butts) o . He’s a great role model. I wouldn’t be here unless it was for him.”

Gibbs led the nal 25 laps at Bristol, inheriting rst place under caution on a strategy gamble by staying on track in his No. 54 Toyota while Ryan Blaney pitted from the lead along with Kyle Larson, who led a race-high 284 of 505 laps.

Blaney and Larson both restarted outside the top ve, and Gibbs was cruising toward a win before the yellow ew again on the 498th lap to set up the rst overtime restart at Bristol in 11 years.

Despite Blaney and Larson having tires that were nearly 100 laps fresher, Gibbs fended o the star drivers on a two -lap shootout to the checkered ag.

“Honestly, I didn’t really know or care if I was going to win or not,” Gibbs said. “I thought the race was awesome. I really appreciate always racing Ryan Blaney and

Kyle, too. Those guys always run me really well.”

Blaney, the 2023 Cup champion who started from the pole position, nished second after leading 190 laps in the No. 12 Ford.

“Yeah, great battle for sure,” he said. “I fought a lot of different cars. Gave it my best shot on the last restart. Was close but just couldn’t get it done.”

Larson, the defending Cup Series champion who won the rst two stages, nished third and remained winless in the past 32 races with his No. 5 Chevrolet.

The Toyotas of Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe rounded out the top ve.

“Super happy for Ty,” Briscoe said of his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate. “It’s been a long time coming. To do it the way he did it, on old tires, to beat the two guys that dominated all day long, that was impressive. Just super happy for him and the whole family.”

Gibbs became the sixth NASCAR driver to earn his rst Cup victory at Bristol, joining Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1986), Ernie Irvan (1990), Elliott Sadler (2001) and Kurt Busch (2002).

“It’s awesome to be with great people,” the younger Gibbs said. “To be in this position is great. I’d love for my father to have seen this. I know he knew it was going to happen and expected it as well. Yeah, it was a great day for us. This is our family, so it’s just such a great deal.”

ALBEMARLE (3-10, 1-5 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost vs. Phillip O. Berry Academy 16-1

• Lost vs. Garinger 7-2

• Won vs. West Charlotte 14-5

• Lost at Forest Hills 1-0 (FF)

Upcoming schedule

• April 14 at South Stanly

• April 16 vs. South Stanly

• April 20 vs. North Mecklenburg

GRAY STONE DAY (5-5, 2-4 IN CONFERENCE)

• No games last week

Upcoming schedule

• April 15 at Ashbrook

• April 17 at North Stanly (2) SOFTBALL

SOUTH STANLY (16-1, 5-0 IN CONFERENCE)

• Won vs. McMichael 4-1

• Lost vs. West Brunswick 1-0

• Won vs. Albemarle 7-0 (FF)

This week’s schedule

• April 15 at East Rowan

• April 16 vs. West Stanly

WEST STANLY

(15-3, 9-0 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost at West Brunswick 1-0

• Won vs. South Point 15-1

Upcoming schedule

• April 14 vs. Forest Hills (2)

This week’s schedule

• April 15 vs. Albemarle

• April 20 vs. North Rowan

WEST STANLY (9-1-1, 6-0 IN CONFERENCE)

• No games last week

This week’s schedule

• April 14 at Central Academy

• April 16 vs. Parkwood

• April 17 at Gray Stone Day

• April 20 vs. Piedmont

NORTH STANLY (0-12-1, 0-5 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost at Albemarle 4-1

Upcoming schedule

• April 15 at Union Academy

• April 17 at Concord

• April 20 at Gray Stone Day

ALBEMARLE (1-8, 1-4 IN CONFERENCE)

• Won vs. North Stanly 4-1

Upcoming schedule

• April 15 at South Stanly

• April 20 vs. Union Academy

GRAY STONE DAY (6-5, 4-1 IN CONFERENCE)

• Won at South Stanly 7-2

Upcoming schedule

• April 15 at North Rowan

• April 17 vs. West Stanly

• April 20 vs. North Stanly

4

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NOTICE

25-122927 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION STANLY COUNTY 26SP000035-830 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY AYODEJI AKINLABI DATED MARCH 24, 2023 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1816 AT PAGE 21 IN THE STANLY COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE OF SALE

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Stanly County courthouse at 11:00AM on May 1, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Stanly County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Ayodeji Akinlabi, dated March 24, 2023 to secure the original principal amount of $270,509.00, and recorded in Book 1816 at Page 21 of the Stanly County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 2119 Morgan Hills Drive, Albemarle, NC 28001 Tax Parcel ID: 1542625

Present Record Owners: Ayodeji Akinlabi

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Ayodeji Akinlabi. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property o ered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is April 10, 2026.

Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cli Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com

Posted: By: 25-122927

FOR SALE

Hinkle, good condition, $1,200.00 Call 704-438-5132.

3tp

YARD SALE

ESTATE YARD SALE – MAY 1ST & 2ND – 8-Until 8037 RIVER RD. STANFIELD, NC

NOTICES

NOTICE

17630 Stokes Ferry Road New London, NC 28127 Executrix Information John W Webster 146 North 4th Street Albemarle, NC 28001 Attorney Information

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000237-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Administrator of the estate of Kevin Bernard Almond deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Kevin Bernard Almond to present them to the undersigned on or before June 27, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This the 25th day of March 2026. John Thomas Almond 24806 Bost Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Administrator

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STANLY COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 26E000134-830.

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the estate of SHARON HUNEYCUTT WADE AKA SHARON H WADE, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the decedent to present to the undersigned on or before June 30, 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.

Jennifer Clemmer aka Jennifer Lynne Wade c/o Paula J. Yost PO Box 1385 Mt. Pleasant NC 28124.

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000151-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Ronald Craig Whitley, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Ronald Craig Whitley to present them to the undersigned on or before July 2, 2026, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This the 1st day of April, 2026.

Derek Shaun Whitley 1025 Speight Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Administrator Information

John W Webster 146 North 4th Street Albemarle, NC 28001 Attorney Information

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000155-830

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Co-Executors of the estate of Beulah J. Huneycutt deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Beulah J. Huneycutt to present them to the undersigned on or before July 3, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 1st day of April 2026.

Michael L. Huneycutt 10454 Island Creek Road Stan eld, NC 28163 Co-Executor Cathy H. Mcswain 2020B Saint Martin Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Co-Executor NOTICE

Pursuant to G.S. 105-322(f), notice is hereby given that the Board of Equalization

make defense to such pleading not later than May 26, 2026 to the Stanly County Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 668, Albemarle, NC 28002, Attn: Civil Division. Upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought on the next hearing date of June 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM in Courtroom 403. This the 15th day of April, 2026. Brown & Senter, PLLC James L. Senter Attorney for Plainti PO Box 400 Albemarle, NC 28002 PUBLISH: April 15, 2026; April 22, 2026; and April 29, 2026

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, STANLY COUNTY In the District Court Division MARIA OFELIA YAM YAM, Plainti Vs. JESUS MARTINEZ VAZQUEZ, Defendant.

TO: JESUS MARTINEZ VAZQUEZ, DEFENDANT: TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you was led September 24, 2025 in Stanly County, North Carolina in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: COMPLAINT FOR CHILD CUSTODY AND ABSOLUTE DIVORCE (25CV001319-830 You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than May 26, 2026 to the Stanly County Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 668, Albemarle, NC 28002, Attn: Civil Division and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. This the 15th of April, 2026.

PUBLISH:

NOTICE

the stream

‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa,’ ‘Beef,’ Glen Powel, Elle Fanning

“Big Mood” returns to Tubi for a second season

The Associated Press

SADIE SANDLER starring in the Net ix comedy “Roommates” and fresh tunes from Zayn Malik 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: Elle Fanning playing a single mom who creates an OnlyFans account in “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Capcom’s Pragmata o ering gamers a moon-based adventure, and Net ix’s critically acclaimed series “Beef” is back for a second season with a new cast.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Sadie Sandler, eldest daughter of Adam, is starring in the new Net ix comedy “Roommates,” about a college freshman and her boundaryless dormmate (Chloe East). Nick Kroll and Natasha Lyonne play her parents in a cast that also includes Francesca Scorsese, Carol Kane and Storm Reid. It’s streaming Friday.

Edgar Wright’s new take on Stephen King’s dystopian 1982 novel “The Running Man,” starring Glen Powell, will be streaming on Prime Video on Friday. The movie opped at the box ofce, making less than $69 million on a reported budget of $110 million. Reviews weren’t the greatest either. The Associated Press’ Jake Coyle wrote that, “from the start, the darkest shades of King’s book have been snu ed out of this blandly entertaining remake that swaps out the brutalist 1980s nihilism of the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie for a satirical portrait of America lacking in bite and prescience.” But, Coyle added, “if there’s one aspect of Wright’s lm that feels genuinely connected to today, it’s the movie’s media metaphor.”

A young girl (Sophie Sloan) hires her hitman neighbor (Mads Mikkelsen) to kill the monsters she thinks ate her family in the R-rated “Dust Bunny,” the debut feature from “Hannibal” series creator Bryan Fuller. The lm, streaming on HBO Max starting Friday, got generally good reviews, with Manohla Dargis writing in The New York Times that it

is “a blast of delightful, visually sumptuous nonsense.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

It has been exactly 10 years since Malik became the rst member of One Direction to release a solo record. His 2016 album “Mind of Mine” was a declaration of autonomy for the young performer, ambitious R&B tracks from a strong singer known for his breathy falsetto. He was playing to his strengths then and has continued to do so in the decade

that followed. On Friday, that arrives with the release of “Konnakol,” his fth full-length record. He’s one of the biggest names on the planet to the contemporary electronic dance music fan in your life: The house superstar John Summit will release “Ctrl Escape” on Friday via Experts Only and Darkroom Records. It’s an equal opportunity record, one for the ravers and those who prefer to watch Ultra Music Festival performances on YouTube from the comfort of their own living room, alike.

The English disco-pop singer Jessie Ware will release “Superbloom,” also on Friday. She’s as ready to soundtrack a late night on the dance oor as she’s ever been — like on the single “Ride,” which interpolates the theme from the 1966 spaghetti Western lm “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and melts into her sequined synths. “Come be my cowboy, baby, come, let’s ride,” she sings, more discotheque than honky-tonk. “You know I want you, I need you tonight, tonight.”

SERIES TO STREAM

In the Apple TV dramedy “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Fanning plays a young mom who had an a air with a college professor, got pregnant and is raising the baby on her own. She launches an OnlyFans persona to make money. Michelle Pfei er and Nick O erman play her parents. The series is based on a bestselling novel of the same name. Cast members from last summer’s iteration of “Love Island USA” take front and center in a second season of “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.” After returning home from Fiji, cameras resumed following the contestants, including winners and former couple Ama-

“If there’s one aspect of Wright’s lm that feels genuinely connected to today, it’s the movie’s media metaphor.”

Jake Coyle, AP Film Writer

ya Espinal and Bryan Arenales. Guess what? The drama followed them home. The rst two episodes are streaming now on Peacock.

Net ix’s critically acclaimed series “Beef” is back for a second season with a new cast. The show, which was originally intended to be a limited series, is now an anthology. The new episodes star Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny. It premieres Thursday.

Nicola Coughlan’s contemporary dark comedy “Big Mood” returns for a Season 2 on Tubi on Thursday. Coughlan and Lydia West star as Maggie and Eddie, longtime co-dependent best friends living in East London. Their friendship fell apart after Maggie, who su ers from bipolar disorder, decided to stop taking her medication and Eddie felt increasingly neglected. Season 2 picks up one year later.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

The moon has been in the news a lot lately, so it’s a good time to pay a visit courtesy of Capcom’s Pragmata. Unfortunately, the lunar base where it’s set has been rocked by a massive moonquake — and some parts of it have been weirdly altered by a mysterious substance called Luna lament. Two heroes emerge from the rubble: a guy named Hugh who’s skilled with rearms, and an android named Diana who’s a master hacker. Blast o Friday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch 2 or PC.

Nintendo’s Switch has become the console of choice for people who like to build cozy communities, thanks to hits like Animal Crossing and Pokémon Pokopia. But perhaps you’d like your neighbors to look more like your friends and family. Welcome to Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, which lets you populate an island with humanoid Mii avatars. Of course, these people can be fussy, so you’ll need to make them happy with food, clothes and furniture while building more places for them to play. Before you know it, they’ll be making friends, falling in love and having kids. And you can send your character to visit another human’s Switch. Get to know

Thursday.

Home again

Carolina’s

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Appeals court orders judge to end contempt investigation of Trump administration deportation ights

A federal judge must end his “intrusive” contempt investigation of the Trump administration for failing to comply with an order over ights carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last year, a divided appeals court panel ruled Tuesday. Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion in forging ahead with criminal contempt proceedings stemming from the March 2025 deportation ights, according to the majority opinion by a three -judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Pope starts Africa tour in Algeria, calls for peace against Iran war’s backdrop

Algiers, Algeria Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Algeria for a rst-ever papal visit, calling for peace amid the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. His 11-day tour includes four African nations, promoting Christian-Muslim coexistence.

WSFCS deliberating FY27 local budget request

The superintendent’s recommendation is a request for about $172.2 million

By Ryan Henkel Twin City Herald

WINSTON-SALEM — The Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools Board of Education was presented with its rst look at the superintendent’s recommended 2027 local budget request. The recommended FY27 local budget request totals more than $172.2 million, with an increase in total county appropriation of nearly $30.5 million. According to Superintendent Don Phipps, budget priorities include a student-cen-

tered focus, scal discipline, revenue reality, targeted investments, nancial recovery, future sustainability and trust and accountability.

Some of the key items being considered in the budget is funding for nine additional assistant principals so that each traditional elementary school can have a full-time AP, the same number of EC teachers as current year, nine additional EC teacher assistants, a 3% pay increases for local and state unmatched positions, $8 million for new language arts textbooks and $1 million for bilingual support.

However, the budget also adjusts the allotment formula to more closely match the state’s allotments.

“That doesn’t have to be

“Our team is really good at guring out how to make it work.”

Paula Wilkins, chief academic o cer

where it ends, but it has to be what we’re working with as we move forward if we’re expecting no increase in terms of a at budget,” Phipps said. “Again, that’s not the budget we want and not the budget our faculty and students deserve.”

Phipps also highlighted a at local funding assumption, rising employee salary, health and retirement, reductions in state and federal funding, debt obligations, lack of a nancial

cushion, decreases in enrollment and an increase in charter school allotments as some of the budget pressures facing WS/FCS.

The district is anticipating a loss of $11.5 million due to enrollment declines, a $3.5 million decrease in federal carryover dollars and they also still have around $4 million in outstanding debt.

And with no state budget currently passed, there could be further rami cations down the line for the district.

“Our team is really good at guring out how to make it work,” said Chief Academic Ofcer Paula Wilkins. “We want of course the best options possible, but I also know where we are. We’re still in debt, we still are grappling around sta ng and at the end of the day, I want a teacher more than I want stu because teachers make a di erence with children every day.”

The board will hold a budget workshop meeting on April 21 to further discuss the request.

The WS/FCS Board of Education will next meet April 28.

be released to home detention

The woman is accused of sharing Delta Force secrets with an author

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

RALEIGH — An Army veteran accused of revealing classi ed information about an elite commando unit — members’ names, tactics and a unit alias among them — to a journalist and on social media will be released awaiting a possible trial, a judge ruled Monday. Courtney Williams, 40, who

is charged with four counts of communicating and disclosing national defense information about a “special military unit” at Fort Bragg, after working for it as a civilian, appeared in federal court in Raleigh.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian Meyers agreed to release Williams, who was arrested last week and wore a striped jumpsuit in court, under home detention and location monitoring. She’s barred from having contact with the media or using social media, Meyers said.

North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365)

Trip Ho end, Publisher

Jim Sills, VP of Local Newspapers

Cory Lavalette, Senior Editor

Jordan Golson, Local News Editor

Shawn Krest, Sports Editor

Dan Reeves, Features Editor

NASA already has next Artemis ight in sights following astronauts’ triumphant moon yby

South pole water ice could fuel NASA’s planned lunar base

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Never-before-glimpsed views of the moon’s far side. Check. Total solar eclipse gracing the lunar scene. Check. New distance record for humanity. Check.

With NASA’s lunar comeback a galactic-sized smash thanks to Artemis II, the world is wondering: What’s next? And how do you top that?

“To people all around the world who look up and dream about what is possible, the long wait is over,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said as he introduced Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen at Saturday’s jubilant homecoming celebration.

Now that the rst lunar travelers in more than a half-century are safely back in Houston with their families, NASA has Artemis III in its sights.

NASA promises to announce the Artemis III crew “soon.” Like 1969’s Apollo 9, Artemis III aims to reduce risk for the moon landings that follow.

Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart loved ying the lunar module in low-Earth orbit — “a test pilot’s dream.” But there’s no question, he noted, that “the real astronauts” at least in the public’s mind were the ones who walked on the moon.

Wiseman and his crew put their passion and feelings on full display as they ew around the moon and back, choking up over lost loved ones as well as those left behind on Earth.

Apollo’s twin sister in Greek mythology — couldn’t come fast enough.

Author Andy Chaikin said he felt like Rip Van Winkle awakening from a nearly 54 -year nap. His 1994 biography “A Man on the Moon” led to the HBO miniseries “From the Earth to the Moon.”

“It’s amazing how far we’ve come and how di erent this experience is from back then,” Chaikin said from Johnson Space Center late last week.

We stand corrected

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“The next mission’s right around the corner,” entry ight director Rick Hen ing observed following the crew’s Paci c splashdown on Friday. In a mission recently added to the docket for next year, Artemis III’s yet-to-be-named astronauts will practice docking their Orion capsule with a lunar lander or two in or-

bit around Earth. Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Je Bezos’ Blue Origin are racing to have their company’s lander ready rst. Musk’s Starship and Bezos’ Blue Moon are vying for the all-important Artemis IV moon landing in 2028. Two astronauts will aim for the south polar region, the preferred location for Isaacman’s envisioned $20 billion to $30 billion moon base. Vast amounts of ice are almost certainly hidden in permanently shadowed craters there — ice that could provide water and rocket fuel.

The docking mechanism for Artemis III’s close-to-home trial run is already at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. The latest model Starship is close to launching on a test ight from South Texas, and a scaled- down version of Blue Moon will attempt a lunar landing later this year.

During their nearly 10 - day journey, they tearfully requested that a fresh, bright lunar crater be named after Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll, who died of cancer in 2020. They also openly shared their love for one another and Planet Earth, an exquisite yet delicate oasis in the black void that they said needs better care.

Artemis II included the rst woman, the rst person of color and the rst non-U.S. citizen to y to the moon.

“Wonderful communicators, almost poets,” Isaacman said from the recovery ship while awaiting their return.

Apollo’s manly, all-business moon crews of the 1960s and 1970s certainly did not do group hugs. For those old enough to remember Apollo, Artemis —

16-year-old from Florida charged with sexually assaulting, killing stepsister on cruise ship

The 18-year-old cheerleader’s body was discovered concealed under the cabin bed

By Ed White The Associated Press

A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in Florida in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship, the U.S. Justice Department said Monday. Timothy Hudson was indicted March 10. But the entire case was sealed until last Friday, weeks after U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom said he would be prosecuted as an adult at the request of prosecutors.

Anna Kepner had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship in November with her family. Before the ship was

LEAK from page A1

Williams’ attorney, Christian Dysart, declined to comment after the hearing, which came more than a week after a criminal complaint was led in her case.

The complaint was unsealed last week on the same day a grand jury indicted Williams and the U.S. Justice Department announced her arrest. An FBI o cial said then her alleged disclosures put “our nation, our war ghters, and our allies at risk.” Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, the government says, along with monetary penalties.

scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found concealed under a bed in a room

Court documents say Williams, who was hired as a defense contractor in 2010 and became a Department of Defense employee months later, worked for a “special military unit” at Fort Bragg until 2016 and held a top-secret security clearance. Although the reporter and unit are not named in the court lings, dates and details match an article and book about the Army’s secretive Delta Force written by Seth Harp. Williams, who lives about 35 miles from Fort Bragg, was the focus of a 2025 Politico article with the headline: “My Life Became a Living Hell: One Woman’s Career in Delta Force, the

she was sharing with two other teens, including the younger stepbrother.

Army’s Most Elite Unit.” The article, which describes Williams as serving previously in the Army as an interrogator and Arabic linguist, coincided with the release of Harp’s book, “The Fort Bragg Cartel,” which alleges sexual harassment and discrimination.

The indictment alleges that between 2022 and 2025, Williams was in contact with the author, resulting in more than 10 hours of phone calls and exchanging hundreds of text messages.

The indictment alleges in part that Williams unlawfully disclosed a “cover alias identity issued and owned” by the

The cause of Kepner’s Nov. 6 death was determined to be mechanical asphyxia, which is when an object or physical force stops someone from breathing.

An email and voicemail seeking comment from Hudson’s attorneys were not immediately returned Monday.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,” U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said in a written statement. “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious o enses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters.”

Kepner was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, some 40 miles east of Orlando. At her memorial service in November, family members encouraged people to wear bright colors instead of the traditional black “in honor of Anna’s bright

unit; tactics and techniques the unit used to “execute covert missions without being detected”; and “true names of individuals” assigned to the unit, and “their capture during a sensitive military mission in a foreign country.”

Harp said last week in a written statement that Williams is a “courageous whistleblower” on discrimination and harassment within Delta Force and contends former unit members reveal incidentally on podcasts and YouTube shows unit details that the government now labels a crime by Williams.

“I am con dent that the DOJ’s slapdash indictment, full

The hardest part, according to NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya, is becoming so close to the crews and their families and then blasting them to the moon. He anxiously monitored Friday’s reentry alongside the astronauts’ spouses and children.

“You know what’s at stake,” Kshatriya con ded afterward. “It’s going to take risk to explore, but you have to make sure you nd the right line between being paralyzed by it and being able to manage it.”

Calling it “mission complete” only after being reunited with his two daughters, Wiseman issued a rallying cry to the rows of blue- ight-suited astronauts at Saturday’s celebration.

“It is time to go and be ready,” he said, pointing at them, “because it takes courage. It takes determination, and you all are freaking going and we are going to be standing there supporting you every single step of the way in every possible way possible.”

and beautiful soul.”

Teens prosecuted in federal court are extremely rare. Hudson was initially charged Feb. 2, and he pleaded not guilty the next day in Miami. He was subsequently seen at the courthouse, wearing a ball cap and a hoodie pulled tightly around his face. But his status was not fully known because his age barred public disclosures by his lawyers, the government or the court.

A judge on Feb. 6 said Hudson must wear an electronic tether while living with an uncle. The order was changed to allow him to join his father for a few days last week at a landscaping business. Prosecutors objected to Hudson’s release, citing dangerousness, and asked a judge Monday to revisit that order now that he has been charged as an adult. Defense lawyers will have a week to respond.

“He committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife, and whom he was being raised to view as a sibling,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra López said in a court ling.

of misleadingly juxtaposed quotations taken out of context, will fall apart upon careful scrutiny,” Harp wrote.

An FBI agent’s a davit said that Williams had signed nondisclosure documents regarding classi ed materials while working for the unit and as she left her job.

The a davit says Williams messaged the journalist on or about the article’s release expressing concern about “the amount of classi ed information being disclosed.” And in another alleged exchange, she told her mother she may get arrested “for disclosing classi ed information.”

THE CONVERSATION

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

Trump is denounced — even by some Republicans — over the ‘war of choice’

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

ABOUT THE WAR against Iran, most polls nd it especially unpopular among Democrats, independents and even some Republicans who feel double-crossed because President Donald Trump campaigned against “endless wars” and promised not to start a new one.

As to Trump’s criticism of “endless wars,” supporters should not have taken it seriously for several reasons. First, we have “endless wars” because we have endless enemies. And they have a vote. Second, one could argue that the war against Iran is not new. After all, Iran’s leaders have been calling for America’s annihilation for 47 years. Third, presidents make decisions based upon events, many of which are unforeseen.

Woodrow Wilson campaigned in 1914 to keep America out of World War I. He ultimately took the country to war. Before our entry into World War II, several Americans supported an anti-war movement called America First. A couple of college students named Gerald R. Ford and John F. Kennedy supported this movement. Then came Pearl Harbor.

Assuming Iran was on the brink of acquiring the ability to make a nuclear bomb — their own negotiators admitted Iran had enough enriched uranium to make 11 bombs — this left Trump a couple of options: do nothing, the route taken by previous presidents, or stop them. Rather than kick the can down the road, Trump chose to stomp on it.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, prominent lawyer David Boies chastised fellow

Democrats for opposing the war and letting their animosity against Trump cloud their judgment.

“If (Trump) hadn’t acted, his successor would have been left with an even more dangerous choice than his predecessors left him. ... What is harder to understand, and particularly troubling for our country, is opposition rooted simply in antipathy toward Mr. Trump himself,” he wrote.

As for the war’s unpopularity, opponents call Trump a liar as to the intel purporting to show Iran is an imminent threat. Critics say he failed to consult, let alone get support from, our allies.

But consider the decision President George W. Bush made to go to war. Many now call the Iraq War a blunder of epic proportions. Much of the country believes Bush “lied us into the war.”

Let’s revisit. At rst, 72% of Americans, according to Gallup, supported that war. Bush obtained resolutions in support of the war from both the House and the Senate. The widely held belief that Iraq had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction was only one of the many reasons set forth in the resolution. The resolution also noted that Iraq used chemical weapons on its own people and on the Iranians; that Iraq was stealing from the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme and likely using the money for military purposes; that Iraq was shooting at the British and American planes patrolling the southern and northern no- y zones; and that Saddam Hussein had attempted to assassinate President George H.W. Bush.

How to reverse societal decline

Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice.

RETAIL STORES locking up items is the symptom of a much larger problem.

I recently went to Walmart and had ibuprofen on my shopping list. I went to the medicine section and — groan — saw this $5 item locked behind glass. There were a couple of other people already waiting, so I looked around for a call button. That’s when one of the people waiting said an employee was already helping them but needed to get more boxes.

I was utterly confused. One of the waiting customers remarked that he was from Florida and that stores there didn’t have items behind locked glass. What a di erence having Ron DeSantis as governor makes. I generously spared him a full rundown of how Democrats passed a soft-on-crime bill in 2019. Not punishing criminals led to a dramatic increase in retail theft. Stores are taking steps to stop theft — and I soon learned how inconvenient those measures are for everyone else.

Eventually, a Walmart employee returned carrying clear plastic boxes with locking tops. She removed each customer’s desired item from behind the glass and put it in the locking box. At checkout, another employee unlocked my box so I could pay for my item. This is ridiculous. I don’t blame Walmart. I wouldn’t want criminals stealing from me either. But there’s plenty of blame to go around. Criminals are responsible for their own actions. The bill that Democrats passed in 2019, gutting criminal penalties, is

part of the problem. In 2020, the Nevada Supreme Court signi cantly weakened bail in Nevada. That’s played a role. Legislative Democrats have largely resisted Gov. Joe Lombardo’s attempts to put teeth back into Nevada’s crime laws.

The left’s soft-on-crime policies stem from its worldview. A worldview is someone’s underlying beliefs that they use to interpret and make sense of what’s going on. Everyone has a worldview, even if most people don’t think about it consciously. When people talk past each other in a policy discussion, it’s often because their worldviews con ict. You have to dig underneath the surface to expose the root of the disagreement. The left has embraced critical theory, which divides people into binary groups based on nances, race or other characteristics. This split produces some groups that are more successful than others. Intersectionality is the left’s way of combining and ranking these groups.

Critical theorists believe that the successful group obtained their elevated status by victimizing those in the other group. These supposed oppressors created systems and institutions to entrench their dominance of the victim group.

How a group can get rich robbing poor people is never quite explained.

But you can see the implications. Individual responsibility is thrown out the window since success or failure is a function of group membership, not personal choices.

George W. Bush formed a “coalition of the willing” consisting of 48 nations, including the U.S., U.K., Australia and Poland, that committed troops to the e ort. The war became unpopular. Many denounced Bush as a liar and a war criminal despite his pre-war e ort to form a coalition, to get buy-in from both Democrats and Republicans and to obtain a unanimous resolution from the U.N. Trump did none of this before going to war against Iran. He is as excoriated as viciously as was Bush, who did all the things critics accuse Trump of not doing. So the real issue comes down to whether Trump is doing the right thing.

During the Iran-Iraq war, the Iranian regime used children to clear mine elds — costing tens of thousands of young lives. There was a term for this. It is a war crime.

Iran is now mobilizing boys as young as 12 to ght the U.S. and Israel. There’s a term for this. It is a war crime.

And it is forcing citizens to form human chains to stand in front of military targets.

There is a term for this. It is a war crime.

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

This is why this fanatical regime cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. This is why Trump is correct to implore the civilized world to join the ght.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host.

(Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Stealing is proof the system has failed. As such, the government shouldn’t punish a thief for something that’s beyond his control. Government policy should overtly favor oppressed groups, not set an objective standard for individuals to follow.

Further, those objective standards, like “don’t steal,” aren’t neutral principles. They’re tools the powerful use to cement their privilege. One of the deepest roots of this poisonous philosophical plant is a rejection of absolute truth.

Most Democrats won’t fully articulate this. For one, many people haven’t fully thought through their worldview. Outside of a college campus, it also sounds like a conspiracy theory — because it is one.

Critical theory is bogus. For one, you can’t logically reject absolute truth while claiming that your belief system is true. It’s also morally wrong to judge people based on their skin color instead of their character.

Finally, this worldview fails in practice. Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice. That’s not a success story. In other cities, like San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, stores have shut down entirely over crime.

It is possible to reverse this societal decline — but it requires rejecting the worldview causing the rot.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Swalwell’s exit shakes up chaotic California gubernatorial race

Allegations forced him from the race and Congress

By Michael R. Blood

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s abrupt exit from the race for California governor — then his announcement he would leave Congress — left his rivals scrambling to lock down his former supporters in a crowded contest with no clear leader, injecting more turmoil into the campaign to lead the nation’s most populous state.

Swalwell’s decision to suspend his campaign Sunday followed allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, that were published Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. While pulling out of the race he remained deant in a post on the social platform X, saying, “I will ght the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my ght, not a campaign’s.”

On Monday, he posted a statement on X, saying he planned to resign from Congress but did not provide a date for his departure. He wrote it was unfair for his constituents to have him distracted from his duties.

For rival candidates in a wide- open race, the key issue is where Swalwell’s supporters will go. He was among the most prominent Democrats in the contest, with mail ballots scheduled to go to voters in early May in advance of the June 2 primary election. Most of the well-known candidates are expected to appear on stage together Tuesday during a forum in Sacramento. Katie Porter, one of the leading Democrats, posted a line from a San Francisco Chronicle column on X, “Democrats can pull victory from the jaws of defeat by coalescing around Porter.” Billionaire hedge fund manager-turned-liberal activist Tom Steyer said he secured the support of a handful of lawmakers, including Rep. Jared Human, a Democrat whose coastal district runs north of San Francisco, not far from Swalwell’s home turf. Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles mayor, pitched a new ad promising to lower gas and grocery costs in a state known for its punishing cost of living.

With seven established Democrats and two leading Republicans on a primary ballot with more than 50 candidates, the race remains uid. While Swalwell has suspended his cam-

paign, his name cannot be removed from the ballot.

“Nobody has really caught re,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta, who is not involved in the campaign. Swalwell’s supporters “will scatter out to other candidates.”

Shifting alliances with Swalwell’s departure

In Sacramento, a handful of state lawmakers quickly switched their support from Swalwell to Steyer. Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz said he believes Steyer will put in the work to form strong relationships with the legislature. Steyer’s business background — he has never held public o ce — means he’ll challenge the status quo, Schultz added.

Democratic Assemblymember Corey Jackson — who also shifted to Steyer — said he wanted to back a candidate who had a legitimate chance of winning. He said in a statement that he and Steyer shared a “commit-

ment to building an economy rooted in dignity for working people.”

San Jose’s Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan, running for governor in his rst statewide election, sought to distinguish his record from Steyer and another leading candidate, Republican Steve Hilton, who hosted a show on Fox News for six years and has Trump’s endorsement.

With Swalwell out, “now we have a eld that’s got a billionaire who made his fortune investing in private prisons, ICE facilities, oil and gas companies … and a MAGA-backed TV commentator on the other hand,” Mahan said on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.”

“California deserves so much better,” Mahan said.

Many voters remain distant from governor’s race

Swalwell is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President Donald Trump’s second impeachment

“I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper.”

Andrew Acosta, Democratic consultant

trial during his rst term in early 2021. But in a media environment dominated by Trump, the race remains distant from many California voters.

After the publicity about sexual misconduct allegations, “I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper,” Acosta added.

Swalwell was considered a leading contender along with Steyer and Porter and two Republicans, Riverside County

Gunman opens re at high school in Turkey, wounding at least 16 before killing himself

former student

By Suzan Fraser The Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey — A former student opened re at a high school in southeastern Turkey on Tuesday, wounding at least 16 people, before killing himself, an o cial said.

The 18-year-old attacker, armed with a shotgun, red randomly inside a vocational high school in Siverek, Sanliurfa province. He later killed himself with the same shotgun after being “cornered by police,” Gov. Hasan Sildak said.

The attack left 10 students, four teachers, a canteen employee and a police o cer hurt, Sildak said. While most of them were being treated in Siverek, ve of the teachers and students were transferred to a hospital in the provincial capital because their conditions were more serious, the governor said. The motive for the attack remains unclear.

Sheri Chad Bianco and Hilton.

But Republican activists haven’t rallied around Hilton, despite Trump’s support; at a California Republican Party convention over the weekend the party declined to endorse a candidate in the race.

Democrats have feared the party’s large number of candidates could lead to them getting shut out of the general election in November. That’s because California has a primary system in which only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.

Swalwell had become a clear target for his Democratic rivals as he began to lock up institutional support. Some had seized on rumors of sexual misconduct that circulated on social media for weeks before the Chronicle’s report.

The San Francisco Chronicle spoke to a woman who alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024. The woman said she did not go to police at the time of the assaults because she was afraid she would not be believed. In both cases the woman said she was too intoxicated to consent to sex. CNN reported on allegations that appeared to come from the same woman, and spoke to several other women who accused Swalwell of other sexual misconduct.

Neither outlet named the woman, and The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify her account and identity. Her lawyer declined to comment.

The alleged 2024 incident occurred in New York, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s O ce said it’s investigating. That o ce urged anyone with knowledge to contact its special victims division. The Alameda County District Attorney’s ofce, which covers Swalwell’s California district, said no one has reached out to the o ce with allegations against Swalwell.

House colleagues call for Swalwell to resign

Swalwell’s swift downfall came amid rising pressure for him to leave Congress. He earlier lost the support of powerful labor unions that had backed his candidacy, along with one-time allies like California U.S. Sen. Adam Schi and Rep. Jimmy Gomez.

Some representatives had said they would support the rare step of expelling him from the U.S. House should he refuse to step aside. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation Monday.

Swalwell, who is originally from Iowa, was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters.

“He didn’t say anything, he entered and started to shoot directly.”

Omer Furkan Sayar, student

cial media prior to the shooting. One student told the state-run Anadolu Agency that he and a friend jumped out of their classroom window to ee the attacker.

“He suddenly entered the classroom and red. He red four or ve times. Two people were hit. He then went into the next classroom,” Anadolu quoted Omer Furkan Sayar as saying. “We rst threw ourselves to the ground and then two of us jumped out of the window.”

Sayar continued: “He didn’t say anything, he entered and started to shoot directly.”

Earlier, media reports said all students were evacuated and police special operations units were deployed after the assailant refused to surrender.

“The individual was cornered inside the building through police intervention and died after shooting himself,” Sildak told reporters, adding that a “comprehensive” investigation into the shooting would be carried out.

Video footage showed dozens of students running out of the school toward the gate and onto the street.

Forsyth SPORTS

Fewer players from outside Power Four being

selected by NFL teams during draft

The college talent is getting concentrated at the top of the football food chain

By Arnie Stapleton

The Associated Press

JUST LIKE Cinderella teams have become less of a factor at the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, fewer long shots are reaching the NFL Draft from small schools.

Blame NIL riches and the crowded transfer portal, a combination that has led to a concentration of talent in the power conferences.

The SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 dominate college football, commanding higher revenue, better television ratings and bigger budgets.

And more and more, they’re siphoning stars from the nonpower leagues.

“Jerry Rice still gets drafted by the 49ers, but I don’t know that it’s from Mississippi Valley State today,” Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the Hall of Fame wide receiver who had one of the biggest rags-to-riches journeys in league history. “That’s where he started, but I think it may be from — pick a big school.”

Hardwood, gridiron parallels

March Madness used to regularly feature little-known schools that rose from obscurity to capture the hearts of hoops fans. But last year, all 16 regional seminalists hailed from power conferences for the rst time since the bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985. The same thing happened this year.

What has transpired on the hardwood is manifesting itself on the gridiron.

Consider: Only 24 of the 257 players selected in the NFL Draft last year came from nonpow-

REED HOFFMANN / AP PHOTO

Denver Broncos guard Quinn

Meinerz, a small-school draftee in 2021, plays in a December game.

er conferences. That continued a trend since 2022, when 70 draftees came from nonpower conferences. That number dipped to 38 in 2023, then to 34 in 2024.

The two nonpower school rst-rounders last year were Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who was selected sixth overall by Las Vegas, and North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel, who was drafted 18th by Seattle. Boise State has long been a powerhouse program, producing seven NFL draft picks since 2021, and the North Dakota State Bison have won 18 national championships, including 10 FCS titles since 2010 and eight Division II titles.

Others hailed from the likes of Alabama A&M, Central Arkansas and Western Kentucky.

What about this year?

There could be a bigger dearth of small-school names called in this year’s draft on April 23-25 in Pittsburgh because of the 319 prospects invited to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, only 17 were from nonpower conference schools.

That includes safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren of Toledo, whom NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah rates as the 16th-best prospect in the draft, and San Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson, whom Jeremiah ranks 40th.

Consequences of concentration

This phenomenon has changed the way some NFL teams scout college prospects, cutting down on their trips to check out players on small campuses.

“I think as you set your schedule for where you want your scouts to spend their most time, I think even in the last couple of years, you want them more in those places, concentrated areas like we talked about,” Broncos general manager George Paton said. “Not that there’s not going to be good players in some of these other smaller schools.”

It’s just that plenty of them have transferred to the power conferences where, besides more money, they get more exposure and build their personal brand.

Small school successes

Paton drafted one of the best small college nds this decade when he picked guard Quinn Meinerz of Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

One of 37 smaller school draftees that year, Meinerz quickly established himself as one of the league’s top guards, and in 2024, he showed up in a gold paisley suit to sign his new $80 million contract. Since then, he’s earned back-to-back rst-team All-Pro honors.

Playing “for the love of the game” at the Division III level, Meinerz found himself on NFL radars despite playing in the obscure Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“There’s a pretty good scouting department across the entire NFL,” Meinerz said, “and they’ll come nd you.”

That they will, but more and more scouts don’t have to bother straying too far from the campuses of the Power Four.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Brynn Wells

Reagan, girls’ soccer

Brynn Wells is a freshman on the Reagan girls’ soccer team.

The Raiders got two wins last week, and Wells played a role in both. She got an assist in a shutout win over Parkland. Then, in a 6-1 win over Winston-Salem Christian, she got four goals.

In just a handful of games, she has managed to tie for the team lead in goals and is second on the Raiders in points.

Gibbs earns rst NASCAR Cup Series victory at Bristol, beating Larson, Blaney

The grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs got the win in his 131st Cup start

The Associated Press

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Outdueling two NASCAR Cup Series champions for the rst victory of his career, Ty Gibbs made an emphatic and emotional breakthrough Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The win came in the 131st Cup start for the grandson of NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner and former Super Bowl-winning coach Joe Gibbs.

Ty Gibbs also is the son of the late Coy Gibbs, who also helped run his father’s team before unexpectedly dying in his sleep on Nov. 6, 2022 — the day after his son won the championship in NA-

Ty Gibbs drives down the backstretch during his rst NASCAR Cup Series win Sunday in Bristol, Tennessee.

SCAR’s second-highest division.

Ty Gibbs, 23, moved to the Cup Series the next year and had multiple near-misses (runner-up nishes at Darlington in 2024 and Chicago last year) before reaching Victory Lane in his fourth season.

“This is one of my best experiences,” Joe Gibbs said. “When I think about Coy, he brought Ty up the entire time. I know he’s probably watching.”

Ty Gibbs interrupted his grandfather’s postrace interview in the pits with a hug.

“This is the man right here,” said Ty, whose mother, Heather, also is a co-owner of JGR.

“I’ve never seen somebody work so hard in my life, him and my mom. I come to the shop at 6 a.m. or 7 p.m., and there’s nobody there, but they are always there. They work their (butts) o . He’s a great role model. I

“Yeah, it was a great day for us. This is our family, so it’s just such a great deal.”

Ty Gibbs

wouldn’t be here unless it was for him.”

Gibbs led the nal 25 laps at Bristol, inheriting rst place under caution on a strategy gamble by staying on track in his No. 54 Toyota while Ryan Blaney pitted from the lead along with Kyle Larson, who led a race-high 284 of 505 laps.

Blaney and Larson both restarted outside the top ve, and Gibbs was cruising toward a win before the yellow ew again on the 498th lap to set

up the rst overtime restart at Bristol in 11 years.

Despite Blaney and Larson having tires that were nearly 100 laps fresher, Gibbs fended o the star drivers on a two-lap shootout to the checkered ag.

“Honestly, I didn’t really know or care if I was going to win or not,” Gibbs said. “I thought the race was awesome. I really appreciate always racing Ryan Blaney and Kyle, too. Those guys always run me really well.” Blaney, the 2023 Cup champion who started from the pole position, nished second after leading 190 laps in the No. 12 Ford.

“Yeah, great battle for sure,” he said. “I fought a lot of di erent cars. Gave it my best shot on the last restart. Was close but just couldn’t get it done.” Larson, the defending Cup

Series champion who won the rst two stages, nished third and remained winless in the past 32 races with his No. 5 Chevrolet.

The Toyotas of Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe rounded out the top ve.

“Super happy for Ty,” Briscoe said of his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate. “It’s been a long time coming. To do it the way he did it, on old tires, to beat the two guys that dominated all day long, that was impressive. Just super happy for him and the whole family.”

Gibbs became the sixth NASCAR driver to earn his rst Cup victory at Bristol, joining Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1986), Ernie Irvan (1990), Elliott Sadler (2001) and Kurt Busch (2002).

“It’s awesome to be with great people,” the younger Gibbs said. “To be in this position is great. I’d love for my father to have seen this. I know he knew it was going to happen and expected it as well. Yeah, it was a great day for us. This is our family, so it’s just such a great deal.”

SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA HOCKEY

Denver beats Wisconsin

2-1 for its 11th national title, 3rd in 5 years

Las Vegas Kyle Chyzowski tipped in a shot from the point with 5:52 left to back up a sensational performance from goalie Johnny Hicks and rally Denver to a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin for the Pioneers’ third national championship in ve years. The victory also extended the Pioneers’ record to 11 national titles overall. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference remains the sport’s premier league by claiming eight of the past 10 national champions.

MLB Former major leaguer Garner, who managed Astros’ rst World Series team, dead at 76

Houston Phil Garner, a three-time All- Star in elder who went on to manage the Houston Astros to their rst World Series appearance, died at 76 after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Nicknamed “Scrap Iron” for his blue-collar approach to the game, Garner had a 16-year playing career with the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. He made All-Star teams with Oakland in 1976 and with Pittsburgh in 1980 and 1981.

WNBA

Griner to sign with Connecticut Sun

Phoenix Brittney Griner is nalizing a deal to join the Connecticut Sun. The 10-time All-Star spent last season with the Atlanta Dream after playing the rst 11 years of her career for Phoenix, which drafted her No. 1 in 2013. The 35-year-old Griner is from Houston, and the Connecticut franchise is moving there in 2027. The 6-foot-9 forward won a WNBA title in 2014 with Phoenix and was the league’s leading scorer in 2017 and 2019.

NBA

Embiid has appendectomy, leaving former MVP’s status for postseason in doubt

Houston Joel Embiid had an appendectomy in Houston after Philadelphia’s star big man was stricken with appendicitis overnight. The team announced that the surgery had been completed last Thursday night as the 76ers were playing the Houston Rockets. Coach Nick Nurse did not give a timetable for Embiid’s return, but it seems unlikely that the former MVP would be able to return for the play-in tournament or the rst round of the playo s.

BOXING

Pacquiao takes over Mayweather’s old gym amid rematch tension between boxers

Los Angeles Manny Pacquiao is preparing for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas. The ght is surrounded by controversy, with Mayweather calling it an exhibition, while Pacquiao insists it’s a professional bout. Meanwhile, Pacquiao is transforming a former Mayweather gym in Hollywood into Pacquiao Prime Boxing, a private training center. This move symbolizes a new direction, focusing on performance and athlete development. Beyond boxing, Pacquiao is expanding his business ventures, including a digital wallet platform and plans for more gyms.

Masters gnomes become hot commodity at Augusta National

Speculation is rampant that this is the nal year of production for the collectible

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Ga. — John James arrived at Augusta National an hour before the gates opened to patrons for the 90th Masters — all for the purpose of securing a 131⁄2-inch tall gnome.

“Had to have one,” said James, who was attending the Masters from Wycko , N.J. “It’s a novelty.”

This is the 10th and perhaps nal year Augusta National will sell the limited edition gnome, which features the traditional old man with a white beard in colorful golf attire. Each year’s gnome is di erent, with the 2026 edition featuring the character dressed in khaki pants with a white-and-green striped polo shirt and blue vest holding an umbrella in one hand and a Masters-themed cup in the other.

The gnomes have become wildly popular — and increasingly valuable — over the last decade.

With only about 1,000 available each day, the gnomes regularly sell out within an hour each morning at the merchandise shop before being restocked the following day. This year’s gnome sells for $59.50 plus tax and is only available at Augusta National.

It has become a big money-maker for some patrons on the resale market.

The bidding for one gnome on eBay reached $620 last Friday. Another can be purchased directly for $670 plus delivery cost. On Facebook Marketplace, some gnomes are being sold for $800. Fueling the price is speculation this may be thenal year that the gnome will be produced.

Masters chairman Fred Ridley was asked earlier in the week if this will be the nal edition. He responded by saying, “I’ve been asking that question for several years, and they won’t tell me the answer. So I can’t help you.”

When asked if he’d consider selling his gnome, James laughed and said, “Maybe.”

“I mean, I just spent more than $1,000 in the gift shop, so

“I’ve been asking that question for several years, and they won’t tell me the answer. So I can’t help you.”

Masters chairman Fred Ridley on the future of the gnome

from what I’ve heard, the gnome might pay for all of it,” James said. “I’ll have to think about it, but it’s de nitely an option.”

John Van Pay, who came from San Antonio, got caught up in the gnome hysteria after talking with a friend associated with the LIV tour the night before attending the Masters. He con-

vinced his son, Bryce, to wake up early and get to the course, and limited to one per person, they each walked out of the merchandise shop with a gnome.

“Yeah, we kept hearing about this gnome, and the rumor is it’s going to be the last year they produce them,” Van Pay said. “So next thing you know, we are waiting in line at 7 a.m. to buy this gnome at the shop.”

Van Pay said he plans to keep his gnome as a souvenir of his trip to the Masters, calling it “a great piece of memorabilia” and something that “is going to look great on the shelf.” The younger Van Pay is a little more torn; he’s an avid memorabilia collector, mostly dealing with Funko Pop.

Bryce Van Pay recounted how he recently had a $10 trading card that exploded on the mar-

ket and reached $300 in value following the release of the most recent Marvel movie, only to watch its worth slip to $100 a few months later. Van Pay lamented not selling it when it was at its most valuable.

“The Masters gnome is a hot seller, and I’m not sure if it’s going to go up and down (in value),” the younger Van Pay said. “There is a lot in circulation right now (on eBay and other platforms).”

He said given the possibility this is the last gnome produced, the wiser nancial decision might be to hold onto it for a while.

With that, his father jumped in and said: “Well, he’s my only son, so he can sell his now and make money and have mine when I hand it down to him.”

Heat waive Rozier, last o cial act of season derailed by federal gambling charges

The former Hornet did not play this season

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

MIAMI — Terry Rozier, who is facing federal charges related to a gambling operation, was waived by the Miami Heat last Friday in an expected and procedural move to open up another roster spot before the postseason. Rozier was with the Heat for one game this season — the opener at Orlando on Oct. 22, a contest in which he did not play. He was arrested by federal o cials at the team hotel the following morning on charges that he o ered information to help people win bets on his stat totals in a 2023 game when he was with the Charlotte Hornets.

Miami will convert two-way player Jahmir Young to a standard contract, meaning he’ll be eligible to play in the postseason. The Heat opened the play-in tournament Tuesday against Charlotte, and if they win two play-in games, they’ll begin the playo s against Detroit on Sunday. Rozier was placed on leave by the NBA shortly after his arrest. He has collected his $26.6 million salary this season; the Heat were rst pay-

ing it into an interest-bearing account, and an arbitrator later ruled that Rozier should be getting the money despite his legal issues.

The Heat traded for Rozier in January 2024, unaware of the gambling probe. Miami sent Kyle Lowry and a 2027 rst-round pick to Charlotte in return for Rozier; last month, the Hornets wound up giving Miami a second-round pick in this year’s draft, a largely unprecedented move presumably to close the dispute over what wasn’t disclosed at the time of the original deal. Miami, like all teams, had until 5 p.m. Friday to waive a player with either an expiring contract or one where the team held an option for next season. The Heat, albeit in name only, have continued listing Rozier on injury reports as

“not with team” all season, and his nameplate has even remained over his stall in the team locker room even after it became obvious that he would not be with the team again. It’s not known how much contact Rozier — who was in the nal year of his four-year, $96.2 million contract — has had with the Heat since his arrest. He did reach out to some in the organization via text in celebration of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game against Washington, but hasn’t been known to have been around the team in any way since October. The NBA was aware of unusual prop bet activity surrounding Rozier’s performance in that March 23, 2023, game he played with Charlotte against the New Orleans Pelicans; it was agged by sports-

2

Number of times Terry Rozier scored ve rst-quarter points in his NBA career. One was the game where he’s accused of faking an injury as part of a gambling operation.

books that afternoon, but a league probe — not the federal investigation — found no reason at that time to keep him from playing.

Rozier was in the starting lineup for Charlotte for that game and played reasonably well in 91⁄2 minutes of action, with ve points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. That remains one of only two times in his career that he had that many points, rebounds and assists in a rst quarter. Rozier cited foot pain as his reason for not returning to that game. The Hornets have not said publicly if they were aware of any federal probes into Rozier’s conduct at that time.

Rozier has averaged 13.9 points per game in his career, which includes stops with Charlotte and Boston before coming to Miami. He appeared in 95 games with the Heat.

the stream

‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa,’ ‘Beef,’ Glen Powel, Elle Fanning

“Big Mood” returns to Tubi for a second season

The Associated Press

SADIE SANDLER starring in the Net ix comedy “Roommates” and fresh tunes from Zayn Malik 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: Elle Fanning playing a single mom who creates an OnlyFans account in “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Capcom’s Pragmata o ering gamers a moon-based adventure, and Net ix’s critically acclaimed series “Beef” is back for a second season with a new cast.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Sadie Sandler, eldest daughter of Adam, is starring in the new Net ix comedy “Roommates,” about a college freshman and her boundaryless dormmate (Chloe East). Nick Kroll and Natasha Lyonne play her parents in a cast that also includes Francesca Scorsese, Carol Kane and Storm Reid. It’s streaming Friday.

Edgar Wright’s new take on Stephen King’s dystopian 1982 novel “The Running Man,” starring Glen Powell, will be streaming on Prime Video on Friday. The movie opped at the box ofce, making less than $69 million on a reported budget of $110 million. Reviews weren’t the greatest either. The Associated Press’ Jake Coyle wrote that, “from the start, the darkest shades of King’s book have been snu ed out of this blandly entertaining remake that swaps out the brutalist 1980s nihilism of the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie for a satirical portrait of America lacking in bite and prescience.” But, Coyle added, “if there’s one aspect of Wright’s lm that feels genuinely connected to today, it’s the movie’s media metaphor.”

A young girl (Sophie Sloan) hires her hitman neighbor (Mads Mikkelsen) to kill the monsters she thinks ate her family in the R-rated “Dust Bunny,” the debut feature from “Hannibal” series creator Bryan Fuller. The lm, streaming on HBO Max starting Friday, got generally good reviews, with Manohla Dargis writing in The New York Times that it

is “a blast of delightful, visually sumptuous nonsense.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

It has been exactly 10 years since Malik became the rst member of One Direction to release a solo record. His 2016 album “Mind of Mine” was a declaration of autonomy for the young performer, ambitious R&B tracks from a strong singer known for his breathy falsetto. He was playing to his strengths then and has continued to do so in the decade

that followed. On Friday, that arrives with the release of “Konnakol,” his fth full-length record. He’s one of the biggest names on the planet to the contemporary electronic dance music fan in your life: The house superstar John Summit will release “Ctrl Escape” on Friday via Experts Only and Darkroom Records. It’s an equal opportunity record, one for the ravers and those who prefer to watch Ultra Music Festival performances on YouTube from the comfort of their own living room, alike.

The English disco-pop singer Jessie Ware will release “Superbloom,” also on Friday. She’s as ready to soundtrack a late night on the dance oor as she’s ever been — like on the single “Ride,” which interpolates the theme from the 1966 spaghetti Western lm “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and melts into her sequined synths. “Come be my cowboy, baby, come, let’s ride,” she sings, more discotheque than honky-tonk. “You know I want you, I need you tonight, tonight.”

SERIES TO STREAM

In the Apple TV dramedy “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Fanning plays a young mom who had an a air with a college professor, got pregnant and is raising the baby on her own. She launches an OnlyFans persona to make money. Michelle Pfei er and Nick O erman play her parents. The series is based on a bestselling novel of the same name. Cast members from last summer’s iteration of “Love Island USA” take front and center in a second season of “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.” After returning home from Fiji, cameras resumed following the contestants, including winners and former couple Ama-

“If there’s one aspect of Wright’s lm that feels genuinely connected to today, it’s the movie’s media metaphor.”

Jake Coyle, AP Film Writer

ya Espinal and Bryan Arenales. Guess what? The drama followed them home. The rst two episodes are streaming now on Peacock.

Net ix’s critically acclaimed series “Beef” is back for a second season with a new cast. The show, which was originally intended to be a limited series, is now an anthology. The new episodes star Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny. It premieres Thursday.

Nicola Coughlan’s contemporary dark comedy “Big Mood” returns for a Season 2 on Tubi on Thursday. Coughlan and Lydia West star as Maggie and Eddie, longtime co-dependent best friends living in East London. Their friendship fell apart after Maggie, who su ers from bipolar disorder, decided to stop taking her medication and Eddie felt increasingly neglected. Season 2 picks up one year later.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

The moon has been in the news a lot lately, so it’s a good time to pay a visit courtesy of Capcom’s Pragmata. Unfortunately, the lunar base where it’s set has been rocked by a massive moonquake — and some parts of it have been weirdly altered by a mysterious substance called Luna lament. Two heroes emerge from the rubble: a guy named Hugh who’s skilled with rearms, and an android named Diana who’s a master hacker. Blast o Friday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch 2 or PC.

Nintendo’s Switch has become the console of choice for people who like to build cozy communities, thanks to hits like Animal Crossing and Pokémon Pokopia. But perhaps you’d like your neighbors to look more like your friends and family. Welcome to Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, which lets you populate an island with humanoid Mii avatars. Of course, these people can be fussy, so you’ll need to make them happy with food, clothes and furniture while building more places for them to play. Before you know it, they’ll be making friends, falling in love and having kids. And you can send your character to visit another human’s Switch. Get to know

Thursday.

STATE & NATION

Artemis II’s record-breaking journey around moon ends with dramatic splashdown

The crew paved the way for a sustainable moon base

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Artemis II’s astronauts closed out humanity’s rst lunar voyage in more than half a century with a Pacific splashdown on Friday, blazing new records near the moon with grace and joy.

It was a dramatic grandnale to a mission that revealed not only swaths of the lunar far side never seen before by human eyes, but a total solar eclipse and a parade of planets, most notably our own shimmering Earth against the endless black void of space.

With their ight now complete, the four astronauts have set NASA up for a moon landing by another crew in just two years and a full-blown moon base within the decade.

The triumphant moon-farers — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen — emerged from their bobbing capsule into the sunlight o the coast of San Diego.

In a scene reminiscent of NASA’s Apollo moonshots of yesteryear, military helicopters hoisted the astronauts one by one from an in atable raft docked to the capsule, hauling them aboard for the short trip to the Navy’s awaiting recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha.

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said from the recovery ship.

NASA’s Mission Control erupted in celebration, with hundreds pouring in from the back support rooms. “We did it,” NASA’s Lori Glaze rejoiced at a news conference. “Welcome to our moonshot.”

Their Orion capsule, dubbed Integrity, made the entire

plunge on automatic pilot. The lunar cruiser hit the atmosphere traveling Mach 33 — or 33 times the speed of sound — a blistering blur not seen since the 1960s and 1970s Apollo.

The tension in Mission Control mounted as the capsule became engulfed in red-hot plasma during peak heating and entered a planned communication blackout. All eyes were on the capsule’s life-protecting heat shield that had to withstand thousands of degrees during reentry.

Watching the drama unfold nearly 2,000 miles away, the astronauts’ families huddled in Mission Control’s viewing room, cheering when the capsule emerged from its six-minute blackout and again at splashdown.

The last time NASA and the Defense Department teamed up for a lunar crew’s reentry was Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II came screaming back at 36,174

feet per second — or 24,664 mph — just shy of the record before slowing to a 19 mph splashdown.

Until Artemis II, NASA’s fresh-from-the-moon homecomings starred only white male pilots. Intent on re ecting changes in society, NASA chose a diverse, multinational crew for its lunar comeback.

Koch became the rst woman to y to the moon, Glover the rst black astronaut and Hansen the rst non-U.S. citizen, bursting Canada with pride. They laughed, cried and hugged all the way there and back, striving to take the entire world along with them.

Artemis II’s record yby, views of the moon

Launched from Florida on April 1, the astronauts racked up one win after another as they deftly navigated NASA’s long-awaited lunar comeback,

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew.”

Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator

the rst major step in establishing a sustainable moon base.

Artemis II didn’t land on the moon or even orbit it. But it broke Apollo 13’s distance record and marked the farthest that humans have ever journeyed from Earth when the crew reached 252,756 miles. Then in the mission’s most heart-tugging scene, the teary astronauts asked permission to name a pair of craters after their moonship and Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.

During Monday’s record-breaking yby, they documented scenes of the moon’s far side never seen before by the human eye along with a total solar eclipse. The eclipse, in particular, “just blew all of us away,” Glover said.

Their sense of wonder and love awed everyone, as did their breathtaking pictures of the moon and Earth. The Artemis II crew channeled Apollo 8’s rst lunar explorers with Earthset, showing our Blue Marble setting behind the gray moon. It was reminiscent of Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise shot from 1968.

Born a decade after Apollo, Isaacman greeted the astronauts with hugs as they headed from the helicopters to the ship’s medical bay for routine checks. They walked by themselves, refusing the wheelchairs o ered them.

“We are back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon, bringing them back safely and to set up for a series more,” Isaacman said. “This is just the beginning.”

Their moonshot drew global attention as well as star pow-

er, earning props from President Donald Trump; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; Britain’s King Charles III; Ryan Gosling, star of the latest space ick “Project Hail Mary”; Scarlett Johansson of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and even Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner of TV’s original “Star Trek.” Artemis II was test ight for future moon missions

Despite its rich scienti c yield, the nearly 10-day ight was not without technical issues. Both the capsule’s drinking water and propellant systems were hit with valve problems. In perhaps the most high-pro le predicament, the toilet kept malfunctioning, but the astronauts shrugged it all o .

As for the heat shield, military aircraft crews photographed it from afar during reentry, and divers checked it from underneath as the capsule oated in the Paci c. More detailed examinations are planned.

“We can’t explore deeper unless we are doing a few things that are inconvenient,” Koch said, “unless we’re making a few sacri ces, unless we’re taking a few risks, and those things are all worth it.”

Added Hansen: “You do a lot of testing on the ground, but your nal test is when you get this hardware to space and it’s a doozy.”

Under the revamped Artemis program, next year’s Artemis III will see astronauts practice docking their capsule with a lunar lander or two in orbit around Earth. Artemis IV will attempt to land a crew of two near the moon’s south pole in 2028.

The Artemis II astronauts’ allegiance was to those future crews, Wiseman said.

“But we really hoped in our soul is that we could for just a moment have the world pause and remember that this is a beautiful planet and a very special place in our universe, and we should all cherish what we have been gifted,” he said.

Randolph record

Home again

North Carolina’s Christina

Houston

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Appeals court orders judge to end contempt investigation of Trump administration deportation ights

A federal judge must end his “intrusive” contempt investigation of the Trump administration for failing to comply with an order over ights carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last year, a divided appeals court panel ruled Tuesday. Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion in forging ahead with criminal contempt proceedings stemming from the March 2025 deportation ights, according to the majority opinion by a three -judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Pope heads to Cameroon as separatists announce pause in ghting

Algiers, Algeria

Pope Leo XIV is heading to the central African nation of Cameroon on the second leg of his Africa tour. He’s bringing a message of peace to its separatist region, where ghters have announced a three-day pause in ghting. He’ll also have talks Wednesday with President Paul Biya. The 93-year-old leader is the world’s oldest. His grip on power was extended for an eighth term in a widely disputed election last year. The Vatican says ghting corruption and insisting on the correct uses of political authority are expected to be themes of Leo’s visit. Leo was traveling to Cameroon from Algeria, the rst stop on his four-nation Africa tour.

$2.00

Asheboro nears implementation of water system development fees

The money will help support the expansion and maintenance of utilities

By Ryan Henkel Randolph Record

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro City Council met for its regular business meeting this month with an agenda primarily consisting of water resource items.

The council rst held a public hearing in relation to the adoption of a Water and Sewer Systems Development Fee analysis.

“We are authorized to adopt system development fees, SDFs, per state statute and the requirement is that it has to be based on a written analysis,” said Michael Rhoney, water resources director.

The goal for the fees is to help o set the rising costs of

maintenance and expansion of water utilities in the city.

“What we’re trying to do here is charge new development for not just the lines that they are going to be using, but the capacity for our water and wastewater treatment plants, which we’re in the process of having to update and expand,” council member Mary Joan Pugh said.

In addition, the study also establishes a maximum amount that may be charged for system development fees, that being a combined total of $9,900.32 for both water and wastewater at an incremental and buy-in level.

Following the hearing, the council accepted the analysis. No fees have yet been established by the council.

The council also approved the purchase of seven chemicals needed for the operation of the water and wastewater treatment plants.

“We are authorized to adopt system development fees per state statute.”

Michael Rhoney, water resources director

These include liquid alum, liquid caustic, uosilicic acid, sodium hypochlorite, calcium nitrate, sodium permanganate and calcium carbonate.

In total, the city will contract with six di erent companies for the provision of the chemicals all at various rates and, according to Rhoney, there is a slight expense increase from the previous year.

The nal two water resource items included the council’s authorization to apply for state and federal grants, loans for

wastewater collection system improvements and an interlocal agreement with Randolph County for the establishment of long-range infrastructure plans for the eastern portion of the county.

“This is a landmark agreement that will ensure our future partnerships and invest state dollars as best as we can,” City Manager Donald Duncan said.

The goal of the agreement is to utilize state funding to support the construction, maintenance and needed upgrades for various water lines as well as the takeover and operation of the Seagrove-Ulah Metropolitan Water District.

“For Asheboro, the advantage is that there’s another backup water source coming to Asheboro,” Duncan said. “We have all the water

Drone work rewards Asheboro students

The district championship for drone soccer brought together teams for a special competition

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

ELON — Even if there was chaos, the U.S. Drone Soccer District Championships turned out to be rewarding for the participants. Particularly for a group from Asheboro High School that became the winning team in the competition Saturday at Elon University’s South Gym.

“It has been a great day,” said Anthony Woodyard, who’s one of the organizers from Asheboro High School. “The students have been super engaged.”

Senior Jaycoll Reyes, who’s in his third year competing, has been involved with the Asheboro esports team since its inception. “A tech competition like this

is completely di erent,” Reyes said. “We put in a lot of work. I’ve spent hours with this. We got pretty good results. We come to compete.”

The district competition included three teams from Asheboro, two from Wheatmore and one from Virgin-

ia sponsored by Virginia Tech. Drone soccer is an international esport where teams pilot spherical “drone balls” inside a protective arena. One designated striker attempts to y through a suspended goal ring while teammates defend and assist.

“It has exposed me to a lot of new experiences. My joy is to watch it build up at Asheboro High School.”

Jaycoll Reyes, Asheboro senior

“It’s super chaotic,” Woodyard said. “Ten drones inside the cage.” Asheboro’s soccer drone program began with ve people and now there are three teams representing the school.

Coach Wendy Graham, a biology teacher at Asheboro High School (and formerly of Balfour Elementary School), has been involved since its start at the school. She said it took a year to get the drone soccer team up and running, but she’s most excited by how the students

Trip

THURSDAY 4.16.26

Man charged in Liberty shootings

The arrest came more than a month after sheri ’s deputies investigated an incident Randolph Record sta LIBERTY — Charges have been led against a man stemming from a February shooting in Liberty.

CRIME LOG

April 6

• John Paul Brower, 58, of Asheboro, was arrested by NCHP for driving while impaired, driving on a revoked license and motorcycle/ moped helmet violation.

• James Leo Andrews, 41, of High Point, was arrested by Asheboro PD for possession of fentanyl, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia, and other charges.

• Janet Cherenfant, 42, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for misdemeanor larceny and possession of stolen goods/ property.

• Steven Dale DeMay, 55, of Franklinville, was arrested by RCSO for possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Bryce Matthew Kindley, 20, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for injury to personal property, misdemeanor stalking and domestic violence protective order violation.

• Tony Lashaun McRae, 21, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for resisting a public o cer.

• Jacob Neil Sneider, 34, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for larceny from the person, possession of stolen goods/property and hit and run leaving the scene of property damage, and other charges.

April 7

• Cortney Devon Baker, 39, of

THURSDAY APRIL 16

FRIDAY APRIL 17

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SUNDAY APRIL 19

DRONE from page A1

have taken ownership in the program.

“It takes a certain type of kid to have that persistence,” Graham said. “Kids help kids. It has been growing. Now they help train the others.”

Students build the drones from kits. They must program the drones and then learn to pilot them.

Reyes has shown his handiwork. He has been an intern assisting with the school’s IT operations. With the drone soccer team, he’s all in. Reyes said he might spend hours xing drones on campus and then take the projects home as well.

Asheboro formed the rst drone soccer team in North Carolina. Team members proudly wear “First in Flight” on their team apparel.

Wheatmore’s program is newer with 12 participants. The

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we’re ever going to need, but bad things happen. So you’re building in redundancy for your citizens.” In addition, the council also approved a budget amendment to reallocate funding already within the general operating fund for the installation of per-

Treven Terrill Benton, 27, faces charges that include felony breaking and/or entering’ four counts of felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill; felony possession of a stolen rearm; felony possession of a rearm by a felon; felony assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and in icting serious injuries; and felony at-

Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, assault on a female and domestic criminal trespass.

• Christopher Lee Jones, 38, of Asheboro, was arrested by RCSO for simple possession of a controlled substance and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

• Talichia Nikko Kearns, 36, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for misdemeanor larceny, possession of stolen goods/property and injury to personal property, and other charges.

• Grady Alton Thomas Kellam, 27, of Franklinville, was arrested by Asheboro PD for injury to personal property, assault by pointing a gun and communicating threats.

• John Jamie Kennedy, 55, of Sophia, was arrested by RCSO for second-degree sexual exploitation of a minor.

• Shonia Larose Robinson, 63, of Glen Allen, was arrested by NCHP for felony eeing to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, reckless driving to endanger and failure to heed a light or siren, and other charges.

April 8

• Brion Keath E rd, 55, of High Point, was arrested by NCHP for driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger and possession of an open container of alcohol in the

school entered two teams in the district competition.

“We’re trying to piece it all together,” Wheatmore coach Jason Meadows said. “The goal was to come out here and get experience. This is reality.”

Saturday marked the rst time the district championship was contested in North Carolina. Drone soccer involves engineering, drone piloting and teamwork.

Georgia-based David Roberts, founder, president and chairman of U.S. Drone Soccer, attended the Elon competition. He said every event brings new experiences and challenges for the participants.

The competitions involve two teams — with a coed roster required — with their drones in the 10-foot-by-20-foot arena (or cage). Students operate drones from outside the cages, with the drones representing soccer balls. Points are scored with the

manent air conditioning in the eet maintenance garage.

“Fleet maintenance regularly saves our bacon and saves us a lot of bacon,” council member Kelly Heath said. “They’re amazing with what they do and with the money they’ve saved us.”

tempted rst-degree murder. Benton was arrested in Guilford County more than a month after the incident, according to information from the Randolph County Sheri ’s O ce. The shooting took place on Hollow Tree Drive. Deputies said they found two people with gunshot wounds. The victims were transported to a hospital for treatment.

Randolph Guide

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in Randolph County:

April 16

Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Walk & Block Party

4:30 p.m.

passenger area.

• Richard Paul Grecho, 52, of Hudson, was arrested by High Point PD for identity theft, forgery of an instrument and attempting to obtain property by false pretenses, and other charges.

• Chastity Dawn Gregory, 53, of Denton, was arrested by RCSO for misdemeanor larceny, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Doyle Dean Henderson, 58, of Trinity, was arrested by Asheboro PD for second-degree trespass, misdemeanor breaking and entering and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Maurice Antonio Marquis, 37, of the Bronx, was arrested by High Point PD for possession of marijuana, possession or manufacture of a fraudulent ID and resisting a public o cer.

• Michael Andrew Swain, 38, of Ramseur, was arrested by RCSO for felony possession of cocaine and second-degree trespass.

• Edwin Nieves Tellez, 23, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for injury to real property.

• Gary Michael Zielenski, 21, of Asheboro, was arrested by Asheboro PD for felony possession of stolen goods/ property, misdemeanor breaking and entering and misdemeanor larceny, and other charges.

drone directed through the target, while the opposition tries to steer their drones to prevent the scoring. There are best-of-three matches. During breaks between games, students hurry to make adjustments and repairs to their drones. The Asheboro Black Hawks won the District IV Championship. Members of the Black Hawks are Samuel Castro Perez, Ozmar Martinez, Yug Patel, Seongyun Kim, Jenny Gabriel, Keneth Morales and Reyes.

Saturday’s event was a collaborative e ort between Elon University, NC State and Asheboro City Schools.

Soccer drone experiences have taken Reyes to events in Washington, D.C., and Rome, New York.

“It has exposed me to a lot of new experiences,” Reyes said. “My joy is to watch it build up at Asheboro High School.”

ney Thomas Carruthers, who takes over for the retired Je Sugg, who served the city for 25 years.

“Tonight is a special night for Asheboro,” Mayor Joey Trogdon said. “I can’t tell you how happy we are to have him here.”

The Randolph County Department of Social Services and community partners host a walk and block party to raise awareness during National Child Abuse Prevention Month. The event includes an opening ceremony followed by a community walk.

Asheboro Recreation Center 148 North St. Asheboro

April 17

18th Annual Celebration of Spring Pottery Tour

10 a.m.

More than 40 Seagrove-area pottery studios open their doors for this annual self-guided tour running April 17-19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Visitors can watch demonstrations, meet potters and browse new handmade ceramic work across the Handmade Pottery Capital of the USA. Seagrove-area pottery studios (self-guided tour) NC Pottery Highway Seagrove

Friday Night Bluegrass:

Just A Lil Grace

7 p.m.

The Sunset Theatre’s Friday Night Bluegrass series presents Just A Lil Grace, an acoustic band specializing in bluegrass gospel music. Tickets are available through ThunderTix.

Sunset Theatre 234 Sunset Ave. Asheboro

April 18

Deep River Folk School Fiber Arts Weekend

The Deep River Folk School hosts a full weekend of ber arts workshops April 18-19, including wet felting, slow-stitch mending, natural dyeing, drop spindle, wool and alpaca ber raising, and communal crafting demos. Saturday workshops include lunch.

Deep River Folk School Franklinville

MONDAY APRIL 20

TUESDAY APRIL 21

WEDNESDAY APRIL 22

Finally, the council swore into o ce new city attor-

The Asheboro City Council will next meet May 7.

Once Upon a Time in Randolph County — Gala for the Children 6 p.m.

The Randolph Partnership for Children hosts its annual fundraising gala and bene t auction to support early childhood programs across the county. This year’s event carries the storybook theme “Once Upon a Time in Randolph County.” Tickets are $75 each or $125 for two. Randolph County Agricultural Center Event Center 1880 U.S. Highway 64 E. Asheboro

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

Trump is denounced — even by some Republicans — over the ‘war of choice’

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

ABOUT THE WAR against Iran, most polls nd it especially unpopular among Democrats, independents and even some Republicans who feel double-crossed because President Donald Trump campaigned against “endless wars” and promised not to start a new one.

As to Trump’s criticism of “endless wars,” supporters should not have taken it seriously for several reasons. First, we have “endless wars” because we have endless enemies. And they have a vote. Second, one could argue that the war against Iran is not new. After all, Iran’s leaders have been calling for America’s annihilation for 47 years. Third, presidents make decisions based upon events, many of which are unforeseen.

Woodrow Wilson campaigned in 1914 to keep America out of World War I. He ultimately took the country to war. Before our entry into World War II, several Americans supported an anti-war movement called America First. A couple of college students named Gerald R. Ford and John F. Kennedy supported this movement. Then came Pearl Harbor.

Assuming Iran was on the brink of acquiring the ability to make a nuclear bomb — their own negotiators admitted Iran had enough enriched uranium to make 11 bombs — this left Trump a couple of options: do nothing, the route taken by previous presidents, or stop them. Rather than kick the can down the road, Trump chose to stomp on it.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, prominent lawyer David Boies chastised fellow

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Democrats for opposing the war and letting their animosity against Trump cloud their judgment.

“If (Trump) hadn’t acted, his successor would have been left with an even more dangerous choice than his predecessors left him. ... What is harder to understand, and particularly troubling for our country, is opposition rooted simply in antipathy toward Mr. Trump himself,” he wrote.

As for the war’s unpopularity, opponents call Trump a liar as to the intel purporting to show Iran is an imminent threat. Critics say he failed to consult, let alone get support from, our allies.

But consider the decision President George W. Bush made to go to war. Many now call the Iraq War a blunder of epic proportions. Much of the country believes Bush “lied us into the war.”

Let’s revisit. At rst, 72% of Americans, according to Gallup, supported that war. Bush obtained resolutions in support of the war from both the House and the Senate. The widely held belief that Iraq had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction was only one of the many reasons set forth in the resolution. The resolution also noted that Iraq used chemical weapons on its own people and on the Iranians; that Iraq was stealing from the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme and likely using the money for military purposes; that Iraq was shooting at the British and American planes patrolling the southern and northern no- y zones; and that Saddam Hussein had attempted to assassinate President George H.W. Bush.

How to reverse societal decline

Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice.

RETAIL STORES locking up items is the symptom of a much larger problem.

I recently went to Walmart and had ibuprofen on my shopping list. I went to the medicine section and — groan — saw this $5 item locked behind glass. There were a couple of other people already waiting, so I looked around for a call button. That’s when one of the people waiting said an employee was already helping them but needed to get more boxes.

I was utterly confused.

One of the waiting customers remarked that he was from Florida and that stores there didn’t have items behind locked glass. What a di erence having Ron DeSantis as governor makes. I generously spared him a full rundown of how Democrats passed a soft-on-crime bill in 2019. Not punishing criminals led to a dramatic increase in retail theft. Stores are taking steps to stop theft — and I soon learned how inconvenient those measures are for everyone else.

Eventually, a Walmart employee returned carrying clear plastic boxes with locking tops. She removed each customer’s desired item from behind the glass and put it in the locking box. At checkout, another employee unlocked my box so I could pay for my item. This is ridiculous.

I don’t blame Walmart. I wouldn’t want criminals stealing from me either.

But there’s plenty of blame to go around. Criminals are responsible for their own actions. The bill that Democrats passed in 2019, gutting criminal penalties, is

part of the problem. In 2020, the Nevada Supreme Court signi cantly weakened bail in Nevada. That’s played a role. Legislative Democrats have largely resisted Gov. Joe Lombardo’s attempts to put teeth back into Nevada’s crime laws.

The left’s soft-on-crime policies stem from its worldview. A worldview is someone’s underlying beliefs that they use to interpret and make sense of what’s going on. Everyone has a worldview, even if most people don’t think about it consciously. When people talk past each other in a policy discussion, it’s often because their worldviews con ict. You have to dig underneath the surface to expose the root of the disagreement.

The left has embraced critical theory, which divides people into binary groups based on nances, race or other characteristics. This split produces some groups that are more successful than others. Intersectionality is the left’s way of combining and ranking these groups.

Critical theorists believe that the successful group obtained their elevated status by victimizing those in the other group. These supposed oppressors created systems and institutions to entrench their dominance of the victim group.

How a group can get rich robbing poor people is never quite explained.

But you can see the implications. Individual responsibility is thrown out the window since success or failure is a function of group membership, not personal choices.

George W. Bush formed a “coalition of the willing” consisting of 48 nations, including the U.S., U.K., Australia and Poland, that committed troops to the e ort. The war became unpopular. Many denounced Bush as a liar and a war criminal despite his pre-war e ort to form a coalition, to get buy-in from both Democrats and Republicans and to obtain a unanimous resolution from the U.N. Trump did none of this before going to war against Iran. He is as excoriated as viciously as was Bush, who did all the things critics accuse Trump of not doing. So the real issue comes down to whether Trump is doing the right thing.

During the Iran-Iraq war, the Iranian regime used children to clear mine elds — costing tens of thousands of young lives. There was a term for this. It is a war crime.

Iran is now mobilizing boys as young as 12 to ght the U.S. and Israel. There’s a term for this. It is a war crime.

And it is forcing citizens to form human chains to stand in front of military targets. There is a term for this. It is a war crime.

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

This is why this fanatical regime cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. This is why Trump is correct to implore the civilized world to join the ght.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host.

(Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Stealing is proof the system has failed. As such, the government shouldn’t punish a thief for something that’s beyond his control. Government policy should overtly favor oppressed groups, not set an objective standard for individuals to follow.

Further, those objective standards, like “don’t steal,” aren’t neutral principles. They’re tools the powerful use to cement their privilege. One of the deepest roots of this poisonous philosophical plant is a rejection of absolute truth.

Most Democrats won’t fully articulate this. For one, many people haven’t fully thought through their worldview. Outside of a college campus, it also sounds like a conspiracy theory — because it is one.

Critical theory is bogus. For one, you can’t logically reject absolute truth while claiming that your belief system is true. It’s also morally wrong to judge people based on their skin color instead of their character.

Finally, this worldview fails in practice. Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice. That’s not a success story. In other cities, like San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, stores have shut down entirely over crime.

It is possible to reverse this societal decline — but it requires rejecting the worldview causing the rot.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Swalwell’s exit shakes up chaotic California gubernatorial race

Allegations

forced him from the race and Congress

By Michael R. Blood

The Associated Press

Democrat-

LOS ANGELES —

ic

Rep.

Eric Swalwell’s abrupt exit from the race for California governor — then his announcement he would leave Congress — left his rivals scrambling to lock down his former supporters in a crowded contest with no clear leader, injecting more turmoil into the campaign to lead the nation’s most populous state.

Swalwell’s decision to suspend his campaign Sunday followed allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, that were published Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. While pulling out of the race he remained de ant in a post on the social platform X, saying, “I will ght the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my ght, not a campaign’s.”

On Monday, he posted a statement on X, saying he planned to resign from Congress but did not provide a date for his departure. He wrote it was unfair for his constituents to have him distracted from his duties.

For rival candidates in a wide-open race, the key issue is where Swalwell’s supporters will go. He was among the most prominent Democrats in the contest, with mail ballots scheduled to go to voters in early May in advance of the June 2 primary election. Most of the well-known candidates are expected to appear on stage together Tuesday during a forum in Sacramento.

RICH PEDRONCELLI / AP PHOTO

California gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) speaks at a town hall meeting earlier this month.

Katie Porter, one of the leading Democrats, posted a line from a San Francisco Chronicle column on X, “Democrats can pull victory from the jaws of defeat by coalescing around Porter.” Billionaire hedge fund manager-turned-liberal activist Tom Steyer said he secured the support of a handful of lawmakers, including Rep. Jared Human, a Democrat whose coastal district runs north of San Francisco, not far from Swalwell’s home turf. Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles mayor, pitched a new ad promising to lower gas and grocery costs in a state known for its punishing cost of living.

With seven established Democrats and two leading Republicans on a primary ballot with more than 50 candidates, the race remains uid. While Swalwell has suspended his campaign, his name cannot be removed from the ballot.

“Nobody has really caught re,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta, who is not involved in the campaign. Swal-

well’s supporters “will scatter out to other candidates.”

Shifting alliances with Swalwell’s departure

In Sacramento, a handful of state lawmakers quickly switched their support from Swalwell to Steyer. Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz said he believes Steyer will put in the work to form strong relationships with the legislature. Steyer’s business background — he has never held public o ce — means he’ll challenge the status quo, Schultz added.

Democratic Assemblymember Corey Jackson — who also shifted to Steyer — said he wanted to back a candidate who had a legitimate chance of winning. He said in a statement that he and Steyer shared a “commitment to building an economy rooted in dignity for working people.”

San Jose’s Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan, running for governor in his rst statewide election, sought to distinguish his record from Steyer and another leading candidate, Republican Steve Hilton, who hosted a show on Fox News for six years and has Trump’s endorsement.

With Swalwell out, “now we have a eld that’s got a billionaire who made his fortune investing in private prisons, ICE facilities, oil and gas companies … and a MAGA-backed TV commentator on the other hand,” Mahan said on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.” “California deserves so much better,” Mahan said.

Many voters remain distant from governor’s race

Swalwell is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President Donald

Trump’s second impeachment trial during his rst term in early 2021. But in a media environment dominated by Trump, the race remains distant from many California voters.

After the publicity about sexual misconduct allegations, “I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper,” Acosta added.

Swalwell was considered a leading contender along with Steyer and Porter and two Republicans, Riverside County Sheri Chad Bianco and Hilton. But Republican activists haven’t rallied around Hilton, despite Trump’s support; at a California Republican Party convention over the weekend the party declined to endorse a candidate in the race.

Democrats have feared the party’s large number of candidates could lead to them getting shut out of the general election in November. That’s because California has a primary system in which only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.

Swalwell had become a clear target for his Democratic rivals as he began to lock up institutional support. Some had seized on rumors of sexual misconduct that circulated on social media for weeks before the Chronicle’s report.

The San Francisco Chronicle spoke to a woman who alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024. The woman said she did not go to police at the time of the assaults because she was afraid she would not be believed. In both cases the woman said she was too intoxicated to consent to sex. CNN reported on allegations that ap-

“I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper.”

Andrew Acosta, Democratic consultant

peared to come from the same woman, and spoke to several other women who accused Swalwell of other sexual misconduct. Neither outlet named the woman, and The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify her account and identity. Her lawyer declined to comment. The alleged 2024 incident occurred in New York, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s O ce said it’s investigating. That o ce urged anyone with knowledge to contact its special victims division. The Alameda County District Attorney’s o ce, which covers Swalwell’s California district, said no one has reached out to the o ce with allegations against Swalwell.

House colleagues call for Swalwell to resign

Swalwell’s swift downfall came amid rising pressure for him to leave Congress. He earlier lost the support of powerful labor unions that had backed his candidacy, along with one-time allies like California U.S. Sen. Adam Schi and Rep. Jimmy Gomez. Some representatives had said they would support the rare step of expelling him from the U.S. House should he refuse to step aside. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation Monday.

Swalwell, who is originally from Iowa, was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters.

Gunman opens re at high school in Turkey, wounding at least 16 before killing himself

The former student had threatened the attack on social media before the shooting

By Suzan Fraser The Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey — A former student opened re at a high school in southeastern Turkey on Tuesday, wounding at least 16 people, before killing himself, an o cial said.

The 18-year-old attacker, armed with a shotgun, red randomly inside a vocational

high school in Siverek, Sanliurfa province. He later killed himself with the same shotgun after being “cornered by police,” Gov. Hasan Sildak said.

The attack left 10 students, four teachers, a canteen employee and a police o cer hurt, Sildak said. While most of them were being treated in Siverek, ve of the teachers and students were transferred to a hospital in the provincial capital because their conditions were more serious, the governor said.

The motive for the attack remains unclear. School shootings are rare in Turkey.

The attacker did not have a criminal record, Sildak said.

The school had been declared safe and no permanent police o cer was assigned to protect it, he added, calling the shooting an “isolated incident.”

NTV television and other media reports said the assailant had threatened an attack on the school on social media prior to the shooting.

One student told the state-run Anadolu Agency that he and a friend jumped out of their classroom window to ee the attacker.

“He suddenly entered the

“He didn’t say anything, he entered and started to shoot directly.”

Omer Furkan Sayar, student

classroom and red. He red four or ve times. Two people were hit. He then went into the next classroom,” Anadolu quoted Omer Furkan Sayar as saying. “We rst threw ourselves to the ground and then two of us jumped out of the window.” Sayar continued: “He didn’t

say anything, he entered and started to shoot directly.”

Earlier, media reports said all students were evacuated and police special operations units were deployed after the assailant refused to surrender.

“The individual was cornered inside the building through police intervention and died after shooting himself,” Sildak told reporters, adding that a “comprehensive” investigation into the shooting would be carried out.

Video footage showed dozens of students running out of the school toward the gate and onto the street.

Pearl Hunt

Oct. 7, 1931 – April 4, 2026

Pearl Cashatt Hunt passed away on April 4, 2026, at the Gibson Hospice House in Wentworth, NC. She was 94 years old.

Mom was born on October 7, 1931, to James Madison Cashatt and Lou Etta Pierce Cashatt. She was one of eleven children. In 1959, she met my father, and on November 19th, 1960, they were married. In 1964, I came along. Mom loved all things outside, and she loved to work in her vegetable and ower gardens in the summer. She was very kind and had the patience of Jobe. She and my father instilled in me the values of honesty, hard work, and to move forward in life no matter what happens.

Mom was a caring daughter, sister, aunt, wife and mother. Along with her and my dad’s siblings, she was a caretaker for both sets of grandparents.

When she was admitted to Hospice last week, one of the nurses asked her if she liked to cook when she was raising her family, and she said, “not really.” We all laughed, including mom. Her German chocolate cakes were just incredible. She and my father were my two biggest life cheerleaders, and I will deeply miss both of their support and encouragement.

She had a very deep faith in God, and it was re ected in how she treated others and how she lived her life.

She is survived by her daughter, Tamara Hunt, of Reidsville. She is survived by one sister-in-law, Juanita Cashatt of High Point, sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Jackie and Crowson Hunt of Thomasville, several nieces and nephews, as well as several great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased in death by her husband, Wan C. Hunt.

Special thanks to Brookdale of Reidsville where she lived for the last seven years. The amazing care, love, and family atmosphere they created for mom was wonderful.

Funeral services for Mrs. Hunt will be held on Saturday, April 11th, 2026 at 1:00 pm at the Glenn “Mac” Pugh Chapel, 437 Sunset Avenue in Asheboro with Mike Thompson o ciating. Interment will follow at Piney Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery, 7564 Jackson Creek Road in Denton.

Donations may be made to Piney Grove United Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Mike Patrick, 13520 East Old Highway 64, Lexington, NC 27292.

Mary Catherine Graminski

Sept. 10, 1968 – April 9, 2026

Mary Catherine Graminski,

a beacon of intelligence and creativity, passed away peacefully on April 9, 2026, in Liberty, North Carolina, at the age of 57. Born on September 10, 1968, at Ft. Huachuca, Arizona, as the youngest of eight children, she lived a life rich with passion, dedication, and inspiration that touched the hearts of everyone she met.

Mary’s journey was one of diverse and meaningful contributions. She began her career in the US Army as a Counterintelligence Specialist, being stationed in Maryland and Korea. Then, while married to another soldier, she nurtured young minds, including her daughters, as a daycare provider for other army wives. This sets the stage for her future endeavors in education. Her love for teaching blossomed as she guided middle school students through the wonders of science and later inspired high school students as a beloved biology teacher.

In addition to her teaching, Mary excelled as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, where her analytical skills and attention to detail shone brightly. With her husband, she was a travel contract worker in many di erent laboratories around the country, going where there were shortages in the lab and calling a fth wheel home. Her ability to balance her professional life with her personal interests was truly remarkable.

Mary’s zest for life was evident in her myriad of interests. An avid reader, she found joy in the pages of countless books. Her imagination thrived at ComicCons and Renaissance festivals, where she brought characters to life with costumes she lovingly crafted for herself and her husband, David Blair. Her creative spirit shone brightly when she made her own wedding dress, a testament to her artistic talent and dedication.

Halloween was her favorite holiday, a time when her animated personality truly came alive. She delighted in the medieval games, adventures in Dungeons and Dragons, and embraced everything Disney with childlike wonder.

Mary was preceded in death by her loving parents, Donald Gene Graminski and Mary Frances Demaree. She is survived by her devoted husband, David Blair, daughter Emily Rose Conrad, stepsons Daniel Blair and James Blair, three golden retrievers, and a community of friends and family who will dearly miss her vibrant presence.

A memorial service to honor and celebrate Mary Catherine’s extraordinary life will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026, between 1-3 p.m. In lieu of owers, those wishing to pay tribute to her incredible legacy are encouraged to donate to Breakthrough T1D (Type 1 Diabetes) and to embrace life with the same verve and imagination that Mary embodied every day.

May her memory continue to inspire us all to live creatively, explore relentlessly, and cherish each moment with love and laughter.

Deborah “Debbie” Moore

March 2, 1955 – April 5, 2026

With profound sadness, we announce the passing of Deborah “Debbie” Cheryl Cockman Moore, 71, of Holly Springs, who died unexpectedly on Sunday, April 5, 2026, at Wake Medical Center in Raleigh.

Debbie was born on March 2, 1955, in Asheboro, North Carolina, the daughter of the late Colon Cockman Sr. and Edith Sharpe Cockman. Debbie grew up in Asheboro and lived there a large part of her life prior to moving to Wake County to be near family. Debbie was a proud and dedicated wife, mother, grammie, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend. During her time in Asheboro, Debbie was a faithful member of Balfour Baptist Church and worked for many years at Wachovia.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Terry Moore Sr., of the home; daughter, Tara Leigh Clark Gerberich and husband, Andy, of Apex; grandchildren, Lily Grace Gerberich and Graham Clarke Gerberich; nephews, Cameron Cockman and Clarke Cockman; along with many other special extended family members and friends.

In addition to her parents, Debbie is preceded in death by her brothers, Ronnie Walker and Johnny Cockman.

Debbie’s biggest love was her family. She considered being a mother and grandmother her greatest achievement. She devoted her life to creating loving and supportive moments for her family by always being there at the most important times whether that was kid’s events, helping loved ones when needed, celebrating holidays or birthdays, family vacations, or just sharing stories and memories. Debbie loved taking pictures, making sure that every memory was documented.

Debbie had the gift of gab and was a great storyteller for any that knew her, and she was more than willing to share a story about Tara, Lily or Graham and loved reminiscing about the past. She never met a stranger and could nd a connection with anyone. Debbie always loved learning about others and sharing about the ones she loved the most.

Outside of family, Debbie’s love for Elvis Presley could rival the biggest fan. She could tell you every detail about him, his music, and his life. And if you mentioned his name, you were sure to hear a story related back to him. Another love for Debbie was dogs, with a particular fondness for basset hounds and her grandpups, Lucy and Ashe. Above all, Debbie will be remembered for her unconditional love, her strong desire for togetherness, and her sel essness to all. She was always there for anyone who needed her, whether that was with a lending hand or ear.

A funeral service will be conducted at 2 p.m., Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will follow at Randolph Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from 12:30-1:45 p.m. for a visitation, Saturday, at Ridge Funeral Home prior to the service.

Wendell Atlas Seawell

Aug. 2, 1958 – April 6, 2026

Wendell Atlas Seawell, 67, of Asheboro, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, April 6, 2026, at his home. A funeral service will be conducted at 11 a.m., Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, with Rev. Garry Reeder o ciating and Ricky Martinez and Ben Staley sharing memories. Burial will follow at New Hope Memorial Gardens. Wendell was born on August 2, 1958, in Iredell County, NC, the son of the late Gurney Atlas Seawell and Juanita Frye Seawell. He will be remembered as a man whose greatest joy came from making a di erence other people’s lives. Wendell had a deep passion for his family, being a devoted husband, father and pawpaw. He took pride in his two daughters often lending a helping hand when needed, advice when asked, and along with his loving wife, displayed a strong presence of support at sporting events, dance recitals and other signi cant achievements for his grandchildren. For decades, he generously devoted his time to mentoring young athletes, sharing his passion and knowledge of the game of softball. He truly enjoyed working with his students and teaching them, always taking the time to o er words of wisdom that encouraged them to believe in themselves and build con dence in their skills. Through his guidance and dedication, he inspired those around him to grow, both on and o the eld, and to strive for success. Outside of athletics, he devoted 44 years of dedicated service to Klaussner Furniture, taking on a variety of roles with pride and determination. His strong work ethic, dependable nature, and natural leadership earned him the respect and admiration of his colleagues throughout his career, lasting until his retirement in 2023. Additionally, Wendell had a true passion for gardening and a remarkable talent for growing just about anything. Year after year, season after season, his garden ourished and he took great pride in seeing the fruits of his labor. He enjoyed sharing his knowledge with family and friends and passing on his expertise and experiences.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Janice Lynn Seawell; daughters, Wendy Seawell Gatlin (Nick), Ashley Seawell Bullington (Jon); brothers, Wenford Seawell (Linda), Wilbert Seawell (Debbie); grandchildren, Dylan Gatlin, Zoey Bullington, Carly Gatlin, and Chase Bullington.

The family will receive friends from 9-10:45 a.m., Saturday at Ridge Funeral Home prior to the service. Memorials may be made to Knockouts Fastpitch Softball Organization, 8885 Oldenburg Drive, Mount Pleasant, NC 28124.

Shirley Potts

April 29, 1949 – April 6, 2026

Shirley Mae Steele Potts, 76, of Sophia, North Carolina, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 6, 2026, at High Point Medical Center, surrounded by her family.

A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Ridge Funeral Home Chapel, o ciated by her niece, Tammy Potts-O’Kelley. Burial will follow at Randolph Memorial Park in Asheboro.

Shirley was born in Asheboro, North Carolina, on April 29, 1949, to the late Luther Charles Steele Sr. and Hazel Mae Isley Steele. She entered this world with a head full of beautiful red hair and a radiant smile that could light even the darkest room—a warmth she carried throughout her life.

Shirley had a deep love for Jesus and found great joy in the timeless comfort of hymns. As a young woman, she especially enjoyed listening to music and dancing, a love she carried with her throughout her life. She also appreciated the simple pleasures in life, including her love of collecting rocks, each one a small treasure to her. Though she lived simply, she was rich in compassion and generosity. She gave freely from what little she had, often supporting organizations dedicated to children and childhood illnesses. Her giving spirit was shaped in part by the heartbreaking loss of her son, Johnny Lee, in 1983— a loss that remained with her always, as only a mother can understand.

In addition to her parents, Shirley was preceded in death by her beloved son, Johnny Lee Potts; brothers, Gary Lee and James Michael “Mike” Steele; half-sister, Norma Jean “Sissy” Presnell; half-brother, Charles Steele; grandchildren, Melissa Dawn Garner and Kristy Dawn Presnell; daughter-in-law, Eva Alice Potts; and her in-laws, Wille Gray Potts and Louise Potts Craven.

Shirley is lovingly remembered by her children, Sherry Ann Potts Cole and husband, Roger, of Asheboro; Frankie Dean Potts and wife, Amber, of Seagrove; and Eddie Monroe Potts of Lexington; her brother, Luther Charles “Butch” Steele Jr. of Archdale; and her sister, Frances “Frannie” Rose and husband, Carlyle of Clinton. She is also survived by her cherished grandchildren, Matthew Garner, Chance Monroe and Ava Grace Potts, Emily and Hailey Potts; greatgrandchildren, Noel Kirsten, Lavodaga Pearl Ann, Acesa Jaida Lecessity; Christian Joel (Ally), Joel Thomas, and and Achilles Justice Fesperman; great-greatgranddaughter, Amelia Dawn Fesperman; her former husband, Robert Lee “Bob” Potts of Hickory Grove, South Carolina; and numerous nieces, nephews and extended family members.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the sta of the ICU at High Point Medical Center for the care and compassion shown to Shirley during the nal hours following her sudden illness.

In honor of Shirley’s memory, owers are deeply appreciated. Alternatively, memorial contributions may be made to: stjude.org/give/memorials-anddedications.html.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, April 13, 2026, from 12:45-1:45 p.m. at Ridge Funeral Home, prior to the service, and at other times at the home of Michael & Tammy O’Kelley.

Shirley’s children and family will carry her memory with them always, remembering her bright smile and the humble spirit she exhibited throughout her life.

STATE & NATION

Artemis II’s record-breaking journey around moon ends with dramatic splashdown

The crew paved the way for a sustainable moon base

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Artemis II’s astronauts closed out humanity’s rst lunar voyage in more than half a century with a Pacific splashdown on Friday, blazing new records near the moon with grace and joy.

It was a dramatic grandnale to a mission that revealed not only swaths of the lunar far side never seen before by human eyes, but a total solar eclipse and a parade of planets, most notably our own shimmering Earth against the endless black void of space.

With their ight now complete, the four astronauts have set NASA up for a moon landing by another crew in just two years and a full-blown moon base within the decade.

The triumphant moon-farers — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen — emerged from their bobbing capsule into the sunlight o the coast of San Diego.

In a scene reminiscent of NASA’s Apollo moonshots of yesteryear, military helicopters hoisted the astronauts one by one from an in atable raft docked to the capsule, hauling them aboard for the short trip to the Navy’s awaiting recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha.

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said from the recovery ship.

NASA’s Mission Control erupted in celebration, with hundreds pouring in from the back support rooms. “We did it,” NASA’s Lori Glaze rejoiced at a news conference. “Welcome to our moonshot.”

Their Orion capsule, dubbed Integrity, made the entire plunge on automatic pilot. The

lunar cruiser hit the atmosphere traveling Mach 33 — or 33 times the speed of sound — a blistering blur not seen since the 1960s and 1970s Apollo.

The tension in Mission Control mounted as the capsule became engulfed in red-hot plasma during peak heating and entered a planned communication blackout. All eyes were on the capsule’s life-protecting heat shield that had to withstand thousands of degrees during reentry.

Watching the drama unfold nearly 2,000 miles away, the astronauts’ families huddled in Mission Control’s viewing room, cheering when the capsule emerged from its six-minute blackout and again at splashdown.

The last time NASA and the Defense Department teamed up for a lunar crew’s reentry was Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II came screaming back at 36,174

feet per second — or 24,664 mph — just shy of the record before slowing to a 19 mph splashdown.

Until Artemis II, NASA’s fresh-from-the-moon homecomings starred only white male pilots. Intent on re ecting changes in society, NASA chose a diverse, multinational crew for its lunar comeback.

Koch became the rst woman to y to the moon, Glover the rst black astronaut and Hansen the rst non-U.S. citizen, bursting Canada with pride. They laughed, cried and hugged all the way there and back, striving to take the entire world along with them.

Artemis II’s record yby, views of the moon

Launched from Florida on April 1, the astronauts racked up one win after another as they deftly navigated NASA’s

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew.”

Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator

long-awaited lunar comeback, the rst major step in establishing a sustainable moon base.

Artemis II didn’t land on the moon or even orbit it. But it broke Apollo 13’s distance record and marked the farthest that humans have ever journeyed from Earth when the crew reached 252,756 miles.

Then in the mission’s most heart-tugging scene, the teary astronauts asked permission to name a pair of craters after their moonship and Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.

During Monday’s record-breaking yby, they documented scenes of the moon’s far side never seen before by the human eye along with a total solar eclipse. The eclipse, in particular, “just blew all of us away,” Glover said.

Their sense of wonder and love awed everyone, as did their breathtaking pictures of the moon and Earth. The Artemis II crew channeled Apollo 8’s rst lunar explorers with Earthset, showing our Blue Marble setting behind the gray moon. It was reminiscent of Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise shot from 1968.

Born a decade after Apollo, Isaacman greeted the astronauts with hugs as they headed from the helicopters to the ship’s medical bay for routine checks. They walked by themselves, refusing the wheelchairs o ered them.

“We are back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon, bringing them back safely and to set up for a series more,” Isaacman said. “This is just the beginning.” Their moonshot drew glob-

al attention as well as star power, earning props from President Donald Trump; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; Britain’s King Charles III; Ryan Gosling, star of the latest space ick “Project Hail Mary”; Scarlett Johansson of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and even Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner of TV’s original “Star Trek.” Artemis II was test ight for future moon missions

Despite its rich scienti c yield, the nearly 10-day ight was not without technical issues. Both the capsule’s drinking water and propellant systems were hit with valve problems. In perhaps the most high-pro le predicament, the toilet kept malfunctioning, but the astronauts shrugged it all o .

As for the heat shield, military aircraft crews photographed it from afar during reentry, and divers checked it from underneath as the capsule oated in the Paci c. More detailed examinations are planned.

“We can’t explore deeper unless we are doing a few things that are inconvenient,” Koch said, “unless we’re making a few sacri ces, unless we’re taking a few risks, and those things are all worth it.”

Added Hansen: “You do a lot of testing on the ground, but your nal test is when you get this hardware to space and it’s a doozy.”

Under the revamped Artemis program, next year’s Artemis III will see astronauts practice docking their capsule with a lunar lander or two in orbit around Earth. Artemis IV will attempt to land a crew of two near the moon’s south pole in 2028.

The Artemis II astronauts’ allegiance was to those future crews, Wiseman said.

“But we really hoped in our soul is that we could for just a moment have the world pause and remember that this is a beautiful planet and a very special place in our universe, and we should all cherish what we have been gifted,” he said.

RandolpH SPORTS

Going Bananas

The Savannah Bananas were the main attraction for a pair of baseball games during the weekend at Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, where large crowds gathered for the Banana Ball matchups with the Texas Tailgaters. The Bananas were victorious Saturday night and again Sunday afternoon in their rst appearances in Chapel Hill.

Games during spring break keep baseball teams busy

Area teams were involved in a variety of matchups against teams from outside Randolph County.

Randolph Record sta

ASHEBORO — The Asheboro and Southwestern Randolph baseball teams both went 2-1 in last week’s ZooKeepers Classic at McCrary Park.

The multiday competition included several high-scoring games.

Price Kidd struck out 12

batters in a complete game as Asheboro drubbed Thomasville 12-3. Kidd also drove in two runs.

The Blue Comets toppled Winston-Salem Christian 9-5 with Gabriel Jaimes driving in three runs and Kidd and Shane Immel both scoring two runs. Gavin Allen notched the pitching victory.

In between the two victories, Asheboro served as the visiting team and lost 2-1 to Westchester Country Day School, which scored the winning run with one out in the bottom of

the seventh inning o Daniel Jaimes. Immel had both of the Blue Comets’ two hits, including a double.

• Elijah Sykes homered among his three hits and scored four runs in Southwestern Randolph’s 16-2 whipping of Wheatmore. Brady Arm eld had two doubles, and Carson Williams and Grant Kirk both drove in two runs.

Southwestern Randolph’s 20-1 trampling of Thomasville came with Lucas Conner’s ve runs batted in and four hits and Carson Coltrane’s three runs

Providence Grove senior lands award through NCHSAA

Caleb Ward has competed in multiple sports during his high school career

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

CLIMAX — Caleb Ward has embraced challenges in athletics competition and away from those venues during his time at Providence Grove.

The senior has been recognized by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association as the recipient of a FloSports Scholarship, which goes to cross-country and indoor and outdoor track and eld participants. Ward was selected for boys’ cross-country.

Ward competed for Providence Grove in cross-country for four years.

“It was de nitely a challenging sport, but it was worth it,” Ward said.

Ward had played soccer through middle school. His older brother, Preston Ward, had been a cross-country runner, so he decided to follow that path.

Ward said he was pleased when he saw a scholarship designated for cross-country, so he went through the application process. The FloSports Scholarship is geared toward students

who’ve demonstrated excellence in academics, leadership and athletic achievement. His résumé included an emphasis on community service. He has been involved in outreach programs through Pleasant Garden Baptist Church and has been a summer camp volunteer at Quaker Lake Camp.

Ward has been an advocate for career and technical education. He participated in a state-level meeting in Raleigh sponsored by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction and spoke about the impact CTE has had on him during high school.

“I appreciate the opportunities that (CTE) has given me,” he said.

After graduation, Ward will head to NC State to major in agricultural business management.

Ward will graduate with an associate’s degree in agricultural sciences from Randolph Community College in May.

He lives on a farm near Franklinville where the family tends to about 30 Black Angus cows.

Ward holds a 3.903 grade point average and has been active in Fellowship of Christian Students, Beta Club and Future Farmers of America.

After graduation, Ward will head to NC State, where he said he intends to major in agricultural business management.

But rst there’s the rest of the tennis season. He has played anywhere from the No. 2 to No. 5 spots for the Patriots during the past couple of seasons.

He has been a captain of teams in cross-country and tennis, competing for four years in each.

“I knew I wanted to do a spring sport,” he said.

scored. Sykes pitched a ve-inning one-hitter.

The Cougars lost 9-0 when Southeast Alamance’s Paxton Piccini threw a three-hitter with seven strikeouts and no walks.

Wheatmore also fell to Westchester Country Day School, absorbing an 11-1 setback.

Other results

Several teams went to multiteam events in the eastern part of the state last week. Randleman, Uwharrie Charter Academy and Providence Grove all won two games.

• Randleman began the week with a 9-3 loss to West Stanly. Randleman bounced back with an 8-7, eight-inning victory against Central Davidson on Jackson Hill’s second run scored of the game. Jake Riddle scored three times for the Tigers, and Tate Andrews was

the winning pitcher in relief. Central Davidson and Randleman are meeting this week in Piedmont Athletic Conference games.

Randleman edged Southern Nash 9-7 with ve seventh-inning runs. Kyle Dillow drove in three runs, and Riddle scored three times.

• UCA won its nal two games of the week.

Ty McCauley and Keaton Hill combined on the pitching, and Jaxon Mabe had two extra-base hits and scored two runs as UCA edged Union Pines 3-2.

The Eagles then throttled Salem (Virginia) 12-1 with Jake Hunter driving in four runs and scoring three runs. Hill was the winning pitcher with four shutout innings.

Earlier, UCA lost 11-1 to Pinecrest.

page B2

Southwestern Randolph was the host school for a multiday event and won all three of its games

Randolph Record sta

ASHEBORO — Southwestern Randolph’s softball team was the big winner across three days of competition in its home event that featured multiple teams last week.

The Cougars went 3-0, including avenging a defeat to Randleman on the rst night.

Katelyn West homered twice in the 9-8 triumph against the Tigers, who had won a matchup at home the previous week.

Kami Dunn hammered a home run and a triple, and Maddie Strider had two doubles for Southwestern Randolph.

Randleman’s Kaylee Phillips had a home run and triple among her three hits, and she joined Addyson Dees with three runs scored.

Bristol Marine drove in four runs as Southwestern Randolph socked South Stokes 11-1 in its second game. Nauttica Parrish scored three runs, while Alyssa Harris pitched a complete game. Dunn hit a go-ahead, three-run home run as South-

western Randolph capped the competition with a 4-3 victory against High Point Christian. Dunn and Jada Freeland both notched three hits. Winning pitcher Katelyn West allowed all the runs on homers.

The Cougars ended the week with a 12-3 overall record.

• Randleman bounced back to win its next two games.

The Tigers beat Providence Grove 6-2 with Kadie Green supplying three runs and three hits, and Ella Rogers pitching a complete game.

For Providence Grove, losing pitcher Campbell Ziemba hit a solo home run.

Natalie Roach drove in four runs when Randleman topped North Stokes 7-2. Aiyana Hunt was the winning pitcher.

The Tigers’ record moved to 15-2.

• Providence Grove began the event with a 5-4 victory against North Stokes. The Patriots were powered by two-run home runs from Ruby Caudle and Cailyn York, while Ziemba struck out nine batters in a complete game. Providence Grove fell 9-5 to South Stokes despite Cailyn York’s two doubles and Adi Johnson’s two runs scored. That put the Patriots’ record at 9-9.

Callie Lambert

Providence Grove, softball

Lambert has turned in numerous games with big production for the Patriots this season.

She’s a slugging senior rst baseman who has been a staple in the Providence Grove lineup for four seasons. She received all-conference status in the past three softball seasons.

The Patriots are in the middle of the Central Carolina 3-A Conference standings heading down the stretch of the season.

For girls’ tennis, Lambert received all-conference recognition in the Central Carolina 3-A Conference in the fall.

Lambert has committed to play softball for Louisburg, a junior college program.

BASEBALL from page B1

• Providence Grove won its rst and nal games of the week.

The Patriots defeated Salem (Virginia) 10-0 behind ve strong innings on the mound from Chase Collins, who also drove in two runs and scored two runs.

Providence Grove fell 5-0 to Corinth Holders. Then the Patriots pounded Union Pines 12-3 with all their runs in the nal two innings. Collins had three hits and winning pitch-

er Andrew Thomas scored two runs.

• Eastern Randolph edged East Carteret 7-6 with Bryson Marley driving in two runs.

Martin County clobbered Eastern Randolph 12-3. Croatan topped the Wildcats 4-3.

• Trinity had a four-game winning streak end by falling twice to Community School of Davidson on separate days, losing 8-1 on the road and 12-3 at home. In the latter game, pitcher Lincoln Coble took the loss.

Davidson, Sanders double up at Caraway

The racing in Limited Late Models and Mini Stocks resulted in repeat winners

Randolph Record sta

SOPHIA — Grant Davidson’s rst racing of the season at Caraway Speedway was double the fun.

Davidson won a pair of Limited Late Models features Saturday night.

Davidson’s rst 40-lap triumph came with Dylan Ward the runner-up and Nicholas Bulkeley in third place.

In the division’s second feature, Cam Thomas led for 36 laps before Davidson took the late lead and held on to edge

Ward at the nish. Thomas ended third, followed by Bulkeley.

• In Mini Stocks, AJ Sanders won both features even after an afternoon practice mishap.

Sanders passed pole sitter Brandon Crotts late in the rst race, with Jason Gallimore taking third place. In the rematch, Sanders claimed the victory, with Mason Troxler in second place and Austin Shumate in third.

• In UCARs, Jimmy Cooper was the winner in the 25-lap race, with Josh Phillips in second and Daniel Hughes placing third.

Qualifying heats were won by Cooper, Justin Smith and Tito Clapp.

• For Chargers, Cody Gri n was the winner across 35 laps, followed by Ben Banker, Jeffrey Black, Brian Melville, Levi Smothers and Tyler Bush.

• In Crown Vics, Corey Wyatt prevailed across 20 laps, with Corey Wyatt in second and Ricky Sweatt in third.

• The Legends cars victory went to Joel Brown ahead of Kadin Ridenhour.

• Carter Kennedy won a special race for the Bandoleros.

• In the Virginia Vintage Racing 30-lapper, Mark Manno was the overall winner ahead of Bobby Gri n.

The April 25 card at the speedway will include the ZMAX Cars Tour with Late Models drivers.

Heat waive Rozier, last o cial act of season derailed by federal gambling charges

The

did not play this season

By Tim Reynolds The Associated Press

MIAMI — Terry Rozier, who is facing federal charges related to a gambling operation, was waived by the Miami Heat last Friday in an expected and procedural move to open up another roster spot before the postseason.

Rozier was with the Heat for one game this season — the opener at Orlando on Oct. 22, a contest in which he did not play. He was arrested by federal ofcials at the team hotel the following morning on charges that he o ered information to help people win bets on his stat totals in a 2023 game when he was with the Charlotte Hornets.

Miami will convert two-way player Jahmir Young to a standard contract, meaning he’ll be eligible to play in the postseason. The Heat opened the play-in tournament Tuesday against Charlotte, and if they win two play-in games, they’ll begin the playo s against Detroit on Sunday.

Rozier was placed on leave by the NBA shortly after his arrest. He has collected his $26.6 million salary this season; the Heat were rst paying it into an interest-bearing account, and an arbitrator later ruled that Rozier should be getting the money despite his legal issues.

The Heat traded for Rozier in January 2024, unaware of the gambling probe. Miami sent Kyle Lowry and a 2027 rst-round pick to Charlotte in return for Rozier; last month, the Hornets wound up giving Miami a second-round pick in this year’s draft, a largely unprecedented move presumably to close the dispute over what wasn’t disclosed at the time of the original deal.

Miami, like all teams, had until 5 p.m. Friday to waive a player with either an expiring contract or one where the team held an option for next season. The Heat, albeit in name

2

Number of times Terry Rozier scored ve rst-quarter points in his NBA career. One was the game where he’s accused of faking an injury as part of a gambling operation.

only, have continued listing Rozier on injury reports as “not with team” all season, and his nameplate has even remained over his stall in the team locker room even after it became obvious that he would not be with the team again.

It’s not known how much contact Rozier — who was in the nal year of his four-year, $96.2 million contract — has had with the Heat since his arrest. He did reach out to some in the organization via text in celebration of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game against Washington, but hasn’t been known to have been around the team in any way since October.

The NBA was aware of unusual prop bet activity surrounding Rozier’s performance in that March 23, 2023, game he played with Charlotte against the New Orleans Pelicans; it was agged by sportsbooks that afternoon, but a league probe — not the federal investigation — found no reason at that time to keep him from playing.

Rozier was in the starting lineup for Charlotte for that game and played reasonably well in 91⁄2 minutes of action, with ve points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. That remains one of only two times in his career that he had that many points, rebounds and assists in a rst quarter.

Rozier cited foot pain as his reason for not returning to that game. The Hornets have not said publicly if they were aware of any federal probes into Rozier’s conduct at that time.

Rozier has averaged 13.9 points per game in his career, which includes stops with Charlotte and Boston before coming to Miami. He appeared in 95 games with the Heat.

pen & paper pursuits

this week in history

Paul Revere rides, Revolutionary War begins, Mark Twain dies at 74

APRIL 16

1917: Vladimir Lenin returned to Russia from exile in Europe by train, taking command of the Russian Revolution that would overthrow the provisional government and pave the way for the Soviet Union.

1945: A Soviet submarine torpedoed the German transport ship MV Goya in the Baltic Sea, killing as many as 7,000 civilian refugees and wounded soldiers as the vessel sank within minutes.

1963: The Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote his “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” defending civil rights protests and declaring, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.”

APRIL 17

1961: Approximately 1,400 CIA-trained Cuban exiles launched the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba in a failed attempt to topple Fidel Castro. Cuban forces crushed the incursion within three days.

1964: Geraldine “Jerrie” Mock completed the rst solo around-the-world ight by a woman, landing her single-engine Cessna in Columbus, Ohio, after a 29-day journey.

1975: Cambodia’s ve-year civil war ended as the capital, Phnom Penh, fell to the Khmer Rouge, whose brutal regime would claim an estimated 1.7 million lives before it was overthrown in 1979.

APRIL 18

1775: Paul Revere began his

famous ride from Charlestown to Lexington, Massachusetts, warning colonists that British troops were approaching.

1906: The deadliest earthquake in U.S. history struck San Francisco, followed by res that swept the city. More than 3,000 people are believed to have died in the quake, estimated at magnitude 7.9.

1955: Physicist Albert Einstein died in Princeton, New Jersey, at age 76.

APRIL 19

1775: The American Revolutionary War began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, launching an eight-year con ict between American colonists and the British Army.

1897: The rst Boston Marathon was held, with John J. McDermott winning in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 10 seconds.

1943: Tens of thousands of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto began a valiant but ultimately doomed uprising against Nazi forces.

APRIL 20

1812: Vice President George Clinton died in Washington at age 72, becoming the rst U.S. vice president to die in o ce.

1912: Boston’s Fenway Park hosted its rst o cial game, with the Red Sox defeating the New York Highlanders before an estimated 27,000 spectators.

1999: Two students killed 12 classmates and a teacher and wounded 23 others before taking their own lives at Columbine High School near Denver.

APRIL 21

1836: An army of Texans led by Sam Houston defeated Mexican forces under Antonio López de Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, the nal battle of the Texas Revolution.

1910: Author Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, died in Redding, Connecticut, at age 74.

2016: Music icon Prince was found dead at his home near Minneapolis from an accidental fentanyl overdose at age 57.

APRIL 22

1889: The Oklahoma Land Rush began at noon as thousands of homesteaders staked claims to nearly 1.9 million acres of former Indian Territory.

1915: German forces launched their rst large-scale chlorine gas attack against Allied troops at the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium during World War I.

1954: Televised sessions of the Senate Army-McCarthy hearings began, examining Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s claims of communist in uence in the U.S. government and Army.

Humberstone continues constructing lush pop universe with ‘Cruel World’

Fans of brooding pop will enjoy the singer’s second album

By Elise Ryan

The Associated Press

ON HER 2023 debut album, “Paint My Bedroom Black,” Holly Humberstone considered her interior life, turning to her worries, wishes and emotions for inspiration. The British singer-songwriter’s sophomore album, “Cruel World,” sees Humberstone take her atmospheric pop and look outward — at the space between breakups, long-distance relationships, connections and settings that make up a life.

If before, she looked to mute out color (“I’m gonna paint my bedroom black,” as she once sang) here, she embraces shades of the world around her. Lyrically, Humberstone draws on their symbolism (the guitar-and-sax retro “Red Chevy,” the psychedelic “Blue Dream,” the plaintive ballad “Peachy”). Yellow appears as a “patch of golden sun” on “Lucy,” an ode to her sisters and girlhood; orange is the mandarin light that interrupts “Blue Dream”; green is the globe that “keeps on spinning to the beat” on the frantic love song “To Love Somebody.”

“White Noise” looks for comfort in the external: “So play a sad song DJ,” Humberstone pleads over the country-tinged track, chimes and a lap steel sneaking in beneath synths and percussion. “I just want to sway tonight,” she sings. She’s overstimulated but still looks to a busy dance oor for relief.

Sonically, Humberstone has always embraced abundance. She’s succeeded in building a lush musical world since

“Cruel World” is singer Holly Humberstone’s follow-up to her 2023 debut release “Paint My Bedroom Black.”

“Cruel World”

Holly Humberstone

Four stars out of ve

On repeat: “To Love Somebody,” “Red Chevy”

Skip it: “So It Starts …,” if you want to jump right in

For fans of: Olivia Rodrigo, Gracie Abrams

her early EPs, because of her knack for pairing cool, vulnerable lyrics with her temporal sound, which combines live instrumentation with electronics. And it’s apparent from the top: The album starts with the 45-second instrumental “So

PEN America launches US safety program for authors facing harassment

Targeted writers include Ashley Hope Pérez for her book “Out of Darkness”

By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

NEW YORK — A coalition of publishers and literary agencies is teaming with PEN America on an initiative meant to counter a growing trend of harassment against members of the literary community.

PEN America, the century-old free expression organization, announced last Friday that it was launching the U.S. Safety Program, which would provide safety training and other resources for authors amid a wave of censorship efforts around the country.

“We have heard from countless authors, illustrators

and translators who are under siege, fending o a steady stream of abuse and threats, online and at book events,” said Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, co-chief executive o cer of PEN America. “Through this new program, the literary and publishing community is stepping up together because writers should not be forced to choose between their safety and their voice.”

Viktorya Vilk, who directs PEN’s digital safety e orts, told The Associated Press that she rst noticed a rise in harassment against journalists a decade ago, around the time Donald Trump was rst elected president, and has seen it spread to writers and educators over the past couple of years. Maia Kobabe, Jon Evison and George Johnson are among the authors of censored works who have spoken

It Starts …”, strings warming up over synths that build to a cinematic climax. The driving melody carries into “Make It All Better,” and the strings return on album closer “Beauty Pageant,” which also samples the French love song “Le Coup D’soleil.” Throughout the album, Humberstone’s melodies are employed with full condence. On the intro, they are melted together like a wax seal for the project.

“Open your window darling, the world is in full bloom,” Humberstone coos over acoustic guitar on “Lucy.” The reminder is there for someone else, but it also feels like acknowledgment from Humberstone that despite heartache and uncertainty, she’s ready to embrace it all. And by stepping out of herself, she’s reached a new horizon.

out about being harassed and threatened and even physically assaulted.

Ashley Hope Pérez, whose young adult novel “Out of Darkness” became a target for censors over its depictions of sex and sexual abuse, says she had to take down her o ce email and telephone. “I got hate mail and all kinds of ugly phone calls,” says Pérez, who teaches at Ohio State University.

According to PEN, it has raised nearly $1 million through contributions from Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers and Penguin Random House among others. This spring, Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Egan and Lee Child will be among the writers auctioning o character names for future novels, with the proceeds bene ting the safety program. PEN will be building on other programs from recent years, including digital safety workshops held for Hachette authors in 2023.

“There have probably never been as many threats to authors’ safety as there are currently in the U.S,” Hachette CEO David Shelley said in a statement. “We’re proud to support this much-needed program from PEN America that will give writers a wide range of professional resources to help them deal with threats to their safety, online and o ine.”

famous birthdays this week

Bobby Vinton hits 91, Hayley Mills turns 80, George Takei is 89, The Cure’s Robert Smith celebrates 67

THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

APRIL 16

Singer Bobby Vinton is 91. Basketball Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is 79. Football coach Bill Belichick is 74.

Actor Ellen Barkin is 72. Singer Jimmy Osmond is 63. Actor Jon Cryer is 61. Actor-comedian Martin Lawrence is 61.

APRIL 17

Actor David Bradley is 84.

Actor Clarke Peters is 74. Author Nick Hornby is 69. Actor Sean Bean is 67. Rock singer Maynard James Keenan (Tool) is 62. Actor Lela Rochon is 62. Actor Kimberly Elise is 59. Singer-songwriter Liz Phair is 59. Actor Jennifer Garner is 54. Singer Victoria Beckham is 52.

APRIL 18

Actor Hayley Mills is 80. Actor James Woods is 79. Actor Rick Moranis is 73. Actor Eric Roberts is 70. Actor Jane Leeves is 65. Ventriloquist-comedian Je Dunham is 64. Talk show host Conan O’Brien is 63.

APRIL 19

Singer-songwriter Roberto Carlos is 85. Actor Tim Curry is 80. Motorsports Hall of Famer Al Unser Jr. is 64. Actor Ashley Judd is 58. Latin pop singer Luis Miguel is 56. Actor James Franco is 48. Actor Kate Hudson is 47.

APRIL 20

Actor George Takei is 89. Actor Jessica Lange is 77. Actor Clint Howard is 67. Former MLB rst baseman Don Mattingly is 65. Actor Crispin Glover is 62. Actor Andy Serkis is 62. Actor Shemar Moore is 56. Actor-model Carmen Electra is 54.

APRIL 21

Actor-comedian-filmmaker Elaine May is 94. Author-ac-

APRIL

the stream

‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa,’ ‘Beef,’ Glen Powel, Elle Fanning

“Big Mood” returns to Tubi for a second season

The Associated Press

SADIE SANDLER starring in the Net ix comedy “Roommates” and fresh tunes from Zayn Malik 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: Elle Fanning playing a single mom who creates an OnlyFans account in “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Capcom’s Pragmata o ering gamers a moon-based adventure, and Net ix’s critically acclaimed series “Beef” is back for a second season with a new cast.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Sadie Sandler, eldest daughter of Adam, is starring in the new Net ix comedy “Roommates,” about a college freshman and her boundaryless dormmate (Chloe East). Nick Kroll and Natasha Lyonne play her parents in a cast that also includes Francesca Scorsese, Carol Kane and Storm Reid. It’s streaming Friday. Edgar Wright’s new take on Stephen King’s dystopian 1982 novel “The Running Man,” starring Glen Powell, will be streaming on Prime Video on Friday. The movie opped at the box ofce, making less than $69 million on a reported budget of $110 million. Reviews weren’t the greatest either. The Associated Press’ Jake Coyle wrote that, “from the start, the darkest shades of King’s book have been snu ed out of this blandly entertaining remake that swaps out the brutalist 1980s nihilism of the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie for a satirical portrait of America lacking in bite and prescience.” But, Coyle added, “if there’s one aspect of Wright’s lm that feels genuinely connected to today, it’s the movie’s media metaphor.”

A young girl (Sophie Sloan) hires her hitman neighbor (Mads Mikkelsen) to kill the monsters she thinks ate her family in the R-rated “Dust Bunny,” the debut feature from “Hannibal” series creator Bryan Fuller. The lm, streaming on HBO Max starting Friday, got generally good reviews, with Manohla Dargis writing in The New York Times that it

is “a blast of delightful, visually sumptuous nonsense.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

It has been exactly 10 years since Malik became the rst member of One Direction to release a solo record. His 2016 album “Mind of Mine” was a declaration of autonomy for the young performer, ambitious R&B tracks from a strong singer known for his breathy falsetto. He was playing to his strengths then and has continued to do so in the decade

that followed. On Friday, that arrives with the release of “Konnakol,” his fth full-length record.

He’s one of the biggest names on the planet to the contemporary electronic dance music fan in your life: The house superstar John Summit will release “Ctrl Escape” on Friday via Experts Only and Darkroom Records. It’s an equal opportunity record, one for the ravers and those who prefer to watch Ultra Music Festival performances on YouTube from the comfort of their own living room, alike.

The English disco-pop singer Jessie Ware will release “Superbloom,” also on Friday. She’s as ready to soundtrack a late night on the dance oor as she’s ever been — like on the single “Ride,” which interpolates the theme from the 1966 spaghetti Western lm “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and melts into her sequined synths. “Come be my cowboy, baby, come, let’s ride,” she sings, more discotheque than honky-tonk. “You know I want you, I need you tonight, tonight.”

TO STREAM

SERIES

In the Apple TV dramedy “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Fanning plays a young mom who had an a air with a college professor, got pregnant and is raising the baby on her own. She launches an OnlyFans persona to make money. Michelle Pfei er and Nick O erman play her parents. The series is based on a bestselling novel of the same name. Cast members from last summer’s iteration of “Love Island USA” take front and center in a second season of “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.” After returning home from Fiji, cameras resumed following the contestants, including winners and former couple Ama-

“If there’s one aspect of Wright’s lm that feels genuinely connected to today, it’s the movie’s media metaphor.”

Jake Coyle, AP Film Writer

ya Espinal and Bryan Arenales. Guess what? The drama followed them home. The rst two episodes are streaming now on Peacock.

Net ix’s critically acclaimed series “Beef” is back for a second season with a new cast. The show, which was originally intended to be a limited series, is now an anthology. The new episodes star Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny. It premieres Thursday.

Nicola Coughlan’s contemporary dark comedy “Big Mood” returns for a Season 2 on Tubi on Thursday. Coughlan and Lydia West star as Maggie and Eddie, longtime co-dependent best friends living in East London. Their friendship fell apart after Maggie, who su ers from bipolar disorder, decided to stop taking her medication and Eddie felt increasingly neglected. Season 2 picks up one year later.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

The moon has been in the news a lot lately, so it’s a good time to pay a visit courtesy of Capcom’s Pragmata. Unfortunately, the lunar base where it’s set has been rocked by a massive moonquake — and some parts of it have been weirdly altered by a mysterious substance called Luna lament. Two heroes emerge from the rubble: a guy named Hugh who’s skilled with rearms, and an android named Diana who’s a master hacker. Blast o Friday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch 2 or PC.

Nintendo’s Switch has become the console of choice for people who like to build cozy communities, thanks to hits like Animal Crossing and Pokémon Pokopia. But perhaps you’d like your neighbors to look more like your friends and family. Welcome to Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, which lets you populate an island with humanoid Mii avatars. Of course, these people can be fussy, so you’ll need to make them happy with food, clothes and furniture while building more places for them to play. Before you know it, they’ll be making friends, falling in love and having kids. And you can send your character to visit another human’s Switch. Get to know

Thursday.

HOKE COUNTY

Home again

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Appeals court orders judge to end contempt investigation of Trump administration deportation ights

A federal judge must end his “intrusive” contempt investigation of the Trump administration for failing to comply with an order over ights carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last year, a divided appeals court panel ruled Tuesday. Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion in forging ahead with criminal contempt proceedings stemming from the March 2025 deportation ights, according to the majority opinion by a three -judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Pope heads to Cameroon as separatists announce pause in ghting

Algiers, Algeria

Pope Leo XIV is heading to the central African nation of Cameroon on the second leg of his Africa tour. He’s bringing a message of peace to its separatist region, where ghters have announced a three-day pause in ghting. He’ll also have talks Wednesday with President Paul Biya. The 93-year-old leader is the world’s oldest. His grip on power was extended for an eighth term in a widely disputed election last year. The Vatican says ghting corruption and insisting on the correct uses of political authority are expected to be themes of Leo’s visit. Leo was traveling to Cameroon from Algeria, the rst stop on his four-nation Africa tour.

Hoke Schools considering contract for substitute sta ng system

The district has had struggles recruiting and retaining ll-in teachers

By Ryan Henkel North State Journal

RAEFORD — Hoke County Schools is considering contracting with Kelly Education to address sta ng concerns.

At the Hoke County Schools Board of Education’s April 14 meeting, the board was given a presentation on the company.

“What we’re trying to do is to transition to a new substitute sta ng system,” said Assistant Finance Director Willena Richardson. “Kelly Education delivers a full-service solution that includes daily recruiting, talent pipeline development, screening, hiring, onboarding and orientation.”

Kelly has 28 years of experience in the industry as the No. 1 provider of substitute

educators in the U.S. It has worked in 37 states and currently works with multiple districts in North Carolina.

The reason the district is looking into the issue is the current system requires significant time and e ort and also because the district is having di culty attracting and retaining substitutes.

According to Richardson, Hoke County Schools also struggles to be competitive with its pay structure since substitutes can only work 29 hours per week and cannot receive bene ts.

“Twenty-nine hours is all that they can work,” Richardson said. “So that means that if a substitute is in a classroom Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, they may not be able to work Friday even if that school needs them.”

There’s also a signi cant cost associated with the in-house substitute system. In 2024,

“Kelly Education delivers a full service solution that includes daily recruiting, talent pipeline development, screening, hiring, onboarding and orientation.”

Assistant Finance Director

Willena Richardson

the district spent $2 million on substitutes, and in 2025, that expense was $2.2 million.

According to Richardson, the move would ease administrative burden, create cost-saving opportunities and improve ll rates.

“The biggest impact, to me, is that the teacher assistants will remain in their assigned classrooms, meaning they’ll actually be doing the work that

we hired them for and not having to cover classrooms themselves,” Richardson said.

No decision on whether or not to go forward with a contract was made at the meeting.

The board is also considering a $4,017 supplement for teachers and instructional support sta based at a school utilizing funding provided by the state as part of the Appropriations Act of 2021, which established a recurring appropriation for salary supplements.

“We can do this every year until they decide to stop giving us the money,” Richardson said. If approved, the payment would go out to employees on June 5.

The item was presented for information at the April meeting but will likely be voted on in May.

The Hoke County Schools Board of Education will next meet May 12.

Ex-Army contractor, accused of leaking classi ed information, to

The woman is accused of sharing Delta Force secrets with an author

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

RALEIGH — An Army veteran accused of revealing classi ed information about an elite commando unit — members’ names, tactics and a unit alias among them — to a journalist and on social media will be released awaiting a possible trial, a judge ruled Monday.

Courtney Williams, 40, who is charged with four counts of communicating and disclosing national defense information about a “special military unit” at Fort Bragg, after working for it as a civilian, appeared in federal court in Raleigh.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian

be released to home detention

Meyers agreed to release Williams, who was arrested last week and wore a striped jumpsuit in court, under home detention and location monitor-

ing. She’s barred from having contact with the media or using social media, Meyers said. Williams’ attorney, Christian Dysart, declined to com-

ment after the hearing, which came more than a week after a criminal complaint was led in her case.

The complaint was unsealed last week on the same day a grand jury indicted Williams and the U.S. Justice Department announced her arrest. An FBI o cial said then her alleged disclosures put “our nation, our war ghters, and our allies at risk.” Each count is punishable by up to 10 years in prison, the government says, along with monetary penalties. Court documents say Williams, who was hired as a defense contractor in 2010 and became a Department of Defense employee months later, worked for a “special military unit” at Fort Bragg until 2016 and held a top-secret security clearance.

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THURSDAY

Although the reporter and unit are not named in the court lings, dates and details match an article and book about the Army’s secretive Delta Force written by Seth Harp. Williams, who lives about 35 miles from Fort Bragg, was the focus of a 2025 Politico article with the headline: “My Life Became a Living Hell: One Woman’s Career in Delta Force, the Army’s Most Elite Unit.” The article, which describes Williams as serving previously in the Army as an interrogator and Arabic linguist, coincided with the release of Harp’s book, “The Fort Bragg Cartel,” which alleges sexual harassment and discrimination.

The indictment alleges that between 2022 and 2025, Williams was in contact with the author, resulting in more than 10 hours of phone calls and exchanging hundreds of text messages.

The indictment alleges in part that Williams unlawfully disclosed a “cover alias identity issued and owned” by the unit; tactics and techniques the unit used to “execute covert missions without being detected”;

16-year-old from Florida charged with sexually assaulting, killing stepsister on cruise ship

The 18-year-old cheerleader’s body was discovered concealed under the cabin bed

By Ed White The Associated Press

A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in Florida in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship, the U.S. Justice Department said Monday.

Timothy Hudson was indicted March 10. But the entire case was sealed until last Friday, weeks after U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom said he would be prosecuted as an adult at the request of prosecutors.

Anna Kepner had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship in November with her family. Before the ship was scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found concealed under a bed in a room she was sharing with two other teens, including the younger stepbrother.

The cause of Kepner’s Nov. 6 death was determined to be mechanical asphyxia, which is when an object or physi-

and “true names of individuals” assigned to the unit, and “their capture during a sensitive military mission in a foreign country.”

Harp said last week in a written statement that Williams is a “courageous whistleblower” on discrimination and harassment within Delta Force and contends former unit members reveal incidentally on podcasts and YouTube shows unit details that the government now labels a crime by Williams.

“I am con dent that the DOJ’s slapdash indictment, full of misleadingly juxtaposed quotations taken out of context, will fall apart upon careful scrutiny,” Harp wrote.

An FBI agent’s a davit said that Williams had signed nondisclosure documents regarding classi ed materials while working for the unit and as she left her job.

The a davit says Williams messaged the journalist on or about the article’s release expressing concern about “the amount of classi ed information being disclosed.” And in another alleged exchange, she told her mother she may get arrested “for disclosing classied information.”

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: hokecommunity@northstatejournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

cal force stops someone from breathing.

An email and voicemail seeking comment from Hudson’s attorneys were not immediately returned Monday.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,” U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said in a written statement. “A federal grand jury has returned an in-

dictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters.”

Kepner was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, some 40 miles east of Orlando. At her memorial service in November, family members encouraged people to wear bright colors instead of the tra-

ditional black “in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul.”

Teens prosecuted in federal court are extremely rare.

Hudson was initially charged Feb. 2, and he pleaded not guilty the next day in Miami. He was subsequently seen at the courthouse, wearing a ball cap and a hoodie pulled tightly around his face. But his status was not fully known because his age barred public disclosures by his lawyers, the government or the court.

A judge on Feb. 6 said Hudson must wear an electronic tether while living with an uncle. The order was changed to allow him to join his father for a few days last week at a landscaping business.

Prosecutors objected to Hudson’s release, citing dangerousness, and asked a judge Monday to revisit that order now that he has been charged as an adult. Defense lawyers will have a week to respond.

“He committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife, and whom he was being raised to view as a sibling,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra López said in a court ling.

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

Trump is denounced — even by some Republicans — over the ‘war of choice’

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

ABOUT THE WAR against Iran, most polls nd it especially unpopular among Democrats, independents and even some Republicans who feel double-crossed because President Donald Trump campaigned against “endless wars” and promised not to start a new one.

As to Trump’s criticism of “endless wars,” supporters should not have taken it seriously for several reasons. First, we have “endless wars” because we have endless enemies. And they have a vote. Second, one could argue that the war against Iran is not new. After all, Iran’s leaders have been calling for America’s annihilation for 47 years. Third, presidents make decisions based upon events, many of which are unforeseen.

Woodrow Wilson campaigned in 1914 to keep America out of World War I. He ultimately took the country to war. Before our entry into World War II, several Americans supported an anti-war movement called America First. A couple of college students named Gerald R. Ford and John F. Kennedy supported this movement. Then came Pearl Harbor.

Assuming Iran was on the brink of acquiring the ability to make a nuclear bomb — their own negotiators admitted Iran had enough enriched uranium to make 11 bombs — this left Trump a couple of options: do nothing, the route taken by previous presidents, or stop them. Rather than kick the can down the road, Trump chose to stomp on it.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, prominent lawyer David Boies chastised fellow

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Democrats for opposing the war and letting their animosity against Trump cloud their judgment.

“If (Trump) hadn’t acted, his successor would have been left with an even more dangerous choice than his predecessors left him. ... What is harder to understand, and particularly troubling for our country, is opposition rooted simply in antipathy toward Mr. Trump himself,” he wrote.

As for the war’s unpopularity, opponents call Trump a liar as to the intel purporting to show Iran is an imminent threat. Critics say he failed to consult, let alone get support from, our allies.

But consider the decision President George W. Bush made to go to war. Many now call the Iraq War a blunder of epic proportions. Much of the country believes Bush “lied us into the war.”

Let’s revisit. At rst, 72% of Americans, according to Gallup, supported that war. Bush obtained resolutions in support of the war from both the House and the Senate. The widely held belief that Iraq had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction was only one of the many reasons set forth in the resolution. The resolution also noted that Iraq used chemical weapons on its own people and on the Iranians; that Iraq was stealing from the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme and likely using the money for military purposes; that Iraq was shooting at the British and American planes patrolling the southern and northern no- y zones; and that Saddam Hussein had attempted to assassinate President George H.W. Bush.

How to reverse societal decline

Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice.

RETAIL STORES locking up items is the symptom of a much larger problem.

I recently went to Walmart and had ibuprofen on my shopping list. I went to the medicine section and — groan — saw this $5 item locked behind glass. There were a couple of other people already waiting, so I looked around for a call button. That’s when one of the people waiting said an employee was already helping them but needed to get more boxes.

I was utterly confused.

One of the waiting customers remarked that he was from Florida and that stores there didn’t have items behind locked glass. What a di erence having Ron DeSantis as governor makes. I generously spared him a full rundown of how Democrats passed a soft-on-crime bill in 2019. Not punishing criminals led to a dramatic increase in retail theft. Stores are taking steps to stop theft — and I soon learned how inconvenient those measures are for everyone else.

Eventually, a Walmart employee returned carrying clear plastic boxes with locking tops. She removed each customer’s desired item from behind the glass and put it in the locking box. At checkout, another employee unlocked my box so I could pay for my item. This is ridiculous.

I don’t blame Walmart. I wouldn’t want criminals stealing from me either.

But there’s plenty of blame to go around.

Criminals are responsible for their own actions. The bill that Democrats passed in 2019, gutting criminal penalties, is

part of the problem. In 2020, the Nevada Supreme Court signi cantly weakened bail in Nevada. That’s played a role. Legislative Democrats have largely resisted Gov. Joe Lombardo’s attempts to put teeth back into Nevada’s crime laws.

The left’s soft-on-crime policies stem from its worldview. A worldview is someone’s underlying beliefs that they use to interpret and make sense of what’s going on. Everyone has a worldview, even if most people don’t think about it consciously. When people talk past each other in a policy discussion, it’s often because their worldviews con ict. You have to dig underneath the surface to expose the root of the disagreement.

The left has embraced critical theory, which divides people into binary groups based on nances, race or other characteristics. This split produces some groups that are more successful than others. Intersectionality is the left’s way of combining and ranking these groups.

Critical theorists believe that the successful group obtained their elevated status by victimizing those in the other group. These supposed oppressors created systems and institutions to entrench their dominance of the victim group.

How a group can get rich robbing poor people is never quite explained.

But you can see the implications. Individual responsibility is thrown out the window since success or failure is a function of group membership, not personal choices.

George W. Bush formed a “coalition of the willing” consisting of 48 nations, including the U.S., U.K., Australia and Poland, that committed troops to the e ort.

The war became unpopular. Many denounced Bush as a liar and a war criminal despite his pre-war e ort to form a coalition, to get buy-in from both Democrats and Republicans and to obtain a unanimous resolution from the U.N. Trump did none of this before going to war against Iran. He is as excoriated as viciously as was Bush, who did all the things critics accuse Trump of not doing. So the real issue comes down to whether Trump is doing the right thing.

During the Iran-Iraq war, the Iranian regime used children to clear mine elds — costing tens of thousands of young lives. There was a term for this. It is a war crime.

Iran is now mobilizing boys as young as 12 to ght the U.S. and Israel. There’s a term for this. It is a war crime.

And it is forcing citizens to form human chains to stand in front of military targets. There is a term for this. It is a war crime.

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

This is why this fanatical regime cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. This is why Trump is correct to implore the civilized world to join the ght.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host.

(Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Stealing is proof the system has failed. As such, the government shouldn’t punish a thief for something that’s beyond his control. Government policy should overtly favor oppressed groups, not set an objective standard for individuals to follow.

Further, those objective standards, like “don’t steal,” aren’t neutral principles. They’re tools the powerful use to cement their privilege. One of the deepest roots of this poisonous philosophical plant is a rejection of absolute truth.

Most Democrats won’t fully articulate this. For one, many people haven’t fully thought through their worldview. Outside of a college campus, it also sounds like a conspiracy theory — because it is one.

Critical theory is bogus. For one, you can’t logically reject absolute truth while claiming that your belief system is true. It’s also morally wrong to judge people based on their skin color instead of their character.

Finally, this worldview fails in practice. Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice. That’s not a success story. In other cities, like San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, stores have shut down entirely over crime.

It is possible to reverse this societal decline — but it requires rejecting the worldview causing the rot.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Swalwell’s exit shakes up chaotic California gubernatorial race

Allegations forced him from the race and Congress

By Michael R. Blood

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Democrat-

ic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s abrupt exit from the race for California governor — then his announcement he would leave Congress — left his rivals scrambling to lock down his former supporters in a crowded contest with no clear leader, injecting more turmoil into the campaign to lead the nation’s most populous state.

Swalwell’s decision to suspend his campaign Sunday followed allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, that were published Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. While pulling out of the race he remained de ant in a post on the social platform X, saying, “I will ght the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my ght, not a campaign’s.”

On Monday, he posted a statement on X, saying he planned to resign from Congress but did not provide a date for his departure. He wrote it was unfair for his constituents to have him distracted from his duties.

For rival candidates in a wide-open race, the key issue is where Swalwell’s supporters will go. He was among the most prominent Democrats in the contest, with mail ballots scheduled to go to voters in early May in advance of the June 2 primary election. Most of the well-known candidates are expected to appear on stage together Tuesday during a forum in Sacramento. Katie Porter, one of the leading Democrats, posted a line from a San Francisco Chronicle column on X, “Democrats can pull victory from the jaws of defeat by coalescing around Por-

ter.” Billionaire hedge fund manager-turned-liberal activist Tom Steyer said he secured the support of a handful of lawmakers, including Rep. Jared Human, a Democrat whose coastal district runs north of San Francisco, not far from Swalwell’s home turf. Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles mayor, pitched a new ad promising to lower gas and grocery costs in a state known for its punishing cost of living.

With seven established Democrats and two leading Republicans on a primary ballot with more than 50 candidates, the race remains uid. While Swalwell has suspended his campaign, his name cannot be removed from the ballot.

“Nobody has really caught re,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta, who is not involved in the campaign. Swalwell’s supporters “will scatter out to other candidates.”

Shifting alliances with Swalwell’s departure

In Sacramento, a handful of state lawmakers quick-

ly switched their support from Swalwell to Steyer. Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz said he believes Steyer will put in the work to form strong relationships with the legislature. Steyer’s business background — he has never held public o ce — means he’ll challenge the status quo, Schultz added.

Democratic Assemblymember Corey Jackson — who also shifted to Steyer — said he wanted to back a candidate who had a legitimate chance of winning. He said in a statement that he and Steyer shared a “commitment to building an economy rooted in dignity for working people.”

San Jose’s Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan, running for governor in his rst statewide election, sought to distinguish his record from Steyer and another leading candidate, Republican Steve Hilton, who hosted a show on Fox News for six years and has Trump’s endorsement.

With Swalwell out, “now we have a eld that’s got a billionaire who made his fortune investing in private prisons, ICE facilities, oil and gas companies … and a MAGA-backed TV commentator

on the other hand,” Mahan said on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.” “California deserves so much better,” Mahan said.

Many voters remain distant from governor’s race

Swalwell is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial during his rst term in early 2021. But in a media environment dominated by Trump, the race remains distant from many California voters.

After the publicity about sexual misconduct allegations, “I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper,” Acosta added.

Swalwell was considered a leading contender along with Steyer and Porter and two Republicans, Riverside County Sheri Chad Bianco and Hilton. But Republican activists haven’t rallied around Hilton, despite Trump’s support; at a California Republican Party convention over the weekend the party declined to endorse a candidate in the race.

Democrats have feared the party’s large number of candidates could lead to them getting shut out of the general election in November. That’s because California has a primary system in which only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.

Swalwell had become a clear target for his Democratic rivals as he began to lock up institutional support. Some had seized on rumors of sexual misconduct that circulated on social media for weeks before the Chronicle’s report.

The San Francisco Chronicle spoke to a woman who alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024. The woman said she did not go to police at the time of the assaults be-

“I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper.”

Andrew

Acosta, Democratic consultant

cause she was afraid she would not be believed. In both cases the woman said she was too intoxicated to consent to sex. CNN reported on allegations that appeared to come from the same woman, and spoke to several other women who accused Swalwell of other sexual misconduct. Neither outlet named the woman, and The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify her account and identity. Her lawyer declined to comment. The alleged 2024 incident occurred in New York, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s O ce said it’s investigating. That o ce urged anyone with knowledge to contact its special victims division. The Alameda County District Attorney’s o ce, which covers Swalwell’s California district, said no one has reached out to the o ce with allegations against Swalwell.

House colleagues call for Swalwell to resign

Swalwell’s swift downfall came amid rising pressure for him to leave Congress. He earlier lost the support of powerful labor unions that had backed his candidacy, along with one-time allies like California U.S. Sen. Adam Schi and Rep. Jimmy Gomez. Some representatives had said they would support the rare step of expelling him from the U.S. House should he refuse to step aside. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation Monday.

Swalwell, who is originally from Iowa, was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters.

Gunman opens re at high school in Turkey, wounding at least 16 before killing himself

The former student had threatened the attack on social media before the shooting

By Suzan Fraser

The Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey — A former student opened re at a high school in southeastern Turkey on Tuesday, wounding at least 16 people, before killing himself, an o cial said.

The 18-year-old attacker, armed with a shotgun, red randomly inside a vocational

high school in Siverek, Sanliurfa province. He later killed himself with the same shotgun after being “cornered by police,” Gov. Hasan Sildak said.

The attack left 10 students, four teachers, a canteen employee and a police o cer hurt, Sildak said. While most of them were being treated in Siverek, ve of the teachers and students were transferred to a hospital in the provincial capital because their conditions were more serious, the governor said. The motive for the attack remains unclear. School shootings are rare in Turkey.

The attacker did not have a criminal record, Sildak said. The school had been declared safe and no permanent police o cer was assigned to protect it, he added, calling the shooting an “isolated incident.”

NTV television and other media reports said the assailant had threatened an attack on the school on social media prior to the shooting.

One student told the state-run Anadolu Agency that he and a friend jumped out of their classroom window to ee the attacker.

“He didn’t say anything, he entered and started to shoot directly.”

Omer Furkan Sayar, student

“He suddenly entered the classroom and red. He red four or ve times. Two people were hit. He then went into the next classroom,” Anadolu quoted Omer Furkan Sayar as saying. “We rst threw ourselves to the ground and then two of us jumped out of the window.” Sayar continued: “He didn’t

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say anything, he entered and started to shoot directly.”

Earlier, media reports said all students were evacuated and police special operations units were deployed after the assailant refused to surrender.

“The individual was cornered inside the building through police intervention and died after shooting himself,” Sildak told reporters, adding that a “comprehensive” investigation into the shooting would be carried out.

Video footage showed dozens of students running out of the school toward the gate and onto the street.

Kyeshia is a compassionate PCA who puts the resident’s needs before her own. She provides professional care and always meets the needs of the resident. Thank you for a job well done!

Mrs. Florence Herbert has been a resident here since May 2021. She moved to North Carolina from Pennsylvania to escape the bad weather. Florence enjoys word searches, BINGO, watching TV and spending time with her friends on the Special Care Unit at Integrity Open Arms.

Mrs. Betty Purcell is from Raeford, North Carolina. She moved into our assisted living this past June. Besides being the mother of two, she worked for many years at Burlington Mills. Betty enjoys church, watching youtube and doing word searches.

are happy to discuss your needs or questions. W here to help!

HOKE SPORTS

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Vegas Melen

Sandhills CC, golf

Vegas Melen is a sophomore on the Sandhills Community College men’s golf team. The Flyers were the only NJCAA program competing against Division I and II schools at last week’s Irish Creek Intercollegiate, hosted by App State. Sandhills CC managed to nish eighth against the eld.

Melen led the way, nishing third overall at 3 under par for the tournament. He also nished in the top 10 against a D-I eld in the previous event—the Cutter Creek Intercollegiate at East Carolina.

Fewer players from outside Power Four being selected by NFL teams during draft

The college talent is getting concentrated at the top of the football food chain

By Arnie Stapleton

The Associated Press

JUST LIKE Cinderella teams have become less of a factor at the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, fewer long shots are reaching the NFL Draft from small schools.

Blame NIL riches and the crowded transfer portal, a combination that has led to a concentration of talent in the power conferences.

The SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 dominate college football, commanding higher revenue, better television ratings and bigger budgets.

And more and more, they’re siphoning stars from the nonpower leagues.

“Jerry Rice still gets drafted by the 49ers, but I don’t know that it’s from Mississippi Valley State today,” Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the Hall of Fame wide receiver who had one of the biggest rags-to-riches journeys in league history. “That’s where he started, but I think it may be from — pick a big school.”

Hardwood, gridiron parallels

March Madness used to regularly feature little-known schools that rose from obscurity to capture the hearts of hoops fans. But last year, all 16 regional semi nalists hailed from power conferences for the rst

time since the bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985. The same thing happened this year. What has transpired on the hardwood is manifesting itself on the gridiron.

Consider: Only 24 of the 257 players selected in the NFL Draft last year came from nonpower conferences. That continued a trend since 2022, when 70 draftees came from nonpower conferences. That number dipped to 38 in 2023, then to 34 in 2024.

The two nonpower school rst-rounders last year were Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who was selected sixth overall by Las Vegas, and North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel, who was drafted 18th by Seattle.

Boise State has long been a powerhouse program, produc-

ing seven NFL draft picks since 2021, and the North Dakota State Bison have won 18 national championships, including 10 FCS titles since 2010 and eight Division II titles.

Others hailed from the likes of Alabama A&M, Central Arkansas and Western Kentucky.

What about this year?

There could be a bigger dearth of small-school names called in this year’s draft on April 23-25 in Pittsburgh because of the 319 prospects invited to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, only 17 were from nonpower conference schools.

That includes safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren of Toledo, whom NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah rates as the 16th-best prospect in the draft, and San Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson, whom Jeremiah ranks 40th.

Consequences of concentration

This phenomenon has changed the way some NFL teams scout college prospects, cutting down on their trips to check out players on small campuses.

“I think as you set your schedule for where you want your scouts to spend their most time, I think even in the last couple of years, you want them more in those places, concentrated areas like we talked about,” Broncos general manager George Paton said. “Not that there’s

SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP

Hoke County gets back up to speed after spring break

North State Journal sta

IT WAS SPRING BREAK last week, and that meant that the diamonds and pitches in the county went dark. After the Bucks’ baseball, softball and girls’ soccer teams all had a week o , the three teams will pick things back up this week.

Girls’ soccer

Hoke is 7-4-3, 0-2-2 in conference. The Bucks have already matched last season’s win total, and one more win would be their best season since 2014. The Bucks are led by senior Jaelyn Gimenez and junior Evalynn Groemm. This week, Hoke has a road game against Pine Forest, which will be the start of a home-and-home series that nishes up the following week. They also play at Overhills.

Baseball

The Bucks are 8-7 on the year, 5-4 in conference. They have already posted their most wins in a season since 2019 and have topped the win total for their last three seasons combined. Hoke is led by senior in elder/pitcher Jayden Hollingsworth and junior third baseman Gabriel Allen.

Hoke has a home and home against Richmond this week.

Softball

Hoke sits at 12-2, 4-0 in conference play and is riding a four-game winning streak. The Bucks are led by junior catcher McKenzie Freeman, shortstop Shaniya McLean and pitcher Niya Jones. The Bucks have a home -and-home series with Richmond this week and also play at Lumberton.

SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA HOCKEY

Denver beats Wisconsin

2-1 for its 11th national title, 3rd in 5 years

Las Vegas Kyle Chyzowski tipped in a shot from the point with 5:52 left to back up a sensational performance from goalie Johnny Hicks and rally Denver to a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin for the Pioneers’ third national championship in ve years. The victory also extended the Pioneers’ record to 11 national titles overall. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference remains the sport’s premier league by claiming eight of the past 10 national champions.

MLB

Former major leaguer Garner, who managed Astros’ rst World Series team, dead at 76

Houston Phil Garner, a three-time All- Star in elder who went on to manage the Houston Astros to their rst World Series appearance, died at 76 after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Nicknamed “Scrap Iron” for his blue-collar approach to the game, Garner had a 16-year playing career with the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. He made All-Star teams with Oakland in 1976 and with Pittsburgh in 1980 and 1981.

WNBA

Griner to sign with Connecticut Sun

Phoenix Brittney Griner is nalizing a deal to join the Connecticut Sun. The 10-time All-Star spent last season with the Atlanta Dream after playing the rst 11 years of her career for Phoenix, which drafted her No. 1 in 2013. The 35-year-old Griner is from Houston, and the Connecticut franchise is moving there in 2027. The 6-foot-9 forward won a WNBA title in 2014 with Phoenix and was the league’s leading scorer in 2017 and 2019.

Masters gnomes become hot commodity at Augusta National

Speculation is rampant that this is the nal year of production for the collectible

By Steve Reed The Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Ga. — John James arrived at Augusta National an hour before the gates opened to patrons for the 90th Masters — all for the purpose of securing a 131⁄2-inch tall gnome.

“Had to have one,” said James, who was attending the Masters from Wycko , N.J. “It’s a novelty.”

This is the 10th and perhaps nal year Augusta National will sell the limited edition gnome, which features the traditional old man with a white beard in colorful golf attire. Each year’s gnome is di erent, with the 2026 edition featuring the character dressed in khaki pants with a white-and-green striped polo shirt and blue vest holding an umbrella in one hand and a Masters-themed cup in the other.

The gnomes have become wildly popular — and increasingly valuable — over the last decade.

With only about 1,000 available each day, the gnomes regularly sell out within an hour each morning at the merchandise shop before being restocked the following day. This year’s gnome sells for $59.50 plus tax and is only available at Augusta National. It has become a big money-maker for some patrons on the resale market.

The bidding for one gnome on eBay reached $620 last Friday. Another can be purchased directly for $670 plus delivery cost. On Facebook Marketplace, some gnomes are being sold for $800. Fueling the price is speculation this may be the nal year that the gnome will be produced.

Masters chairman Fred Ridley was asked earlier in the week if this will be the nal edition. He responded by saying, “I’ve been asking that question for several years, and they won’t tell me the answer. So I can’t help you.”

NFL from page B1

not going to be good players in some of these other smaller schools.”

It’s just that plenty of them have transferred to the power conferences where, besides more money, they get more exposure and build their personal brand.

When asked if he’d consider selling his gnome, James laughed and said, “Maybe.”

“I mean, I just spent more than $1,000 in the gift shop, so from what I’ve heard, the gnome might pay for all of it,” James said. “I’ll have to think about it, but it’s de nitely an option.”

John Van Pay, who came from San Antonio, got caught up in the gnome hysteria after talking with a friend associated with the LIV tour the night before attending the Masters. He convinced his son, Bryce, to wake up early and get to the course, and limited to one per person, they each walked out of the merchandise shop with a gnome.

Small school successes

Paton drafted one of the best small college nds this decade when he picked guard Quinn Meinerz of Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

One of 37 smaller school draftees that year, Meinerz

“Yeah, we kept hearing about this gnome, and the rumor is it’s going to be the last year they produce them,” Van Pay said. “So next thing you know, we are waiting in line at 7 a.m. to buy this gnome at the shop.” Van Pay said he plans to keep his gnome as a souvenir of his trip to the Masters, calling it “a great piece of memorabilia” and something that “is going to look great on the shelf.” The younger Van Pay is a little more torn; he’s an avid memorabilia collector, mostly dealing with Funko Pop.

Bryce Van Pay recounted how he recently had a $10 trading card that exploded on the market and reached $300 in value following the release

of the most recent Marvel movie, only to watch its worth slip to $100 a few months later. Van Pay lamented not selling it when it was at its most valuable.

“The Masters gnome is a hot seller, and I’m not sure if it’s going to go up and down (in value),” the younger Van Pay said. “There is a lot in circulation right now (on eBay and other platforms).”

He said given the possibility this is the last gnome produced, the wiser nancial decision might be to hold onto it for a while.

With that, his father jumped in and said: “Well, he’s my only son, so he can sell his now and make money and have mine when I hand it down to him.”

“There’s a pretty good scouting department across the entire NFL,” Meinerz said, “and they’ll come nd you.”

That they will, but more and more scouts don’t have to bother straying too far from the campuses of the Power Four.

quickly established himself as one of the league’s top guards, and in 2024, he showed up in a gold paisley suit to sign his new $80 million contract. Since then, he’s earned back-to-back rst-team All-Pro honors. Playing “for the love of the game” at the Division III level, Meinerz found himself on NFL radars despite playing in the obscure Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

First

Sergeant “Bud” Roy Wilson

March 23, 1929 – April 6, 2026

First Sergeant Wilson, a resilient patriot, devoted father, and honored veteran, passed away peacefully on April 6, 2026, at the age of 97. Born in Hamtramck, Michigan, in March of 1929, he lived a life de ned by extraordinary service, sacri ce, and an unbreakable spirit.

A man of early conviction, he became a Merchant Seaman in 1944, serving two seasons for the Army Transportation Corps during the waning years of World War II. In January of 1947, he o cially enlisted in the Army Air Corps, beginning a distinguished military career that would span two decades.

In August of 1950, he deployed to South Korea, assigned to the 3rd Battalion Aid Station, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division. It was there, on May 18, 1951, that then-Sergeant Wilson was captured by the Chinese Army. For two harrowing years, he was classi ed as “Missing in Action.” From May of 1951 until September 5, 1953, he was held as a “Prisoner of War” before nally gaining his freedom during “Operation Big Switch.” His endurance during this time remained a testament to his character for the rest of his life. Following his return, he continued his dedicated service until his retirement on November 1, 1967, holding the distinguished rank of First Sergeant.

He was preceded in death by his beloved wife of fty-six years, Bertha Louise Anderson. Their long and devoted marriage was the foundation of a proud military family. Together, they raised two sons who followed in their father’s footsteps, both retiring from the United States Army. An avid sherman and a tireless advocate, First Sergeant Wilson dedicated his retirement to raising awareness for his fellow POWs and the Americans who remain MIA. He was a pillar of the veteran community, maintaining active memberships in the Department of North Carolina American Ex-Prisoners of War, the Fayetteville Chapter of the American Ex-Prisoners of War, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 670, American Legion Post 32, Disabled American Veterans, and Rolling Thunder NC Chapter 1. He is survived by his two sons, Larry Wilson and his wife Eunji, and Richard Wilson and his wife Lucinda Sue. He leaves behind a lasting legacy through his four grandchildren: Jonathan Wilson (Lori Sheers) of Leadville, CO; Mr. and Mrs. Lance & Kristi Wilson of Shawnee, OK; Mr. and Mrs. Loren Sherry Wilson of Cuba, MO; and Jennifer Wilson of Shawnee, OK; as well as nine great-grandchildren.

A service with full military honors will be held at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 2 p.m.

First Sergeant Wilson will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Louise, reunited at last.

In his memory, may we never forget those who served, those who were captured, and those who have yet to come home.

The family will have a Celebration of Life on Thursday, April 30, 2026, from 5-7 p.m. at VFW 670, 3928 Doc Bennett Road, Fayetteville, NC 28306, and the funeral will be on Friday, May 1, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery, 8220 Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake, NC 28390

In lieu of owers, donations can be made to Rolling Thunder North Carolina Chapter 1, P.O. Box 65325, Fayetteville, NC 28306.

Jimmie Lee Cox Sr.

Aug. 13, 1948 – April 9, 2026

Pastor Jimmie Lee, “Daddy”, “Uncle Jimmie”, “Tommie”, “UNC”, “Grandpa”, “Pop-Pop” Cox Sr., was born into this life in Beaufort County, North Carolina, on August 13, 1948. He was born to the late Mr. and Mrs. Ira Odell and Christine Cox. He departed this life to eternal rest on Thursday, April 9, 2026, at UNC Southeastern Hospital, Lumberton, NC. Along with his parents, Jimmie was preceded in death by the “the love of his life”, Deloris Govan Cox; his daughter, Dorothy Elizabeth Cox Saunders and son-in-law, David Saunders; 3 brothers, Willie Cox Sr., Barney Cox, and James Cox; 2 sisters, Joann and Debra Ann Cox. Jimmie attended and graduated from high school in Beaufort County, NC. After graduation, he was drafted into the United States Army where he served in the Viet Nam War from May 7, 1968, until December 9, 1969, earning the rank of PFC, receiving a Purple Heart, National Defense Service, Viet Nam Service, and the Viet Nam Campaign Medals.

Upon his return home, he married the ‘love of his life’ Deloris Govan. He was employed by Red Springs Mill (Milliken Mills) until he was employed by JP Stevens in Laurinburg, NC, and employment with Blumenthal Mills in Marion, SC from wince he retired.

During this time, he accepted Christ and began serving the Lord and his church faithfully under the tutelage of Elder E. C. Cannon. He served with his all and received the honor of becoming a deacon in the church. He served faithfully alongside his wife, who was a missionary in the church until accepting the call to become a Pastor of his own church with his wife, Deloris. Faith In God Ministries was birth in Red Springs, NC where he continued to serve until his passing. He leaves to cherish his memories: one daughter; Jeanette (Victor) Cox of Raleigh, NC and one son, Jimmie Lee (Aileen) Cox Jr., of Wilson, NC. Eight sisters; Marie Cox of Gaston, NC; Annette Grant of Hampstead Long Island, NY; Mary Glaspie of Washington, NC; Vernon (Melvin) Smith of Washington, NC; Barbara Randolph of Greenville, NC; Marie Campbell and Sally (James) Purcell both of Red Springs, NC; and Susie (Johnny) McLean of Fayetteville, NC.

One surviving brother, Joseph (Clara) Govan of Aberdeen, NC. Four grandsons; David Jr., Tsion, Hezekiah (“Heze”), and Israel (“Izzy”). Nine granddaughters; Brooke; Jorden; Raine (Jacob) and Trinity (Jeremiah); Eleanor and Mahogony; Evangeline; Shariah and Novah. Two great grandchildren; Ashton (“AJ”) and Arabella (“Bella”). Uncle Jimmie or UNC has a host of nieces, nephews, family and friends who formed relationships with him that went beyond just his being an uncle. He became a mentor, stand-in dad, friend and ‘brother in arms’ to some. He will be truly missed by all who loved him and formed lifelong friendships with him.

Hiawatha McKenzie

Jan. 9, 1962 – April 7, 2026

Mr. Hiawatha McKenzie, age 64, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The Celebration of his life and legacy will be held on Sunday, April 19, 2026, at noon at Nashville Missionary Baptist Church.

Hiawatha will be greatly missed.

Freddie Foster

Sept. 1, 1940 – April 10, 2026

Mr. Freddie Foster, age 85, went home to rest with his Heavenly Father on Friday, April 10, 2026.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at noon at Faith Anointed Temple.

Daiwan Shannon

July 21, 2010 – April 7, 2026

Mr. Daiwan Shannon, age 15, went home to be with his Heavenly Father on Tuesday, April 7, 2026.

The Celebration of Life will be held on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at noon at Mt. Pisgah Baptist Church. Daiwan will be greatly missed.

Joseph Gardner

Nov. 30, 1946 – April 10, 2026

Joseph Gardner passed on April 10, 2026, at the age of 79, having been born on November 30, 1946, and residing in Raeford, North Carolina.

Bob Hall, father of wheelchair racing and 2-time winner of Boston Marathon, dead at 74

He designed racing chairs and pioneered wheelchair athletes’ acceptance at major marathons

By Jimmy Golen The Associated Press

BOSTON — Bob Hall, a childhood polio survivor who became known as the father of wheelchair racing after twice winning the Boston Marathon and then going on to build racing chairs for the generations of competitors that followed, has died. He was 74.

The Boston Athletic Association said on Sunday that Hall’s family con rmed his death after a long illness. In 1975, Hall convinced Boston Marathon organizers to let him into the race and was promised a nishers’ certi cate like the one the runners got if he completed the 26.2-mile distance in under 3 hours. (In 1970, Vietnam War veteran Eugene Roberts, who had lost both of his legs in the war, needed more than six hours to nish.)

Hall crossed the line in 2:58.

“It had nothing to do with, per se, the marathon, but it was about the inclusion,” Hall said last year, when he served as the grand marshal in Boston on the 50th anniversary of his pioneering ride. “It was that I was bringing people along.”

Hall returned to the Boston race in 1977, when it was designated as the site for the National Wheelchair Championship, and prevailed in a eld of seven. As they crested Heartbreak Hill, eventual men’s winner Bill Rodgers and fth-place nisher Tom Fleming slowed to encourage him.

“The interaction was a sign that we were fully accepted as athletes,” Hall said.

Hall, who lost the use of both legs from childhood polio, sued in 1978 to have wheelchair racers admitted into the New York Marathon, a ght that wasn’t settled until the race created men’s and women’s wheelchair divisions in 2000.

“Because of him crossing that nish line, we’re able to race today. And it’s evolved so much since then.”

Tatyana McFadden

“Bob Hall is an incredible man,” ve-time Boston winner and eight-time Paralympic gold medalist Tatyana McFadden said last year. “I’m so thankful for him. And I think we all are, as wheelchair racers, because he really paved the way.”

Hall nished in the top three in Boston three other times, and remained active with the race. More than 1,900 wheelchair racers have followed him from Hopkinton to Boston; this year’s race on April 20 will include 50 more, along with 50 others in eight para divisions competing for more than $300,000 in prize money.

The BAA said that Hall taught “how we can continue to ensure athletes of all abilities have competitive opportunities on the highest stage here in Boston.”

“Bob designed innovative wheelchair equipment, raced with courage, and was proud to be a two-time Boston Marathon champion,” the BAA said. “He helped lead a technological change, transforming simple wheelchairs into racing chairs built for peak athletic performance. Bob’s in uence and e ort ve decades ago led to the global circuit of wheelchair racing today.”

Many of the competitors — including McFadden and seven-time Boston winner Marcel Hug — learned to race in chairs built by Hall.

“Because of him crossing that nish line, we’re able to race today. And it’s evolved so much since then,” McFadden said last year. “It was him. It was him being brave and saying, ‘I’m going to go out and do this because I believe that we should be able to race Boston Marathon just like everyone else.’ So he had the courage to do that.”

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in North State Journal at obits@northstatejournal.com

STATE & NATION

Artemis II’s record-breaking journey around moon ends with dramatic splashdown

The crew paved the way for a sustainable moon base

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Artemis II’s astronauts closed out humanity’s rst lunar voyage in more than half a century with a Pacific splashdown on Friday, blazing new records near the moon with grace and joy.

It was a dramatic grandnale to a mission that revealed not only swaths of the lunar far side never seen before by human eyes, but a total solar eclipse and a parade of planets, most notably our own shimmering Earth against the endless black void of space.

With their ight now complete, the four astronauts have set NASA up for a moon landing by another crew in just two years and a full-blown moon base within the decade.

The triumphant moon-farers — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen — emerged from their bobbing capsule into the sunlight o the coast of San Diego.

In a scene reminiscent of NASA’s Apollo moonshots of yesteryear, military helicopters hoisted the astronauts one by one from an in atable raft docked to the capsule, hauling them aboard for the short trip to the Navy’s awaiting recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha.

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said from the recovery ship.

NASA’s Mission Control erupted in celebration, with hundreds pouring in from the back support rooms. “We did it,” NASA’s Lori Glaze rejoiced at a news conference. “Welcome to our moonshot.”

Their Orion capsule, dubbed Integrity, made the entire

plunge on automatic pilot. The lunar cruiser hit the atmosphere traveling Mach 33 — or 33 times the speed of sound — a blistering blur not seen since the 1960s and 1970s Apollo.

The tension in Mission Control mounted as the capsule became engulfed in red-hot plasma during peak heating and entered a planned communication blackout. All eyes were on the capsule’s life-protecting heat shield that had to withstand thousands of degrees during reentry.

Watching the drama unfold nearly 2,000 miles away, the astronauts’ families huddled in Mission Control’s viewing room, cheering when the capsule emerged from its six-minute blackout and again at splashdown.

The last time NASA and the Defense Department teamed up for a lunar crew’s reentry was Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II came screaming back at 36,174

feet per second — or 24,664 mph — just shy of the record before slowing to a 19 mph splashdown.

Until Artemis II, NASA’s fresh-from-the-moon homecomings starred only white male pilots. Intent on re ecting changes in society, NASA chose a diverse, multinational crew for its lunar comeback.

Koch became the rst woman to y to the moon, Glover the rst black astronaut and Hansen the rst non-U.S. citizen, bursting Canada with pride. They laughed, cried and hugged all the way there and back, striving to take the entire world along with them.

Artemis II’s record yby, views of the moon

Launched from Florida on April 1, the astronauts racked up one win after another as they deftly navigated NASA’s long-awaited lunar comeback,

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew.”

Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator

the rst major step in establishing a sustainable moon base.

Artemis II didn’t land on the moon or even orbit it. But it broke Apollo 13’s distance record and marked the farthest that humans have ever journeyed from Earth when the crew reached 252,756 miles. Then in the mission’s most heart-tugging scene, the teary astronauts asked permission to name a pair of craters after their moonship and Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.

During Monday’s record-breaking yby, they documented scenes of the moon’s far side never seen before by the human eye along with a total solar eclipse. The eclipse, in particular, “just blew all of us away,” Glover said.

Their sense of wonder and love awed everyone, as did their breathtaking pictures of the moon and Earth. The Artemis II crew channeled Apollo 8’s rst lunar explorers with Earthset, showing our Blue Marble setting behind the gray moon. It was reminiscent of Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise shot from 1968.

Born a decade after Apollo, Isaacman greeted the astronauts with hugs as they headed from the helicopters to the ship’s medical bay for routine checks. They walked by themselves, refusing the wheelchairs o ered them.

“We are back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon, bringing them back safely and to set up for a series more,” Isaacman said. “This is just the beginning.”

Their moonshot drew global attention as well as star pow-

er, earning props from President Donald Trump; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; Britain’s King Charles III; Ryan Gosling, star of the latest space ick “Project Hail Mary”; Scarlett Johansson of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and even Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner of TV’s original “Star Trek.” Artemis II was test ight for future moon missions

Despite its rich scienti c yield, the nearly 10-day ight was not without technical issues. Both the capsule’s drinking water and propellant systems were hit with valve problems. In perhaps the most high-pro le predicament, the toilet kept malfunctioning, but the astronauts shrugged it all o .

As for the heat shield, military aircraft crews photographed it from afar during reentry, and divers checked it from underneath as the capsule oated in the Paci c. More detailed examinations are planned.

“We can’t explore deeper unless we are doing a few things that are inconvenient,” Koch said, “unless we’re making a few sacri ces, unless we’re taking a few risks, and those things are all worth it.”

Added Hansen: “You do a lot of testing on the ground, but your nal test is when you get this hardware to space and it’s a doozy.”

Under the revamped Artemis program, next year’s Artemis III will see astronauts practice docking their capsule with a lunar lander or two in orbit around Earth. Artemis IV will attempt to land a crew of two near the moon’s south pole in 2028.

The Artemis II astronauts’ allegiance was to those future crews, Wiseman said.

“But we really hoped in our soul is that we could for just a moment have the world pause and remember that this is a beautiful planet and a very special place in our universe, and we should all cherish what we have been gifted,” he said.

MOORE COUNTY

Home again

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Appeals court orders judge to end contempt investigation of Trump administration deportation ights

A federal judge must end his “intrusive” contempt investigation of the Trump administration for failing to comply with an order over ights carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last year, a divided appeals court panel ruled Tuesday. Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion in forging ahead with criminal contempt proceedings stemming from the March 2025 deportation ights, according to the majority opinion by a three -judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Pope heads to Cameroon as separatists announce pause in ghting

Algiers, Algeria

Pope Leo XIV is heading to the central African nation of Cameroon on the second leg of his Africa tour. He’s bringing a message of peace to its separatist region, where ghters have announced a three-day pause in ghting. He’ll also have talks Wednesday with President Paul Biya. The 93-year-old leader is the world’s oldest. His grip on power was extended for an eighth term in a widely disputed election last year. The Vatican says ghting corruption and insisting on the correct uses of political authority are expected to be themes of Leo’s visit. Leo was traveling to Cameroon from Algeria, the rst stop on his four-nation Africa tour.

Ex-Army contractor, accused of leaking classi ed information, to be released to home detention

The woman is accused of sharing Delta Force secrets with an author

By Gary D. Robertson The Associated Press

RALEIGH — An Army veteran accused of revealing classi ed information about an elite commando unit — members’ names, tactics and a unit alias among them — to a journalist and on social media will be released awaiting a possible trial, a judge ruled Monday.

Courtney Williams, 40, who is charged with four counts of communicating and disclosing national defense information about a “special military unit” at Fort Bragg, after working for it as a civilian, appeared in federal court in Raleigh.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Brian Meyers agreed to release Williams, who was arrested last

week and wore a striped jumpsuit in court, under home detention and location monitoring. She’s barred from having contact with the media or using social media, Meyers said.

Williams’ attorney, Christian Dysart, declined to comment after the hearing, which came more than a week after a criminal complaint was led in her case.

“I am con dent that the DOJ’s slapdash indictment, full of misleadingly juxtaposed quotations taken out of context, will fall apart upon careful scrutiny.” Seth Harp, author of “The Fort Bragg Cartel”

The complaint was unsealed last week on the same day a grand jury indicted Williams and the U.S. Justice Department announced her arrest. An FBI o cial said then her alleged disclosures put “our nation, our war ghters, and our allies at risk.” Each count is punishable by up to 10 years

NASA already has next Artemis ight in sights following astronauts’ triumphant moon yby

South pole water ice could fuel NASA’s planned lunar base

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Never-before-glimpsed views of the moon’s far side. Check. Total solar eclipse gracing the lunar scene. Check. New distance record for humanity. Check. With NASA’s lunar comeback a galactic-sized smash thanks to Artemis II, the world is wondering: What’s next? And how do you top that?

“To people all around the world who look up and dream about what is possible, the long wait is over,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said as he introduced Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch

and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen at Saturday’s jubilant homecoming celebration. Now that the rst lunar trav-

elers in more than a half-century are safely back in Houston with their families, NASA has Artemis III in its sights.

“The next mission’s right around the corner,” entry ight director Rick Hen ing observed following the crew’s Paci c splashdown on Friday.

In a mission recently added to the docket for next year, Artemis III’s yet-to-be-named astronauts will practice docking their Orion capsule with a lunar lander or two in orbit around Earth. Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Je Bezos’ Blue Origin are racing to have their company’s lander ready rst.

Musk’s Starship and Bezos’ Blue Moon are vying for the all-important Artemis IV moon landing in 2028. Two astronauts will aim for the south polar region, the preferred location for Isaacman’s envisioned $20 billion to $30 billion moon base. Vast amounts of ice are almost certainly hidden in

THURSDAY 4.16.26

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LOG

CRIME

April 6

Dwayne Scott Simpson, 30, of Sanford, was arrested by Southern Pines PD for possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver marijuana; felony possession of marijuana; and possession of marijuana paraphernalia.

Harley Wayne Cockman, 21, of Seagrove, was arrested by MCSO for possession of drug paraphernalia.

April 7

Jason Robert Warren, 47, of Robbins, was arrested by MCSO for assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Autumn Cierra Bledsoe, 30, of Troy, was arrested by MCSO for possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Jeana Louise Crawford, 47, of Cameron, was arrested by MCSO for rst-degree trespass.

Jason Howard Lineberry, 47, of Vass, was arrested by Vass PD for violating a domestic violence protection order.

• Christopher Michael Parsons, 37, of Troy, was arrested by MCSO for carrying a concealed weapon.

April 8

Joel Evan Carpenter, 62, of Cameron, was arrested by NCHP for driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger, open container of alcohol and other charges.

Anthony Brock Duncan, 38, of Robbins, was arrested by MCSO for assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

FRIDAY

17

MONDAY APRIL 20

16-year-old from Florida charged with sexually assaulting, killing stepsister on cruise ship

The 18-year-old cheerleader’s body was discovered concealed under the cabin bed

By Ed White The Associated Press

A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in Florida in the death of his 18-year-old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship, the U.S. Justice Department said Monday. Timothy Hudson was indicted March 10. But the entire case was sealed until last Friday, weeks after U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom said he would be prosecuted as an adult at the request of prosecutors. Anna Kepner had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship in November with her family. Before the ship was scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found concealed under a bed in a room she was sharing with two other teens, including the younger stepbrother.

ARTEMIS from page A1

permanently shadowed craters there — ice that could provide water and rocket fuel.

The docking mechanism for Artemis III’s close-to-home trial run is already at Florida’s Kennedy Space Center. The latest model Starship is close to launching on a test ight from South Texas, and a scaled-down version of Blue Moon will attempt a lunar landing later this year.

NASA promises to announce the Artemis III crew “soon.”

Like 1969’s Apollo 9, Artemis III aims to reduce risk for the moon landings that follow.

Apollo 9 astronaut Rusty Schweickart loved ying the lunar module in low-Earth orbit — “a test pilot’s dream.” But there’s no question, he noted, that “the real astronauts” at least in the public’s mind were the ones who walked on the moon.

Wiseman and his crew put their passion and feelings on full display as they ew around the moon and back, choking up over lost loved ones as well as those left behind on Earth.

During their nearly 10-day

LEAK from page A1

in prison, the government says, along with monetary penalties.

Court documents say Williams, who was hired as a defense contractor in 2010 and became a Department of Defense employee months later, worked for a “special military unit” at Fort Bragg until 2016 and held a top-secret security clearance.

Although the reporter and unit are not named in the court lings, dates and details match an article and book about the Army’s secretive Delta Force written by Seth Harp. Williams, who lives about 35 miles from Fort Bragg, was the focus of a 2025 Politico article with the headline: “My Life Became a Living Hell: One Woman’s Career in Delta Force, the Army’s Most Elite Unit.” The article, which describes Williams as serving

The cause of Kepner’s Nov. 6 death was determined to be mechanical asphyxia, which is when an object or physical force stops someone from breathing.

An email and voicemail seeking comment from Hudson’s attorneys were not immediately returned Monday.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,” U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said in a written statement. “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious offenses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters.”

Kepner was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, some 40 miles east of Orlando. At her memorial service in November, family members encouraged people to wear bright colors instead of the traditional black “in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul.”

Teens prosecuted in federal court are extremely rare.

journey, they tearfully requested that a fresh, bright lunar crater be named after Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll, who died of cancer in 2020. They also openly shared their love for one another and Planet Earth, an exquisite yet delicate oasis in the black void that they said needs better care.

Artemis II included the rst woman, the rst person of color and the rst non-U.S. citizen to y to the moon.

“Wonderful communicators, almost poets,” Isaacman said from the recovery ship while awaiting their return.

Apollo’s manly, all-business moon crews of the 1960s and 1970s certainly did not do group hugs.

For those old enough to remember Apollo, Artemis — Apollo’s twin sister in Greek mythology — couldn’t come fast enough.

Author Andy Chaikin said he felt like Rip Van Winkle awakening from a nearly 54 -year nap. His 1994 biography “A Man on the Moon” led to the HBO miniseries “From the Earth to the Moon.”

“It’s amazing how far we’ve

previously in the Army as an interrogator and Arabic linguist, coincided with the release of Harp’s book, “The Fort Bragg Cartel,” which alleges sexual harassment and discrimination.

The indictment alleges that between 2022 and 2025, Williams was in contact with the author, resulting in more than 10 hours of phone calls and exchanging hundreds of text messages.

The indictment alleges in part that Williams unlawfully disclosed a “cover alias identity issued and owned” by the unit; tactics and techniques the unit used to “execute covert missions without being detected”; and “true names of individuals” assigned to the unit, and “their capture during a sensitive military mission in a foreign country.”

Harp said last week in a written statement that Williams is a “courageous whis-

Hudson was initially charged Feb. 2, and he pleaded not guilty the next day in Miami. He was subsequently seen at the courthouse, wearing a ball cap and a hoodie pulled tightly around his face. But his status was not fully known because his age barred public disclosures by his lawyers, the government or the court.

A judge on Feb. 6 said Hudson must wear an electronic tether while living with an uncle. The order was changed to allow him to join his father for a few days last week at a landscaping business. Prosecutors objected to Hudson’s release, citing dangerousness, and asked a judge Monday to revisit that order now that he has been charged as an adult. Defense lawyers will have a week to respond.

“He committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife, and whom he was being raised to view as a sibling,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra López said in a court ling.

come and how di erent this experience is from back then,” Chaikin said from Johnson Space Center late last week.

The hardest part, according to NASA Associate Administrator Amit Kshatriya, is becoming so close to the crews and their families and then blasting them to the moon. He anxiously monitored Friday’s reentry alongside the astronauts’ spouses and children.

“You know what’s at stake,” Kshatriya con ded afterward.

“It’s going to take risk to explore, but you have to make sure you nd the right line between being paralyzed by it and being able to manage it.”

Calling it “mission complete” only after being reunited with his two daughters, Wiseman issued a rallying cry to the rows of blue- ight-suited astronauts at Saturday’s celebration.

“It is time to go and be ready,” he said, pointing at them, “because it takes courage. It takes determination, and you all are freaking going and we are going to be standing there supporting you every single step of the way in every possible way possible.”

tleblower” on discrimination and harassment within Delta Force and contends former unit members reveal incidentally on podcasts and YouTube shows unit details that the government now labels a crime by Williams.

“I am con dent that the DOJ’s slapdash indictment, full of misleadingly juxtaposed quotations taken out of context, will fall apart upon careful scrutiny,” Harp wrote.

An FBI agent’s a davit said that Williams had signed nondisclosure documents regarding classi ed materials while working for the unit and as she left her job. The a davit says Williams messaged the journalist on or about the article’s release expressing concern about “the amount of classi ed information being disclosed.” And in another alleged exchange, she told her mother she may get arrested “for disclosing classied information.”

moore happening

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Moore County:

April 16 -18

Moore County Historical Association: Shaw House and Property Tours

1-4 p.m.

The Moore County Historical Association’s grounds and properties are open for tours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday afternoons. Tours are free and open to all ages. Enjoy learning about the impressive history of Moore County.

Shaw House 110 Morganton Road Southern Pines

Through

April 18

Carolina Horse Park’s Painted Ponies Art Walk & Auction

Daily 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Celebrate the artistry and creativity of this outdoor art exhibit. You will nd the painted horse sculptures all along Broad Street in Downtown Southern Pines. Free and family friendly.

235 NW Broad St.

April

18

Weekly Line Dancing 6:30-8:30 p.m.

A weekly social event open to all ages and skill levels. Tickets are $10 each.

WSP Center Auditorium 1250 W. New York Avenue Southern Pines

April

22

Dementia Caregiver Support Group

1 p.m.

Caregivers receive education and support along with strategies for caring for family members and other loved ones su ering from dementia. The group is led by Pat Soler and Dale Krech, certi ed facilitators through the Dementia Alliance of North Carolina. Contact Kelly Pritchard at 910-715-4224 for more information.

Shadowlawn Room Clara McLean House 20 First Village Drive Pinehurst

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

Trump is denounced — even by some Republicans — over the ‘war of choice’

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

ABOUT THE WAR against Iran, most polls nd it especially unpopular among Democrats, independents and even some Republicans who feel double-crossed because President Donald Trump campaigned against “endless wars” and promised not to start a new one.

As to Trump’s criticism of “endless wars,” supporters should not have taken it seriously for several reasons. First, we have “endless wars” because we have endless enemies. And they have a vote. Second, one could argue that the war against Iran is not new. After all, Iran’s leaders have been calling for America’s annihilation for 47 years. Third, presidents make decisions based upon events, many of which are unforeseen.

Woodrow Wilson campaigned in 1914 to keep America out of World War I. He ultimately took the country to war. Before our entry into World War II, several Americans supported an anti-war movement called America First. A couple of college students named Gerald R. Ford and John F. Kennedy supported this movement. Then came Pearl Harbor.

Assuming Iran was on the brink of acquiring the ability to make a nuclear bomb — their own negotiators admitted Iran had enough enriched uranium to make 11 bombs — this left Trump a couple of options: do nothing, the route taken by previous presidents, or stop them. Rather than kick the can down the road, Trump chose to stomp on it.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, prominent lawyer David Boies chastised fellow

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Democrats for opposing the war and letting their animosity against Trump cloud their judgment.

“If (Trump) hadn’t acted, his successor would have been left with an even more dangerous choice than his predecessors left him. ... What is harder to understand, and particularly troubling for our country, is opposition rooted simply in antipathy toward Mr. Trump himself,” he wrote.

As for the war’s unpopularity, opponents call Trump a liar as to the intel purporting to show Iran is an imminent threat. Critics say he failed to consult, let alone get support from, our allies.

But consider the decision President George W. Bush made to go to war. Many now call the Iraq War a blunder of epic proportions. Much of the country believes Bush “lied us into the war.”

Let’s revisit. At rst, 72% of Americans, according to Gallup, supported that war. Bush obtained resolutions in support of the war from both the House and the Senate. The widely held belief that Iraq had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction was only one of the many reasons set forth in the resolution. The resolution also noted that Iraq used chemical weapons on its own people and on the Iranians; that Iraq was stealing from the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme and likely using the money for military purposes; that Iraq was shooting at the British and American planes patrolling the southern and northern no- y zones; and that Saddam Hussein had attempted to assassinate President George H.W. Bush.

How to reverse societal decline

Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice.

RETAIL STORES locking up items is the symptom of a much larger problem.

I recently went to Walmart and had ibuprofen on my shopping list. I went to the medicine section and — groan — saw this $5 item locked behind glass. There were a couple of other people already waiting, so I looked around for a call button. That’s when one of the people waiting said an employee was already helping them but needed to get more boxes.

I was utterly confused.

One of the waiting customers remarked that he was from Florida and that stores there didn’t have items behind locked glass. What a di erence having Ron DeSantis as governor makes. I generously spared him a full rundown of how Democrats passed a soft-on-crime bill in 2019. Not punishing criminals led to a dramatic increase in retail theft. Stores are taking steps to stop theft — and I soon learned how inconvenient those measures are for everyone else.

Eventually, a Walmart employee returned carrying clear plastic boxes with locking tops. She removed each customer’s desired item from behind the glass and put it in the locking box. At checkout, another employee unlocked my box so I could pay for my item. This is ridiculous.

I don’t blame Walmart. I wouldn’t want criminals stealing from me either.

But there’s plenty of blame to go around.

Criminals are responsible for their own actions. The bill that Democrats passed in 2019, gutting criminal penalties, is

part of the problem. In 2020, the Nevada Supreme Court signi cantly weakened bail in Nevada. That’s played a role. Legislative Democrats have largely resisted Gov. Joe Lombardo’s attempts to put teeth back into Nevada’s crime laws.

The left’s soft-on-crime policies stem from its worldview. A worldview is someone’s underlying beliefs that they use to interpret and make sense of what’s going on. Everyone has a worldview, even if most people don’t think about it consciously. When people talk past each other in a policy discussion, it’s often because their worldviews con ict. You have to dig underneath the surface to expose the root of the disagreement.

The left has embraced critical theory, which divides people into binary groups based on nances, race or other characteristics. This split produces some groups that are more successful than others. Intersectionality is the left’s way of combining and ranking these groups.

Critical theorists believe that the successful group obtained their elevated status by victimizing those in the other group. These supposed oppressors created systems and institutions to entrench their dominance of the victim group.

How a group can get rich robbing poor people is never quite explained.

But you can see the implications. Individual responsibility is thrown out the window since success or failure is a function of group membership, not personal choices.

George W. Bush formed a “coalition of the willing” consisting of 48 nations, including the U.S., U.K., Australia and Poland, that committed troops to the e ort.

The war became unpopular. Many denounced Bush as a liar and a war criminal despite his pre-war e ort to form a coalition, to get buy-in from both Democrats and Republicans and to obtain a unanimous resolution from the U.N. Trump did none of this before going to war against Iran. He is as excoriated as viciously as was Bush, who did all the things critics accuse Trump of not doing. So the real issue comes down to whether Trump is doing the right thing.

During the Iran-Iraq war, the Iranian regime used children to clear mine elds — costing tens of thousands of young lives. There was a term for this. It is a war crime.

Iran is now mobilizing boys as young as 12 to ght the U.S. and Israel. There’s a term for this. It is a war crime.

And it is forcing citizens to form human chains to stand in front of military targets. There is a term for this. It is a war crime.

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

This is why this fanatical regime cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. This is why Trump is correct to implore the civilized world to join the ght.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host.

(Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Stealing is proof the system has failed. As such, the government shouldn’t punish a thief for something that’s beyond his control. Government policy should overtly favor oppressed groups, not set an objective standard for individuals to follow.

Further, those objective standards, like “don’t steal,” aren’t neutral principles. They’re tools the powerful use to cement their privilege. One of the deepest roots of this poisonous philosophical plant is a rejection of absolute truth.

Most Democrats won’t fully articulate this. For one, many people haven’t fully thought through their worldview. Outside of a college campus, it also sounds like a conspiracy theory — because it is one.

Critical theory is bogus. For one, you can’t logically reject absolute truth while claiming that your belief system is true. It’s also morally wrong to judge people based on their skin color instead of their character.

Finally, this worldview fails in practice. Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice. That’s not a success story. In other cities, like San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, stores have shut down entirely over crime.

It is possible to reverse this societal decline — but it requires rejecting the worldview causing the rot.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Swalwell’s exit shakes up chaotic California gubernatorial race

Allegations forced him from the race and Congress

By Michael R. Blood

The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Democrat-

ic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s abrupt exit from the race for California governor — then his announcement he would leave Congress — left his rivals scrambling to lock down his former supporters in a crowded contest with no clear leader, injecting more turmoil into the campaign to lead the nation’s most populous state.

Swalwell’s decision to suspend his campaign Sunday followed allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, that were published Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. While pulling out of the race he remained de ant in a post on the social platform X, saying, “I will ght the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my ght, not a campaign’s.”

On Monday, he posted a statement on X, saying he planned to resign from Congress but did not provide a date for his departure. He wrote it was unfair for his constituents to have him distracted from his duties.

For rival candidates in a wide-open race, the key issue is where Swalwell’s supporters will go. He was among the most prominent Democrats in the contest, with mail ballots scheduled to go to voters in early May in advance of the June 2 primary election. Most of the well-known candidates are expected to appear on stage together Tuesday during a forum in Sacramento.

RICH PEDRONCELLI / AP PHOTO

California gubernatorial candidate Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) speaks at a town hall meeting earlier this month.

Katie Porter, one of the leading Democrats, posted a line from a San Francisco Chronicle column on X, “Democrats can pull victory from the jaws of defeat by coalescing around Porter.” Billionaire hedge fund manager-turned-liberal activist Tom Steyer said he secured the support of a handful of lawmakers, including Rep. Jared Human, a Democrat whose coastal district runs north of San Francisco, not far from Swalwell’s home turf. Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles mayor, pitched a new ad promising to lower gas and grocery costs in a state known for its punishing cost of living.

With seven established Democrats and two leading Republicans on a primary ballot with more than 50 candidates, the race remains uid. While Swalwell has suspended his campaign, his name cannot be removed from the ballot.

“Nobody has really caught re,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta, who is not involved in the campaign. Swal-

well’s supporters “will scatter out to other candidates.”

Shifting alliances with Swalwell’s departure

In Sacramento, a handful of state lawmakers quickly switched their support from Swalwell to Steyer. Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz said he believes Steyer will put in the work to form strong relationships with the legislature. Steyer’s business background — he has never held public o ce — means he’ll challenge the status quo, Schultz added.

Democratic Assemblymember Corey Jackson — who also shifted to Steyer — said he wanted to back a candidate who had a legitimate chance of winning. He said in a statement that he and Steyer shared a “commitment to building an economy rooted in dignity for working people.”

San Jose’s Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan, running for governor in his rst statewide election, sought to distinguish his record from Steyer and another leading candidate, Republican Steve Hilton, who hosted a show on Fox News for six years and has Trump’s endorsement.

With Swalwell out, “now we have a eld that’s got a billionaire who made his fortune investing in private prisons, ICE facilities, oil and gas companies … and a MAGA-backed TV commentator on the other hand,” Mahan said on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.” “California deserves so much better,” Mahan said.

Many voters remain distant from governor’s race

Swalwell is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President Donald

Trump’s second impeachment trial during his rst term in early 2021. But in a media environment dominated by Trump, the race remains distant from many California voters.

After the publicity about sexual misconduct allegations, “I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper,” Acosta added.

Swalwell was considered a leading contender along with Steyer and Porter and two Republicans, Riverside County Sheri Chad Bianco and Hilton. But Republican activists haven’t rallied around Hilton, despite Trump’s support; at a California Republican Party convention over the weekend the party declined to endorse a candidate in the race.

Democrats have feared the party’s large number of candidates could lead to them getting shut out of the general election in November. That’s because California has a primary system in which only the top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.

Swalwell had become a clear target for his Democratic rivals as he began to lock up institutional support. Some had seized on rumors of sexual misconduct that circulated on social media for weeks before the Chronicle’s report.

The San Francisco Chronicle spoke to a woman who alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024. The woman said she did not go to police at the time of the assaults because she was afraid she would not be believed. In both cases the woman said she was too intoxicated to consent to sex. CNN reported on allegations that ap-

“I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper.”

Andrew Acosta, Democratic consultant

peared to come from the same woman, and spoke to several other women who accused Swalwell of other sexual misconduct. Neither outlet named the woman, and The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify her account and identity. Her lawyer declined to comment. The alleged 2024 incident occurred in New York, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s O ce said it’s investigating. That o ce urged anyone with knowledge to contact its special victims division. The Alameda County District Attorney’s o ce, which covers Swalwell’s California district, said no one has reached out to the o ce with allegations against Swalwell.

House colleagues call for Swalwell to resign

Swalwell’s swift downfall came amid rising pressure for him to leave Congress. He earlier lost the support of powerful labor unions that had backed his candidacy, along with one-time allies like California U.S. Sen. Adam Schi and Rep. Jimmy Gomez. Some representatives had said they would support the rare step of expelling him from the U.S. House should he refuse to step aside. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation Monday.

Swalwell, who is originally from Iowa, was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters.

Gunman opens re at high school in Turkey, wounding at least 16 before killing himself

The former student had threatened the attack on social media before the shooting

By Suzan Fraser The Associated Press

ANKARA, Turkey — A former student opened re at a high school in southeastern Turkey on Tuesday, wounding at least 16 people, before killing himself, an o cial said.

The 18-year-old attacker, armed with a shotgun, red randomly inside a vocational

high school in Siverek, Sanliurfa province. He later killed himself with the same shotgun after being “cornered by police,” Gov. Hasan Sildak said.

The attack left 10 students, four teachers, a canteen employee and a police o cer hurt, Sildak said. While most of them were being treated in Siverek, ve of the teachers and students were transferred to a hospital in the provincial capital because their conditions were more serious, the governor said.

The motive for the attack remains unclear. School shootings are rare in Turkey.

The attacker did not have a criminal record, Sildak said.

The school had been declared safe and no permanent police o cer was assigned to protect it, he added, calling the shooting an “isolated incident.”

NTV television and other media reports said the assailant had threatened an attack on the school on social media prior to the shooting.

One student told the state-run Anadolu Agency that he and a friend jumped out of their classroom window to ee the attacker.

“He suddenly entered the

“He didn’t say anything, he entered and started to shoot directly.”

Omer Furkan Sayar, student

classroom and red. He red four or ve times. Two people were hit. He then went into the next classroom,” Anadolu quoted Omer Furkan Sayar as saying. “We rst threw ourselves to the ground and then two of us jumped out of the window.” Sayar continued: “He didn’t

say anything, he entered and started to shoot directly.”

Earlier, media reports said all students were evacuated and police special operations units were deployed after the assailant refused to surrender.

“The individual was cornered inside the building through police intervention and died after shooting himself,” Sildak told reporters, adding that a “comprehensive” investigation into the shooting would be carried out.

Video footage showed dozens of students running out of the school toward the gate and onto the street.

MOORE SPORTS

SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUP

Slow week as spring break stalls soccer, softball

North State Journal sta

Baseball

Pinecrest split two games last week, seeing a four-game win streak come to an end. The Patriots beat Pine Lake Prep 8-7 before falling 9-8 to Princess Anne. Pinecrest is 13-4, 8-1. This week, the Patriots play a home and home against Pine Forest and travel to West Stanly.

Union Pines saw its four-game winning streak come to a halt with back-to-back setbacks. The Vikings lost 3-2 to Uwharrie Charter, then fell to Providence Grove 12-3.

The Vikings are 12-7 on the year, 7-3 in conference. This week, Union Pines plays a home and home with Triton and travels to Purnell Swett.

North Moore dropped a seventh straight game, losing 10-1 at Chatham Central. The Mustangs are 4-9, 1-6 in conference. This week, they have four chances to snap the skid — a home and home with Eastern

Randolph, a home game against Central Carolina, and the home half of a two-game series with Southwestern Randolph that will end the regular season for the Mustangs.

Girls’ soccer

Pinecrest had a week o to sit at 11-0-2, 5-0 in conference.

The Patriots return to action this week with a home game against Cape Fear and a road match at Jack Britt.

Union Pines also had a match-free week and are 9-4 -1 on the season, 7-0 in conference. The Vikings return to the pitch with a home and home with Triton and a road match at Green Level.

North Moore also contributed to the girls’ soccer desert in Moore County last week, sitting idle at 5-3-1 on the year, 0-1 in conference. This week, the Mustangs head to Eastern Randolph and Southwest Randolph, while hosting Sandhills Christian and Northwood.

Softball

Pinecrest saw its losing streak extend to six after falling to Montgomery at home, 6-2. The Patriots are now 6-7, 1-3 in conference.

This week, the Patriots have three chances to right the ship — a home and home with Pine Forest and a home game with E.E. Smith.

Union Pines hopes its hot streak made it through spring break. The Vikings had a week o to sit with their record of 16-0, 10-0 in conference. This week, Union Pines returns to the diamond for a home and home with Triton.

North Moore had a week o to contemplate a six-game losing streak that has the Mustangs at 4-9 on the year, 1-7 in conference.

The week, North Moore plays a home and home with Eastern Randolph, a home game with Montgomery and a home game with Southwestern Randolph.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Owen Todd

Pinecrest, baseball

Owen Todd is a freshman on the Pinecrest baseball team. The Patriots went 1-1 last week and are 13-4 on the season.

In a win over Pine Lake Prep, Todd went 3 for 4 with a run, an RBI and a triple. He also struck out the side in one inning of work to pick up the win on the mound. In a one-run loss to Princess Anne, Todd went 2 for 4 with a run, three RBIs and another triple. He also struck out nine in ve two-hit innings.

For the season, Todd leads Pinecrest in batting, slugging, on-base percentage and ERA. He’s also in the top 10 in N.C. Class 8A in all four categories.

Gibbs earns rst NASCAR Cup Series victory at Bristol, beating Larson, Blaney

The grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs got the win in his 131st Cup start

The Associated Press

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Outdueling two NASCAR Cup Series champions for the rst victory of his career, Ty Gibbs made an emphatic and emotional breakthrough Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The win came in the 131st Cup start for the grandson of NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner and former Super Bowl-winning coach Joe Gibbs.

Ty Gibbs also is the son of the late Coy Gibbs, who also helped run his father’s team before unexpectedly dying in his sleep on Nov. 6, 2022 — the day after his son won the championship in NA-

SCAR’s second-highest division.

Ty Gibbs, 23, moved to the Cup Series the next year and had multiple near-misses (runner-up nishes at Darlington in 2024 and Chicago last year) before reaching Victory Lane in his fourth season.

“This is one of my best experiences,” Joe Gibbs said. “When I think about Coy, he brought Ty up the entire time. I know he’s probably watching.”

Ty Gibbs interrupted his grandfather’s postrace interview in the pits with a hug.

“This is the man right here,” said Ty, whose mother, Heather, also is a co-owner of JGR.

“I’ve never seen somebody work so hard in my life, him and my mom. I come to the shop at 6 a.m. or 7 p.m., and there’s nobody there, but they are always there. They work their (butts) o . He’s a great role model. I

“Yeah, it was a great day for us. This is our family, so it’s just such a great deal.”

Ty Gibbs

wouldn’t be here unless it was for him.”

Gibbs led the nal 25 laps at Bristol, inheriting rst place under caution on a strategy gamble by staying on track in his No. 54 Toyota while Ryan Blaney pitted from the lead along with Kyle Larson, who led a race-high 284 of 505 laps. Blaney and Larson both restarted outside the top ve, and Gibbs was cruising toward a win before the yellow ew again on the 498th lap to set

up the rst overtime restart at Bristol in 11 years.

Despite Blaney and Larson having tires that were nearly 100 laps fresher, Gibbs fended o the star drivers on a two-lap shootout to the checkered ag.

“Honestly, I didn’t really know or care if I was going to win or not,” Gibbs said. “I thought the race was awesome. I really appreciate always racing Ryan Blaney and Kyle, too. Those guys always run me really well.”

Blaney, the 2023 Cup champion who started from the pole position, nished second after leading 190 laps in the No. 12 Ford.

“Yeah, great battle for sure,” he said. “I fought a lot of di erent cars. Gave it my best shot on the last restart. Was close but just couldn’t get it done.”

Larson, the defending Cup

Series champion who won the rst two stages, nished third and remained winless in the past 32 races with his No. 5 Chevrolet.

The Toyotas of Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe rounded out the top ve.

“Super happy for Ty,” Briscoe said of his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate. “It’s been a long time coming. To do it the way he did it, on old tires, to beat the two guys that dominated all day long, that was impressive. Just super happy for him and the whole family.”

Gibbs became the sixth NASCAR driver to earn his rst Cup victory at Bristol, joining Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1986), Ernie Irvan (1990), Elliott Sadler (2001) and Kurt Busch (2002).

“It’s awesome to be with great people,” the younger Gibbs said. “To be in this position is great. I’d love for my father to have seen this. I know he knew it was going to happen and expected it as well. Yeah, it was a great day for us. This is our family, so it’s just such a great deal.”

John “Zeb” Zebulon Cox

Feb. 16, 1963 – April 8, 2026

John “Zeb” Zebulon Cox, age 63, of Cameron, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, with his family by his side.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Cox Memorial Funeral Home in Vass at 3 p.m. with his son, Shane Dees, o ciating. A time of visitation will be held immediately following the service and at other times at 516 Camp Easter Road, Lakeview, NC.

Zeb was born in Moore County, NC, on February 16, 1963, to the late Thomas Lee Cox and Patricia Medlin Kennedy.

He is survived by his wife, Vicky Horne Cox; sons, Chris Woodell of Rockingham, Brad Cox (Nicole) of Aberdeen, Shane Dees (Krista) of Vass and Cody Dees of Lakeview; stepmom, Linda Cox; sister, Wanda Gonzalez of Cameron; brother, Adam Hutchens (Carrie); grandchildren, Caleb Cox, Cameron Cole Lucas, Ryan Dees and Sophia Dees.

Zeb proudly served his country in the US Navy and had a great love for his country. He also loved NASCAR and music, but most of all, he loved his family. He will be greatly missed by those who knew and loved him.

Marcene Joan Emerson

Oct. 16, 1943 – April 11, 2026

Marcene Joan Emerson, age 82, of Vass Woodlake, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at FirstHealth Hospice House, surrounded by her family.

Marcene was born in South Miami, Florida, on October 16, 1943, to the late Archibald Monroe Smith and Dorothy Houck Smith.

She is survived by her husband of 63 years, William “Bill” Emerson; daughters, Sheri Lynn Campbell (Carroll) of South Carolina, Heidi Marie Deal of North Carolina; two grandchildren; brother, Edmond Smith (Nancy) of Florida.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

LuAnn Gardner

Oct. 18, 1954 – April 6, 2026

LuAnn Gardner, lovingly known as MaYa and Nanny LuAnn, age 71 of Southern Pines, passed away Monday, April 6, 2026.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Cox Memorial Funeral Home Chapel. The family will receive friends immediately following the service at the funeral home.

LuAnn was born in Randolph County on October 18, 1954, to the late Benford Yow and Peggy Williams Cranford. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Jimmy Yow.

She is survived by her husband, Steve Gardner; daughter, Michelle Yow-Shaw (Tonia) of Southern Pines; brother, Larry Cook (Kimberly) of Virginia, and her constant companion yorkies, Ziva and Benny.

With heavy hearts and deep gratitude, we honor the memory of a truly remarkable woman—a beloved mother, wife and friend, whose love knew no bounds and whose kindness touched all who had the privilege of knowing her.

She was the heart of her family. Her love was gentle yet strong, expressed in quiet sacri ces, warm embraces, and countless acts of care that often went unnoticed but were deeply felt.

She had a way of making everyone feel seen, heard, and cherished. She taught by example showing what it means to be compassionate, resilient, and sel ess. The values she instilled will live on through her daughter and all those whose lives she impacted.

Though words can never fully capture the depth of her love or the magnitude of her presence, her legacy is written in the lives she nurtured and the love she gave so freely. She will be profoundly missed, forever remembered, and always held close in our hearts.

Selma Ball

July 1, 1945 – April 10, 2026

Selma Lynn Ball, of Vass Woodlake, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026, at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital, surrounded by her family.

Selma was born in Virginia on July 1, 1945, to the late Pascal Lynn Blankenship and Bertha Blankenship. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Judith Christ.

She is survived by her husband of 62 years, Raleigh Ball Jr; children, Sherri Cayton (Jim) of Wilmington, Derek Ball (Kelly) of Vass; grandchildren, Hayden (Daniel), Mallory, Evan (Jess), Walker and great-grandchildren, Amelia, Adaline and Ryder; brother, Edward Blankenship.

Selma was the most beautiful wife, mother, grandmother, sister, friend there ever was. Her husband, Raleigh, and she were side by side for 62 years; she will always be “the most beautiful girl he’s ever known.” They were high school sweethearts. She was an avid golfer; she would do it every day if she could. She loved gardening, getting dirty in the soil and smelling her fresh vegetables. She would get lost in her books, reading them on her favorite thing, her Kindle. If they didn’t spend summers at the beach together with family, they were joined at the hip, traveling and playing di erent golf courses. She will be greatly missed by all that she touched, near and far.

Services will be held at a later date.

Barbara E. Dixon

Oct. 16, 1950 – April 8, 2026

Barbara E. Dixon, 75, of Southern Pines, departed this life on April 8, 2026. A funeral service will be held at 1 p.m., Monday, April 13, 2026, at Harrington Chapel Church, Southern Pines. Interment will follow in the Mt. Hope Cemetery. A viewing and visitation will be held from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. prior to the service. Services are entrusted to Purcell Funeral Home & Cremation Services.

Dr. “Bob” Robert R. Keen

Oct. 8, 1934 – April 2, 2026

After a wonderful life, Dr. Robert R. Keen died April 2, 2026, at age 91, from complications following a septic illness. Bob was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, on October 8, 1934, the son of Bernard Spencer Keen and Marialyce (Lowther) Keen. Bob spent his childhood in Parkersburg. He was an Eagle Scout and graduated from Parkersburg High School in 1953. He earned his undergraduate degree from West Virginia University, where he was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. Bob went on to receive his DDS from the Medical College of Virginia in Richmond, Virginia. He then completed a four-year residency in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at MCV. Upon completion of residency training, Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and served as Chief of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery at Irwin U.S. Army Hospital in Fort Riley, Kansas.

In 1965, Bob completed his military service, having achieved the rank of Captain, and moved with his young family to Champaign, Illinois. There he joined the Carle Clinic and served as Chief of the Oral & Maxillofacial Department and Director of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Residency Training at Carle Foundation Hospital. Bob was the founder and director of Carle’s Cleft Palate and Facial Deformity Clinic. Bob left Carle Clinic in 1978 to start A liates in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery with partners Drs. Jack Jordan and Richard Clayton. The group eventually expanded to eight oral and maxillofacial surgeons with o ces in Champaign, Charleston, Bloomington, and Normal, Illinois.

Bob served as president of the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons in 19901991. He was also President of the Illinois Society of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeons. Bob served ve years as a member of the American Association of Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Foundation Board of Directors. He was a recipient of the “Torch

Award” presented by the Oral Surgery Foundation for outstanding contributions to the profession.

In 1992, Bob moved to Pinehurst, North Carolina, to begin the last chapter of his professional life. There, he established a private practice and was the rst oral & maxillofacial surgeon on sta at FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital. He started the Sandhills Dental Study Club and was also a member of the Pinehurst Rotary Club.

Bob was a “people person” and would say the highlights of his professional career were the long-lasting patient relationships and professional friendships he developed over the decades. He was quietly proud of the lifechanging care he was able to provide patients requiring cleft or maxillofacial surgeries.

Bob packed a lot into his life outside of his professional practice. Over the years, he enjoyed downhill skiing, bicycling, running, cross-country skiing, rollerblading, tennis, travel, music, woodworking, and golf, combined with his perpetual and often outsized yard projects. He loved his dogs, most recently Bernie and Gracie. Family gatherings at the mountain home in Boone, North Carolina, were a source of tremendous joy. Bob relished his role as GrandBob. He loved the music of the Ohio State Marching Band, Happy Hour on the porch, and sitting by the re rooting for the Fighting Illini.

Bob is survived by his wife Debbie (Whiteley) Keen; daughters, Jennifer (Jack) Hilmes of Des Moines, Iowa; Alicia Economos of West Des Moines, Iowa; his brother, Larry Keen, of Litch eld Park, Arizona; his ve grandchildren- John Robert, Jackie, Kristin, Julianne and John Theodore; four great grandchildren-James, Jack, Theodore and John; and two nephews-Taylor and Cody. He is preceded in death by his parents and beloved son in law Ted Economos.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, April 27, 2026, in the chapel of Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Army Honor Guard.

The family wishes to express thanks to the caring Sta at FirstHealth Hospice, each of whom made Bob’s last days with his family comfortable and digni ed.

The family requests that, in lieu of owers, any memorial contribution be made to the Hospice and Palliative Care Fund of the Foundation of FirstHealth, 150 Applecross Road, Pinehurst, NC 28374, or to the Moore County Humane Society, moorehumane.org.

Steven Seward

Aug. 27, 1959 – April 10, 2026

Steven Lawrence Seward, age 66, of Marion, South Carolina, passed away on Friday, April 10, 2026, at Senior Care of Marion, South Carolina.

A private Graveside Service will be held at Yates-Thagard Baptist Church Cemetery.

Steven was born in Burlington, North Carolina, on August 27, 1959, to the late Alfred Seward and Alma Garner Seward.

He loved serving the Lord and fellowshipping with his church family. He loved to cook and bake he always gave freely of his time, love, and resources, always putting others before himself. His kindness and compassion were evident in every act.

He is survived by his brother, Alan Seward (Betty) of South Carolina, former wife, Tracy Woodside and niece, Megan.

In lieu of owers, donations may be made to Restoring Hope, 1206 N. Main Street, Laurinburg, NC 28352.

David Bernard Stancil

June 8, 1955 – April 11, 2026

Mr. David Bernard Stancil, 70, of Aberdeen, North Carolina, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at Atrium Health Carolinas Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Please keep the family and friends of Mr. David Bernard Stancil in your thoughts and prayers.

Arrangements are entrusted to McLeod Funeral Home of Southern Pines, North Carolina.

Jan. 7, 1950 – April 7, 2026

Barbara Ann McCormick, 76, of Sanford, NC, slipped into eternal peace on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, at West eld Rehabilitation Center in Sanford, NC.

Bob Hall, father of wheelchair racing and 2-time

winner of Boston Marathon, dead at 74

He designed racing chairs and pioneered wheelchair athletes’ acceptance at major marathons

By Jimmy Golen

The Associated Press

BOSTON — Bob Hall, a childhood polio survivor who became known as the father of wheelchair racing after twice winning the Boston Marathon and then going on to build racing chairs for the generations of competitors that followed, has died. He was 74.

The Boston Athletic Association said on Sunday that Hall’s family con rmed his death after a long illness.

In 1975, Hall convinced Boston Marathon organizers to let him into the race and was promised a nishers’ certi cate like the one the runners got if he completed the 26.2-mile distance in under 3 hours. (In 1970, Vietnam War veteran Eugene Roberts, who had lost both of his legs in the war, needed more than six hours to nish.)

Hall crossed the line in 2:58.

“It had nothing to do with, per se, the marathon, but it was about the inclusion,” Hall said last year, when he served as the grand marshal in Boston on the 50th anniversary of his pioneering ride. “It was that I was bringing people along.”

Hall returned to the Boston race in 1977, when it was designated as the site for the

National Wheelchair Championship, and prevailed in a eld of seven. As they crested Heartbreak Hill, eventual men’s winner Bill Rodgers and fth-place nisher Tom Fleming slowed to encourage him.

“The interaction was a sign that we were fully accepted as athletes,” Hall said.

Hall, who lost the use of both legs from childhood polio, sued in 1978 to have wheelchair racers admitted into the New York Marathon, a ght that wasn’t settled until the race created men’s and women’s wheelchair divisions in 2000.

“Bob Hall is an incredible man,” ve-time Boston win-

ner and eight-time Paralympic gold medalist Tatyana McFadden said last year. “I’m so thankful for him. And I think we all are, as wheelchair racers, because he really paved the way.”

Hall nished in the top three in Boston three other times, and remained active with the race. More than 1,900 wheelchair racers have followed him from Hopkinton to Boston; this year’s race on April 20 will include 50 more, along with 50 others in eight para divisions competing for more than $300,000 in prize money.

The BAA said that Hall taught “how we can continue

“Because of him crossing that nish line, we’re able to race today. And it’s evolved so much since then.”

Tatyana McFadden

to ensure athletes of all abilities have competitive opportunities on the highest stage here in Boston.”

“Bob designed innovative wheelchair equipment, raced with courage, and was proud to be a two-time Boston Marathon champion,” the BAA said. “He helped lead a technological change, transforming simple wheelchairs into racing chairs built for peak athletic performance. Bob’s in uence and e ort ve decades ago led to the global circuit of wheelchair racing today.”

Many of the competitors — including McFadden and seven-time Boston winner Marcel Hug — learned to race in chairs built by Hall.

“Because of him crossing that nish line, we’re able to race today. And it’s evolved so much since then,” McFadden said last year. “It was him. It was him being brave and saying, ‘I’m going to go out and do this because I believe that we should be able to race Boston Marathon just like everyone else.’ So he had the courage to do that.”

Dave McGinnis, former Cardinals head coach and

longtime NFL assistant, dead at 74

A defensive coach beloved throughout the NFL for his passion and loyalty

By Teresa M. Walker The Associated Press

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former Arizona Cardinals head coach and longtime NFL assistant Dave McGinnis, long known simply as “Coach Mac,” died Monday. He was 74.

McGinnis, who had been in declining health, died at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital with his family at his side, according to the Tennessee Titans. He had been the Titans’ color commentator on game broadcasts since 2017 and was a constant presence on radio shows and team podcasts.

“He was family,” controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk. “Coach Mac gave so much of himself to this organization over the years, and his passion, loyalty and love for the Titans never wavered. He cared deeply about the people around him, and that kindness and authenticity left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.”

McGinnis went 17-40 for the Cardinals from 2000 to 2003, earning the job after nearly ve seasons as defensive coordinator. He also helped the Cardinals’ push for their current stadium before being red following a 4-12 record in 2003. That was despite a breakout season from receiver Anquan Boldin as the AP’s O ensive Rookie of the Year.

Arizona owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement the Cardinals were saddened to hear of McGinnis’ death.

“As Dave often said, he was a ‘ball coach’ through and through, and no one ever lled that role with more passion, enthusiasm and charisma,” Bidwill said. “Coach Mac truly loved the game and everything — and everyone — associated with it, especially his players. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”

A respected defensive mind, McGinnis began his NFL career with the Chicago Bears in 1986 as linebackers coach, a season after the franchise won the Super Bowl. He spent 10 years in Chicago working under head coaches Mike Ditka and Dave Wannstedt.

McGinnis brie y looked like he would become the Bears’ head coach in 1999 when the team announced his hiring after an interview. However, McGinnis said he had never agreed to a contract, the Bears apologized and the coach pulled his name from consideration.

After he left the Cardinals in 2003, McGinnis was hired as the linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans under coach Je Fisher. He stayed in that role — eventually being promoted to assistant head coach — until 2011.

McGinnis followed Fisher to the St. Louis Rams in 2012, where he worked until 2016

as assistant head coach before turning to being a broadcaster with the Titans.

“His passion for the Titans and love for the game came through in every interaction and every broadcast, and he had a unique way of making everyone around him better,” said Burke Nihill, the Titans president and chief executive o cer. Before his NFL career, McGinnis was an assistant for 13 years at the college level, working at TCU, Missouri, Indiana State and Kansas State.

The Snyder, Texas, native was a three-year starter at defensive back for TCU and graduated in 1973.

STATE & NATION

Artemis II’s record-breaking journey around moon ends with dramatic splashdown

The crew paved the way for a sustainable moon base

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Artemis II’s astronauts closed out humanity’s rst lunar voyage in more than half a century with a Pacific splashdown on Friday, blazing new records near the moon with grace and joy.

It was a dramatic grandnale to a mission that revealed not only swaths of the lunar far side never seen before by human eyes, but a total solar eclipse and a parade of planets, most notably our own shimmering Earth against the endless black void of space.

With their ight now complete, the four astronauts have set NASA up for a moon landing by another crew in just two years and a full-blown moon base within the decade.

The triumphant moon-farers — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen — emerged from their bobbing capsule into the sunlight o the coast of San Diego.

In a scene reminiscent of NASA’s Apollo moonshots of yesteryear, military helicopters hoisted the astronauts one by one from an in atable raft docked to the capsule, hauling them aboard for the short trip to the Navy’s awaiting recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha.

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said from the recovery ship.

NASA’s Mission Control erupted in celebration, with hundreds pouring in from the back support rooms. “We did it,” NASA’s Lori Glaze rejoiced at a news conference. “Welcome to our moonshot.”

Their Orion capsule, dubbed Integrity, made the entire

plunge on automatic pilot. The lunar cruiser hit the atmosphere traveling Mach 33 — or 33 times the speed of sound — a blistering blur not seen since the 1960s and 1970s Apollo.

The tension in Mission Control mounted as the capsule became engulfed in red-hot plasma during peak heating and entered a planned communication blackout. All eyes were on the capsule’s life-protecting heat shield that had to withstand thousands of degrees during reentry.

Watching the drama unfold nearly 2,000 miles away, the astronauts’ families huddled in Mission Control’s viewing room, cheering when the capsule emerged from its six-minute blackout and again at splashdown.

The last time NASA and the Defense Department teamed up for a lunar crew’s reentry was Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II came screaming back at 36,174

feet per second — or 24,664 mph — just shy of the record before slowing to a 19 mph splashdown.

Until Artemis II, NASA’s fresh-from-the-moon homecomings starred only white male pilots. Intent on re ecting changes in society, NASA chose a diverse, multinational crew for its lunar comeback.

Koch became the rst woman to y to the moon, Glover the rst black astronaut and Hansen the rst non-U.S. citizen, bursting Canada with pride. They laughed, cried and hugged all the way there and back, striving to take the entire world along with them.

Artemis II’s record yby, views of the moon

Launched from Florida on April 1, the astronauts racked up one win after another as they deftly navigated NASA’s long-awaited lunar comeback,

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew.”

Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator

the rst major step in establishing a sustainable moon base.

Artemis II didn’t land on the moon or even orbit it. But it broke Apollo 13’s distance record and marked the farthest that humans have ever journeyed from Earth when the crew reached 252,756 miles. Then in the mission’s most heart-tugging scene, the teary astronauts asked permission to name a pair of craters after their moonship and Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.

During Monday’s record-breaking yby, they documented scenes of the moon’s far side never seen before by the human eye along with a total solar eclipse. The eclipse, in particular, “just blew all of us away,” Glover said.

Their sense of wonder and love awed everyone, as did their breathtaking pictures of the moon and Earth. The Artemis II crew channeled Apollo 8’s rst lunar explorers with Earthset, showing our Blue Marble setting behind the gray moon. It was reminiscent of Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise shot from 1968.

Born a decade after Apollo, Isaacman greeted the astronauts with hugs as they headed from the helicopters to the ship’s medical bay for routine checks. They walked by themselves, refusing the wheelchairs o ered them.

“We are back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon, bringing them back safely and to set up for a series more,” Isaacman said. “This is just the beginning.”

Their moonshot drew global attention as well as star pow-

er, earning props from President Donald Trump; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; Britain’s King Charles III; Ryan Gosling, star of the latest space ick “Project Hail Mary”; Scarlett Johansson of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and even Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner of TV’s original “Star Trek.” Artemis II was test ight for future moon missions

Despite its rich scienti c yield, the nearly 10-day ight was not without technical issues. Both the capsule’s drinking water and propellant systems were hit with valve problems. In perhaps the most high-pro le predicament, the toilet kept malfunctioning, but the astronauts shrugged it all o .

As for the heat shield, military aircraft crews photographed it from afar during reentry, and divers checked it from underneath as the capsule oated in the Paci c. More detailed examinations are planned.

“We can’t explore deeper unless we are doing a few things that are inconvenient,” Koch said, “unless we’re making a few sacri ces, unless we’re taking a few risks, and those things are all worth it.”

Added Hansen: “You do a lot of testing on the ground, but your nal test is when you get this hardware to space and it’s a doozy.”

Under the revamped Artemis program, next year’s Artemis III will see astronauts practice docking their capsule with a lunar lander or two in orbit around Earth. Artemis IV will attempt to land a crew of two near the moon’s south pole in 2028.

The Artemis II astronauts’ allegiance was to those future crews, Wiseman said.

“But we really hoped in our soul is that we could for just a moment have the world pause and remember that this is a beautiful planet and a very special place in our universe, and we should all cherish what we have been gifted,” he said.