Skip to main content

North State Journal Vol. 6, Issue 21

Page 1

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 21

|

WWW.NSJONLINE.COM

|

WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021

the Wednesday

NEWS BRIEFING

Biden pledges appeal of ‘deeply disappointing’ DACA ruling Washington, D.C. President Joe Biden said the Justice Department intends to appeal a federal judge’s ruling deeming illegal an Obama-era order that has allowed thousands of young people who were brought illegally into the United States as children, or overstayed visas, to live, work and remain in the country. He said in a statement that the decision was “deeply disappointing,” and although the judge’s order did not affect those already covered by the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, it “relegates hundreds of thousands of young immigrants to an uncertain future.” Texas and eight other states sued to halt DACA, arguing that President Barack Obama lacked the power to create the program because it circumvented Congress. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

US border encounters of migrant families rise again Phoenix U.S. officials say the number of migrant families they encountered at the border in June increased by 25% from the previous month. According to new numbers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection tallied 55,805 members of families with children in June, compared with 44,746 in May. Overall, officials say they saw 5% more encounters with migrants trying to cross the border in June compared with May but attributed much of that increase to repeated attempts by people trying to get into the United States. The new numbers show slightly more than a third of the 188,829 people encountered at the border in June had unsuccessfully tried to cross at least one other time in the previous 12 months. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

CDC: Delta variant accounts for 83% of US cases Atlanta Health officials say the delta variant of the coronavirus continues to surge and accounts for an estimated 83% of U.S. COVID-19 cases. That’s an increase from the week of July 3, when the variant accounted for about 50% of genetically sequenced coronavirus cases. “The best way to prevent the spread of COVID-19 variants is to prevent the spread of disease, and vaccination is the most powerful tool we have,” said Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, during a U.S. Senate hearing Tuesday. The delta variant, first detected in India, is a mutated coronavirus that spreads more easily than other versions. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HCA Q2 profit surges as patients return to hospitals Nashville, Tenn. The nation’s largest publicly traded hospital chain’s secondquarter profit jumped past analyst expectations as patients returned to operating tables and hospital rooms after staying away last year at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. “With the effects of the pandemic moderating in the second quarter, we experienced a strong rebound in demand for services,” CEO Sam Hazen said. Last year, before vaccines were authorized for emergency use, patients stayed home or cancelled elective surgeries as the virus forced hospitals to shift their focus to treating COVID-19 patients. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

COURTESY PHOTOS

Johnny Morris, CEO and Founder of Bass Pro Shops, is pictured here with Marine Sgt. Joseph Bartel of Aberdeen, Army Staff Sgt. Daniel Barnes of Waynesville, Missouri, and their families, after both men were brought out to Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters Store in Springfield, Missouri, for the surprise announcement.

NORTH

STATE

JOURNaL ELEVATE THE CONVERSATION

US Senate hopefuls report second-quarter fundraising totals Beasley leads Dems; Budd, McCrory neck-andneck for GOP By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — The reports are in from the candidates running to become North Carolina’s next U.S. Senator. In the Democratic primary, former state Supreme Court chief justice Cheri Beasley raised $1.26 million. That amounts bests state Sen. Jeff Jackson, who raised just over $700,000. In his first quarter report, Jackson raised $1.3 million. Beasley said of her totals, “I’m so grateful for all of the support and enthusiasm we’re seeing across NC. For too long, our senators have been more focused on their own self-interest than serving our state. Together we’ll make that happen.” Jackson’s amount is half of what he raised in the first quarter, but in a release from his campaign, he insisted, “We’re seeing real momentum behind the movement we’re building, and we’re overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from folks across the state.” Jackson leads Beasley with the amount of available cash on hand, edging her slightly. Those totals, though, show Jackson spending at a much higher rate

than Beasley. Former state Sen. Erica Smith and the remaining announced Democratic candidates did not approach the level of Beasley and Jackson, who may turn fire on one another soon. Beasley appears to be the favorite among prominent Democrats, racking up a stunning number of endorsements from both state and national figures. New York Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand endorsed Beasley on July 8 and that was followed by U.S. Rep. Alma Adams (NC-12) and a slew of elected Democrats across the state, many of which serve with Jackson in the General Assembly. In perhaps another sign of whom the state’s Democratic establishment favors, Dory MacMillan, a former aide to Gov. Roy Cooper, has moved to Beasley’s campaign. Cooper elevated Beasley to chief justice over senior associate justice Paul Newby in 2019. Jackson, a state senator, has made his “100-county tour” the centerpiece of his campaign, along with a significant social media presence that the Washington Post described as “inspired by Beto O’Rourke’s 2018 run in Texas.” Smith is also touring all 100 counties, but similar to her 2020 campaign against Cal CunningSee US SENATE, page A3

County school boards rebel against K-12 mask mandates Five counties have passed motions or resolutions to make masks optional this fall

By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — At a meeting on July 12, the Rowan-Salisbury School Board voted to make masks optional for all students, staff and visitors.

The measure passed by a 5-2 vote. Chair Kevin Jones, along with members Travis Allen, Susan Cox, Dean Hunter and Brian Hightower voted in favor while ViceChair Alisha Byrd-Clark and member Jean Kennedy voted against. “I’m willing to take that opportunity to make an example to the rest of the school boards in the state,” Allen said of the vote to make masks optional. A second motion was passed by the Rowan board in support of the General Assembly’s Senate Bill 173,

Bass Pro Shops founder surprises wounded NC veteran with home Morris to fund 25% of next 100 homes through ‘Helping a Hero’ org By David Larson North State Journal RALEIGH — Johnny Morris, the founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, recently announced he was donating heavily to the building of homes for veterans through the organization Helping a Hero, including a home for Marine Sgt. Joseph Bartel of Aberdeen. Meredith Iler, founder of Helping a Hero home program, told NSJ that the announcement was made in front of the Bass Pro Shops National Headquarters Store in Springfield, Missouri on Thursday. After inviting a number of veterans to spend a few days with him at a property in the Ozarks that Morris has set aside for conservation, Morris surprised them with the announcement that he will fund 25% of the next 100 homes that Helping a Hero builds. This is also when he surprised Bartel by announcing that his home would be the first of the 10 fully funded homes to be built. Earlier this year, Morris announced at a May 19 event at racing legend Richard Childress’ vineyard in Lexington that he would be fully funding 10 homes. With this subsequent announcement, Morris greatly increases his commitment. The earlier event was called the Lee Greenwood Patriot Awards Dinner, because Greenwood, the national ambassador for Helping a Hero, is giving out 40 Patriot Awards as he celebrates the 40th anniversary of his hit song, ‘God Bless the USA.” Morris was one of the six recipients at the Lexington event. The list included North Carolinians like former Lt. Gov. Dan Forest and Penny and Bob Barnhill of Rocky Mount, but also big nationally known names like Ainsley Earhardt of FOX News, celebrity chef Paula Deen and Christian recording artist Michael W. Smith.

the Free the Smiles Act,” which as currently written would give districts the power to make masks optional. Legislators established a conference committee to hammer out language regarding mask options in schools for the upcoming school year after the Senate failed to concur with changes made by the House. One of the reasons concurrence failed was that the Senate wants to add language about vaccinations to the bill, Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth) told North State Journal. On the House side, the conference committee includes Reps. David Willis (R-Union), Kristin Baker (R-Cabarrus), John Torbett See MASKS, page A2

The host committee included former Gov. Pat McCrory, Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, Congressman Madison Cawthorn and other major state names in politics and business. “We have been around since 2006, and we did our first North Carolina home, I think, in 2011,” Iler said of Helping a Hero, which is based in Houston. “I actually founded the Wounded Hero program kind of by accident through my Rotary Club.” She said her Rotary Club was helping build two homes for wounded veterans for an episode of the television show “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition,” and they decided to continue the work, merging with an existing group named Helping a Hero. The original Helping a Hero organization, Iler said, was founded by four men, “mainly to take veterans fishing,” but her organization was larger and they liked their name, so she requested a merger. “So I kind of went to them and said, y’all have a great name, and we have a lot of money in the bank and a great mission; let’s work together and start building homes together.” They were thrilled, she said, and they continued to do the recreation program, taking veterans fishing and other outdoor activities. “But our principal activity, and See MORRIS, page A2


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

A2 WEDNESDAY

THE WORD: FROM SLAVE TO BELOVED BROTHER

7.21.21 #292

PHILEMON 15-16

For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 15

“Liberty's story” Visit us online nsjonline.com North State Journal (USPS 20451) (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins Publisher Matt Mercer Editor in Chief Cory Lavalette Managing/Sports Editor Frank Hill Senior Opinion Editor Emily Roberson Business/Features Editor David Larson Associate Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor

Published each Wednesday by North State Media, LLC 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609

PUBLIC DOMAIN

“Saint Paul Writing His Epistles” attributed to Valentin de Boulogne (circa 1618) is a painting in the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

The Book of Philemon, or the Epistle of Paul to Philemon, ranks third in our look at the shortest books of the Bible after Third John and Second John. This single-chapter book has just 25 verses. Philemon was a wealthy Christian who hosted a church in his home in Colossae. Paul wrote to Philemon on behalf of a runaway slave named Onesimus who had wronged Philemon, his owner. The letter is addressed to Philemon but also includes Apphia, Archippus and the church in Philemon’s house. The additional recipients are like an ancient CC line which lets the readers know that Paul intended the request to Philemon as a more public matter. Paul met Onesimus after his escape and subsequently shared the gospel with the fleeing slave. Onesimus then helped Paul during his imprisonment. Because of his love for Onesimus, Paul asked his brother in Christ to elevate his former slave. While Paul doesn’t make a broad statement against slavery, he does speak for the humanity of slaves and asks for any debts owned by Onesimus to be put on Paul’s account. The book is a simple of example of loving people regardless of their station.

MORRIS from page A1

MASKS from page A1

the one we really invest our money in, is the Wounded Hero program, and helping these guys basically have the daily independence they need to function and adjust to their new normal with the injuries they sustained in combat.” Iler said those who don’t interact with severely injured veterans aren’t aware of how difficult it is for many of them in their day-to-day lives. “For example, on the burn victims, they inhale the fire and it burns the cilia of the lung,” she said. “Their skin gets burned, and even though they get skin grafts, and it looks maybe even good on the outside, they don’t have sweat glands, so they really have a tough time regulating their temperature. So inside their home, they have to keep their interior temperature at 68 degrees. So we go the extra mile in building those homes.” They build two-story homes that face away from the sun for this reason. This allows a veteran like Cpt. Dan Moran to play catch with his son at 4 p.m. rather than having to wait for the sun to set. Bob and Penny Barnhill of Rocky Mount, who run a charitable foundation and own the large development firm Barnhill Contracting Company, have also dedicated major funding to Helping a Hero for homes to be built in North Carolina. Because of the Barnhills’ donation, Helping a Hero had already begun the “Nominate a Hero” process in North Carolina, which is designed to

(R-Gaston), and Shelly Willingham (D-Edgecombe). Willis will be the chair. From the Senate, Sens. Bill Rabon (R-Bladen), Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth), Deanna Ballard (R-Watauga), and Kirk deViere (D-Cumberland) will sit on the committee. Rabon will act as chair. Three other district school boards have passed motions or resolutions similar to that of Rowan’s. The Union County school board passed a resolution on June 1 requesting that “Governor Roy Cooper immediately rescind his executive orders regarding mask wearing in schools” and that Cooper direct the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services to update its NC Strong Schools toolkit accordingly. In Harnett County, at its June 7 meeting, the board voted four to one in favor of making masks optional for summer school, signaling a possibility for similar action for the upcoming school year. On June 21, the Haywood County school board unanimously passed a motion opposing the state’s current mask mandate for public schools. That motion also directed the school administration to “develop procedures to comply with the mandate but lessen the negative impact by encouraging and implementing social distancing and outdoor instruction pursuant to Tool Kit guidelines.” Private school Thales Academy has made masks optional next school year for all students and school employees as well as visitors. Parents in Wake County are also mobilizing in an effort to remove masks from their children this fall. Dr. Tracy Taylor of Raleigh calls the granting of privileges to the vaccinated over the unvaccinated “medical discrimination” that creates an “opportunity for other students, staff, and admin to bully those who are wearing masks about the vaccine.” “It essentially puts a target on their back when students are the least at-risk cohort,” Taylor said, adding that some students, staff, and admin may not be able to get the vaccine.

COURTESY PHOTO

Johnny Morris, founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops, is seen with Marine Sgt. Joseph Bartel, his wife Christine, sons Barrett and Aaron, and daughters Michaela and Addie at Morris' property in the Ozarks. find good candidates for homes. But with the announcement by Morris of 10 more homes to be built, and a commitment for at least three of them to be built in North Carolina, Helping a Hero is actively seeking wounded veterans who need homes. The first of the three homes, the one for the Bartel family in Aberdeen announced Thursday, will have a groundbreaking in August or September, Iler said. She is meeting with builders in the Aberdeen area next week. “In an ideal world, it would be awesome if we could get them home by

Christmas, but with a lot of the shortage of materials, it might be closer to Valentine’s Day.” “We plan to select the next two North Carolina wounded warriors as we approach the 20th anniversary of 9/11,” Iler said. “With patriots like Johnny Morris and North Carolina philanthropists Penny and Bob Barnhill, it is clear that patriotism is alive and well, and the support for our wounded warriors and our military is strong.” To nominate a wounded veteran, visit HelpingaHero.org and fill out the nomination form.

North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives are leading the way to a brighter future for our 2.5 million members and local communities.

Sustainable, Affordable Energy Pursuing a goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 using new and existing resources to ensure electricity continues to be delivered at the lowest possible cost.

Reliability & Innovation Leveraging new technologies and innovation to deliver reliable electricity across resilient, co-op operated electric grids.

Local Community Support Enriching the lives of our local members through continued education initiatives, economic development and communityfocused activities.

BUILDING A BRIGHTER FUTURE NCElectricCooperatives.com/Brighter

CEC CR 31965 Business NC half pages.indd 1

1/6/21 4:37 PM


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

North Carolina Republican Senate leader Phil Berger speaks at a Senate Education Committee hearing on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, in the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh.

BRYAN ANDERSON | AP PHOTO

Senate leader proposes state constitutional amendment aimed at Critical Race Theory By A.P. Dillon North State Journal RALEIGH — At a July 14 press conference where a proposed new amendment to the North Carolina Constitution was introduced, Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) spoke at length about the controversy surrounding Critical Race Theory. “What do we do when confronted with a doctrine that ‘questions the very foundations of the liberal order’? That’s how leading legal scholars Richard Delgado and Jean Stefancic describe critical race theory, the school of thought they helped found,” Berger said. “They seek to replace the existing order with a new order, one that preaches ‘the only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination,’ and that everything we see and do boils down to race and a racial hierarchy — the intersection of race and power.” Berger went on to say that “this doctrine is ascendant in American culture and in parts of North Carolina.” “I oppose it, and I will combat it with everything that I have, because it undoes the framework that produced the most successful ongoing experiment in self-government in the history of mankind,” Berger said. “Children must learn about our state’s racial past and all of its ugliness, including the cruelty of slavery, the 1898 Wilmington massacre, and the Jim Crow era.” He also said that “students must not be forced to adopt an ideology that is separate and distinct from history; an ideology that attacks ‘the very foundations of the liberal order,’ and that promotes ‘present discrimination’ — so long as it’s against the right people — as ‘antiracist.’” Woven in the speech was the announcement of a new state constitutional amendment for consideration. “And we can, and hopefully will, put to the voters a constitutional amendment that reinforces the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and places in our state’s foundational text the principle of equality before the law,” said Berger. Senate Bill 729, Public Nondiscrimination Amendment, was

US SENATE from page A1 ham, she finds herself behind the leading candidates. She took a shot at the frontrunners in the race, writing on Twitter, “Our campaign isn’t propped up by DC or funded by the wealthy and well-connected. Our people-powered movement is centered on working people.” In a recent interview, Smith called herself the most progressive Democrat in the race. In the quarter, she raised a total of $113,000 but spent more than she raised, leaving her with just $55,000 on hand. Beaufort mayor Rett Newton reported raising $95,000 in the race, placing him fourth in the primary field. Richard Watkins, a Durham virologist, raised $26,000 in the quarter. On the Republican side, both former Gov. Pat McCrory and U.S. Rep. Ted Budd believe their second quarter fundraising totals topped the other in the state’s hotly contested 2022 U.S. Republican Senate primary.

filed shortly after the conclusion of the press conference. The amendment would be in a new section added to Article 1 of the North Carolina Constitution, titled “Prohibition on discrimination or preferential treatment in public employment, education, or contracting.” The main text of the amendment reads, “The State and its political subdivisions, including the free public schools and public institutions of higher education, shall not discriminate against, or grant preferential treatment to, any individual or group on the basis of race, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin in the operation of public employment, public education, or public contracting.” Berger said that the Senate would be taking up the latest version of an active House bill aimed at combating schools from forcing students to agree with ideologies like Critical Race Theory. The bill is House Bill 324, titled, “Ensuring Dignity & Nondiscrimination/ Schools.” It would prohibit public schools from compelling students “to affirm or profess belief in” discriminatory concepts, which include: That one race or sex is inherently superior to another race or sex; An individual, solely by virtue of his or her race or sex, is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive; An individual should be discriminated against or receive adverse treatment solely or partly because of his or her race or sex; A meritocracy is inherently racist or sexist; Particular character traits, values, moral or ethical codes, privileges, or beliefs should be ascribed to a race or sex, or to an individual because of the individual’s race or sex. The bill, as written, contains no enforcement clauses or penalties for violating the bill should it become law. During his remarks, Berger mentioned examples that included Durham’s city government having authorized a “racial equity task force report” that he said is “steeped in the ideology” of Critical Race Theory. “Durham’s report warns of per-

McCrory, who reported first among Republican candidates, announced he raised $1.24 million since entering the race in April. McCrory’s campaign said over $1 million came from in-state donations with over 8,000 total donors. “Our campaign as a Washington outsider who has solved real problems is resonating across North Carolina,” McCrory said in a statement. “We’ve proven that we are the only candidate with the record of accomplishments and the ability to marshal the resources necessary to win a statewide primary and general election against the well-funded far-left.” On Twitter, McCrory adviser Jordan Shaw wrote, “Big starting quarter for @PatMcCroryNC. $1.24m raised, $1m from in-state donors. Unmatched support in NC. Only candidate with viable path to victory in primary & general.” McCrory spent just over $278,000 in the quarter, leaving his campaign with $955,000 on

vasive ‘whiteness,’ a whiteness that ‘embodies all [all!] of our systems’ and ‘oppress[es] people of color,’” said Berger. The Senate leader also cited noted “antiracist” Ibram X. Kendi’s desire to establish a federal Department of Antiracism. Berger notes Kendi’s new department would have “the power to supersede all federal, state, and local policymakers and instill what they define as ‘equity’ across the land.” Kendi is known for stating that, “the only remedy to past discrimination is present discrimination.” Since February, North State Journal has reported on issues of “antiracist” training or training containing Critical Race Theory themes found in Wake County Public Schools, the state’s largest school district. In particular, a training course called “Intro to Critical Race Theory,” which was to be facilitated by The Equity Collaborative, a company founded and run by Rep. Graig Meyer (D-Durham). Berger was asked if lawmakers were taking a look at that kind of teacher training and if there were conversations to be had with the N.C. State Board of Education. He said there was nothing in the current bill that dealt with training, but that may be a conversation that takes place in the future. Of Critical Race Theory, Berger also said “I call it a theology, because it has all the tenets of a religion.” He went on to say that “The premises that govern its view of the universe are unfalsifiable and self-reinforcing. Its adherents see dissenting arguments as evidence of the doctrine’s provenance, diagnosing dissenters with subconscious white guilt or white rage or some other term found in the doctrine’s scripts.” “Parents who see the same doctrinal rhetoric appearing in their children’s school materials or their district’s website (‘intersectionality,’ ‘whiteness,’ ‘antiracist,’) are showing up at school board meetings and calling their legislators. They’re concerned that their children might be inculcated with a radical new way of viewing the world,” Berger said, and then asked, “Can you blame them?”

“We’ve proven that we are the only candidate with the record of accomplishments and the ability to marshal the resources necessary to win a statewide primary and general election against the well-funded far-left.” Former Gov. Pat McCrory hand. Budd raised $955,000 over the quarter, including a personal loan of $250,000 in his first report as a Senate candidate. He does, however, possess significant advantages over McCrory. As his campaign was quick to point out, Budd far and away has the most on hand, with $1.7 million, in part thanks to his congressional campaign account. Budd also likely will see the full benefit of his endorsement from

A3

Biden: ‘Killing people’ remark was call for big tech to act By Zeke Miller The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden attempted to walk back his assessment that social media giants are “killing people” by hosting misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines on their platforms, saying Monday that he hoped they would not take it “personally” and instead would act to save lives. While companies like Facebook defend their practices and say they’re helping people around the world access verified information about the shots, the White House says they haven’t done enough to stop what it considers “misinformation” that has slowed the pace of new vaccinations in the U.S. Speaking at the White House, Biden insisted he meant “precisely what I said” when he said Friday of the tech giants that “they’re killing people.” But he said the point of his rhetoric was to ramp up pressure on the companies to take action. “My hope is that Facebook, instead of taking it personally that somehow I’m saying ‘Facebook is killing people,’ that they would do something about the misinformation,” Biden said. The administration has increasingly seized on so-called false or misleading information about the safety and efficacy of the vaccines as a driver of that hesitance. It has referenced a study by the Center for Countering Digital Hate, a nonprofit that studies extremism, that linked a dozen accounts to spreading the majority of vaccine disinformation on Facebook. “Facebook isn’t killing people. These 12 people are out there giving misinformation, anyone listening to it is getting hurt by it; it’s killing people,” Biden said. “It’s bad information.” “I’m not trying to hold people accountable. I’m trying to make people look at themselves, look in the mirror,” Biden said, adding, “Think about that misinformation going to your son, your daughter, your relative.” In the view of the administration, chastising the social media companies — who have come under mounting scrutiny in Washington over not just disinformation, but also antitrust and privacy practices — is a proxy for criticizing the originators of disinformation themselves. To avoid amplifying falsehoods, the White House has generally sought to avoid engaging directly with those spreading misinformation.

The platforms, the White House says, have not been transparent about the vaccine misinformation they promote to users, and Facebook in particular has not engaged all its tools to prevent the spread of false information as it tries to avoid alienating its user base and cutting into its profits. The platforms, officials argued, should prevent vaccine misinformation from appearing as suggested or potentially relevant content in users’ feeds. Last week, U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy declared misinformation about the vaccines a deadly threat to public health. “Misinformation poses an imminent and insidious threat to our nation’s health,” Murthy said during remarks Thursday at the White House. “We must confront misinformation as a nation. Lives are depending on it.” Murthy said technology companies and social media platforms must make meaningful changes to their products and software to reduce the spread of false information while increasing access to authoritative, fact-based sources. “We are asking them to step up,” Murthy said. “We can’t wait longer for them to take aggressive action.” Facebook responded to Biden’s attack, with spokesperson Kevin McAlister saying, “The facts show that Facebook is helping save lives. Period.” The company also released a blog post saying its internal research showed it was not responsible for Biden’s missed vaccination goal. “The data shows that 85% of Facebook users in the US have been or want to be vaccinated against COVID-19. President Biden’s goal was for 70% of Americans to be vaccinated by July 4. Facebook is not the reason this goal was missed.” White House press secretary Jen Psaki insisted Monday, “We’re not in a war or battle against Facebook — we’re in a battle with the virus.” But she ramped up pressure on the companies to share information on how many Americans are exposed to misinformation on their platforms and how their secretive and powerful algorithms promote false content to users. “Do you have access to information from these platforms as to who is receiving misinformation?” she asked. “I don’t think that information has been released. Do you know how the algorithms are working at any of these platforms? I don’t think that information has been released.” President Joe Biden speaks about the economy and his infrastructure agenda in the State Dining Room of the White House, in Washington, D.C., Monday, July 19th, 2021.

ANDREW HARNIK | AP PHOTO

former President Donald Trump in the third quarter. The Trump endorsement, which came with less than a month before the June 30 fundraising deadline, came at the NCGOP convention on June 5. In examining the figures from McCrory and Budd post-Trump endorsement, Budd appeared to narrowly outraise McCrory. Outside spending is also likely to benefit Budd, with the Club for Growth announcing it is ready to spend at least $5 million to boost him in the primary. Jonathan Felts, a senior adviser to Budd, said the campaign has “eliminated the McCrory money advantage six months ahead of schedule.” Former U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, who entered the race in December 2020, announced he had raised $202,000 and spent nearly all of that amount, but enters the second half of the year with $926,000 on hand. Following the reports, the McCrory and Budd camps traded barbs to spin the numbers in their favor. McCrory adviser Jordan Shaw

called Budd’s fundraising “shockingly weak,” and criticized Budd’s personal loan — but as Felts retorted, in 2013, Shaw, who was then campaign manager for current U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, called a similar move an indication of his “level of commitment to the race.” In his three races for governor, McCrory often raised more in similar time frames. In 2008, McCrory raised $1.1 million after winning the gubernatorial nomination in his first run for the office. In 2012 he raised $2.2 million after handily winning the nomination on the way to his only victory statewide, and in 2016, he raised $3.1 million as the incumbent. That figure, though, often trailed nowGov. Roy Cooper. For his part, Walker seemed to acknowledge his fundraising deficit, saying after the reporting period, “I’m quite content being the people’s choice. I’ve never been the establishment’s darling and I’m certainly not funded by million-dollar DC Super PACs like others.”


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

A4

North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

Murphy to Manteo

The lakes of NC The state’s largest lakes fall in two camps: the natural ones of the east and the man-made ones in the west. Lake Mattamuskeet, the largest natural lake in the state, is located in Hyde County. It is shallow, with a maximum depth of five feet, and sits below sea level. The lake is one of the state’s top hunting and fishing areas. Fontana Lake Man-made lakes cover every other part of the state: Fontana Lake in the mountains, Lake Norman and High Rock Lake in the Piedmont, and Jordan Lake and Falls Lake in the Triangle. Of the man-made lakes, Lake Norman is the largest, coming in at over 32,000 acres northwest of Charlotte.

WEST Official: Man cited for killing bear in neighbor’s yard Buncombe County A man is facing charges after wildlife authorities said he used a 12-gauge shotgun with buckshot to fatally shoot a bear on his neighbor’s property. Officials with the N.C. Wildlife Resource Commission said a man reported his neighbor shot the bear from across the street. Given that the bear was not aggressive, was not attacking anyone and was on another person’s property, officers said there was no reason for the shooting. The 70-year-old man faces a minimum fine of $2,000 after being charged with negligent hunting, taking a wild animal and hunting during the closed season.

Macon County Erosion was blamed when water spilled out from the Burningtown Lakes Dam last week. The leakage flowed into an adjacent creek, and officials said that there was no threat to people who lived near the dam. The dam is rated a “high hazard dam,” meaning it would cause loss of life and structural damage if there was a failure. State inspectors conducted an investigation of the dam after the incident. WLOS

Alligator Lake

As session hits seven-month mark, bills continue to move through legislature By A.P. Dillon North State Journal

Pungo Lake Falls Lake

Lake Norman

Lake Mattamuskeet Lake Waccamaw largest artificial lakes largest natural lakes

Caldwell County A sheriff’s deputy was shot and wounded while responding to a domestic disturbance. Caldwell County sheriff’s deputies responded to a Granite Falls home after a child said their mother was being assaulted. Deputies forced their way inside and Christopher Payne, 29, shot a deputy in the leg. The victim escaped before law enforcement arrived, but an 18-monthold was with Payne, who surrendered to deputies. Payne and the child were not injured. The deputy was treated at a hospital and released. Payne was charged with assault on a law enforcement officer with a firearm, felony child abuse and weapons offenses.

PIEDMONT

School evacuated after gas leak Haywood County A school was evacuated on Monday after a gas leak was detected. Staff, summerschool students and children at summer childcare were all forced to leave the Hazelwood Elementary School building and gather on an adjacent soccer field after the leak was reported shortly before noon. Students were sent home on early dismissal, and crews began work immediately to repair the leak. WLOS

EAST

Family sues airline, saying aborted landing ruined vacation

Man charged with murder after street-racing crash kills boy Gaston County A man has been charged with murder and other counts after police say he was involved in a street-racing crash that killed a 6-yearold boy. Donnie Ray Cobb, 46, from Cleveland County, was charged with second-degree murder, reckless driving, speed competition, driving while impaired and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. Cobb was driving 100 mph outside Bessemer City June 26 when his Audi collided with another car, crossed a median and hit another vehicle head-on, killing Liam Lagunas of Monroe. Authorities are also expected to filed charges against the driver who was racing Cobb.

Cleveland County A family filed suit against American Airlines saying a turbulent and aborted landing in 2019 caused injuries and forced the family to forgo much of a planned vacation. Roger Brunton and Dawn Rippy-Brunton of Cleveland County planned a trip to Las Vegas, Hawaii and Los Angeles with her parents. When the flight from Charlotte reached Las Vegas, the aircraft bounced off the tarmac, back into the air. The family members sought medical care and were forced to cancel many planned activities because of their injuries. The lawsuit alleges negligence by American and demands $25,000 for pain and suffering. AP

Pitt County A Pennsylvania woman was arrested after investigators said she posed as a member of the military and scammed a person out of more than $7,000. The Pitt County Sheriff’s Office said it received a report that a resident met a woman on an online dating site who said she needed money to ship her belongings home from overseas. Investigators determined the woman was using a fake name and identified her as a 63-year-old from Greensburg, Pennsylvania. The woman was charged with accessing a computer to defraud or obtain property and obtaining property by false pretense.

Alamance County Police are investigating after four people were shot Sunday in a central North Carolina city. Burlington Police said they responded around 2 a.m. to a call about a shooting. An investigation revealed “an altercation” inside a building preceded the shooting, according to a news release. Officers found four victims who were being treated for injuries not considered life-threatening. “At this time, no suspect information has been provided to law enforcement,” the news release said. No further details were immediately released, and the victims were not identified. AP

Pender County A second suspect has been arrested in connection with the armed robbery of a group of duck hunters. The Pender County Sheriff’s Office said Tyrese Daquan Lee, 26, was taken into custody. Lee faces multiple charges, including armed robbery and assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, according to the sheriff’s office. In January, the four hunters were returning to their vehicles when they encountered the two suspects, who shot one of the victims, then took the group’s money and weapons. According to the sheriff’s office, the shooting victim suffered non-lifethreatening injuries AP

AP

‘Cruelty’ forces removal of birds from park

Police investigate shooting that injured 4

Second suspect jailed in robbery of duck hunters

Woman accused of posing as military member as part of scam

AP

AP

AP

Erosion blamed for dam leakage

Jones & Blount

B. Everett Jordan Lake

High Rock Lake

Deputy shot while responding to domestic disturbance

A5

Iredell County More than 40 birds have been removed from a park following reports of what was termed “extreme cruelty,” including one duck whose feet were cut off. Statesville approved a plan by Carolina Waterfowl Rescue to remove the birds to prevent further incidents from happening. Ducks had been used for target practice and another duck was beaten over the head. Carolina Waterfowl Rescue estimated 75 waterfowl were in the park, but 43 were recovered and removed last week. The birds will be available for adoption after a health screening. AP

City employee killed in mowing accident

Three arrested in nearly year-old murder case Craven County Three have been arrested in connection with a nearly year-old murder case. New Bern police, with help from the U.S. Marshals Carolinas Fugitive Task Force, arrested Jarvis Everett, Jamelle Everett and Tarvis Everett over two days last week. Each man is 25 years old and from Greenville. They’re accused in the August 2020 murder of 29-year-old Matthew Small of New Bern. Officers found Small with a gunshot wound. He died at a local hospital. The three men, who are related, are charged with murder and assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injuries. AP

Beaufort County A city employee has been killed in a mowing accident, officials said. Washington City Manager Jonathan Russell said the unidentified employee was mowing a ditch bank along a drainage canal behind two businesses around noon on Tuesday when his tractor rolled over him and killed him. No additional details were provided. Russell said the employee had been with the city for eight years. According to Russell, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration has been called in to investigate, as well as the Washington Police Department and other agencies. AP

RALEIGH — Heading into August, state lawmakers have been working to finalize the budget, but in the meantime other bills continue to be sent to Gov. Roy Cooper. As of July 20, there are six bills on his desk awaiting signature. The governor has signed over 60 bills since February of this year, with around 15 of them being signed in July. Cooper has vetoed four bills this year. The four vetoes are Senate Bill 63, In-Person Learning Choice for Families; Senate Bill 43, Protect Religious Meeting Places; House Bill 453, Human Life Nondiscrimination Act/No Eugenics; and Senate Bill 116, the Putting North Carolina Back to Work Act. Cooper holds the state record for the number of vetoes during his two terms so far, with 57. That›s 22 more vetoes than the combined vetoes (35) by governors who have had veto power. In addition to anticipation on the budget, a bill reigning in the governor’s use of emergency powers, which Republicans say Cooper has abused, is still working its way through committees. House Bill 264, the Emergency Powers Accountability Act, is waiting to be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee before being sent to the Senate Rules committee. The bill further defines the requirement of gaining Council of State concurrence on statewide emergency orders lasting more than seven days. A key provision of the bill includes a gubernatorial or legislatively declared statewide state of emergency (67 or more counties) expires in seven calendar days unless a majority concurrence of the Council of State is sought and granted. Any extensions cannot be longer than 30 days without additional concurrence of the Council of State. Some other bills of note include a proposed new state constitutional amendment rolled out during a press conference on July 14. Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Eden) introduced the bill for the amendment which overall addresses discrimination. Senate Bill 729 would add a new section to Article 1 of the North Carolina Constitution, titled “Prohibition on discrimination or preferential treatment in public employment, education, or contracting.” A related item, House Bill 324, titled Ensuring Dignity & Nondiscrimination/ Schools, was heard by the Senate Education Committee and is expected to move to the Senate floor for a vote. The bill seeks to bar schools in the state from promoting controversial ideologies such as Critical Race Theory by compelling students to affirm beliefs in such an ideology. One bill has been enacted into law without Cooper’s signature, Senate Bill 722, titled Revise Local Gov’t Redistricting/Census. The law delays certain municipal elections from 2021 to 2022 in areas where less than the entire jurisdiction is eligible to vote for one or more of the municipal candidates on the 2021 ballot. The bill also lists

specific elections to be moved to 2022 including the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School Board, the Lexington City Board of Education, and elections in the City of Raleigh. Cooper has been an opponent to school choice options such as charter schools and Opportunity Scholarships prior to taking office and throughout his tenure as governor, which makes his signing of House Bill 335 unexpected. The bill, which is now law, states a district not transferring funds within the prescribed timeframe will have to pay a 3% late fee if it does not electronically transfer or postmark (if by mail) the monies within 15 days of the notice. Additionally, interest on the amount owed will accrue at 8% until payment is made. Another anticipated bill is aimed at mandatory mask requirements for students in K-12 for the upcoming school year. Senate Bill 173 is titled the “Free the Smiles Act” and has companion proposed legislation in House Bill 224. On June 30, the Senate failed to concur with changes made by the House that would direct to districts the authority to make masks optional. It is expected to be sent to a conference committee. One of the reasons the Senate did not concur was that the Senate wants to add language about vaccinations to the bill, Sen. Joyce Krawiec (R-Forsyth) told North State Journal. Bills of note heard by committees or that had action last week included: HB 951, Study Emerging Energy Generation, which authorizes $100,000 in nonrecurring funds for the 2021-2022 fiscal year is appropriated from the General Fund to the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina for a study on “emerging energy generation sources, issues and trends.” SB 300, Criminal Justice Reform, would make various changes to the Criminal Code, and increase law enforcement standardization, oversight, changes in penalties for various crimes, and includes language governing police body camera footage. SB 301, Expand Expunction Eligibility, allows a person to petition the court to expunge one or more nonviolent misdemeanors or one nonviolent felony. SB 711, NC Compassionate Care Act, addresses legal use of marijuana for medical-related reasons and is expected to receive a floor vote Wednesday. SB 707: Development Regulations & Airport Authorities, would require local governments to provide written notice to airport operators of proposed development regulations that would change or affect uses of land located within five miles of publicly owned, commercial service airports that board more than 10,000 passengers. Five bills which need additional discussion, language changes or additions were assigned conference committees last week. Those bills deal with ABC permit renewal fees, sex offender premises restrictions, university legislative priorities, and local government assistance.


A6

North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

north STATEment Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

COLUMN RICHARD PACE

Summer of Soul

Nina Simone took the mic and asked the mostly black audience in Harlem, “Are you ready to kill white people?”

DURING THE SUMMER of 1969, there was a music festival in the state of New York that was not held on Max Yazgur’s farm in Woodstock — the Harlem Cultural Festival, which also became known as the “Black Woodstock.” It was mostly forgotten until 40 hours of videotape of the six-weekend event were discovered in a basement 50 years later. The documentary based on those tapes, “Summer of Soul,” was released in late June in theatres and on Hulu. If you were in your teens in 1969, you know you want to see this movie. All you have to know is that the heart-thumping rhythms of “Sing a Simple Song,” “Everyday People” and “I Wanna Take You Higher” by Sly and the Family Stone live on stage in concert are prominently featured, and instantly you are transported back to your younger days. “Summer of Soul” delivers many such cherished moments for most of the two-hour movie. Barring one jarring moment late in the movie, it takes you back to a time when most teenagers thought they would be the generation that would see the end of racial division in America. “Peace and Love”; “Make Love, Not War”; “Flower Power” and all that. After all, late Boomers were the first generation of junior and high school students to attend integrated schools in the South. “Surely,” idealistic adult reformers must have thought at the time, “integration will solve all of the problems associated with racism, segregation and oppression for the past 300 years.” The years leading up to 1969 were filled with strife, anger and civil rights riots. Martin Luther King was assassinated on April 4, 1968. Democratic presidential frontrunner and civil rights advocate Robert F. Kennedy was assassinated on June 5 in Los Angeles. The Vietnam War was in full tilt, and the anti-war movement was in full swing across the country. Both Woodstock (“I came upon a child of God; he was walking along the road”) and Black Woodstock were designed by their producers to bring people in America together through the power and love of music, not tear them apart. To some extent, both succeeded in their goal. “Summer of Soul” shows the enormous impact of the church and gospel singing on soul music and black musicians. The Edwin Hawkins Singers mesmerized the audience with their unforgettable rendering of “O Happy Day.” The Staple Sisters followed with “Help Me Jesus.” Gospel legend Mahalia Jackson looks like she is literally singing her heart and soul out of her body with “Take My Hand Precious Lord.” However, despite seeing and hearing the feelgood vibrations of “My Girl” by a young David

Ruffin and “You Heard It Through the Grapevine” by a very young Gladys Knight and her Pips, a fiery arrow comes flying out of the screen late in the movie that makes you think not much had really changed in America after all. North Carolina native R&B legend Nina Simone took the mic and asked the mostly black audience in Harlem, “Are you ready to kill white people?” It was stunning. And jarring. And depressing. Her comment brought home the anger many in the black community felt then and still feel now about white people, which was surely the intent of the producers of “Summer of Soul,” since they subtitled it “(Or When the Revolution Could Not Be Televised).” If any teacher or coach had told innocent young black and white seventh graders in Durham, North Carolina in 1969 that 50 years from then, black and white Americans would still be fighting in the streets over racial issues and innocent people would get killed, those kids would have thought their elders were crazy. We were having too much fun playing football and basketball together and listening to the same songs that wound up being on the soundtrack of our times, “Remember the Titans”, with our black brothers and sisters to think any different. How could we not be the chosen generation to put racism to death in America forever? Apparently, we were not. Or maybe we have let our guard down and let others with less scruples and lower base principles take control of the public dialogue and turn it into one of hate based solely on the color of a person’s skin. The vast majority of American citizens of all races are law-abiding, moral and religious people. We, all of us, black and white seniors now, can’t stay silent and let those who want to divide us by race succeed whether it is in the classroom, in the courtroom or in the streets. We sure can’t stay quiet and accept anyone of any race saying “do you want to kill (black, white, brown) Americans?” “He taught me how to watch, fight and pray and live rejoicing every day.” Maybe the Lord is just waiting for black and white Christians to come together to fight hatred together wherever it rears its ugly head. “Time has come today,” as the Chambers Brothers would say.

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

Texas Lawmakers who cut and run to Washington, D.C. just embarrass themselves

In one photo from one of the charter buses, a case of Miller Lite beer could be seen, giving off the impression that Democrats were ready to party and booze it up on the taxpayer’s dime.

IT’S TOUGH BEING THE MINORITY PARTY in a state legislature, especially when you’ve occupied that position for a long time. Anyone who doubts it can ask North Carolina Republicans, who were in the minority for over a century until they took control in 2010. Democrats in the Texas state legislature have been the minority party only since 2003, with Republicans having a trifecta with majorities in both houses plus Republican Greg Abbott in the governor’s mansion. While not having the ability to implement your agenda is frustrating, it’s not an excuse to do what House Democrats there did last week. Last Monday, as a special session was underway, a large group of Democratic state legislators abandoned their posts and piled into charter buses, which took them to private jets that flew them to Washington, D.C. At issue is an election-reform bill that Texas Democrats are trying to kill by denying Republicans the necessary quorum. The situation that has developed as a result of the Democratic lawmakers cutting and running has gotten pretty intense, with Republican Gov. Greg Abbott threatening to arrest them upon return and House Republicans voting to stand behind such a move. The optics for Democrats here are simply terrible. In one photo from one of the charter buses, a case of Miller Lite beer could be seen, giving off the impression that Democrats were ready to party and booze it up on the taxpayer’s dime after fleeing their state. Other Texas Democrats, like Gene Wu, appear to be spending the entirety of their time in Washington, D.C., playing on Twitter and tweeting selfies and photos of the “famous” politicos they’ve met, along with giving hourly updates as to what they’ve been eating — which was paid for by taxpayer-funded per diem. In a particularly low point, Wu — who may or may not have had a few too many Miller Lite beers — jumped on Twitter to make fun of the appearance of Republican House colleague Briscoe Cain. Wu used a photo of Cain to “joke” that he “looked like a serial killer” during a recent interview, and then posted another photo not long after that again making fun of his looks and accusing him of being a “cosplaying” cowboy. Cain has autism, so I don’t think I need to go

into detail in explaining why Wu’s actions were so deeply offensive. Not surprisingly, after receiving several days of adoring coverage and ego-plumping from the mainstream media, Wu felt no need to apologize. Others have pretended they are making great sacrifices on par with civil rights icons from days gone by. In one photo posted to Twitter, a trio of Democratic women demonstrated that the struggle to do a live broadcast with MSNBC while driving a bus is real. “It takes a village,” Texas Democratic Rep. Gina Hinojosa tweeted, using the hashtag #WomenHelpingWomen. In another photo taken in a hotel bathroom, women’s lingerie was seen hanging over the shower curtain rod, with the following caption: “As most Texans, tho, this is what we’re doing tonight—using whatever is accessible, washing our clothes in the sink.” Texas Democrat James Talarico tweeted to let people know that while he and his fellow Democrats have sacrificed so much, what they were doing was “nothing compared to the sacrifices brave Americans have made throughout history to protect the sacred right to vote.” Why anyone would want to be associated with this outright buffoonery is beyond me. “Embarrassing” doesn’t even come close to covering it, but it’s the best I can do for now. Last I heard, Texans weren’t supposed to be the types who’d bail when the going got tough. “Flying on a Private Jet Junket to DC!” doesn’t have the same cachet as “Remember the Alamo!” — that is for sure. I guess one lesson to be (re)learned is that there are exceptions to that rule, exceptions that come when there’s a “D” beside their names. Media analyst Stacey Matthews has also written under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection.

Letter from Poland DIVIDING EUROPE before the end of the Cold War was an easy task with such terms as “West versus East,” “Berlin Wall” and “Free versus Communist.” Those monikers quickly assigned a country in Europe as being one of freedom with democratic rule or one of oppression under dictatorial communist rule by the Soviet Union, the USSR. Turns out that same decades-old dividing line can still be used today to determine the political, economic and cultural directions of the continent. In April, I moved from Raleigh to Warsaw, Poland, for my work. I am a self-employed businessman who owns an adult vacation/student academic travel company, a medical tourism company and an import/ export company — the latter two of which I have a European partner. My businesses have kept me traveling all over the world the last 20 years. What have I learned about human beings? Old habits die slowly. Why? Because they are based on personal experience. Western Europeans are now more than 75 years removed from the end of War II. The remaining citizens of these countries who were alive in 1945 — including my 85-year-old Dutch mother who lived through WWII as a young girl in The Netherlands — are now in the gray-haired golden years of their lives. She and her parents witnessed the rise of a socialist NAZI Party (National Socialist German Workers’ Party) as well as the building of the Berlin Wall and the forced control of millions under communist Soviet persecution via the USSR (Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). Hitler and Stalin were real people and real existential threats to them, not just names in a history book. Western Europeans are fierce antiTrumpers today, ready to scowl at any American who supported our last president. Central and Eastern Europeans — those former Soviet empire countries — are much more enthusiastic to voice their support for Trump and his policies of freedom, economic growth and border protection. Central and Eastern Europeans know personally the deprivation and suffering supplied by a suppressant central government whose economic aims are not based in a free-market system. These people are suspicious of the promises made by Obama, Biden and the rest of the Democrat Party. They have lived the path of destruction and privation under rulers that promised them anything and everything for free. They have seen it and they do not want it again. Why? Because they know from personal experience such a utopian existence is not possible. Something for nothing is not achievable. They sniff out the cynicism of such rhetoric and are rightfully wary of it. Poland has poured its efforts the last 30 years into building a capitalist country and the results are impressive. Warsaw offers everything a similarsized city in Western Europe offers in the way of architecture, history, culture, food and infrastructure at about half the price of its Western Europe urban counterparts. Around 40% of all manufacturing jobs created in Central and Eastern Europe the last 10 years have come from Poland. Russia, Ukraine and other nearby countries’ leaders could have taken the same capitalistic approach as Ukraine but they have chosen oligarchies and corruption, and it shows. For the believers in the perceived panacea of what northern European democratic socialism offers, my travels bring to me the stark narrative that in exchange for “free education, healthcare and 8 weeks of paid vacation,” citizens in Norway pay $3.25 for a single serve bottle of water at the convenience store and a $2.50 fee to access the public restroom at the Oslo train station. Citizens of Sweden pay the same fees plus $10 for a beer. The cost of living in these countries where everything is “free” is so high that the citizens cannot afford to raise enough children to prevent the population decline that will eventually render its country and people non-existent. Experience matters. All countries are one generation away from not understanding the sacrifices of earning the rights to access freedom and opportunity. Eastern and Central Europeans know this lesson first-hand. Americans and Western Europeans have much to learn from these impressive Polish citizens.


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

A7

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | JULIE MANLY

Compassionate care is something we can all agree on AS A NORTH CAROLINA PHYSICIAN and student of medical cannabis science at The University of Maryland School of Pharmacy, I am eager for lawmakers to provide compassionate care, hope and relief to patients and their caregivers by legalizing medical cannabis in North Carolina. Thirty-seven states have already approved the use of medical cannabis, and many North Carolinians are currently importing cannabis illegally. The associated risks are worth it because of how desperate they are and how effective this alternative treatment can be for certain conditions. However, it is a risk they should not have to take. There should be a legal avenue for these patients to access medical cannabis. I commend Sens. Bill Rabon (R-Brunswick), Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) and Paul Lowe (D-Forsyth) for their leadership and courage in introducing Senate Bill 711, the N.C. Compassionate Care Act, and am encouraged by the bipartisan support it received last month in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The bill will benefit patients in North Carolina suffering from debilitating conditions such as cancer, epilepsy, HIV/AIDS, ALS, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s, post-traumatic stress disorder and multiple sclerosis. The National Academy of Science, Engineering and Medicine reports that cannabis-based medicines are effective for the treatment of these conditions and more. SB 711 will allow physicians to authorize safe and legal access to medical cannabis for patients suffering from these conditions. This therapy has virtually no potential for fatal complications. Moreover, legal access to medical cannabis is associated with a decrease in opioid-related overdose deaths. In 2019, an average of five North Carolinians died each day as a result of an unintentional opioid overdose. Our state has lost an estimated 20,000 of its sons and daughters to the opioid epidemic. Despite a multimilliondollar campaign to curb the tide, North Carolina saw a 35% increase in unintentional opioid overdose deaths from 2019 to 2020. According to the Journal of the American Medical

Association, states with medical cannabis legalization have recognized a 25% average annual reduction in opioid-related deaths. This is incredible data which lawmakers need to be aware of as they decide whether or not to support SB 711. Based on my experience in North Carolina emergency rooms, I truly believe the legalization of medical cannabis can effectively decrease opioid usage and overdose deaths in our state. This is something we all want for our communities. It is North Carolina’s turn to protect the most desperate and hurting among us by passing SB 711. There must be an alternative to ineffective treatments for the mom of three with breast cancer who can barely get through an afternoon with her family after chemotherapy because of intractable vomiting. There needs to be an alternative to mind-numbing, sedating medications for the 33-year-old armed services veteran who has his whole life ahead of him but is suffering from debilitating PTSD. There needs to be an alternative to opioids for the grandfather who has painful muscle spasticity from multiple sclerosis and can no longer enjoy a weekend with his grandchildren. These truly are our mothers, fathers, grandparents, co-workers, neighbors, veterans and military personnel. We can help them. Patients using medical cannabis are not criminals. They deserve the ability to access hope and relief legally in their home state. Ensuring they can be well-taken care of should not be a partisan issue. Compassionate care is something we can all agree on, and the N.C. Compassionate Care Act provides just that. Dr. Julie Manly is a board-certified emergency physician in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and medical officer at the Durham VA Medical Center. She received her MD from the University of Louisville, trained at Duke University and is currently completing a master’s degree in medical cannabis science and therapeutics at the University of Maryland School of Pharmacy. She has been practicing medicine in North Carolina for over 15 years.

COLUMN | STEPHEN MOORE

In Biden’s America, everyone is entitled to everything Despite its liberal tendencies, The Washington Post editorial board once acknowledged that in a democracy, “everyone can’t be entitled to everyone else’s money.” Well, it may have had that wrong, because President Joe Biden is supersizing the entitlement state of America at a pace that makes President Lyndon B. Johnson’s Great Society initiatives seem like a fiscal bargain. By the way, that was the infamous War on Poverty that spent more than $5 trillion over the following 25 years, and as the old saying goes: We fought a war on poverty, and poverty won. But here we go again. Biden already has spent $1.9 trillion on social welfare programs — including unemployment benefits, free health care, more generous food stamps, rental assistance, and more money for schools and state governments. Now he wants to add to that a $3.5 trillion “social infrastructure bill” — this is the new term for “welfare” — that includes all sorts of new entitlements, such as universal and fully subsidized day care, pre-kindergarten, free community college and student loan forgiveness for children who went to Harvard University. Democrats are also debating whether to make the weekly $300 “temporary” bonus unemployment benefits permanent. That way, no one will ever have to work. Most dangerous of all is the planned expansions of Medicare and Medicaid. According to the watchdog group Truth in Accounting, these programs already have a long-term deficit of more than $55 trillion. So, naturally, Biden and the Democrats want to put more passengers on this fiscal Titanic. The Medicare plan would provide a whole array of new benefits, such as vision, hearing and dental care, all paid for by taxpayers. It is at a time when Medicare trustees warn that Medicare Part A’s “trust fund” is likely to run dry by about 2026 and possibly as early as 2024. Seniors should be up in arms over this raid on the Medicare trust fund. By the way, Congress already dipped into Medicare’s reserves to help fund the COVID-19 bailout efforts this spring. David Jonas, a former staffer for Barack Obama, recently spilled the beans in a tweet about the Democrats’ scheme. He said that “the politics ... are near perfect” because “Medicare expansions are forever.” He’s right, of course. Once you start giving people free things, it’s a near political impossibility to take them away. It is the

insidious nature of the entitlement cancer cells. The Democrats also want to provide new bribes to citizens of red states to sign up for free Medicaid benefits. This program, too, is financially flimsy, and so when the Affordable Care Act was created, many red states wisely refused to take the bribe of free money from Washington because they saw the new programs would puncture holes in their state budgets. So now Democrats in Congress want to offer new subsidies under Medicaid for residents of the 12 states, including Florida, Georgia and Missouri, that opted not to widen their Medicaid benefits. They are calling these “Medicaid look-alike programs” to be administered by the federal authorities. Readers may be amazed that we have to continue to expand Medicare, Medicaid, “Obamacare” subsidies and the like because 12 years ago, we were told that the trillion-dollar Affordable Care Act was going to provide universal coverage for everyone. But we keep spending hundreds of billions of tax dollars, and all we hear is how many millions of people continue to lack health care coverage. Maybe that is because all the money the authorities spend on health care makes the whole system way more expensive. If all of this isn’t enough, starting this month, people of a certain income will receive checks of $3,000 on an annual basis per child. That is on top of the $2,000 per person we sent out earlier this year. University of Chicago economist Casey Mulligan and I recently published a study sponsored by the Committee to Unleash Prosperity. Thanks to Biden’s new welfare state expansions, families can get up to $100,000 in government benefits (tax-free) without anyone working a single hour all year! The government will feed you; pay your rent; educate you; take care of your children and your grandparents; pay for your college and day care; pay you if you aren’t working; and pay for your health care, your toothbrush, your internet service and, soon, free iPhones (that should be an entitlement, shouldn’t it?). The real mystery about this new cradle-to-grave entitlement state is why people still bother to work at all. Stephen Moore is a senior fellow at the Heritage Foundation and an economic consultant with FreedomWorks. He is the co-author of “Trumponomics: Inside the America First Plan to Revive the American Economy”

COLUMN MARY ZAHRAN

Critical Woke Theory WE HAVE HEARD a lot lately about Critical Race Theory. We have watched parents protesting at school board meetings because they do not want Critical Race Theory taught to their children. We have heard education leaders assert that critics of Critical Race Theory are attempting to stop teachers from teaching “honest history.” What exactly is Critical Race Theory? Critical Race Theory, an outgrowth of Marxism, became a dominant philosophy in American academia in the early 1990s. Unlike original Marxist thought, which focuses on class warfare between capitalists and workers, Critical Race Theory focuses on racial conflict between whites and nonwhites. One of its principal doctrines is the concept of systemic racism, which posits that our economic, political and social policies are the product of whites exercising their privilege over non-whites. There are only two classes — oppressors and the oppressed. Consequently, this system of racism is so pervasive that we must dismantle the entire system and construct a new one. Unlike the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, which worked within existing institutions to create equality for all Americans, this movement seeks to destroy our system of government and our capitalist economy. Only then can we build a perfect nation. I believe this scorched earth approach to formulating and executing public policy has created another philosophy: Critical Woke Theory. This Marxist doctrine has become so personal for its followers that every facet of human existence has become subject to their own rigid judgments. Let’s begin with one of the most basic beliefs in our democracy — the value of the individual. Marxism asserts that groups, not individuals, are all that matter. In this world, people must decide which groups they align with. Do they identify with others on the basis of race, gender identity, sexual preference, ethnicity or economic class? Do those who practice Critical Woke Theory ever look in a mirror and see a singular being whose unique history and physical and intellectual characteristics make him or her unlike anyone else? Does Critical Woke Theory acknowledge the complexity of human behavior and human history? If we are divided into only two classes, the oppressors and the oppressed, how do we assess those who are of mixed lineage? If white people are bad because they are the oppressors and nonwhite people are victims because they are the oppressed, how do we regard someone who is bi-racial? Should the child of two people from opposing groups despise one parent and embrace the other? How does someone continue to believe in Critical Woke Theory when one of its primary tenets — the idea that America is systemically racist — can be easily refuted by considering a few simple facts? Would a systemically racist country elect a bi-racial man twice to be its president or elect a biracial woman to be its vice-president? Would that same country have non-white officials at every level of government — judges, mayors, governors, members of Congress — who help to shape public policy? Do adherents of Critical Woke Theory acknowledge the progress our country has made towards creating “a more perfect union”? Do they ever think about the hundreds of thousands of Americans who gave their lives in a war to end slavery or those who fought for civil rights in the 1960s? Are they so focused on building a new and perfect world that they cannot see how far we have come from where we began? Perhaps the worst behavior these disciples display is their refusal to tolerate human frailty. Critical Woke Theory is a religion without reconciliation or forgiveness. Nobody gets a second chance. Whether you are a Founding Father who owned slaves or a comic who sent racist tweets years ago, you are forever damned. Do these zealots ever ask themselves if they could live up to these rigorous standards? Perhaps Critical Woke Theory will succumb to one of two forces: the weight of truth, if its proponents ever find the courage to ask themselves some of these questions; or the rigidity of the movement’s selfrighteousness, once its members turn on each other.


A8

North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

NATION & WORLD

GOP eyes Latinos in South Texas in effort to regain Congress By Jill Colvin The Associated Press McALLEN, Texas — In Republicans’ bid to retake control of Congress, this traditionally Democratic stretch of South Texas has quietly become a top battleground. After making unexpected gains last November, the GOP is zeroing in on a trio of House seats in the region as key targets heading into next year’s midterm elections. They include the 15th Congressional District, which hasn’t sent a Republican to Washington since its creation in 1903, but where a GOP newcomer came within three points of winning in 2020. Republican leaders believe the party is on the precipice of a political realignment among Hispanic voters in communities along the U.S.-Mexico border like McAllen. Inroads among Latinos could potentially offset the party’s growing vulnerabilities among voters, particularly in the suburbs. The elections next year will determine whether these shifts are enduring or a more limited response to the turbulent politics of the Trump era, as Democrats hope. But with Congress having just a six-seat majority in the House, Democrats in Texas say the party has to take the threat seriously. “I don’t think there’s any question that we need to be concerned about it and we need to put more resources into it,” said Gilberto Hinojosa, the chair of the Texas Democratic Party. Republicans’ top target in the area is the 15th District. It currently stretches from the border’s Hidalgo County, which is more than 90% Hispanic, to the eastern suburbs of San Antonio. Voters here have never sent a Republican to Washington, which is why national party leaders were so stunned when Monica De La Cruz-Hernandez, a small business owner, came within 10,000 votes of beating Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, a two-term Democrat. Sitting behind her office desk in Alamo earlier this month wear-

ing cowboy boots and a campaign T-shirt, De La Cruz-Hernandez, who is running again, credited her performance to former President Donald Trump. She said his “colorful personality” had sparked new interest in national politics that changed many Texans’ minds about politics. “When they paid attention to what was happening on the national stage, I think that the lights started to turn on for people where they saw, you know what? My conservative values no longer align with the Democrat Party,” she said. “The bottom line is that the Hispanic values are pro-God, pro-life and pro-country. And we are conservatives down here.” Border security, she said, is the “number one issue from the north side of the district to the south side of the district,” as border crossings have soared. And Republicans in the state have been laser-focused on the issue, with Trump staging a post-presidential visit to the border last month that drew hundreds of supporters. Democratic state lawmakers have been focused on blocking a sweeping election overhaul bill and have been camped out in Washington — though some Democrats representing the Rio Grande Valley did not join them. Nationally, the Pew Research Center estimates that about 38% of Hispanic voters supported Trump in 2020, compared with 28% in 2016. While Trump lost Hidalgo Country by 17 percentage points in 2020, he more than doubled his support from 2016, when he lost by a whopping 40 points, earning just 28% of the vote. And he flipped a handful of other nearby districts, including Zapata County, which Democrat Hillary Clinton had won 66%-33%, and Kenedy, which Clinton carried 53%-45% Beyond those gains, Republicans point to other data points to support their optimism. Javier Villalobos in June was elected mayor of McAllen, becoming the first Republican to hold the post in decades. Texas’

Israeli PM vows to ‘act aggressively’ over Ben & Jerry’s ban

ERIC GAY | AP PHOTO

Former President Donald Trump, left, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, right, speak during a stop at an unfinished section of border wall, in Pharr, Texas, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. redistricting process, which is controlled by state Republicans, could produce districts that are even more favorable to GOP candidates as the lines are redrawn to reflect the state’s gain of two congressional seats. Villalobos, who joined Trump at his border briefing and was hailed as a “superstar” by other officials at the event, said he saw his election as part of a trend driven both by Trump as well as economic changes as more Hispanics have entered the middle class. “Historically, it’s been Hispanic people are very conservative, but they vote traditionally Democrat. And little by little, even the older people are changing,” he said. “And that’s a beautiful thing. Competition is good.” It’s unclear whether the gains Republicans made in 2020 will carry over when Trump isn’t on the ballot in 2022. Democrats insist their poor performance last year was a one-off and point to unique circumstances, including the party’s decision to largely forgo in-person campaigning during the pandemic. The McAllen mayor’s race, they also note, was nonpartisan, and turnout was less than 10,000 votes. Hinojosa, the Texas Democratic chair, acknowledged the party was caught off guard by a surge in first-time voters who cast ballots for Trump. Because no one thought the races would be competitive, little money and effort were spent on the contests, with no canvassing, phone banking or get-out-the-vote drives. Trump’s message, he said, also resonated with voters, especially in

the Rio Grande Valley, where poverty rates are high and the economy remains hobbled by a shuttered southern border. He cited concerns about the future of the oil and gas industry, the border, and calls from some Democrats to “defund the police,” which “freaked out” many voters who have ties to law enforcement. “It was just almost a perfect storm for the Republicans down here,” he said. But interviews with voters suggest there is work to be done. Eryc Palomares, 42, who lives in McAllen and works in a medical laboratory, said he was thrilled to see others like him who had broken their allegiance to the Democratic Party “because that’s all we’ve seen, that’s all we’ve known here.” It’s “as if they have you already brainwashed: Go vote Democrat. That’s all it was here,” said Palomares, who now tends to vote Republican. “People are waking up,” said Manuel Pescador Jr., 54, an occupational safety consultant and local activist who lives in McAllen. Pescador Jr. said he switched parties seven years ago, rejecting what he saw as a culture of “handouts and false promises,” and is now outspoken against illegal immigration. “They come here, they refuse to assimilate and they’re here to use everything they can, in any way they can. And so that’s why I call them ‘depleters,’” he said. “That’s why that Hispanics that can vote, vote Republican, because we know who’s coming in.”

Muslims mark Eid al-Adha holiday in pandemic’s shadow By Mariam Fam The Associated Press CAIRO — Muslims around the world were observing Tuesday yet another major Islamic holiday in the shadow of the pandemic and amid growing concerns about the highly infectious delta variant of the coronavirus. Eid al-Adha, or the “Feast of Sacrifice,” is typically marked by communal prayers, large social gatherings, slaughtering of livestock and distributing meat to the needy. This year, the holiday comes as many countries battle the delta variant first identified in India, prompting some to impose new restrictions or appeal for people to avoid congregating and follow safety protocols. The pandemic has already taken a toll for the second year on a sacred mainstay of Islam, the hajj, whose last days coincide with Eid al-Adha. Once drawing some 2.5 million Muslims from across the globe to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, the pilgrimage has been dramatically scaled back due to the virus. This year’s hajj has been limited to 60,000 vaccinated Saudi citizens or residents of Saudi Arabia. “This is (a) very, very, very big moment for us, for me especially,” said pilgrim Arya Widyawan Yanto, an Indonesian living in Saudi Arabia. He added that he was happy he had the chance to perform the pilgrimage. “Everything was conducted under very strict precautions.” Yanto said he hoped for the pandemic to end and for all Muslims to be able to perform the pilgrimage in a safe way. The surge in new cases is believed to have been fueled by travel during another holiday — the Eid al-Fitr festival in May — and

Jerusalem Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett told the head of Unilever on Tuesday that Israel will “act aggressively” against Ben & Jerry’s over the subsidiary’s decision to stop selling its ice cream in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and contested east Jerusalem. British consumer goods conglomerate Unilever acquired the Vermontbased ice cream company in 2000. Ben & Jerry’s said in a statement on Monday that it had informed its longstanding licensee — responsible for manufacturing and distributing the ice cream in Israel — that it will not renew the license agreement when it expires at the end of 2022. Bennett’s office said in a statement that he spoke with Unilever CEO Alan Jope about what he called Ben & Jerry’s “clearly antiIsrael step,” adding that the move would have “serious consequences, legal and otherwise, and that it will act aggressively against all boycott actions directed against its citizens.” Ben & Jerry’s said its announcement that sale of its ice cream in territories sought by the Palestinians for an independent state was “inconsistent with our values.” Israel’s Foreign Ministry criticized the decision as “a surrender to ongoing and aggressive pressure from extreme anti-Israel groups” and said the company was cooperating with “economic terrorism.” Avi Zinger, CEO of Ben & Jerry’s Israel licensee, told public broadcaster Kan on Tuesday that the parent company had long pressured him to cease distribution in the Israeli occupied territories, but he refused because it would violate Israeli law. He called Ben & Jerry’s decision to not extend its license “the biggest accomplishment” of the BDS movement that advocates boycotts, divestment and sanctions of Israeli institutions and businesses. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Huge Oregon blaze grows as wildfires burn across western US

MUCAHID YAPICI | AP PHOTO

Muslims offer prayers during the first day of Eid al-Adha, outside the iconic Haghia Sophia in the historic Sultan Ahmed district of Istanbul, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. by the rapid spread of the delta variant. In Malaysia, measures have been tightened after a sharp spike in infections, despite a national lockdown since June 1. People are banned from traveling back to their hometowns or crossing districts to celebrate. House visits and customary trips to graveyards are also banned. Healthy worshippers are allowed to gather for prayers in mosques, with strict social distancing and no physical contact. Ritual animal sacrifice is limited to mosques and other approved areas. Sydney resident Jihad Dib, a New South Wales state government lawmaker, said the city’s

Muslims were sad but understood why they would be confined to their homes with no visitors allowed. “It’s going to be the first Eid in my life I don’t hug and kiss my mum and dad,” Dib told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Iran on Monday imposed a week-long lockdown on the capital, Tehran, and the surrounding region as the country struggles with another surge in the coronavirus pandemic, state media reported. Not everyone is imposing new restrictions. In Bangladesh, authorities have allowed an eightday pause in the country’s strict lockdown for the holiday. British Muslims were celebrat-

ing in the wake of coronavirus restrictions being lifted in England this week, but against the backdrop of surging infections that are forecast to increase even further as the country opens up. “Eid is about sacrifice, and Muslims, just like everyone else, have had to make huge sacrifices over the past 18 months, staying apart when normally you would come together,” said Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who recently tested positive for COVID-19. “There are brighter days ahead,” he said in a video message. Eid al-Adha recalls the Quranic tale of Prophet Ibrahim’s test of faith and his willingness to sacrifice his son as an act of submission to God.

Bly, Oregon The largest wildfire in the U.S. torched more dry forest landscape in Oregon, one of dozens of major blazes burning across the West as critically dangerous fire weather loomed. The destructive Bootleg Fire just north of the California border grew to more than 476 square miles, an area about the size of Los Angeles. Erratic winds fed the blaze, creating dangerous conditions for firefighters, said John Flannigan, an operations section chief on the 2,000-person force battling the flames. In California, a growing wildfire south of Lake Tahoe jumped a highway, prompting more evacuation orders, the closure of the Pacific Crest Trail and the cancellation of an extreme bike ride through the Sierra Nevada. “With the very dry fuels, any thunderstorm has the potential to ignite new fire starts,” the National Weather Service in Sacramento, California, said. There were about 70 active large fires and complexes of multiple blazes that have burned nearly 1,659 square miles in the U.S., the National Interagency Fire Center said. The U.S. Forest Service said at least 16 major fires were burning in the Pacific Northwest alone. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS


WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021

SPORTS

NHL Draft preview, B3

PHOTO COURTESY OF USA BASEBALL

Manager Mike Scioscia, left, and the U.S. Olympic baseball team played the U.S. Collegiate National Team Monday at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, winning 1-0 in the second of three scheduled tuneups before the squad heads to Tokyo.

the Wednesday SIDELINE REPORT COLLEGE SPORTS

UNC signs group licensing deal Chapel Hill The University of North Carolina is believed to be the first school in the nation to launch a group licensing program for current athletes. Under the partnership with The Brandr Group, athletes will receive a cut of net revenue for merchandising opportunities pursued by TBG with products that include the school’s official trademarks and logos. Participating in the voluntary program won’t restrict individual endorsement deals now that college athletes across the country are clear to profit from use of their name, image and likeness as of July 1. Athletic logos, trademarks and mottos are considered among the most valuable brand assets an athletic department has and lawsuits are not uncommon as schools protect them. Athletes had long been barred from earning money off this kind of merchandise but NIL has dramatically changed the landscape. Tar Heels athletic director Bubba Cunningham said sales of Tar Heels merchandise could be tracked to compensate athletes based on sales of their individually marketed items such as jerseys, while athletes would share money more broadly for group items such as a poster featuring multiple athletes. Athletes could join a group of three or more within a single sport, or at least six across multiple sports.

SPORTFISHING

1st Big Rock Kids Billfish Tournament held Morehead City The first Big Rock Kids Billfish Tournament was held July 15‑17, and The General bested 58 other boats to win first place and $46,733 after releasing seven sailfish last Friday. Skirt Chaser was second but banked a tournament-best $49,033.

In search of Olympic baseball glory — and runs From near and far, wearing the U.S. uniform holds special meanings By Bob Sutton North State Journal DURHAM — In order to go to a faraway place, Tim Federowicz first stepped into a new home — literally. For the former University of North Carolina catcher, it has been quite a few weeks — and it could

become even more rewarding. Federowicz is playing for the U.S. Olympic baseball team. “It wasn’t even on my radar and now we’re going,” Federowicz said before the team’s scheduled departure this week for Tokyo. “It’s kind of a dream come true. It’s something you never thought you’d experience.” Federowicz is from Apex, though his career has taken him to the major leagues with seven different teams. He’s currently a Triple-A player in the Los Angeles Dodgers

organization. When playing in the Olympics became a possibility, he was intrigued by the opportunity. As it turned out, it brought him back to the Triangle for a couple of days of preparation at the USA Baseball National Training Complex and a few exhibition games. It turned out to be just the right thing. His family closed on purchasing a house in Chapel Hill while he was here. “It couldn’t be better timing,” Federowicz said after Monday

night’s game at Durham Bulls Athletic Park. “You can’t beat it. Everything is kind of lining up perfect.” Federowicz scored the lone run in the Olympic team’s 1-0 victory against the U.S. Collegiate National Team. That outcome suggested that runs might be scarce for the U.S. Olympians, though developments in that game contrasted with the 8-3 triumph Sunday in Cary in the first exhibition between the teams. Eddy Alvarez reached base three times Monday after rapping three hits a night earlier. The second baseman might be shaping up as one of the spark plugs for the United States. He also has Olympic experience — in speedskating. He was a silver medalist at the 2014 Winter Games in Sochi. See BASEBALL, page B4

Dust settles on wild first year of basketball transfer portal Colleges across the state have seen mass upheaval under the NCAA’s new rules By Brett Friedlander North State Journal IN NASCAR, IT’S called the Silly Season. In the NFL, NBA, NHL and Major League Baseball, it’s free agency. Thanks to Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski, college basketball’s new era of player movement has been given a name of its own. “It’s going to be like the Wild West,” he said of the NCAA rule change that allows players to transfer from one school to another once during their careers without having to sit out a year. More than 1,500 basketball players took advantage of the opportunity by entering the transfer portal this offseason, creating an environment that has led to an unprecedented number of comings and goings throughout the country. It’s a changing reality that has affected all but one of North Carolina’s 16 Division I teams and forced coaches to drastically change their approach to recruiting. “I can totally understand why

the transfer portal would cause fans to be uneasy,” Wake Forest coach Steve Forbes said during an offseason Zoom conference. “It’s a new era. It’s a new way of building a program. “I think there’s going to be two phases now to the recruiting process. In the fall, we’re going to sign the very best high school players we can go get, and in the spring, we’re going to chase the ones that are left and we’re going to have to look in the transfer pool because there’s going to be no other way to fill your roster.” Forbes speaks from experience on the subject. After having seven players from last year’s team leave via the transfer portal, he had no choice but to turn to the free agent market just to be able to field a team for his second season with the Demon Deacons this coming season. The extreme roster turnover began with the departures of senior guard Jalen Johnson (to Mercer), junior guard Isaiah Wilkins (Longwood), sophomore forward Ismael Massoud (Kansas State), sophomore guard Jahcobi Neath (Wisconsin), sophomore forward Ody Oguama (Cincinnati), freshman center Emmanuel Okpo-

KARL B. DEBLAKER | AP PHOTO

All-AAC forward Jayden Gardner used the NCAA’s new transfer rules to leave the Pirates and go to Virginia in the ACC. mo (Temple) and freshman guard Quadry Adams (St. Bonaventure). To fill the void, Forbes has brought in 6-foot-10 senior forward Khadim Sy from Ole Miss, 7-foot senior center Dallas Walton from Colorado, 6-foot-5 senior guard Alondes Williams from Oklahoma, 6-foot-9 sophomore forward Jake Laravia from Indiana State and 6-foot-6 freshman forward Damari Monsanto, last year’s Southern Conference Rookie of the Year at East Tennessee State who will miss this season after undergoing recent surgery.

As Forbes and his fellow coaches have learned, recruiting players out of the transfer portal is a much different exercise than anything they’ve done in the past. “We don’t get to go out and see them, so we’ve got to do a lot of background checks on these kids,” Forbes said. “It’s just patience. In a normal setting, the process would take weeks, many a month to do. Sometimes (now) it has to happen in days.” Wake Forest isn’t the only state See TRANSFER, page B4


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

B2 WEDNESDAY

7.21.21

TRENDING

Michael Phelps: The 28-time Olympic medalist will be part of NBC’s Tokyo Games coverage as a correspondent and swimming commentator, the network announced Monday. Phelps — who has won the most medals and gold medals (23) in Olympic history in five Games from 2000‑16 — will call selected swimming events and contribute features as a correspondent during primetime coverage. Wes Unseld Jr.: The longtime NBA assistant was named the head coach of the Washington Wizards on Saturday, bringing him full circle with the franchise his father led to its only NBA title. The younger Unseld spent the past six years in Denver after beginning his career with Washington as a scout in 1997 before working his way up to assistant coach, a job he held from 2005‑11. Unseld was also an assistant with Golden State and Orlando. Luke Prokop: The Nashville Predators prospect became the first player signed to an NHL contract to come out as gay. The 19-year-old Canadian, who was a third-round pick in the 2020 draft last fall, posted his announcement to Twitter on Monday. Prokop said he hopes his example shows that gay people are welcome in the hockey community. This comes on the heels of Las Vegas Raiders defensive end Carl Nassib becoming the first active NFL player to come out in June. A 6-foot-4, 218-pound defenseman, Prokop could be a part of Nashville’s youth movement in the coming years.

Beyond the box score POTENT QUOTABLES

CYCLING

Tadej Pogacar won his second straight Tour de France on Sunday, coasting to the victory by 5 minutes, 20 seconds over second-place Jonas Vingegaard of Denmark. Ecuadorian Richard Carapaz finished third overall, 7:03 off the pace. Pogacar, a 22-year-old Slovenian, took the overall lead in the eighth stage on July 3 and never relinquished it.

TIMOTHY D. EASLEY | AP PHOTO

“I just put an awful swing on it.” Hickory native J.T. Poston on his double-bogey 15th hole at the PGA Tour’s Barbasol Championship that contributed to Seamus Power beating him in a playoff.

DANIEL COLE | AP PHOTO

NASCAR

GOLF

MARCIO JOSE SANCHEZ | AP PHOTO

“I don’t think I’ll ever come close to going back.” Soon-to-be Football Hall of Famer and NC State alumnus Bill Cowher on if he will coach again. PRIME NUMBER

13 Different NASCAR drivers who have won a Cup Series race this season after Aric Almirola went to Victory Lane at New Hampshire on Sunday. Almirola became the first Stewart-Haas driver to earn a win this season and earned a guaranteed spot in the 16-car playoff field with just four races remaining in the regular season.

TERRY RENNA | AP PHOTO

Brad Keselowski announced Tuesday that he is moving to Roush Fenway Racing next season. The 2012 Cup Series champion will also take an ownership stake in the team, which has struggled in recent seasons and hasn’t won a Cup race since 2017. Keselowski has 34 wins in 12-plus seasons at Team Penske.

PETER MORRISON | AP PHOTO

Collin Morikawa had a bogey-free 4-under 66 and won his British Open debut Sunday at Royal St. George’s in Sandwich, England, beating Jordan Speith by two strokes. He is the first player to win two majors on the first attempt. His first major victory came 11 months ago in the 2020 PGA Championship.

NFL

DANNY KARNIK | AP PHOTO

The Panthers tied up their best offensive lineman last week, signing tackle Taylor Moton to a four‑year, $72 million contract. The Panthers had used their franchise tag on Moton. Moton, who will earn $43 million in guaranteed money, has played right tackle for Carolina, but it’s possible the team will transition him to the left side.


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

B3

Hurricanes have 8 picks in 2021 NHL Draft The annual event will start Friday night, two days after the Seattle Kraken make their selections in the expansion draft

NSJ’s 2021 NHL Draft Top 100 Prospects

By Cory Lavalette North State Journal A FUNNY THING happened on the way to the 2021 NHL Draft. In a year that many warned would lead to spotty scouting and uncertainty, the top draft pundits and prognosticators mostly agreed on which players should be selected with the first dozen or so picks Friday night when the league holds the first round of its seven-round, two-day event that will conclude Saturday afternoon. The first overall pick belongs to the Buffalo Sabres, and University of Michigan defenseman Owen Power is the likely choice. Power is one of three Wolverines who could be chosen early Friday as the league’s 32 teams — hello there, Seattle Kraken, who will draft second overall — make their selections in the virtual event. The Carolina Hurricanes are set to select 27th overall in Friday’s first round and have eight picks overall. Along with the first-rounder, Carolina has one pick each in the second (59th overall), third (91st overall), fourth (123rd overall) and sixth (187th) rounds. The Hurricanes also have three seventh-round selections: the 200th overall pick (acquired from Los Angeles in a swap of draft picks at last year’s draft), 209th (from St. Louis as part of the trade that sent Justin Faulk to the Blues in 2019) and their own at No. 219. Carolina would like to forget the one time the franchise held the 27th overall pick. In 2009, the Hurricanes went off the board to select left wing Philippe Paradis. He lasted just over five months with the organization before being traded to Toronto for another former first-round pick, Jiri Tlusty. Tlusty had some success in Raleigh, scoring 23 goals in 48 games during the lockout-shortened 2012-12 season, while Paradis never made it to the NHL and last played in the little-known LNAH — a low-level pro league in the province of Quebec. The draft is also where many of the NHL’s offseason trades take place, and Carolina has preferred to go that route over free agency to plug roster holes in recent years. The Hurricanes will have one extra spot to fill this offseason after the Seattle Kraken populate their roster in Wednesday night’s expansion draft, selecting one player from each team. Thirty teams (Vegas is exempt) had their protected player lists revealed Sunday, and

PETR DAVID JOSEK | AP PHOTO

University of Michigan defenseman Owen Power is considered by most to be the top prospect in the 2021 NHL Draft.

27 The Hurricanes’ draft position in the first round, though the team will actually select the 26th player since the Coyotes pick at No. 11 will be forfeited by Arizona as punishment for violating NHL rules on prospect testing.

Carolina opted to shield forwards Sebastian Aho, Jesper Fast, Jordan Staal, Andrei Svechnikov, Vincent Trocheck, Teuvo Teravainen and Warren Foegele, defensemen Brett Pesce, Brady Skjei and Jaccob Slavin, and goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic. That leaves a few significant players available to the Kraken. Defenseman Jake Bean and forward Nino Niederreiter are the two most likely candidates to be selected, though Carolina could try to coerce Seattle to select defenseman Jake Gardiner by offering compensation to get his final two years (and $4.025 million cap hit) off the books.

The Kraken could also use the exclusive negotiating period afforded them to try and sign star defenseman Dougie Hamilton, though they could just as easily wait until the market fully opens to ink the offseason’s top free agent. Once Seattle has made its picks, the focus will shift to the aforementioned NHL Draft. The NSJ list of the top 100 prospects in this year’s draft is a composite ranking determined by a weighted formula that factors in the rankings of several top scouting services and journalists who specialize in evaluating prospects. Chances are, at least three or four players on this list will be Hurricanes come Saturday evening. Last year, six of the Hurricanes’ eight picks were in the NSJ Top 100. Some names in this year’s class of prospects will be familiar. Chase Stillman (NSJ No. 52) is the son of Hurricanes 2006 Stanley Cup champion winger Cory Stillman and brother of Blackhawks defenseman Riley Stillman, and Oliver Kapanen (NSJ No. 72; see more below) is the nephew of former Carolina forward Sami Kapanen and cousin of Penguins winger Kasperi Kapanen. The Hurricanes will also likely target a goaltender with one of their eight picks. Jesper Wallstedt (NSJ No. 9) and Sebastian Cossa (NSJ No. 14) will likely both be gone when Carolina picks 27th, but Tristan Lennox (NSJ No. 70) is another goalie who could be of interest.

DRAFT PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT

Isak Rosen, RW 5’11, 156 pounds • Leksand (SHL) The top scorer on Sweden’s U18 World Championship entry, Rosen is the type of skilled player the Hurricanes have targeted in recent years.

NSJ Rank: 31 What they’re saying EliteProspects.com: “Isak Rosen is pure skill and finesse personified. The only real question is whether he’s skilled enough to make that work for him at the NHL level.” Corey Pronman, The Athletic: “His game has a lot of pace to it, which should translate to higher levels.” The Hockey News: “There’s still a chance for a growth spurt.”

Wyatt Johnston, C 6’1, 178 pounds • Windsor (OHL) Limited to international play with Canada’s U18 team because of the pandemic, Johnston has been mostly evaluated on his solid OHL rookie season in 2019-20.

NSJ Rank: 41 What they’re saying EliteProspects.com: “The fact that Johnston’s tools all grade out as above average almost right across the board offers a nice foundation for new skills to emerge.” Corey Pronman, The Athletic: “He attacks the hard areas of the ice, shows good second efforts going for loose pucks and is a responsible defensive center.” The Hockey News: “He offers a responsible two-way presence.”

Oliver Kapanen, C 6’0, 166 pounds • Kalpa (Finland Jr.) The nephew of former Hurricanes winger Sami Kapanen, the hard-working Finn will need to improve his skating to make it to the top level.

NSJ Rank: 72 What they’re saying EliteProspects.com: “Kapanen’s development curve has been on a steep upward trajectory during the past two seasons.” Corey Pronman, The Athletic: “Kapanen is an interesting prospect due to his skill and competitiveness.” Scott Wheeler, The Athletic: “Kapanen’s a highly involved, gifted individual creator who ... always seems to be around the net to finish off plays.”

1. Owen Power, D 2. William Eklund, LW 3. Matthew Beniers, C 4. Luke Hughes, D 5. Dylan Guenther, RW 6. Brandt Clarke, D 7. Kent Johnson, C 8. Mason McTavish, C 9. Jesper Wallstedt, G 10. Simon Edvinsson, D 11. Chaz Lucius, C 12. Cole Sillinger, C 13. Matthew Coronato, RW 14. Sebastian Cossa, G 15. Carson Lambos, D 16. Aatu Raty, C 17. Brennan Othmann, LW 18. Corson Ceulemans, D 19. Nikita Chibrikov, RW 20. Fedor Svechkov, C 21. Xavier Bourgault, C 22. Fabian Lysell, RW 23. Francesco Pinelli, C 24. Zachary Bolduc, C 25. Sasha Pastujov, RW 26. Zach Dean, C 27. Logan Stankoven, C 28. Zachary L’Heureux, LW 29. Mackie Samoskevich, RW 30. Sean Behrens, D 31. Isak Rosen, RW 32. Oskar Olausson, RW 33. Samu Tuomaala, RW 34. Simon Robertsson, RW 35. Daniil Chayka, D 36. Jack Peart, D 37. Aleksandr Kisakov, LW 38. Olen Zellweger, D 39. Dylan Duke, LW 40. Evan Nause, D 41. Wyatt Johnston, C 42. Stanislav Svozil, D 43. Samu Salminen, C 44. Tristan Broz, LW 45. Ayrton Martino, LW 46. William Stromgren, LW 47. Matthew Knies, LW 48. Scott Morrow, D 49. Ville Koivunen, RW 50. Prokhor Poltapov, LW 51. Aidan Hreschuk, D 52. Chase Stillman, RW 53. Brent Johnson, D 54. Kirill Kirsanov, D 55. Aleksi Heimosalmi, D 56. Anton Olsson, D 57. James Malatesta, LW 58. Shai Buium, D 59. Tyler Boucher, RW 60. Ryder Korczak, C 61. Justin Robidas, C 62. Cameron Whynot, D 63. Ryan Ufko, D 64. Nolan Allan, D 65. Jack Bar, D 66. Brett Harrison, C 67. Samuel Helenius, C 68. Ethan Del Mastro, D 69. Artem Grushnikov, D 70. Tristan Lennox, G 71. Vincent Iorio, D 72. Oliver Kapanen, C 73. Liam Dower Nilsson, C 74. Conner Roulette, LW 75. Ryan Winterton, C 76. Colton Dach, C 77. Jackson Blake, RW 78. Danila Klimovich, RW 79. Joshua Roy, RW 80. Jakub Brabenec, LW 81. Olivier Nadeau, RW 82. Peter Reynolds, C 83. Vladislav Lukashevich, D 84. Matvey Petrov, LW 85. Victor Stjernborg, C 86. Dmitry Kuzmin, D 87. Guillaume Richard, D 88. Riley Kidney, C 89. Cole Huckins, C 90. Lorenzo Canonica, C 91. Ty Gallagher, D 92. William Trudeau, D 93. Josh Doan, RW 94. Jack Matier, D 95. Manix Landry, C 96. Dmitry Zugan, C 97. Jimi Suomi, D 98. Dmitrii Katelevskii, C 99. Robert Orr, RW 100. Hunter Strand, C


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

B4

Former Duke baseball players changing game with analytics startup StatStak Blue Devil pitchers Eli Herrick and Graeme Stinson are putting data in the hands of athletes By Shawn Krest North State Journal LAST SEASON, Duke pitcher Eli Herrick was having a career year in his senior season with the Blue Devils. He had allowed just one run in his first eight appearances for a 0.93 ERA, was striking out 1.3 batters per inning, and opponents were hitting just .206 off him, 46 points lower than his junior year. With a fastball that hit the mid90s and off-speed stuff that, according to tracking software, had one of the biggest breaks on the Duke team, Herrick seemed like the type of late-developing senior who would entice a team to take a chance on him in a late round of the MLB Draft. Then the pandemic changed things significantly — for Herrick, for MLB and, possibly, for future generations of aspiring big leaguers. “It seems like a long time ago,” Herrick said. “As soon as the pandemic hit, it became pretty apparent pretty quickly that things were going to be different as far as how the draft took place, how everybody was presenting themselves to MLB teams, how MLB athletes were presenting themselves to their teams that they were now

“I didn’t get a lot of answers, and there were more answers that weren’t where I wanted them to be. So it looked like there was an opportunity.” Eli Herrick, co-founder of StatStak

separated from. It was kind of a reshifting in college baseball.” The draft was slashed from 40 rounds to a mere five, ending Herrick’s hopes of getting selected, especially since he only had a partial senior season to show teams and an incomplete data profile. “I was a midweek guy,” Herrick said of the bulk of his Duke career. In the college baseball calendar, teams gear up for big weekend series against conference opponents and also play Tuesday or Wednesday tuneup games against lower-profile nonconference foes. So while Duke shared the Durham Bulls’ DBAP, complete with all of the parent club Tampa Bay Rays’ tracking software and devices, for weekend games, midweek games were often at smaller venues that didn’t have such high-tech player evaluation tools. “I’d sit down with my coach, and he’d tell me what I needed to work on,” Herrick recalled, “and I’d say,

‘I did that in my last game.’ But it was at NC Central, so we didn’t have data to show that.” Herrick decided to do something about it. “I was trying to get drafted, obviously. I’d had a great senior year and obviously would have liked to keep playing, but the draft comes and goes and I don’t get taken,” he said. “I’m looking around — my numbers were pretty good. My stuff looks a lot better this year. How come that didn’t equate to getting signed or getting some kind of offer? I didn’t get a lot of answers to that, and there were a lot more answers that weren’t where I wanted them to be. So it looked like there was an opportunity.” Herrick co-founded a company to put the power of analytics into the hands of those whose numbers are being measured. The company, StatStak, bills itself as “the epicenter of athletic data” and “an athlete-centric data storage solution.” “I’ve seen the emphasis on sports data, especially capturing everything that’s happening on the field — from the (pitch tracking software) TrackMan’s to the (wearable technology) Blast’s to the force sensors,” he said, “and I saw the disconnect between how it’s used internally and how athletes are getting to see that and have that be promoted.” The idea is to allow athletes to have all of their performance data in one place so they can present an analytic resume to teams that may

BRAD TOLLEFSON | LUBBOCK AVALANCHE-JOURNAL VIA AP

Former Duke pitchers Eli Herrick and Graeme Stinson (pictured) have started a company, StatStak, that allows athletes to have access to their analytics. potentially draft or sign them. Before anyone writes off Herrick’s venture as a sour-grapes complaint from an undrafted player, consider that his co-founder is former Duke teammate Graeme Stinson, who was drafted in the fourth round in 2019 and is working his way up the Rays organization. He sees just as much value in StatStak for pro players, if not more, since the number of ways he’s being tracked has expanded exponentially since he entered organized professional ball. “With performance being measured by so many data sources, it’s essential for me to have all of my data in one place,” Stinson says on the company site. “We built StatStak to solve that problem, putting all of my data in my pocket and getting my coaches and me on the same page.”

StatStak has signed up several teams to participate in the venture, creating a sort of credit bureau for baseball analytical data. Herrick realizes that there’s still a long way to go before achieving his and Stinson’s goal. “I envision that when you go to a tournament or a showcase or a school pro day, you bring your StatStak account with you,” Herrick said. “You have all your stats and metrics. It would be like having a VIN number on your car or having a Social Security number when you go to the hospital. You plug in that one code and all your past information is in that one place.” So, while Herrick’s original dream may have been to play the game that he loved, it appears he’ll instead be changing it for the better.

NC Central to kick off season on College GameDay The Eagles will face fellow HBCU Alcorn State at Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta on Aug. 28 By Brett Friedlander North State Journal AFTER GOING MORE than 600 days without playing a game, the NC Central football team was already hyped about playing its season opener against Alcorn State on Aug. 28. Now the Eagles have even more reason to be excited about their return to action. ESPN announced Tuesday that it plans to highlight the game as part of its first College GameDay broadcast of the new season. The show will take place live outside Center Parc Stadium in Atlanta — formerly Turner Field — site of the MEAC/SWAC Challenge later that evening. According to a network release, the three-hour broadcast will “highlight key storylines and offer news, analysis and predictions for the upcoming season, while also celebrating the tradition, legacy and values of” Historically Black Colleges and Universities. For NCCU coach Trei Oliver and his players, who had their entire 2020 season wiped out because of the coronavirus pandemic, the exposure provided by the show and the nationally televised game presents a rare opportunity to showcase not only their program but their entire school to a

ROGELIO V. SOLIS | AP PHOTO

Lee Corso and ESPN College GameDay will be in Atlanta to kick off the show’s 35th season when North Carolina Central plays Alcorn State on Aug. 28. national audience. “For us to put our brand on national television, especially that platform, is really exciting,” Oliver said. “It’s a lot about recruiting for our football program, but it’s also for the university as a whole. A lot

TRANSFER from page B1 school that has seen its roster go through an extreme makeover this offseason. UNC Greensboro lost seven players to the transfer portal, including two that followed former coach Wes Miller to Cincinnati. HBCU rivals North Carolina Cen“It’s a new tral and NC A&T each had seven players move on. era. It’s a The most significant lossnew way of es were suffered by Dabuilding a vidson, which lost leading scorer Kellan Grady to program.” Kentucky, and East Carolina, which saw All-AAC forSteve Forbes, ward Jayden Gardner leave for Virginia. The blow to Wake Forest the Pirates was softened by coach the arrival of three Power 5 transfers — Alanzo Frink from South Carolina, Vance Jackson from Arkansas and Wynston Tabbs of Boston College. The most interesting transfer involves graduate guard Jaylen Fornes, who started his career at UNC Wilmington, left for Nicholls State and has now decided to return and finish his college career with the Seahawks.

of people from across the country are going to be able to watch this game and see North Carolina Central. “With the name, image and likeness (opportunities now available to college athletes), that goes along

Here’s a look at the comings and goings at the state’s three other ACC programs. UNC Incoming: Brady Manek, Sr., forward (Oklahoma); Justin McKoy, So., forward (Virginia); Dawson Garcia, So., forward (Marquette). Outgoing: Garrison Brooks, Sr., forward (Mississippi State); Walker Kessler, Fr., center (Auburn); Walker Miller, Jr., center (Monmouth) Duke Incoming: Theo John, Gr., forward (Marquette); Bates Jones, Sr. forward (Davidson). Outgoing: Jordan Goldwire, Sr., guard (Oklahoma); Patrick Tape, Gr., forward (San Francisco); Henry Coleman, Fr., forward (Texas A&M); Jaemyn Brakefield, Fr., forward (Ole Miss) NC State Incoming: Casey Morsell, So., guard (Virginia); Greg Gantt, So. forward (Providence). Outgoing: Braxton Beverly, Gr. guard (Eastern Kentucky); A.J. Taylor, Jr. guard (Grambling); Shakeel Moore, Fr., guard (Mississippi State); Max Farthing, So., guard (Grand Valley St.)

with it as well.” While the football teams representing the Eagles and Braves will be the focus of the College GameDay crew of Rece Davis, Kirk Herbstreit, Desmond Howard, Lee Corso and others, the broadcast is also expected to highlight the two marching bands that will battle it out during halftime. “When you’re talking about HBCUs, the bands are right there side by side with football,” Oliver said. “You don’t have one without the other, especially during Classics and big events like this. We’re excited that our band (The Marching Sound Machine) will get the exposure as well.” As fired up as Oliver is over the College GameDay news and the much-anticipated return to the field, he and his players will still have to wait at least another week or so before actually beginning their official preparations. The first day of preseason camp isn’t until Saturday, July 31. Despite being out of action so long, Oliver isn’t worried about either his team’s conditioning or its ability to execute. “They’ve worked out over the summer, and we’ll have about 25 practices to get them ready for the game,” Oliver said. “I have a lot of confidence in my coaches and our staff. Obviously, some things might be a little sloppy, like tackling since it’s been a long time since we’ve tackled anybody. But other than that, I’m not overly concerned.” The NCCU-Alcorn State game is part of what the NCAA consid-

BASEBALL from page B1 Alvarez, 31, is the first athlete to be part of the combination of speed skating and baseball in Olympic competition. He made his big-league debut with the Miami Marlins in 2020 and remains in that organization. He might be someone to lean on because of his background. “Everyone is going to be picking up everyone else,” Alvarez said. “The pressure is going to be on.” Alvarez is no stranger to baseball fans around North Carolina. He played in the minor leagues for teams in Kannapolis, Winston-Salem and Charlotte while in the Chicago White Sox organization. The chance to step back on the international stage was something that he didn’t want to miss when it became a possibility. It has rekindled some of his feelings from several years ago. “Emotion-wise, I do have the same emotions,” Alvarez said, though noting this Olympics atmosphere is bound to be different without fans present in Tokyo because of the pandemic. “But I’m going to know what to expect.” On Monday night, Team USA didn’t

ers “Week 0” and is one of only six games scheduled nationally. ESPN’s GameDay will also have a North Carolina flavor when the rest of college football begins its season the following week. Its “Week 1” show will originate from Bearden Park in uptown Charlotte, a few blocks away from Bank of America Stadium where Clemson and Georgia will meet in a topfive matchup as part of the Duke’s Mayo Classic. “We all missed the traditions of college football and the festive atmosphere of Saturdays last season, so we are particularly excited to welcome fans back for College GameDay’s 35th season, starting with the first two road shows in Atlanta and Charlotte,” ESPN coordinating producer Drew Gallagher said in a statement. In addition to College GameDay, ESPN also plans to do a live broadcast of its daily morning show “First Take” from Center Parc Stadium on Friday, Aug. 27. While fans in Atlanta to attend the NCCU-Alcorn State game will undoubtedly be interested in coming out to get a glimpse of controversial talking head Stephen A. Smith and the rest of the “First Take” cast, Eagles coach Oliver said his attention will be locked on a different ESPN personality. The one that ends each broadcast with a unique way of predicting the outcome of the featured game. “Just tell Lee Corso,” he said, “to make sure he puts on the right mascot’s mask.”

post its second hit until Federowicz’s two-out single in the sixth. That led eventually to Alvarez’s bases-loaded walk for the game’s lone run. So offense could be a challenge for manager Mike Scioscia’s team. “I think we’ll be able to scratch them out,” Federowicz said of runs. The collegiate team used seven pitchers, keeping the Olympians off balance. “They had unbelievable arms out there,” Alvarez said. “It doesn’t help that there’s no scouting report. That’s what’s great about these (exhibition) games. That’s the way it’s going to be at the Olympics.” Team USA’s Nick Martinez pitched five shutout innings with nine strikeouts. He recorded back-to-back strikeouts after the Collegiate National Team put a pair of runners on base in the fifth. Earlier, he escaped a first-and-third situation with one out in the second inning. Anthony Carter logged two innings of relief before one inning apiece for Ryder Ryan and David Robertson as the Olympic team’s bullpen didn’t allow a base runner across four innings. In Tokyo, the U.S. team’s first game comes July 30 against Israel.


nt l pay for this

OP north STATEmen

virus, covered up its spread and tried to tell the world there were only 3,341 related deaths has led to worldwide panic, economic collapse and millions of Americans needlessly being thrown out of work. The crisis has cost the U.S. taxpayer at least $2.4 trillion in addedPerhaps debt plus trillions more in Federal Reserve backup liquidity to the COVID-19 markets and financial outlets. If the U.S. dollar were not the reserveis China’s currency, we would not be able to fund any of these emergency Chernobyl. measures without immediate fear of rampant inflation and currency depreciation. China has to pay for their aberrant ways and decisions through economic and financial means. Diplomacy has obviously not worked to bring China into the civilized world of 21st century health, hygiene and fair trade. Totalitarian communist regimes never take the blame or express sincere regret and remorse, because that is not what totalitarian governments do. They take advantage of every weakness they find in adversaries and keep pushing until they win or the adversaries push back. That is, unless an exogenous event happens such as the Chernobyl meltdown in 1986. Some experts believe that event, not the Star Wars program of Reagan, led directly to the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1989. Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Chernobyl. Senators in Washington are already talking about the possibility of China forgiving $1.2 trillion in debt we owe them as one way to get China to “pay” for the damage they have caused the US. Don’t hold your breath waiting for a Chinese “Jubilee” to happen but ask your elected representatives to hold China accountable in tangible financial ways for this disaster. It is about time they are expected to operate as responsible citizens of the world like any other modern nation.

worldwide pandemics can trace their source to the United States over curve our 231-year history. At least four in the 20th centurythe alone canin bethe nove muted — after directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian flu,” 1968 “Hong Kong flu,” 1977all, tr have abided “Russian flu” and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence thatby therecom to stay at home; they massive 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. they’ve donned mask There is 100% agreement, outside China, that COVID-19 Weof need The result: a reduc originated in Wuhan Province probably from the completely transparency According to the Neal out Robbins, unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. Some believe it came of aUn Metrics and Evaluat and Chinese honesty Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior biowarfare lab run by the communist army.opinion editor administratio from our Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and Trump regulation of peak outbreak was r their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other scientific experts ventilators by nearly choice than to build redundant manufacturing elsewhere purely — we need to plantsAugust by nearly 12, for national security and safety reasons as well as supply and delivery know what they Here’s the problem reliability concerns. know, what they questions will a The most direct way to make China “pay” for this disaster is tothat offer First, what is the t and when U.S. tax credits to companies whodon’t will source at least half of their important because it theyThere hope to production back in the United States. is approximately $120 be open or closed, wh billion worth of American direct investment plants and equipment know what in they more in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65liberalized billion by soci don’t. ought to lock down f comparison. We’ve seen case fa An investment tax credit of 30% on half of U.S. investment in China the number of identi today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American manufacturing and the denominato investment to the U.S. would cost the U.S. Treasury $18 billion in have tax revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lostpeople revenue is actually number has been ove decimal dust compared to the $6 trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now of death, particularly undertaking to save our own economy, not of defeated enemies as in the sources suggest the n past. many American people are dyi China has been cheating, stealing, pirating and pillaging Even import business now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret more that they actually have corona intend to replace the U.S. as the premier superpower in the world and of identified cases co replace the dollar as the reserve currency with their renminbi. number of people wh

Business & Economy

ective, zero United States over y alone can be g Kong flu,” 1977 evidence that the gins in China. OVID-19 mpletely eve it came out of a

d regulation of iness has no other s elsewhere purely pply and delivery

disaster is to offer t half of their ximately $120 s and equipment out $65 billion by

vestment in China n manufacturing $18 billion in t revenue is Plan we are now d enemies as in the

laging American no secret that they in the world and renminbi.

VISUAL VOICES

VISUAL VOICES

EDITORIAL | STACEY MATTHEWS

s about when strophe normal

It’s okay to ask questions about to this get back to normal The comfort How Chinawe willbegin payThe for COVID-19 3 big questionscatas nob EDITORIAL | FRANK HILL

A7

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HU COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO

WITH MOST STATES under either shelter-in-place or stay-at-home China lied about the origin of the ONE THING IS CERTAIN; after thisthanks COVID-19 virus cavalierofmanner in which orders to local ordissipates state governments,The a majority Americans THIS WEEK, virus, according to members ofTHE theand fed ied to tell the world there were only “THIS IS DA around the globe and in the United States, China will pay for this covered up its spread t are having to adjust to what is being called the “new normal.” and state and local governments, Americans have rldwide panic, economic collapse and in it” (Psalm 118:24) catastrophe one way or another. 3,341 related deaths has led to w Some of these orders extend at least through the end of this month. ce or stay-at-home fallen into place. I understand the seriousness of the virus thetoneed the curve in the novel coronavirus outbreak. The being thrown out of work. I know that durin Inand order put the crisis causedVirginia’s by Chinastay-at-home in perspective, zero millions of Americans needlessly orders go into June. ty of Americans to take precautions, but I’m uneasy with how people who simply ask muted — after all, trends can easily reverse — bu payer at least $2.4 trillion in added working from home worldwide pandemics can trace their source to theCarolina, United States over Gov.The has cost the U.S. tax Here in North Democratic Roycrisis Cooper stated during normal.” questions about the data, and when things can start getting back to have abided by recommendations and orders. The Reserve backup liquidity to the be glad” the Bible our 231-year history. At least fourainrecent the 20th century alone be that “we debt plus trillions more Federa coronavirus press can briefing just don’t know yet”asifin the nd of this month. are treated in some circles with contempt. to flu,” stay 1977 at home; they’ve practiced socialthe distancin he U.S. dollar were notnormal the reserve and dad, Easter directly traced to China: 1957 “Asian flu,” 1968 “Hong Kong markets and financial outlets. If will extend into May. Since when did state’s stay-at-home orders They’re treated as though we as a society simply must accept flu” without they’ve donned masks. fund any of these emergency have to be thankful “Russian and the 2002 SARS outbreak. There is evidence that the currency, we would not be able to Perhaps If he it, questions should beLENNIHAN asked|as to the Wedoes needdecide to extend MARKin AP PHOTO WALTER E. WILLIAMS questioning per stated during question what the government tells us about when it’s massive safe to begin the The result: a reduction expected hospitalizat Lenten and of rampant inflation and currency pandemic. 1918 “Spanish flu” pandemic also had its origins in China. measures without immediate fea justification for it. And the answers should not be vague ones like “we COVID-19 t know yet” the 29, 2018, process returning to normalcy. According to theseasons University of Washington Institi For me, my faith ThisifAug. fileof photo shows back an arrangement of Oxycodone pills in Newis York. government There 100% agreement, outside oftransparency China, thatofCOVID-19 depreciation. must do this out an abundance Easter of caution.” is China’s No. The government works for us, and we have the right to ask those Metrics and Evaluation model most oft cited by m ant ways and decisions through I celebra and honesty originated in at Wuhan Province probably from the has to pay forAs their aber provide a China all levels It will need tocompletely be explained in detail to the people ofmaking. this state who asked as to the questions. And the longer stay-at-home orders are in place all over the Trump administration, the expected need for plomacy has obviously not worked Corinthians 1:4, hos whD Chernobyl. unregulated and unsanitary wet markets. believe it came of at a home economic and financial means. fromSome our to are being told remain joblessout and message offor an undetermined become a gue ones like “we country, and the stricter some of them get in states, such as Michigan, peak outbreak was revised down by over 120,000 world of 21st century health, hygiene affliction, so that biowarfare lab run by the communist Chinese army. to bring China into the civilized scientific amount of timeexperts why models predicting hundreds of cases wew federal distribution data found that hope that we13,000 willof thousands bad thing? thethe more people, sitting at home feeling isolated and/or anxious about ventilators by nearly and the number of ov unist regimes never take blame affliction, withcomm the c Until China adopts rigorous verifiable policing and regulation of and fair trade. Totalitarian enough prescription opioids were are reliable. — we need to once again enjoy of this state who when they can get back to providing for their families, will demand August by nearly 12,000. orse, because that is not what God.” That is what their food safety and health protocols, American business has no other or express sincere regret and rem shipped in 2012 for every person in To know date, what I’ve gone what the state has asked and then they along with answers. Here’s the problem: We20-day still don’t know the ans sporting events, yndetermined take advantage of every weakness Ifsupply. you are celebrat U.S. to have choice than tofree build redundant manufacturing totalitarian governments do. The citizens mandated thatplants we do,elsewhere but alongpurely thethe way I’ve also ahad questions about housands of cases Leaders at the local and state levels should be as forthcoming as they know, what they questions that will allow the economy to reopen. pushing until they win or the Andtoo. opioids both reflect on this concerts, family for national security safety reasons as well supply andleaders delivery they find—inincluding adversaries andmessa keep the data. StateasRepublican have, living inand a free can be with those answers — and again, not vague answers, but concerns. answer prescription drugs and illegal ones and First, what is the true coronavirus fatality rate?c God’s example don’t and when reliability adversaries push back. gatherings, Unfortunately, when certain types ofheroin questions asked, there is AMERICA’S COLLEGES are rife with like and get illicitly produced society kedhappens and then with details that give their statements believability. important because it determines whether certain ent such asThe the Chernobyl this difficult time. T The most direct waywere to make China “pay”hope for this is to offer That is, unless an exogenous ev they to disaster corruption. financial squeeze resulting sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treat those church services fentanyl — have been linked to dbelieve questions about We should all continue to do what we can to keep our families, be open or closed, whether we ought to pursue — that event, not the Staropportunities Wars confident we will em supposed from COVID-19 offers for a U.S. tax credits to companies who will source at least half of their meltdown in 1986. Some experts know whatit’sthey simply questioning the data when we can start getting more thanmore 500,000 deaths in the back statement that prepared to and con- asking ginstill in the coming months. By Geoff Mulvihill and many Sponsored by Union and our communities safe. But we continue more liberalized society that presumes wide spreat Sponsored by should also o the dissolution of theourselves, Soviet In thisled same spiri bit of remediation. Let’s first examine what production back inthe the United There is though approximately program of are Reagan, directly to to do, last I deal,States. U.S. since 2000. totribute normal they are$120 conspiracy theorists or people who up as to $5 billion to the naAs a precursor bigger The Associated Press don’t. after our own t asked, there to of ask questions about the data, because while reasonable stay-at-home ought to lock down further. mightisbe the root academic corruption, neighbors helping n billion worth of American direct investment in plants and equipment inor 1989. Under the New York settlement, tional settlement. The company set-themselves New York reached an agreement otherwise don’t care if they get others sick. checked. title of a recent study, THE THREE ehernobyl. to treatsuggested those by the measures are understandable, they should also have expiration date. We’ve seen case fatality rates — Concord, thepronumber of C temporary In a hig the three companies would with New York last month just Tuesday with the distribution com- tled BIGGEST U.S. an in China. Chinese direct investment in the U.S. is about $65 billion by Perhaps COVID-19 is China’s Since when did questioning government at all levels become a bad “Academic Grievance Studies and the North State Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020 start getting back This is all new to Americans, and it is not normal. Not in any way, the number of identified COVID-19 cases — but eady talking about the possibility vide in more thansociety $1 billion to be used before the trial to buy aare 3-D panies AmerisourceBergen, Cardi- thing? drug distribution companies and comparison. sacrifices are Senators inmoney Washington alb That is there whatstarted. free citizens living a free were supposed Corruption of Scholarship.” The study wasdrugmaker are people who to abate the epidemic in the state. shape, or form. So while we should remain vigilant and stay safe, at “There continues to be progress nal Health and McKesson to settle the Johnson & Johnson and the denominator are likely wrong. We don’t k debt we owe them as one way to get health$1.2 caretrillion workers investment tax credit of 30% on of U.S. investment in China in over. of China forgiving totoward do,half last I checked. done byCitizens, Areo, an opinion and analysisare on the verge of a $26 billion set- anAn First The money would be delivered in finalizing this agreement ongoing trial in the state. That sick. the same time we shouldn’t get comfortable with this so-called “new people have actually died of coronavirus. Some so y have caused US. Don’t hold your today, or $60 billion, applied to repatriated American China to “pay” thefirst damage digitalthe magazine. By the way, Areo is short Mywe first concern asmanufacturing we go in this, of course, isfor my I’m th 18all annual payments, with thefamily. remain committed to along pro- has tlement covering thousands of gov- deal alone would generate more and CIT receive FDIC ls become aAreopagitica, bad number been overestimated, given that classi lee” to happen but ask normal.” your elected for a speech delivered by investment to the U.S. would cost the U.S. Treasury $18 billion in breath waiting for a Chinese about them catching the virus, and I’mthis worried I will. After “Jub one arriving year. The nationviding certainty for involved than $1 billion to abate the dam- worried ty were supposed Not one little bit. ernment lawsuits over the toll of tax ofparties death, particularly among elderly patients, ountable in tangible financial ways for John Milton in of free speech. revenue spread over a few years. $18 billion in lost revenue is representatives to hold Chinacan acc approval ofdefense proposed al settlement would similar from the H1N1 (swine flu) during the follow 2009 apandemic, and critical assistance for virus families opioids across the U.S., a group of age done by opioids there. The trial suffering Authors Helen Pluckrose, James A.lawyers for local governments said decimal sources suggest the number is dramatically under dust compared the $6 I’ve trillion+ Marshall Plan we are now this disaster. schedule. andbeen communities in need,” the comis expected to continue, butto the settrying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up merger Lindsay and Peter Boghossian say has that e, to is my family. Stacey Matthews also written under the pseudonym Sisterleaves Toldjah many people arecompanies dying home. ed operate as I’m responsible citizens of The also estabpanytoo said. “The settlement is an tlement only three drug manTuesday. undertaking to save our own economy, notmany of defeated enemies as in the It is at about time they expect way memories ofnot a painful experience I’d would prefer not to are repeat. something has gone drastically wrong ied I will. After and is a regular contributor to RedState and Legal Insurrection. Even more importantly, we have no clue how m ation. lish a national clearinghouse of data admission of liability or wrongdoufacturers as defendants. The national settlement is ex- past. RALEIGH AND NEW the world like any other modern But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has in academia, especially within certainpected to be the biggest single set2009 pandemic, on opioid distribution, andscientists the data sugges and the and Company willactually contin“Today,has we’re holding them stealing, ac- ing,pirating have coronavirus. Some YORK—First Citizens China been cheating, pillaging American fields within the humanities. They call would becould monitored by an of indeBancShares Inc., the parent tlement in the complicated universe countable delivering more than $1 ue to defend against any litigation l of this brings up of identified cases be an order magnitude now for the past 30 years. They have made no secret that they these fieldsof“grievance studies,” whereof litigation over the opioid epidem- business company First-Citizens pendent body. Johnson &coronavirus Johnson does not billion more into New York commu- that the final agreement Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion refer notscholarship to repeat. number of people who have had and is Company, not so much based uponic in the U.S. It won’t end the cases, intend to replace the U.S. the premier Bank & Trust would also agree not to produce any resolve.”superpower in the world and nities ravaged by opioids foras treatost everyone has finding truth but upon replace the dollar the reserve with their companies renminbi.face opioids for the next 10 years. and CIT Group Inc., theattending parent to but it would change them. The distribution ment, recovery, andas prevention ef- currency

Fixingn.c. college corruption FAST

FACTS

4 companies on verge of settling US opioid lawsuits A6

Approved Logos

social grievances. Grievance company of CIT Bank, jointlyscholars Lawyers said a full announcebully students, and other announced lastadministrators week that ment could happen this week. But departments adhering the proposal into to merge the to their that would not be the end of it, rathworldview. The worldview they promote is start of a monthslong process two companies has received er the neither scientific norfrom rigorous. regulatory approval the Grievance EDITORIAL for state and local governments to | Federalconsist DepositofInsurance e studies disciplines such as decide whether to sign on. Corporation (FDIC). sociology, anthropology, gender studies, “This is a nationwide crisis and Thestudies, mergersexuality has already queer and critical race it could have been and should have received approval from the studies. been addressed perhaps by othOffice of the North Carolina In 2017 and 2018, authors Pluckrose, er branches of government,” Paul Commissioner of Banks.started Lindsay and Boghossian Geller, one of the lead lawyers repOfficials involved in the submitting bogus academic papers toresenting local governments across deal noted that completion of academic journals in cultural, queer, the U.S., said in a conference call the proposed merger remainsstudies race, gender, fat and sexuality with reporters Tuesday. “But this resubject to approval from the to determine if they would pass peer ally is an example of the use of litigaBoard of Governors of the seriousness of and the be virus and the review accepted for need publication. tion for fixing a national problem.” Federal Reserve System, and Acceptance of dubious research y with how people who simply ask that Three trials over opioids currentclosing is expected in the editors found sympathetic to their en thingsjournal can start getting back to third quarter. ly underway are expected to continintersectional or postmodern leftist vision Frank B. Holding Jr., First s with contempt. ue and others on court calendars of the world would prove the problem across of Citizens’ chairman andwithout chief the U.S. are expected to bea societylow simply must accept academic standards. executive officer, said, “This ls us about Several when it’s safefake to begin thepapers of the research key step moves us closer malcy. were for publication. The Fat to theaccepted completion of our us, and we have journal the right to ask those Studies published a hoax paper proposed merger transaction, Since when did that argued theexcited term was and we about home orders areremain in place all bodybuilding over the questioning future opportunities ahead.” andas should be replaced hem get exclusionary in states, such Michigan, Ellen R. Alemany, CIT’s with “fat bodybuilding, as a fat-inclusive government eeling isolated and/or anxious about chairwoman and chief One reviewer politicized performance.” ng for their families, willsaid, demand at all levels executive officer, said, “I thoroughly enjoyed reading this The Associated Press “We’reand pleased to it has an important article believe become a receive FDIC approval we vels should be as forthcoming they contribution to make toasas the field and this ROBINHOOD, online brobadthething? continue work together again, not vague to answers, but answer journal.” kerage that found itself embroiled toward the successful “Our Struggle Is My Struggle: Solidarity Thatstock is what ents believability. in this year’s meme phenomcombination of our two Feminism as an Intersectional Reply to hat we can to keep our families, enon, will go public next week seekfree citizens companies.” Neoliberal and Feminism,” was afe. But we should alsoChoice still continue ing a market valuation of up to $35 When completed, the living in a free accepted for publication by Affilia, a billion. combined company will ecause while reasonable stay-at-home feminist journal for social workers. The were operate under the First date. The companysociety said in a regulatory y shouldpaper also have an expiration consisted in part of a rewrittenfiling Monday that it hopes to price Citizens name and establish supposed nd it is not normal. Not in any way, passage a top 20from bankMein in theKampf. United Two other55 million shares in its initial public d remainhoax vigilant and stay safe,The at including papers were published, toofdo, last I per States based on assets. offering in a range $38 to $42 “Rape Culture and Queer Performativity mfortable withrelease this so-called “new press stated “the share. It could raise about $2.3 bilchecked. at Urbanwill Dog Parks.” This paper’s subject merger bring together lion if the shares are sold at the high was dog-on-dog rape. But the complementary strengths of dog rape end of the range. paper eventually forced both organizations withBoghossian, First Pluckrose and Lindsay prematurely out Citizens Bank’s robust to retail under the pseudonym Sister Toldjah franchise and full suite of Journal writer themselves. A Wall Street dState and Legal Insurrection. banking products and CIT’s had figured out what they were doing. strong Somemarket paperspositions, accepted for publication nationwide in academiccommercial journals advocated training lending direct white male men likefranchise dogs andand punishing online bank.” college students for historical slavery by Raleigh-headquartered asking them to sit in silence on the floor in First-Citizens & Trust chains during Bank class and to be expected to Company one of the largest learn fromisthe discomfort. Other papers family-controlled banks in y celebrated morbid obesity as a healthy life the United States. Founded choice and advocated treating privately in 1898, the bank provides conducted masturbation a broad range of financialas a form of sexual violence against women. Typically, products and operates a s academic editors network ofjournal branches in 19send submitted papers out to referees for review. In states that include many recommending acceptance for publication, high-growth markets. many reviewers gave these papers glowing praise. Political scientist Zach Goldberg ran certain grievance studies concepts through the Lexis/Nexis database, to see how often

north STA

Including the New York case, forts,” New York Attorney General thousands of similar legal claims Letitia James said in a statement from state and local governments there are currently three trials across the country and have long across the U.S. of government entiTuesday. Jason claims that companies should Other manufacturers, regional been trying to settle them all. The ties’ STACEY MATTHEWS distribution companies and phar- New York deal would become a part be held liable for the opioid crisis. macies will remain in the New York of a national agreement if one can One in California focuses solely on drugmakers, and one scheduled to be struck this year. and other cases for now. COLUMN REP. RICHARD wrap upHUDSON this month in West VirThe state and local|governments Joe Rice, another key lawyer in the national deal, said the an- say distribution companies did not ginia aims only at distributors. That nouncement of the New York settle- have proper controls to flag or halt trial is expected to forge ahead bement was one key factor in the deci- shipments to pharmacies that re- cause the settlement will not be fision to make public some details of ceived outsized shares of pow- nalized before closing arguments erful and addictive prescription scheduled for next week. the planned national one now. Other cases are queued up to But parties on the other side are painkillers. The companies have maintained that they were filling start. The only one of its kind to not going that far yet. “THIS IS THEverdict DAYinto the lord made, WITH or stay-at-home place. I understand so far washas two years let usthr ordersshelter-in-place of legal drugs placed by doc- reach afallen CardinalMOST HealthSTATES declined tounder com- either in it” (Psalm orders thanks to local state governments, a majority of Americans to take precautions, but ago118:24). in Oklahoma. There, a judge or-I’m unea tors — so they shouldn’t shoulder ment early Tuesday, andor the other I know this challenging time of soc deredduring Johnson & Johnson, thedata, only blame for the addiction and that distribution companies not is re-being are having to adjust todid what called thenation’s “new normal.” questions about the and wh working from home or losing a job, it diffi overdose crisis.the end of this spond to requests comment. Butat least Some of thesefor orders extend through month. normal are treated inmay somebecircle An Associated Press analysis of asSee Johnson &stay-at-home Johnson reiterated in ago into be glad” the Bible tells us toB6 do. as However, as aa LAWSUITS, page Virginia’s orders June. They’re treated though we

VISUAL VOICES

It’s okay to ask questions about when The we begin to get back to comfort normal and hope

and dad, the Easter holiday hasthe reminded me ofte Here in North Carolina, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper stated during question what government and of hopeful for, even m a recent coronavirus press briefing that “we just don’t knowhave yet”to if be thethankful process returning back in to the norm and pandemic. state’s stay-at-home orders will extendLenten into May. No. The government works for me, my faith is an important part ofstay-at my da Easter seasons If he does decide to extend it, questions should be asked asFor to the questions. And the longer making. As I celebrated my family, justification for it. And the answers should notabe vague ones like “we country,Easter and thewith stricter some ofI provide Corinthians 1:4, the which reminds our Lord “com must do this out of an abundance of caution.” more people,us sitting at home message of affliction, so thatwhen we may becan able toback comfort thos It will need to be explained in detailhope to the people of this state who they get to provid we will staid popularity haswhich forcedwe rivals bro- hood’s offering about rocked thethat affliction, with the comfort ourselves a areRobinhood being told isto remain jobless and at hometraditionally for an undetermined answers. to get rid of commissions and to ofbusiness. The company ex52.4 million shares. The company’s kerage once again enjoy God.”of cases amount of time why models predicting hundreds of thousands Leaders at the local and state l to offer events, up to $770 million fer apps that make trading easy and founders Baiju Bhatt and Vladimir pectssporting If you are celebrating the Easter season, I—urge are reliable. can be with those answers and Tenev, and Chief Financial Officer worth of its shares to its custom- maybe even fun. reflect and be comforted, that concerts, family To date, I’ve are gone along about with what state has asked thenon this with details that theirso statem Themessage company based ingive Meners the via its platform. Theand estimate Jason Warnick, offering example and comfort allallthose arou lo Park, California, said in its in fil-need is based on an offering priceGod’s of $40 2.6 million that shares. Thebut compamandated we do, along the way I’ve also had questions about We should continue to do w gatherings, this difficult time. Through faith and by helping o ing that it had 17.7 million monthshare, the company said in the ny proceeds from thewon’t data.receive Stateany Republican leadersper have, too. ourselves, and our communities s church services lywe active users asquestions of out March and more filing. shares sold by its officers and found- types confident willto emerge of this pandemic strb Unfortunately, when certain ofand questions get asked, there is ask about the data, manythe more of itsI customers arebe firstMeanwhile, venture capital ers. this than samehalf spirit, continue to inspired th by sometimes a disturbing tendency among some people to treatInthose measures are understandable, time investors. business software company The underwriters have an option unit of after our own neighbors helping neighbors. simply questioning the data and asking when we can start getting back This is all new to Americans, a Many of those first-time inveshas indicated an into buy 5.5 million shares to cover Salesforce.com temporary In Concord, a high school senior named Tanne to normal as though they are conspiracy theorists or are people who shape, or form. So while we shou terest in buying up to $150 million tors have started trading on Robinany overallotments. money buy adue 3-D printer andwe plastic f sacrifices are sick. otherwise don’tIPO carewill if they orRobinhood others the same time get co to the popularity ofshouldn’t memeto make in shares of at the IPO tohood Robinhood’s give get in- themselves health care workers out of his own home. price,over. Robinhood said. become vestors chancedid to own a big slicegovernment Sincea when questioning at all levels a bad normal.” See ROBINHOOD, page B6 Since launch in 2014, of a fast-growing company has living thing? That is what freethat citizens in aitsfree society wereRobinsupposed Not one little bit. to do, last I checked. My first concern as we go along in all this, of course, is my family. I’m Stacey Matthews has also written worried about them catching the virus, and I’m worried I will. After and is a regular contributor to R suffering from the H1N1 virus (swine flu) during the 2009 pandemic, I’ve been trying to take extra precautions, because all of this brings up way too many memories of a painful experience I’d prefer not to repeat. But what also makes me lose sleep is how easily most everyone has

Robinhood sees valuation of up to $35 billion as public co.

Maybe the most beautiful vehicle you can buy, B7


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

B6

ncdot CASH REPORT For the week ending 7/16 Total Cash & Bond Proceeds:

$2,549,702,397 Add Receipts:

$51,221,208 Less Disbursements:

$111,563,941 Reserved Cash:

$597,532,602 Unreserved Cash Balance Total:

$3,588,389,074

NG HAN GUAN | AP PHOTO

A man looks at his smartphone as he walks by the Microsoft office in Beijing, China on Friday, Aug. 7, 2020. LAWSUITS from page B5 company not to settle before that trial, to pay $465 million. The company is appealing the judgment. The New York case is the broadest one to go to trial so far — and the first with a jury deciding the case rather than only a judge. Johnson & Johnson settled for $230 million just before the case started. The remaining defendants are Teva Pharmaceutical Industries, Endo International and AbbVie, Inc. With so many cases approaching trial, there’s been a flurry of proposed or realized settlements over opioids. OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma declared bankruptcy as part of its effort to settle cases. It is proposing a reorganization that would use all future profits to fight the epidemic as part of a deal the company values at about $10 billion over time. That plan will face some opposition at a confirmation hearing in U.S. Bankruptcy Court next month.

ROBINHOOD from page B5 stocks like GameStop. The trading frenzy that followed forced Robinhood to limit some trades because of the massive volume and it drew some government scrutiny. Robinhood said in the filing that it expects that its revenue for the April-June quarter totaled up to $574 million, or a more than twofold increase from $244 million a year earlier. Even so, the company projects it slid to loss in the quarter ranging from $487 million and $537 million. Robinhood posted a profit of $58 million in the same quarter last year. The company projects revenue in the third quarter will be lower, citing lower levels of trading activity. The company is expected to make its stock market debut on July 29. It will list on the Nasdaq under the “HOOD” ticker symbol.

Microsoft Exchange hack caused by China, US and allies say The Associated Perss WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden administration and Western allies formally blamed China on Monday for a massive hack of Microsoft Exchange email server software and asserted that criminal hackers associated with the Chinese government have carried out ransomware and other illicit cyber operations. The announcements, though not accompanied by sanctions against the Chinese government, were intended as a forceful condemnation of activities a senior Biden administration official described as part of a “pattern of irresponsible behavior in cyberspace.” They highlighted the ongoing threat from Chinese hackers even as the administration remains consumed with trying to curb ransomware attacks from Russia-based syndicates that have targeted critical infrastructure. The broad range of cyberthreats from Beijing disclosed on Monday included a ransomware attack from government-affiliated hackers that targeted victims — including in the U.S. — with demands for millions of dollars. U.S officials also alleged that criminal contract hackers associated with China’s Ministry of State Security have engaged in cyber extortion schemes and theft for their own profit. Meanwhile, the Justice Department on Monday announced charges against four Chinese nationals who prosecutors said were working with the MSS in a hacking campaign that targeted dozens of computer systems, including companies, universities and government entities. The defendants are accused of targeting trade secrets and confidential business

information, including scientific technologies and infectious-disease research. Unlike in April, when public finger-pointing of Russian hacking was paired with a raft of sanctions against Moscow, the Biden administration did not announce any actions against Beijing. Nonetheless, a senior administration official who briefed reporters said that the U.S. has confronted senior Chinese officials and that the White House regards the multination shaming as sending an important message, even if no single action can change behavior. President Joe Biden told reporters “the investigation’s not finished,” and White House press secretary Jen Psaki did not rule out future consequences for China, saying, “This is not the conclusion of our efforts as it relates to cyber activities with China or Russia.” Even without fresh sanctions, Monday’s actions are likely to exacerbate tensions with China at a delicate time. Just last week, the U.S. issued separate stark warnings against transactions with entities that operate in China’s western Xinjiang region, where China is accused of repressing Uyghur Muslims and other minorities. The administration also advised American firms of the deteriorating investment and commercial environment in Hong Kong, where China has been cracking down on democratic freedoms it had pledged to respect in the former British colony. The European Union and Britain were among the allies who called out China. The EU said malicious cyber activities with “significant effects” that targeted government institutions, political

organizations and key industries in the bloc’s 27 member states could be linked to Chinese hacking groups. The U.K.’s National Cyber Security Centre said the groups targeted maritime industries and naval defense contractors in the U.S. and Europe and the Finnish parliament. In a statement, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said the hacking was “conducted from the territory of China for the purpose of intellectual property theft and espionage.” The Microsoft Exchange cyberattack “by Chinese statebacked groups was a reckless but familiar pattern of behaviour,” U.K. Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said. NATO, in its first public condemnation of China for hacking activities, called on Beijing to uphold its international commitments and obligations “and to act responsibly in the international system, including in cyberspace.” The alliance said it was determined to “actively deter, defend against and counter the full spectrum of cyber threats.” That hackers affiliated with the Ministry of State Security were engaged in ransomware was surprising and concerning to the U.S. government, the senior administration official said. But the attack, in which an unidentified American company received a high-dollar ransom demand, also gave U.S. officials new insight into what the official said was “the kind of aggressive behavior that we’re seeing coming out of China.” A spokesperson for the Chinese Embassy in Washington, Liu Pengyu, said in a statement that the “U.S. has repeatedly made

groundless attacks and malicious smear against China on cybersecurity. Now this is just another old trick, with nothing new in it.” The statement called China “a severe victim of the US cyber theft, eavesdropping and surveillance.” The majority of the most damaging and high-profile recent ransomware attacks have involved Russian criminal gangs. Though the U.S. has sometimes seen connections between Russian intelligence agencies and individual hackers, the use of criminal contract hackers by the Chinese government “to conduct unsanctioned cyber operations globally is distinct,” the official said. Dmitri Alperovitch, the former chief technology officer of the cybersecurity firm Crowdstrike, said the announcement makes clear that MSS contractors who for years have worked for the government and conducted operations on its behalf have over time decided — either with the approval or the “blind eye of their bosses” — to “start moonlighting and engaging in other activities that could put money in their pockets.” The Microsoft Exchange hack that months ago compromised tens of thousands of computers around the world was swiftly attributed to Chinese cyber spies by Microsoft. An administration official said the government’s attribution to hackers affiliated with the Ministry of State Security took until now in part because of the discovery of the ransomware and for-profit hacking operations and because the administration wanted to pair the announcement with guidance for businesses about tactics that the Chinese have been using. Given the scope of the attack, Alperovitch said it was “puzzling” that the U.S. did not impose sanctions. “They certainly deserve it, and at this point, it’s becoming a glaring standout that we have not,” he said.

Senator: Bipartisan infrastructure bill loses IRS provision The Associated Perss WASHINGTON, D.C. — A proposal to strengthen IRS enforcement to crack down on tax scofflaws and help fund a nearly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure spending bill is officially off the table, Republican Sen. Rob Portman said Sunday. Portman, who is involved in negotiating the bill, cited “pushback” from fellow Republican lawmakers who dislike the idea of expanding the reach of the IRS, which they have accused over the years of unfairly targeting conservatives. He said another reason the IRS provision was shelved is that Democrats are including a more robust enforcement plan in a separate $3.5 trillion infrastructure bill that they intend to pass through the Senate using special budget rules and without Republican votes. “That created quite a problem because the general agreement is that this is the bipartisan, negotiated infrastructure package and that we will stick with that,” the Ohio senator said on CNN’s “State of the Union.” Portman’s announcement that the IRS provision had been removed underscores the difficulty facing the bipartisan group of Republican and Democratic sena-

JAQUELYN MARTIN | AP PHOTO

President Joe Biden speaks with Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, and other bipartisan group of senators, Thursday June 24, 2021, outside the White House in Washington, D.C. tors in finding mutually agreeable ways to pay for billions of dollars of new spending their White Housebacked plan calls for. Portman said meetings were planned Sunday to discuss alternatives to the IRS provision, which had been estimated to bring in

an estimated $100 billion over 10 years. The proposal to go after taxpayers who skip out on income taxes initially had potential bipartisan appeal, but outside groups came forward to lambaste it as a way to enable the IRS to snoop around Americans’ personal finances.

IRS Commissioner Charles Rettig said at a congressional hearing in April that the national gap between federal taxes owed and actually collected is about $1 trillion annually, more than double what official government estimates have previously indicated.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pressuring lawmakers to reach agreement this week on the pair of massive domestic spending measures, signaling Democrats’ desire to push ahead aggressively on President Joe Biden’s multitrillion-dollar agenda. Schumer, D-N.Y., said last week that he is scheduling a procedural vote for Wednesday to begin debate on the still-evolving bipartisan infrastructure bill. Senators from both parties, bargaining for weeks, have struggled to reach final agreement on a $1 trillion package of highway, water systems and other public works projects. Portman on Sunday called that an “arbitrary deadline” and one that was premature given that senators haven’t even agreed on details of the “complex” bill yet. “We want to get it right. It’s not too much to ask that we have time to do that,” Portman said. “We ought not to have an arbitrary deadline forcing this process.” Schumer said he also wanted Democratic senators to reach agreement among themselves by Wednesday on the specific details of a separate 10-year budget blueprint that envisions $3.5 trillion in spending for climate change, education, an expansion of Medicare and more.


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

B7

2021 Polestar 1

PHOTOS COURTESY POLESTAR

Old and new combine in perfect Swedish harmony An ultra-rare luxury treat By Jordan Golson North State Journal SAN DIEGO — Look, I know I’m a jaded car journalist. I’ve tested and reviewed hundreds of cars, and after a while, they all begin to blur together. You know how you sometimes forget what you ate for breakfast? That’s what it’s like for me and cars. Someone will ask, “what car did you have last week?” and I’ll struggle for a bit and respond, “I think it was red.” But, that isn’t always the case. Sometimes a car is so terrific (or terrifically bad) that it leaves an impression that is impossible to shake. That’s what I had this week with the Polestar 1, a car I first saw four years ago that I’ve pined for ever since. It’s a plug-in hybrid from Volvo’s electric car brand, and it might be the most beautiful vehicle you can buy. It also has an absurd amount of tech under the hood, which appeals to my inner geek, and it’s incredibly rare. Let’s take these one at a time. The Polestar 1 is loosely based on a Volvo concept car from a few years ago. It’s a 2+2 grand touring car, meaning it’s a roomy coupe with two front seats and two rear “seats.” Most of the time, those rear seats are useless for anyone with legs, but Volvo manages enough space for smaller adults to fit on short journeys. I’m not usually a big fan of coupes. The doors are too long, and they’re challenging to park, and you end up with a lot of wasted space. Not this one, though. The Polestar 1 has perfect, muscular proportions, and I’m fully prepared to throw out all my prejudices to say it’s stunning. I’m a Volvo fan, and this thing is full of Volvo DNA but given a unique Polestar twist. The sheet metal is familiar but somehow improved. Perhaps that’s because it’s not metal at all but made from carbon fiber and covered in a jaw-droppingly gorgeous greyish paint called Magnesium Matte. The carbon fiber polymer (it’s not straight carbon fiber, but that only matters if you’re a materials scientist) allows for shapes in the body that wouldn’t be possible with sheet steel. That’s part of what makes it look so special — it’s not easy to quite put your finger on what is different about the Polestar, but you know there’s something. The Polestar 1 is $156,500, and there’s only one option: a $5,000 matte paint. It’s worth it. Under the hood is a version of Volvo’s supercharged and turbocharged 2-liter 4-cylinder engine. This engine graces all of Volvo’s US vehicles and, though it’s wildly complicated mechanically, it’s largely proven itself when it comes to reliability. I won’t dive into the mechan-

ical details of super- and turbocharging. Basically, it uses engineering wizardry and witchcraft to create lots of power from a tiny engine and send it through the front wheels. Then there are a pair of electric motors powering the rear wheels, powered by an enormous 38-kilowatt-hour battery that is the largest in any plug-in hybrid and is suitable for more than 60 miles of all-electric range. That means this is a fantastic car for folks who aren’t quite ready to jump on the electric car bandwagon but still want to be green. Or if you want a car that hauls ass. This thing is the ultimate sleeper. That’s a car that looks restrained and slow, but when you want to drop the hammer, it takes off like an absolute rocket, and Volvos are great at it. Between the internal combustion engine up front and the electric motors in the back, the Polestar 1 is good for 619 horsepower and 738 lb-ft of torque. A small but elegant active rear spoiler pops up automatically if you exceed 62 miles per hour but can be deployed at any time via a switch on the door. It’s understated but gives the 1 a sporty look and adds a bit of extra rear downforce at higher speeds. Polestar is only making 1,500 of these too, so it might be the rarest car I’ve ever driven in terms of raw production numbers. Only 500 are being made every year for three years, and that’s it. That means that after 2021, production stops and this gorgeous car will reach the end of the line. If you’re looking for something exclusive, this is it. And that’s both a delight and a shame. I only had the Polestar 1 for a weekend, but every time I stopped, people would come up and ask what kind of car it was. That’s good news for Polestar, which is a new car brand looking to make an impact in the electric car space — but with only 1,500 being made, there’s a limited opportunity for the company to use the 1 to make a splash. I can count the number of cars I have been sad to give back on one hand: the new Corvette, the Dodge Charger Hellcat, any Rolls-Royce. But the Polestar 1 might be more special than all of them. It’s a swan song for the internal combustion engine, combining the best parts of that (a nice engine note and the ability to refuel quickly for long road-trip journeys) with a futuristic and fast electric powertrain. It’s a sign-on for Polestar, a first car looking back to what came before and forward to what’s to come. I like the Polestar 2 electric car a lot (I reviewed it earlier this year), but it doesn’t have the gravitas that this enormous GT car has. I’m sure other electric cars will come along that I’ll love almost as much as the Polestar 1. But I don’t know that I’ll ever stop pining for the beauty of this incredible car.


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

B8

features Jeff Bezos blasts into space on own rocket: ‘Best day ever’ The Associated Press VAN HORN, Texas — Jeff Bezos blasted into space Tuesday on his rocket company’s first flight with people on board, becoming the second billionaire in just over a week to ride his own spacecraft. The Amazon founder was accompanied by a hand-picked group: his brother, an 18-yearold from the Netherlands and an 82-year-old aviation pioneer from Texas — the youngest and oldest to ever fly in space. “Best day ever!” Bezos said when the capsule touched down on the desert floor at the end of the 10-minute flight. Named after America’s first astronaut, Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket soared from remote West Texas on the 52nd anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing, a date chosen by Bezos for its historical significance. He held fast to it, even as Virgin Galactic’s Richard Branson pushed up his own flight from New Mexico in the race for space tourist dollars and beat him to space by nine days. Unlike Branson’s piloted rocket plane, Bezos’ capsule was completely automated and required no official staff on board for the up-and-down flight. Blue Origin reached an altitude of about 66 miles (106 kilometers), more than 10 miles (16 kilometers) higher than Branson’s July 11 ride. The 60-foot (18-meter) booster accelerated to Mach 3 or three times the speed of sound to get the

TONY GUTIERREZ | AP PHOTO

Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket launches from its spaceport near Van Horn, Texas, Tuesday, July 20, 2021. capsule high enough, before separating and landing upright. The passengers had several minutes of weightlessness to float around the spacious white capsule. The window-filled capsule landed under parachutes, with Bezos and his guests briefly experiencing nearly six times the force of gravity, or 6 G’s, on the way back. Led by Bezos, they climbed out of the capsule after touchdown with wide grins, embracing parents, partners and children, then popped open bottles of sparkling wine, spraying one another. Sharing Bezos’ dream-cometrue adventure was Wally Funk,

from the Dallas area, one of 13 female pilots who went through the same tests as NASA’s all-male astronaut corps in the early 1960s but never made it into space. Joining them on the ultimate joyride was the company’s first paying customer, Oliver Daemen, a last-minute fill-in for the mystery winner of a $28 million auction who opted for a later flight. The Dutch teen’s father took part in the auction, and agreed on a lower undisclosed price last week when Blue Origin offered his son the vacated seat. “I got goose bumps,” said Angel Herrera after the capsule landed.

“The hair on the back of my neck stood up, just witnessing history.” Herrera, who lives in El Paso, was one of a few dozen people who watched the launch from inside Van Horn High School, about 25 miles (40 kilometers) away. Blue Origin — founded by Bezos in 2000 in Kent, Washington, near Amazon’s Seattle headquarters — hasn’t revealed its price for a ride to space. Two more passenger flights are planned by year’s end, said Blue Origin CEO Bob Smith. The recycled rocket and capsule that carried up Tuesday’s passengers were used on the last two space demos, according to company officials. Virgin Galactic already has more than 600 reservations at $250,000 apiece. Founded by Branson in 2004, the company has sent crew into space four times and plans two more test flights from New Mexico before launching customers next year. Blue Origin’s approach was slower and more deliberate. After 15 successful unoccupied test flights to space since 2015, Bezos finally declared it was time to put people on board. The Federal Aviation Administration agreed last week, approving the commercial space license. Bezos, 57, who also owns The Washington Post, claimed the first seat. The next went to his 50-yearold brother, Mark Bezos, an investor and volunteer firefighter, then Funk and Daemen. They spent two days together in training. University of Chicago space historian Jordan Bimm said the passenger makeup is truly remarkable. Imagine if the head of NASA decided he wanted to launch in 1961 instead of Alan Shepard on the first U.S. spaceflight, he said in an email. “That would have been unthinkable!” Bimm said. “It shows

just how much the idea of who and what space is for has changed in the last 60 years.” Bezos stepped down earlier this month as Amazon’s CEO and just last week donated $200 million to renovate the National Air and Space Museum. Most of the $28 million from the auction has been distributed to space advocacy and education groups, with the rest benefiting Blue Origin’s Club for the Future, its own education effort. Fewer than 600 people have reached the edge of space or beyond. Until Tuesday, the youngest was 25-year-old Soviet cosmonaut Gherman Titov and the oldest at 77 was Mercury-turned-shuttle astronaut John Glenn. Both Bezos and Branson want to drastically increase those overall numbers, as does SpaceX’s Elon Musk, who’s skipping brief space hops and sending his private clients straight to orbit for tens of millions apiece, with the first flight coming up in September. Despite appearances, Bezos and Branson insist they weren’t trying to outdo each other by strapping in themselves. Bezos noted this week that only one person can lay claim to being first in space: Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin, who rocketed into orbit on April 12, 1961. “This isn’t a competition, this is about building a road to space so that future generations can do incredible things in space,” he said on NBC’s “Today.” Blue Origin is working on a massive rocket, New Glenn, to put payloads and people into orbit from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The company also wants to put astronauts back on the moon with its proposed lunar lander Blue Moon; it’s challenging NASA’s sole contract award to SpaceX.

Have a seat: Patio furniture shortage tells US economic tale The Associated Press COCKEYSVILLE, Maryland — People used to go to Valley View Farms to buy five tomato plants and end up with $5,000 in patio furniture. This year is different. After a record burst of sales in March, the showroom floor is almost empty of outdoor chairs, tables and chaises for people to buy. The garden supply store in suburban Baltimore has been waiting six months for a shipping container from Vietnam full of $100,000 worth of wicker and aluminum furniture. Half of the container has already been sold by showing customers photographs. The container should have arrived in February, but it reached U.S. waters on June 3 and has just docked in Long Beach, California. “Everyone is just so far behind,” said John Hessler, 62, the patio section manager. “I’ve never seen anything like it.” The Biden economy faces the unusual challenge of possibly being too strong for its own good. There is the paradox of the fastest growth in generations at more than 6% yet also persistent delays for anyone trying to buy furniture, autos and a wide mix of other goods. It’s almost the mirror opposite of the recovery from the Great Recession of 2007-2009, which was marred by slow growth but also the near-instant delivery of almost every imaginable product. What ultimately matters is that demand stay strong enough for companies to catch up and shorten the long waits. “This is a very good problem for the economy to have,” said Gus Faucher, chief economist for PNC Financial Services. “You’re much better off having too much demand than too little, because too little demand is the recipe for an extended recession.” Republicans have held out the shortages and price increases as a sign of economic weakness, while Biden can counter that wages are climbing at a speed that helps the middle and working classes. But the real challenge goes far beyond the blunt talking points of politicians to an economy being steered by a mix of market forces, tensions with China, setbacks from natural disasters and the unique nature of restarting an economy after a pandemic. As America hurtles out of the July 4th weekend into the heart of

JULIO CORTEZ | AP PHOTO

In this July 6, 2021, photo a sign is seen on a sold patio furniture floor model at Valley View Farms in Cockeysville, Md. summer, the outdoor furniture industry provides a snapshot of the dilemmas confronting the economy. A series of shortages has left warehouses depleted and prices rising at more than 11% annually as Americans resume BBQs and parties after more than a year of isolation. The industry cannot find workers, truckers and raw materials — a consequence of not just government spending but crowded ports, an explosion at an Ohio chemical plant and the devastating snowstorm that hit Texas in February. Patio furniture makers interviewed by The Associated Press say they expect the supply squeeze to end in 2022 or 2023 — meaning it could remain a political flashpoint even if the broader risk of inflation fades as expected by many Federal Reserve officials and Wall Street analysts. The shortages reflect both the stranded shipping containers, a dearth of truckers and the compounded effect of a fatal explosion in April at the Yenkin-Majestic Paints and OPC polymer plant in Columbus, Ohio that depleted the domestic

supply of furniture pieces. The Biden administration, well aware aware of the challenge, has made fixing supply chains a priority. It’s also trying to direct more money to making the U.S. power grid and other infrastructure more resilient against extreme weather events as part of a bipartisan deal reached with Senate Republicans. “You saw what happened in Texas this winter: The entire system in the state collapsed,” Biden said in a recent Wisconsin speech. “That’s why we have to act.” Administration officials expect the supply chain issues to self-correct, though they’re cautious about asserting a specific timeframe because of the unprecedented nature of the recovery from the pandemic. They noted that a shortage of toilet paper when the pandemic started was fixed within weeks because factories could ramp up production. But in this case, Biden’s White House views the problem in global terms, with many of the challenges being in Asian ports, rather than a problem that is sole-

ly domestic in nature. Republican lawmakers have placed the blame exclusively on Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus rescue package, saying the shortages are causing inflation that behaves like a tax by eating into workers’ salaries and savings. Outdoor furniture companies do say that finding workers has become more of a challenge in part because of the greater unemployment benefits, but they don’t buy fully into the Republican line that government dollars have caused a lasting price bump. “The Biden inflation agenda of too much money chasing too few goods is causing major harm to hard-working families,” House Republican Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana said at a June hearing. The reality is not so simple for William Bew White III, who founded Summer Classics, an Alabama-based furnisher whose outdoor products look like they belong next to a Gilded Age mansion or terraced hotel along the Italian Riviera. He summarizes his problems as the three F’s: foam, fabric and freight.

“The freeze in Texas closed down two of the plants that make the chemicals that make foam,” he said. “These plants were not able to reopen until mid to late March. And supply dried up. I’m not sure how someone that’s in the upholstery business makes it on 40% to 60% of the needed products.” His company can produce as many as 3,500 outdoor cushions a day, but for most of the year he was not getting the supplies he needed largely because of snow shutting down the Texas power grid. He’s having revenue growth of between 40% and 60% on an annual basis and it’s hard to judge how much to increase production to meet that demand and whether that demand can last. He is more concerned with what his Chinese furniture suppliers are charging than prices at home. His prices in China have jumped as much as 26.5% since January, sometimes retroactively on orders that were already in shipping containers. “This is not sustainable,” White said. In many cases, companies are simply trying to absorb the higher costs. Erik Mueller, CEO of the Cincinnati-based outdoor furniture and home recreation chain Watson’s, said he wants to protect his store’s reputation as providing value. He doesn’t see the situation as paralleling the 1970s mix of stagnation and inflation that helped to drive Jimmy Carter out of the presidency after one term. “This isn’t the 70s,” he said. “We still have goods that are reasonably priced.” While he believes that generous unemployment benefits have stunted hiring because people can earn more by not working, Mueller also sees the inflation as a spillover from the pandemic. Some people could not work because of the disease or their shifts were cut. The rush for supplies as economies reopened occurred too fast for factories and shipping firms not yet able to return to their previous capacity. All of that was coupled with a United States that after a brutal year simply welcomed the relief of lounging by the pool with friends. The problem is one of market forces that are beyond anyone individual’s authority, even the U.S. president’s. “You have just this exorbitant amount of demand due to a unique situation that was out of everyone’s control,” Mueller said.


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

B9

‘Space Jam’ dunks on ‘Black Widow’ to take box office No. 1 The Associated Press “BLACK WIDOW” ceded its No. 1 spot to an unlikely foe in its second week in theaters: The Tune Squad. LeBron James, Bugs Bunny and the rest of the stars of Warner Bros.’ “Space Jam: A New Legacy” defied expectations and won the box office this weekend. According to studio estimates Sunday, “Space Jam: A New Legacy” grossed $31.7 million in North America, while “Black Widow” took in $26.3 million. Not many expected “Space Jam: A New Legacy” to pull off this win. The poorly reviewed film was pegged for an opening in the $20 million range. But a sizable number of families and millennials who grew up with the original “Space Jam” left the house and went to a theater to see it, even though it’s currently streaming on HBO Max free for subscribers. Not only that, audiences also gave the film a promising A- CinemaScore, suggesting word of mouth could be strong. “Space Jam: A New Legacy” is the largest pandemic opening for Warner Bros., which is significant since the studio in 2021 is releasing all its films simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max.

WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT VIA AP

This image released by Warner Bros. Entertainment shows Lebron James in a scene from “Space Jam: A New Legacy.” It’s also the largest domestic opening for a family film since the beginning of the pandemic. Warner Bros. said 32% of the audience was under 18, which is larger than usual. Most of the major family films that have come out during the pandemic — from “The Boss Baby: Family Business” to “Raya and the

Last Dragon” — have opened well under $20 million. But audiences of all ages turned out for the new “Space Jam.” “It shows that families have waited for a movie that everyone can go to and that’s this movie,” said Jeff Goldstein, Warner Bros.’ head of domestic distribution. “It’s just a

contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:30AM on August 4, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cabarrus County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Terry Leon Cofield and Daniene Davida Cofield, dated July 14, 1998 to secure the original principal amount of $73,600.00, and recorded in Book 2243 at Page 321 of the Cabarrus County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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.

Tax Parcel ID: 55697535890000 Present Record Owners: Daniene Davida Cofield

fun movie for the family.” “Black Widow,” meanwhile fell 67% in its second weekend, which, although steep, is also fairly normal for superhero films, which tend to have frontloaded audiences. Internationally, the Scarlett Johansson-led film picked up another $29.9 million, bringing its global grosses to $264 million. Last weekend, “Black Widow” became the highest grossing film of the pandemic. Disney also surprised many in the industry by revealing its first weekend profits from the movie’s streaming rentals. Rental grosses were not provided this week, however. This weekend also saw the launch of “Escape Room: Tournament of Champions,” a sequel to the high-concept 2019 film. Sony is projecting that the film will gross $8.8 million over the weekend, which is actually better than the first film’s debut and in line with studio expectations. “F9” took fourth place with $7.6 million. The “Fast & Furious” film has made $591.2 million globally to date. The fifth and sixth place spots also went to Universal films: “The Boss Baby: Family Business” with $4.7 million and “The Forever Purge,” with $4.1 million.

“A Quiet Place Part II,” which recently became available on Paramount+, is still doing good numbers into its eighth week in theaters. It added another $2.3 million, bringing its domestic total to $155 million. The Anthony Bourdain documentary “Roadrunner” also did well this weekend, grossing around $1.9 million from 925 theaters, making it the top grossing specialty debut of the year. Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore. Final domestic figures will be released Monday.

expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory 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.

renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord, to be effective 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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

1. “Space Jam: A New Legacy,” $31.7 million. 2. “Black Widow,” $26.3 million. 3. “Escape Room: Tournaments of Champions,” $8.8 million. 4. “F9,” $7.6 million. 5. “The Boss Baby: The Family Business,” $4.7 million. 6. “The Forever Purge,” $4.2 million. 7. “A Quiet Place Part II,” $2.3 million. 8. “Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain,” $1.9 million. 9. “Cruella,” $1.1 million. 10. “Pig,” $945,000.

TAKE NOTICE

CABARRUS IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CABARRUS COUNTY 20SP440 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY TERRY LEON COFIELD AND DANIENE DAVIDA COFIELD DATED JULY 14, 1998 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2243 AT PAGE 321 IN THE CABARRUS COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority

CUMBERLAND 20 SP 230 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 Collin L. Sumrall to Trste, Inc., Trustee(s), which was dated October 14, 2004 and recorded on October 27, 2004 in Book 6695 at Page 052, 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

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 299 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by William Charles Ross (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): William Charles Ross, Heirs of William Charles Ross a/k/a William C. Ross: Charlotte R. Ross, Amanda E. Ross, Wanda Robinson) to Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, Trustee(s), dated March 8, 2005, and recorded in Book No. 6817, at Page 771 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 Office 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 offer for sale at the courthouse

AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 17 SP 1005 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Fern E. Clark (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Fern E. Clark) to Fidelity National Title Insurance Company, Trustee(s), dated May 8, 2015, and recorded in Book No. 09647, at Page 0729 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 Office 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 offer 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

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 21SP10 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY DEBRA E. MOORE DATED APRIL 11, 2012 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 8875 AT PAGE 309 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 the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 21SP107 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY ROBERT COLLINS AND ELIZABETH E. COLLINS DATED DECEMBER 21, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7777 AT PAGE 706 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 the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation

Address of property: Springs Rd, Concord, NC 28025

3984

Cold

Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer 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 July 28, 2021 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: ALL THAT CERTAIN PROPERTY SITUATED IN THE TOWNSHIP OF CROSS CREEK IN THE COUNTY OF CUMBERLAND AND STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA AND BEING DESCRIBED IN A DEED DATED 03/20/1981 AND RECORDED 03/20/1981 IN BOOK 2811 PAGE 568 AMONG THE LAND RECORDS OF THE COUNTY AND STATE SET FORTH ABOVE AND REFERENCED AS FOLLOWS: LOT 9, SUBDIVISION GODWIN-NORMAN PROPERTY, PLAT BOOK 11, PLAT PAGE 14. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

door in Fayetteville, Cumberland County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 12:00 PM on August 2, 2021 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: BEING all of Lot 9, Block ‘G’, in a subdivision known as West Area Heights, Revised Map of Two, and the same being duly recorded in Book of Plats 27, Page 67, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 1111 Danbury Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina. Property Address: 1111 Danbury Rd, Fayetteville, NC 28311 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

August 2, 2021 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: All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in the City of Fayetteville, Seventy First Township, Cumberland County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows: Being all of Lot No. 117, in a subdivision known as Beaver Run, Section Three, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Plat Book 76, Page 76, Cumberland County, North Carolina Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 933 Flintwood Road, Fayetteville, North Carolina. P.I.D.#: 9487-27-3533 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

demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:30AM on August 2, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Debra E. Moore, dated April 11, 2012 to secure the original principal amount of $116,860.00, and recorded in Book 8875 at Page 309 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 1511 Diplomat Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28304 Tax Parcel ID: 9496-53-5301 Present Record Owners: Debra E.

and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:30AM on August 2, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Robert Collins and Elizabeth E. Collins, dated December 21, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $63,000.00, and recorded in Book 7777 at Page 706 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 2616 Horner Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28306 Tax Parcel ID:

And Being more commonly known as: 3984 Cold Springs Rd, Concord, NC 28025 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Daniene Davida Cofield. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either 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 offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in 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

Said property is commonly known as 2008 Rock Ave and 2008 1/2 Rock Ave, Fayetteville, NC 28303-7012.

undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are All Lawful Heirs of Collin L. Sumrall.

A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five 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.

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 effective 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 effective date of the termination.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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

If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return

The date of this Notice is July 15, 2021. Andrew Vining Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 05-70594

of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. 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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 20-02165-FC01

($100.00) required by N.C.G.S. 7A-308(a)(1). The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, 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 offered 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in

the form of certified 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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. 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 effective 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 effective date of the termination.

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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, 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 offered 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00),

whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified 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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. 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 effective 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,

Moore

associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory 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.

to the landlord, to be effective 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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

And Being more commonly known as: 1511 Diplomat Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28304 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Debra E. Moore. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either 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 offered 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 made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax

0415-27-5633 Present Record Owners: Elizabeth E. Collins

The Heirs of

And Being more commonly known as: 2616 Horner Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28306 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Elizabeth E. Collins. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either 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 offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in 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 written notice

expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory 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: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 4357 - 15832

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3781 - 12516

The date of this Notice is July 13, 2021. LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-111015

Parkway,

Suite

400

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 written notice to the landlord, to be effective 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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is July 13, 2021. LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-110688

Parkway,

Suite

400


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

B10 TAKE NOTICE

CUMBERLAND IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 18sp578 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY KEVIN W. HEATH AND ANNE J. HEATH DATED MARCH 7, 2007 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 7529 AT PAGE 127 IN THE CUMBERLAND COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION CUMBERLAND COUNTY 20 SP 564 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JOE E. BROWN AND RAMONA BROWN AKA RAMONA E. BROWN DATED APRIL 29, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 6868 AT PAGE 101 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 the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and

21 SP 253 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 Brandon J. Sadler and Casey M. Sadler to David W. Allred, Trustee(s), which was dated February 9, 2007 and recorded on February 12, 2007 in Book 7500 at Page 410, 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county

20 SP 599 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 William Nobles, Jr. to The Law Offices of H.C. Stevens, Trustee(s), which was dated February 23, 2006 and recorded on February 24, 2006 in Book 7156 at Page 759, 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county

21 SP 232 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 Brian J. Marzulla and April B. Marzulla to Rebecca W. Shaia, Trustee(s), which was dated March 15, 2006 and recorded on March 17, 2006 in Book 7178 at Page 644, 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county

19 SP 176 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 Lavedia M. Edwards and Nathan K. Edwards to H. Terry Hutchens, Trustee(s), which was dated August 15, 2013 and recorded on August 19, 2013 in Book 09272 at Page 0353, 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county

21 SP 282 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 Nicholas Lauritzen and Patricia Lauritzen to Fidelity National Title Company, Trustee(s), which was dated July 9, 2012 and recorded on August 1, 2013 in Book 09259 at Page 0590, 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual

21 SP 279 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 Christopher B. Wright and Bobbette J. Wright to David W. Allred, Trustee(s), which was dated October 30, 2006 and recorded on October 31, 2006 in Book 7406 at Page 557, 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 offer 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

DAVIDSON NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 21 SP 168 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Tammy Lynn McDowell (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Tammy Lynn McDowell) to Richard Pearman, Jr., Trustee(s), dated May 19, 2006, and recorded in Book No. 1700, at Page 1926 in Davidson 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Davidson 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door in Lexington, Davidson County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for

contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on July 26, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Kevin W. Heath and Anne J. Heath, dated March 7, 2007 to secure the original principal amount of $45,000.00, and recorded in Book 7529 at Page 127 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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:

4

8

1

4

agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on July 26, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Cumberland County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Joe E. Brown and Ramona Brown aka Ramona E. Brown, dated April 29, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $15,600.00, and recorded in Book 6868 at Page 101 of the Cumberland County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 7 Rockwood Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28311 Tax Parcel ID:

0

1

Cottonwood Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28304 Tax Parcel ID: 0416-27-9474 Present Record Owners: Kevin Heath and Anne J. Heath And Being more commonly known as: Cottonwood Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28304

W. 4814

The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Kevin W. Heath and Anne J. Heath. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either 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

0439-94-8845 Present Record Owners: and Ramona E. Brown

Joe E. Brown

And Being more commonly known as: 701 Rockwood Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28311 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Joe E. Brown and Ramona E. Brown. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either 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 offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 28, 2021 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:

($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.

Being all of Lot 508 in a Subdivision known as “LEGION HILLS, SECTION SIX, PART 2”, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 107, Page 6, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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 Brandon J. Sadler and wife, Casey M. Sadler.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 1039 Gatesville Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348. A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 21, 2021 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:

($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.

BEING ALL OF LOT 2, IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS WELMAR HEIGHTS, SECTION 5, BLOCK A, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF THE SAME DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 25, PAGE 16, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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 William Nobles, Jr.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 4206 Atlantic Ave, Fayetteville, NC 28306. A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 28, 2021 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:

($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.

Being all of Lot 15, Block I, in a subdivision known as LA GRANGE, SECTION 5, according to a plat of the same duly recorded in Book of Plats 28, Page 66, Cumberland County Registry, North Carolina.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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 Brian J. Marzulla and wife, April B. Marzulla.

Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 7568 Carrollburg Dr, Fayetteville, NC 28303. A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars

courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 28, 2021 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: Being all of Lot 204 in a subdivision known as Sheffield Farms North, Section Three and being duly recorded in Book of Plats 122, Page 94, Cumberland County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 4605 Scenic Pines Drive, Hope Mills, NC 28348. A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time

and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on July 28, 2021 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: 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 54, IN A SUBDIVISION KNOWN AS HUNTERS CROSSING, ACCORDING TO A PLAT OF THE SAME DULY RECORDED IN BOOK OF PLATS 94, PAGE 56, CUMBERLAND COUNTY REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA. Parcel ID: 9487-31-6705 Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 8726 Grouse

conducting the sale on July 28, 2021 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:

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 offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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 Nathan K. Edwards and Lavedia M. Edwards. An Order for possession of the property may be issued

Run Ln, Fayetteville, NC 28314. A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five 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 offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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

DEED.

Said property is commonly known as 5420 HEATHER ST, Hope Mills, NC 28348.

Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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 Christopher B. Wright and wife, Bobbette J. Wright.

A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five 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

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

foreclosure sales, at 11:30 AM on August 4, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Thomasville in the County of Davidson, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: Beginning at an iron stake on the south side of Dalton Avenue, said stake being 319 feet and 4 inches east of the center of East Holly Hill Road, a avenue 86 feet and 5 inches to an iron stake, a new corner for Dalton Lambeth; thence south with a new line for line for Dalton Lambeth 147.18 feet to an iron stake in Carl Watford line; thence with Carl Watford line in a western direction 86 feet and 5 inches to an iron stake, said stake being 322 feet east of center of East Holly Hill Road; thence in a northern direction with a new line for Dalton Lambeth 147.18 feet to the BEGINNING. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 108 Rotary Lane, Thomasville, North Carolina.

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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, 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 offered 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00),

BEING all of Lot 21 of Fairway Forest East as shown on a plat of same duly recorded in Book of Plats 89, Page 113, Cumberland County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.

See Deed Book 273 at Page 184, as the lands described here are a part of that tract. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded September 27, 2012, in Book No. 2073, at Page 1554.

on

offered 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 made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory 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: If

expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory 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: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued

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 effective 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 effective date of the 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,

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 effective 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 effective date of the 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,

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 effective 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 effective date of the 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,

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 effective 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 effective date of the 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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior

undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Patricia Lauritzen and Nicholas Lauritzen. 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 effective 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 effective date of the termination. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for

rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective 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 effective date of the 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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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.

whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified 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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. § 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 effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days

you are a tenant residing in 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 written notice to the landlord, to be effective 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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is June 21, 2021. LLG Trustee, LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 18-098958

Parkway,

Suite

400

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 written notice to the landlord, to be effective 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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is June 22, 2021. LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-108874

Parkway,

Suite

400

but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. 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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 20-06008-FC01

but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. 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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-10043-FC01

but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. 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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 21-02743-FC01

to the confirmation 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. 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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-00479-FC01

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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. 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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 21-03700-FC01

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 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 21-03464-FC01

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 effective date of the termination. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 4133 - 15650


North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

B11

TAKE NOTICE

DAVIDSON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DAVIDSON COUNTY 20SP53 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY RONNIE W. RUSSELL AND CLAIRE J. RUSSELL DATED JULY 31, 1997 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1043 AT PAGE 648 AND MODIFIED BY AGREEMENT RECORDED NOVEMBER 27, 2013 IN BOOK 2126, PAGE 19 IN THE DAVIDSON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION DAVIDSON COUNTY 20SP126 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY NORMAN F. CREWS DATED MARCH 18, 2013 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2094 AT PAGE 1356 IN THE DAVIDSON 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 the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of

JOHNSTON IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION JOHNSTON COUNTY 17SP89 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY JOSEPH N. CANZANIELLO AND LORETTA CANZANIELLO AND FRANK CANZANIELLO DATED AUGUST 22, 2003 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 2533 AT PAGE 638 IN THE JOHNSTON COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of the power and authority

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on August 2, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Davidson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Ronnie W. Russell and Claire J. Russell, dated July 31, 1997 to secure the original principal amount of $52,000.00, and recorded in Book 1043 at Page 648 of the Davidson County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 210 Blythe Dr, Thomasville, NC 27360 Tax Parcel ID: 16350A0000032 Present Record Owners: Claire Judith Everhart Russell And Being more commonly known as: 210 Blythe Dr, Thomasville, NC 27360 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Claire Judith Everhart Russell. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either 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 offered 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 made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory 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: If you are a tenant residing in 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 written notice to the landlord, to be effective 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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is July 13, 2021. LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-109146

the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 10:00AM on August 4, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Davidson County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Norman F. Crews, dated March 18, 2013 to secure the original principal amount of $93,279.00, and recorded in Book 2094 at Page 1356 of the Davidson County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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. 7 Address of property: 0 7 Overbrook Dr, Thomasville, NC 27360 Tax Parcel ID: 1601200020004

The Estate of Present Record Owners: Norman F. Crews And Being more commonly known as: 707 Overbrook Dr, Thomasville, NC 27360 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Estate of Norman F. Crews. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either 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 offered 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 made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and

assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory 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: If you are a tenant residing in 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 written notice to the landlord, to be effective 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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. The date of this Notice is May 10, 2021. LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Parkway, Suite 400 Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-109702

contained in the above-referenced deed of trust and because of default in the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 11:00AM on July 27, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Johnston County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Joseph N. Canzaniello and Loretta Canzaniello and Frank Canzaniello, dated August 22, 2003 to secure the original principal amount of $64,858.00, and recorded in Book 2533 at Page 638 of the Johnston County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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.

Fayetteville Street, Micro, NC 27576 Tax Parcel ID: 10006002A Present Record Owners: Joseph N. Canzaniello and Loretta Canzaniello and Frank Canzaniello

arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory 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.

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 written notice to the landlord, to be effective 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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Address of property:

104

E

ONSLOW

All that certain lot or parcel of land situated in Jacksonville Township, Onslow County, North Carolina and more particularly described as follows:

NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 25

Survey tie down commences at the point of intersection of centerline of NCSR 1308 (Gum Branch Road) with the centerline of NCSR 1323 (60’ R/W); thence with the centerline 1323 in a Northeastern direction 1792.9 feet to a P.K. Nail in said Road centerline at its intersection of the extended centerline of a 30 foot easement; thence leaving said Road centerline and along the center of said easement N. 18 degs. 23’ E. 303.88 feet to an iron stake; thence continuing with said easement N. 18 degs. 23’ E. 19.89 feet to an iron stake, being the point of beginning; thence from described beginning. N. 86 degs. 18’ 54” E. 265.28 feet to an iron stake; thence S. 64 degs. 18’ 00” E. 162.0 feet to an iron stake; thence 38 degs. 24’ 54” E. 318.49 feet to an iron stake; thence N. 32 degs. 16’ 18” W. 60.0 feet to an iron stake; thence S. 60 degs. 37’ 54” W. 402.64 feet to an iron stake; thence 86 degs. 18’ 54” W. 214.20 feet to an iron stake; thence S. 18 degs. 23’ W. 37.77 feet to the point of beginning and containing 1.26 acres as surveyed by Atlantic Surveying Associates July 22, 1985.

Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Janet Elmore (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Janet Lynn Elmore, Heirs of Janet Lynn Elmore a/k/a Janet Elmore: Jasmine Alexandria Elmore) to Trustee Services of Carolina, Trustee(s), dated June 23, 2009, and recorded in Book No. 3252, at Page 124 in Onslow 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Onslow 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door in Jacksonville, Onslow County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 10:00 AM on August 5, 2021 and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Jacksonville in the County of Onslow, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: The following described property:

RANDOLPH AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE 20 SP 141 Under and by virtue of the power of sale contained in a certain Deed of Trust made by Thomas M. Hodgin and Barbara F. Hodgin (PRESENT RECORD OWNER(S): Thomas M. Hodgin and Barbara F. Hodgin) to Richard Pearman Jr, Trustee(s), dated August 16, 2001, and recorded in Book No. 1725, at Page 2275 in Randolph 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 Office of the Register of Deeds Randolph 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 offer for sale at the courthouse door in Asheboro, Randolph County, North Carolina, or the customary location designated for foreclosure sales, at 1:30 PM on July 27, 2021 and will sell to

UNION 21 SP 80 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, UNION COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Neugene Anton Kelly and Linda J. Kelly to Chicago Title Insurance Co., Trustee(s), which was dated February 7, 2007 and recorded on February 8, 2007 in Book 04453 at Page 0715, Union 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

WAKE NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH CAROLINA, WAKE COUNTY 19 SP 3086 Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed and delivered by Matthew Charles Santelli, in the original amount of $25,980.00, payable to Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Countrywide Bank, N.A., dated November 9, 2005 and recorded on November 9, 2005 in Book 11677, Page 337, Wake 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 Office of the Register of Deeds of Wake County, North Carolina, and the holder of the note evidencing said indebtedness having directed

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION WAKE COUNTY 20sp848 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY NICOL SMITH DATED SEPTEMBER 28, 2005 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 11606 AT PAGE 2400 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 the payment of the secured indebtedness and failure to perform the stipulation and

Subject to the easement more particularly described as follows: Survey tie down commences at the point of centerline of NCSR 1308 (Gum Branch Road) with the extended centerline of NCSR 1323 (60 foot R/W); thence with the centerline of NCSR 1323 in a Northeastern Direction 1792.9

the highest bidder for cash the following real estate situated in Climax in the County of Randolph, North Carolina, and being more particularly described as follows: TRACT I Being all of Lot Number 52, Rolling Acres, a plat of which is recorded in Plat Book 15, Page 13. Being that parcel of land conveyed to Thomas M. Hodgin and wife, Barbara Hodgin, tenants by the entirety from George F. Shaw and Sherrill W. Shaw DBA Randleman Development Company by that deed dated 03/05/1980 and recorded 03/19/1980 in Deed Book 1117, at Page 514 of the Randolph County, NC Public Registry. TRACT II Being all of Lot No. 38 of Rolling Acres Subdivision, a plat of which is to be found of record in Plat Book 15, Page 13, Randolph County Public Registry. Being that parcel of land conveyed to Thomas McKinley Hodgin and wife, Barbara Ann Hodgin, tenants by the entirety from George F. Shaw and Sherrill W. Shaw DBA Randleman Development Company by that deed dated 04/29/1981 and recorded 05/11/1981 in Deed Book 1126, at Page 857 of the Randolph County, NC Public Registry. Together with improvements located thereon; said

will offer 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 August 3, 2021 at 12:30 PM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Union County, North Carolina, to wit: BEING all of Lot 199, CALLONWOOD, Phase 1, as the same is shown on map thereof recorded in Plat Cabinet H, File 753, Union County Public Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 1188 Stonedown Lane, Matthews, NC 28104. A cash deposit (no personal checks) of five 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

And Being more commonly known as: Fayetteville Street, Micro, NC 27576

104 E

The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Joseph N. Canzaniello and Loretta Canzaniello and Frank Canzaniello. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either 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 offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities

feet to a P.K. Nail in said Road centerline at the intersection of said centerline with the extended centerline of a 60 foot easement, the true point of beginning, thence from said true point of beginning and with the centerline of said easement, N. 18 degs. 23’ 00” E. 361.54 feet to an iron pipe being the centerline terminus of a 60’ ingress and egress easement. Said easement extending and running parallel to said centerline and 30’ from said centerline on each side thereof, and being a 60’ easement. Together with improvements located thereon; said property being located at 186 Half Moon Church Road, Jacksonville, North Carolina. Being the same parcel conveyed to Janet Lynn Elmore from Kirkland P. Martin, Jr., and Kathleen Steen Martin and Janette (Martin) Hicks Barron and Kurt Robert Barron, by virtue of a Deed dated 11/12/1991, recorded 11/13/1991, in Deed Book 1022, Page 497, County of Onslow, State of North Carolina. Assessor’s Parcel No: 0327 20000 2 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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, WHERE IS.” Neither the Trustee nor

property being located at 5765 Randolph Meadows Road, Climax, North Carolina. The Deed of Trust was modified by the following: A Loan Modification recorded on May 27, 2010, in Book No. RE2183, at Page 1279. 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 offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, 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 offered 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

EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered for sale. 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 Neugene Anton Kelly. 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

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued

For additional information, please see Auction.com. The date of this Notice is June 21, 2021. LLG Trustee LLC Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 15-067454

Parkway,

Suite

400

the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust/security agreement, or both, being foreclosed, nor the officers, 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 offered 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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified 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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. § 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 effective 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 effective date of the termination.

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 five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified 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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. § 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 effective 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 effective date of the termination.

rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective 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 effective date of the termination.

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 1771 - 3632

SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE SERVICES, INC. SUBSTITUTE TRUSTEE c/o Hutchens Law Firm P.O. Box 1028 4317 Ramsey Street Fayetteville, North Carolina 28311 Phone No: (910) 864-3068 https://sales.hutchenslawfirm.com Firm Case No: 3383 - 8657

Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403 PHONE: (910) 392-4988 FAX: (910) 392-8587 File No.: 19-09393-FC01

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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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. Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC

ALL PERSONS, firms and corporations having claims against SYLVIA MELVERE BECKWITH, aka, SYLVIA M. BECKWITH, deceased, of Prince Georges County, MD,

(Wake 2021-E-1994) (PGC 118555) are notified to exhibit the same to the undersigned on or before October 1, 2021, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of recovery. Debtors of

the decedent are asked to make immediate payment. This 21st day of July 2021. Kim C. Adams, Ancillary Administrator, c/o Lisa M.

Schreiner, Stam Law Firm, PLLC, 510 W. Williams St., Apex, NC 27502 North State Journal: June 30, July 7, 14 and 21, 2021.

that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door in Wake County, North Carolina, at 2:00PM on August 3, 2021, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property, to wit:

or fractional part thereof with a maximum amount Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00). A deposit of five 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 certified funds. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts will be immediately due and owing. Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered 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 offered 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 owners of the property is Matthew Charles Santelli. 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. 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 effective 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 §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 effective 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 filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation 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 Substitute 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.

0221979 Present Record Owners: Nicol Smith

arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is made subject to all prior liens and encumbrances, and unpaid taxes and assessments including but not limited to any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of five percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fifty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required and must be tendered in the form of certified funds at the time of the sale. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. Following the expiration of the statutory 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.

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 written notice to the landlord, to be effective 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 notice of termination is provided. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.

Being all of Lot 8 Oakview Subdivision as the same is shown on plat thereof recorded in Book of Maps 1960, Page 126, Wake County Registry. Together with improvements located hereon; said property being located at 3808 Boddie Drive, Raleigh, NC 27609. Tax ID: 1715599034 Third party purchasers must pay any land transfer tax, the recording costs of the trustee’s deed, the excise tax pursuant North Carolina General Statutes §105-228.30 in the amount of One Dollar ($1.00) per each Five Hundred Dollars ($500.00) or fractional part thereof, and the Clerk of Court’s assessment fee pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes §7A-308 in the amount of Forty-five Cents (0.45) per each One Hundred Dollars ($100.00)

agreements therein contained and, pursuant to demand of the owner and holder of the secured debt, the undersigned substitute trustee will expose for sale at public auction to the highest bidder for cash at the usual place of sale at the county courthouse of said county at 11:00AM on July 23, 2021 the following described real estate and any other improvements which may be situated thereon, in Wake County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Nicol Smith, dated September 28, 2005 to secure the original principal amount of $92,720.00, and recorded in Book 11606 at Page 2400 of the Wake County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modified 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: 3 Ferdilah Ln, Raleigh, NC 27610 Tax Parcel ID:

3

0

4

The Heirs of

And Being more commonly known as: 3304 Ferdilah Ln, Raleigh, NC 27610 The record owner(s) of the property, as reflected on the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are The Heirs of Nicol Smith. The property to be offered pursuant to this notice of sale is being offered 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 officers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either 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 offered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities

SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS: If you are a tenant residing in the property, be advised that

Anchor Trustee Services, LLC Substitute Trustee Cameron D. Scott Morrow & Britton, PLLC Attorney for Substitute Trustee 312 South Chester Street, Gastonia, NC 28052 Charlotte Office: 6000 Fairview Road, Suite 110, Charlotte, NC 28210 Phone: (704) 865-2897 Fax: (704) 271-9163 CScott@MorrowandBritton.com

The date of this Notice is June 30, 2021. Andrew Vining Substitute Trustee 10130 Perimeter Charlotte, NC 28216 (704) 333-8107 20-109834

Parkway,

Suite

400


B12

North State Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

pen & paper pursuits

sudoku

solutions From July 14, 2021


TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461

VOLUME 4 ISSUE 42 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021 | STANLYJOURNAL.COM

Stanly County Journal

ROSS D. FRANKLIN | AP PHOTO

NBA finals Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, middle, huddles with head coach Monty Williams, bottom left, center Deandre Ayton (22) and teammates during the second half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Phoenix.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Police arrest four in theft of car parts Davidson County Police arrested four people for a robbery at ToolTime Jeep in Davidson County. Intruders cut through a fence at the car dealership and stole catalytic converters from eight vehicles on the property. Two vehicles at Carolina Senior Care in Lexington also had catalytic converters taken. Police arrested Patrick Eaton, 26, Cheyenne Hamman, 21, Jerry Maka, 32 and James Wortring shortly after the crime was reported. FOX 8

Economic jolt: Red Bull to help build beverage hub Cabarrus County Beverage companies Red Bull and Rauch will build a manufacturing, canning and distribution hub in Cabarrus County that will create 400 jobs. A state government panel approved financial incentives of up to $4.1 million over 12 years. The two companies will create the production hub on the grounds of the nowclosed Philip Morris cigarette manufacturing site in Concord. The project — a Red Bull regional distribution center and a can-filling factory will mean a $740 million investment in Concord by 2027. Average salaries for the jobs will be almost $50,400, compared to a Cabarrus County average of about $41,250. AP

5

20177 52016 $0.50

8

Creators of Pfeiffer’s downtown Albemarle health building discuss vision for site ALBEMARLE — The Pfeiffer University Center for Health Sciences, located in downtown Albemarle, is up and running, and Little, the architecture firm responsible for designing the site, recently hosted a a July 14 discussion on what the city and university hope the building will mean to the area. John Komisin — an architect, partner and chairman at Little — and Kelly Thompson — communications director for Little — held the discussion on the podcast “If Buildings Could Talk,” which they co-host. Thomspon grew up just outside Albemarle in Richfield, and started the discussion by talking about her childhood memories of downtown Albemarle, then they introduced their guests: Brenda

Diaz, the founding chair and first program director of the Master of Science in physician assistant studies at Pfeiffer; Pfeiffer’s director of facilities, Sharon Bard; and Little’s lead architect for the project, Adam Caruthers. “The center houses two masters-level degree programs — one in physician assistant studies and one in occupational therapy,” Komisin said, before asking Diaz about the rural medicine focus in the program. “Once I sat down to design the curriculum, I wanted the theme of rural medicine and rural health care to be woven throughout every semester,” Diaz said. She said each semester has courses that help students learn directly about serving rural populations. And they also provide

Stanly commissioners approve 10 new county board appointments By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — With 10 terms expiring soon, the Stanly County Board of Commissioners spent a significant portion of its Monday night meeting appointing members to four different county boards. With a 6-1 vote, Brad Holbrooks was appointed as a new member of the Airport Authority Board. He will replace Walter Scott Booth, whose resignation will go into effect on July 31. “With his background as a military pilot and looking toward what we need to do in the next couple years, I think he would be

a valued member of the authority,” Ken Swaringen, director of the Stanly County Airport, said of Holbrooks. Commissioner Mike Barbee’s vote for the appointment went to Art Whittaker. “Please convey to Mr. Whittaker that we will get him on a board,” Chairman Bill Lawhon told Barbee following the vote. Candice Lowder, director of the Economic Development Commission, addressed the commissioners with a request to appoint five members to the EDC for terms that will run through 2023. Because the EDC is not holding a July meeting, Lowder stated five appointments would be needed

clinical experiences that give the City of Albemarle and Stanly them direct experience providing County helped us make that haphealth care in rural communities. pen. As that corner belonged to Later in the discussion, they Stanly County, we did some prophad a physician assistants pro- erty swaps with the city and the gram student, Rachel Nance, join county.” She said that although they to discuss her experience in the program. Nance said she planned have another graduate campus to “pay it forward” by staying in located in Charlotte, they felt Stanly County to serve rural res- that because of the focus on rural health, it would be better to reidents. Bard, who helped choose the main in Stanly County. Komisin then asked, “The hope site for Pfeiffer, discussed how they settled on the downtown Al- was that the project would help to revitalize downtown Albemarle. bemarle location. “After reviewing several areas, Do you think it’s been successful some outside the county and some doing that?” Bard answered, “I think it has. inside the county, we pulled up sort of a map of downtown Albe- I go through Albemarle every day marle and found an anchor spot, on my way to Misenheimer, and where we are located, and decid- I always go through downtown ed that was a space we felt like we could call home,” Bard said. “And See ALBEMARLE, page 2

prior to the terms that are ending on Aug. 12. After a 7-0 vote, Phillip Gene Austin was appointed to the District 1 seat as a replacement of Randy Parker, who didn’t reapply for the position. Steven Bradley, the current vice chairman of the EDC, was unanimously reappointed to a term holding the District 2 seat. While there were other applicants for this position, Lawhon confirmed that they already had memberships on other county boards. For District 3, Wes Morgan was also unanimously reappointed to his current EDC position. After a 5-2 vote, Greg Underwood — the lone District 4 applicant — was reappointed to his seat with the county. Commissioners Zach Almond, Lane Furr, Peter Ascuitto, Barbee and Lawhon voted in favor of Underwood while Tommy Jordan and Scott Efird voted against his reappointment. For District 5, William Huneycutt’s request for a reappointment to his seat was approved unanimously by the commissioners. “He’s done a good job on our

board and he’s an outstanding citizen,” Lawhon said of Huneycutt, who works as a local certified public accountant in Albemarle. The next item on the commissioners’ agenda was to appoint a new member of the Centralina Workforce Development Board in order to fill a vacancy for a private sector representative. Lowder stated that Kristy Huneycutt, HR manager for Preformed Line Products, had been nominated by the EDC to do so for a two-year term; the commissioners unanimously voted in favor of Huneycutt’s appointment. In the final board appointment agenda item of the night, Cynthia Fish, Brenda Farmer and Rick Johnson were each unanimously approved for three-year terms as regular members for the Board of Adjustment. While Fish and Farmer have already served on the board, Johnson will be replacing David Dulin, who didn’t ask for a reappointment. The Stanly County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regularly scheduled meeting on Aug. 9 at 6 p.m.


Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

2 WEDNESDAY

7.21.21

WEEKLY FORECAST

#195

WEDNESDAY

JULY 21

HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation” Stanly County Journal ISSN: 2575-2278

Publisher Neal Robbins

Editor David Larson

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday by North State Media LLC 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001 (704) 269-8461 INFO@STANLYJOURNAL.COM STANLYJOURNAL.COM

TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $25.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Stanly County Journal 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

DEATH NOTICES ♦ Jackie Lavon Smith, 65, of Stanly County, died July 8. ♦ Nellie Marie Cecil Dixon, 86, of New London, died July 12. ♦ Jean Hawfield Thompson, 93, of Norwood, died July 13. ♦ John Edward “Eddie” McRae, 66, of Richfield, died July 14. ♦ Gathy Ella Blake Poole, 86, of Norwood, died July 16.

See OBITS, page 7

90° 68° 10%

THURSDAY

JULY 22

HI LO PRECIP

89° 69° 5%

FRIDAY

JULY 23 HI LO PRECIP

91° 69° 19%

SATURDAY

JULY 24

HI LO PRECIP

88° 70° 24%

MONDAY

SUNDAY

JULY 26

JULY 25

HI LO PRECIP

89° 71° 24%

HI LO PRECIP

90° 71° 31%

TUESDAY

JULY 27

HI LO PRECIP

90° 70° 24%

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Cripps, George Washington (W /M/45) Arrest on chrg of Dis Weap Occ Dwell / Moving Veh (F), at 126 South Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 7/19/2021 ♦ Colson, Taris Laverne (B /M/56) Arrest on chrg of Second Degree Forcible Rape (F), at Stanly Courthouse, Albemarle, NC, on 7/19/2021 ♦ Ingram, Haile Selassie (B /M/46) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at Stanly Courthouse, Albemarle, NC, on 7/19/2021 ♦ Waldroup, Justin Wayne (W /M/36) Arrest on chrg of 1) Pwimsd Sch Ii Cs (F) and 2) Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs (f) (F), at Scj, Albemarle, NC, on 7/19/2021 ♦ Medley, Christopher Demetrious (B /M/31) Arrest on chrg of 1) Possession Of Firearm By Felon (F), 2) Flee/ elude Arrest W/mv (M), and 3) Fict/alt Title/reg Card/tag (M), at Mlk Blvd, Albemarle, NC, on 7/19/2021 ♦ Stack, Travis Benjamin (W /M/37) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) False Imprisonment (M), at 13055 Fraley Rd, Stanfield, NC, on 7/19/2021 ♦ Medley, Christopher Demetrious (B /M/31) Arrest on chrg of Civil Order For Arrest - Child Support (M), at Mlk And Tey, NC, on 7/19/2021 ♦ Smith, Ryan Gage (W /M/27) Arrest on chrg of Dv Protection Order Violation (M), at 25119 Millingport Rd, Locust, NC, on 7/18/2021 ♦ Baba, Ghassan (W /M/20) Arrest on chrg of 1) Driving While Impaired (M) and 2) Reckless Driving To Endanger (M), at 126 S Third St, Albemarle, NC, on 7/17/2021

♦ Talazs, Mark Edward (W /M/51) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 100 Willow St, Stanfield, NC, on 7/17/2021 ♦ Mesimer, David Alan (W /M/31) Arrest on chrg of 1) Break Or Enter Motor Vehicle (F), 2) Break Or Enter Motor Vehicle (F), 3) Break Or Enter Motor Vehicle (F), 4) Misdemeanor Larceny (M), 5) Misdemeanor Larceny (M), and 6) Misdemeanor Larceny (M), at 612 Sunview Dr, Albemarle, NC, on 7/17/2021 ♦ Libeau, Richard Wayne (W /M/47) Arrest on chrg of Communicate Threats, M (M), at 34441 Springdale Dr, New London, NC, on 7/17/2021 ♦ Pigg, Gregory Allen (W /M/49) Arrest on chrg of 1) Felony Possession Sch I Cs (F) and 2) Possess Drug Paraphernalia (M), at 20765 Sam Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 7/17/2021 ♦ Nicastro, Joseph Frederick (W /M/53) Arrest on chrg of Second Degree Forcible Rape (F), at 20713 Hwy 52s, Albemarle, NC, on 7/16/2021 ♦ Sounakhen, Sounphanom Nmn (A /M/33) Arrest on chrg of 1) Dis Weap Occ Dwell / Moving Veh (F) and 2) Assault With Deadly Weapon (m) (M), at 24/27/73 Stanly County Jail, Albemarle, NC, on 7/16/2021 ♦ Moua, Fuchee Matt (A /M/35) Arrest on chrg of Larceny Motor Vehicle Parts (F), at 126 South 3rd St, Albemarle, NC, on 7/16/2021 ♦ Sturdivant, Kelton Isiah (B /M/18) Arrest on chrg of 1) Robbery With Dangerous Weapon (F) and 2) Consp Robbery Dangrs Weapon (F), at 203 South Second Street,

Albemarle, NC, on 7/15/2021 ♦ Dennis, William Jerritt (W /M/43) Arrest on chrg of 1) Felony Larceny (F), 2) Possess Stolen Motor Vehicle (F), and 3) Possess Methamphetamine (F), at 24646 St Martin Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 7/15/2021 ♦ Poplin, Joshua Jay (W /M/36) Arrest on chrg of 1) Felony Larceny (F), 2) Att Obtain Prop False Pretense (F), and 3) Possess Stolen Motor Vehicle (F), at 24646 St Martin Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 7/15/2021 ♦ Short, Jeffrey Thomas (W /M/32) Arrest on chrg of 1) Misdemeanor Larceny (M), 2) Att Obtain Prop False Pretense (F), 3) Felony Probation Violation (F), 4) Felony Probation Violation (F), and 5) Felony Probation Violation (F), at 24646 St Martin Rd, Albemarle, NC, on 7/15/2021

Linda Johnson

JANET JENRETTE BULLOCK, 69, of Albemarle, passed away Sunday, July 18, 2021 at her home surrounded by family. Janet was born April 6, 1952 in Columbus County, to the late Pick Jenrette and the late Princess Smith. She was also preceded in death by her sister, Estell Buck. Janet loved life and loved to ride her Harley. She was One in a Million! Loved her husband, family, and friends. The family will have a Celebration of Life Saturday, July 24, 2021 at her home. Survivors include her loving husband of 26 years, Jack Shelton Bullock of Albemarle, NC, daughter; Tammy (Mike) Rupard, sons; Jack (Angel) Bullock, Russ (Sarah) Ward; grandchildren, Rusty Ward, Jeffery Ward, Olivia Ward, Elliot Ward, Gage Bullock, Greyson Bullock, and Gessica Bullock. Memorials may be made to American Cancer Society, 1901 Brunswick Ave #100, Charlotte, NC 28207, and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, 2101 Rexford Rd #165W, Charlotte, NC 28211.

LINDA L. JOHNSON, 76, of Albemarle, NC passed away Sunday, July 18, 2021 in Atrium HealthStanly with her children by her side. Her graveside service will be 11am Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Sweet Home Baptist Church Cemetery with Rev. Stoney Benfield officiating. No visitation will be held. She was born March 15, 1945 in Guilford County, NC, to the late Charles Curtis Lunsford and Mary Lou West Lunsford. Linda was a retired employee of American Fiber and Finishing and was a member of Prospect Baptist Church. She was a loving caretaker and mother to all. Linda is survived by a son, Kevin Johnson (Leigh Ann) of New London, NC; a daughter, Angie Johnson of Albemarle, NC; two brothers, Charlie Lunsford (Martha) of Albemarle, NC and Roger Lunsford (Diane) of Norwood, NC; two sisters, Janie Beck of Clyde, NC and Judy Thomas (Paul) of Almond, NC; three grandchildren, Logan Johnson, Luke Johnson and Joelie Johnson and numerous special nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by a sister and brother in law, Carolyn and Garry Harvell.

Roscoe Hatley ON SUNDAY, JULY 18, 2021, Roscoe Hatley, of Oakboro went home to be with the Lord. Born March 13, 1929 to Albert Hatley and Nellie Tucker Hatley, Roscoe’s earthly journey began and ended in Oakboro, the town he loved. He was preceded in death by two sisters, Vera and Annie Lee; two brothers, Grady and Clayton; and his son and daughter in law, Nelson and Sharon Hatley. He is survived by his wife, Novaleen H. Hatley of the home; daughter, Sceria H. Jenkins (Scott) of Stanley; sister, Evelyn Coble of Oakboro; six grandchildren, Jeffrey, Christina, Colin, Luke, Micah, and Lyndi; and five great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM, Wednesday, July 21, 2021 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. His memorial service will be officiated by Dr. Shad Hicks and Rev. Scott Jenkins at 2:00 PM, Thursday, July 22, 2021 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, 17236 Frog Pond Road, Oakboro. Burial will follow at the Oakboro Cemetery, 1397 North Main Street, Oakboro.

♦ Aldridge, Amanda Jean (W F, 44) Arrest on chrg of Second Degree Trespass (M), at301 Yadkin St, Albemarle, on 07/10/2021 ♦ Shupe, Stacy Morton (W F, 38) Arrest on chrg of Habitual Larceny (F), at 301 YadkinSt, Albemarle, on 07/13/2021 ♦ Harris, Michael Antonio (B M, 37) Arrest on chrg of Resisting Public Officer, M (M),at 833 Nc 24-27 Bypass E, Albemarle, on 07/13/2021 ♦ Huntley, Jamarcus Antonio (B M, 36) Arrest on chrg of Assault And Battery, M (M),at 301 Yadkin St, Albemarle, on 07/14/2021 ♦ Polk, Micheal Joseph (B M, 24) Arrest on chrg of Awdw Intent To Kill, F (F), at 126 SThird St, Albemarle, on 07/14/2021

♦ Sturdivant, Kevin Maurice (B /M/34) Arrest on chrg of 1) Threatening Phone Calls (M) and 2) Communicate Threats (M), at Scj, Albemarle, NC, on 7/15/2021

♦ Hedrick, Jordan Keith (B M, 31) Arrest on chrg of Possess Stolen Motor Vehicle, F(F), at 2300 Us 52 North, Albemarle, on 07/16/2021

♦ Moua, Fucha Timothy (A /M/33) Arrest on chrg of Larceny Motor Vehicle Parts (F), at 126 S 3rd St, Albemarle, NC, on 7/15/2021

♦ Smith, Tiffany Marie (W F, 19) Arrested on Citation of Larceny By Changing PriceTag (21-03003), at 781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 07/17/2021

♦ Huntley, Jessie Lee (B /M/59) Arrest on chrg of Fail Reprt New Address-sex Off (F), at 223 South Second Street, Albemarle, NC, on 7/14/2021

♦ Smith, Megan Brooke (W F, 20) Arrest on chrg of Misdemeanor Aid And Abet, M(M), at 781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 07/17/2021

♦ Drye, Torrence Octavius (B /M/48) Arrest on chrg of Civil Order For Arrest - Child Support (M), at 123 South 3rd Street, Albemarle, NC, on 7/13/2021 1

♦ Mills, Michael Allen (W M, 40) Arrest on chrg of Assault With Deadly Weapon (m)(M), at 2344 E Main St, Albemarle, on 07/18/2021

♦ Munn-debose, Alicia Lisa (B F, 53) Arrest on chrg of

ALBEMARLE from page 1

Janet Bullock

Resisting Public Officer, M (M),at 781 Leonard Av, Albemarle, on 07/10/2021

to, one, look at the campus, and then to look at all the things that are being restored in Albemarle.” She listed projects like the restoration of the old hardware store, the transforming of the Albemarle Hotel into apartments and the renovation of old homes along 4th Street as evidence that their investment was inspiring further downtown revitalization. “The outreach of the community and the growth has been beautiful to see,” Bard said. “Downtown is such a wonderful historic area, and I think everyone is doing their designs in that vein of preservation not just, let’s build it and they will come.” Caruthers then spoke about what motivated his design for the building. “The building sits right on the edge of the historic downtown area, and that was a huge driver for us in terms of the aesthetics and siting of the building,” Caruthers said. He said there was no good entrance to the city, from an architectural standpoint, coming down the hill from that direction to the Five Points intersection, and they worked hard to position the building so that “it served as kind of an entrance point to the city [saying] welcome to Albemarle, this is Pfeiffer University.” Caruthers said that in investigating the history of the town for the project, they learned that “there’s a deep, deep history of mills in this town, and directly across the Five Point intersection is another historic mill. And that mill really influenced

the design of the exterior facade, and we wanted to mimic the historical brick that is around that area.” He said the other side of the design though was that Pfeiffer University was bringing youth and technology to this space, so they wanted to incorporate that as well. “So the layout of the building sort of mimics the mill across the street in terms of height, but then at the top of it, we penetrated that historical façade with a new, modern, metal-clad addition to the building. So the fourth floor really represents this sort of innovation.” Caruthers also said that in order to better integrate with the city, they left a lot of the first floor as leasable space for other purposes, a large multi-purpose gathering room for community events, and even a public park. “We pulled the building back from that floodplain, and the opportunity that presented itself was essentially a gift from Pfeiffer to the city — which was a public park,” Caruthers said. “It’s kind of a small reflection of Pfeiffer’s intention to really bring the city back into the modern age and really push its efforts to really say, we’re here for the long run, and Albemarle is coming back.” He also said the library on the fourth floor with large windows facing the city gives the building “a sense of life,” as people passing by can see them studying, and the students can look out on downtown activity. These windows and other natural light throughout were added because Diaz made that her first request to the architecture team.


Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

The importance of Fort Bragg

Working to support Fort Bragg and the soldiers stationed there, as well as their families, is one of my top priorities.

WE ALL KNOW how important Fort Bragg is to our region and state. But did you know Fort Bragg is the only Joint Strategic Deployment Platform that allows our nation to respond to a threat within hours rather than days or weeks? This capability is critical for our country’s defense, and I am determined to maintain it. As Fort Bragg’s congressman, I am working to make sure every other member of Congress understands the importance of Fort Bragg — especially those in charge of supporting and funding the base and our troops. As part of that work, last week I hosted a bipartisan group at Fort Bragg that included leadership of the House Armed Services Committee. For two days, members of the committee were able to better understand what makes our Airborne and Special Operators soldiers so special. This experience was vital for members to help understand the importance of fully funding Fort Bragg. While the base is critical for our national defense, since 2014, Fort Bragg has only received one military construction funding project for our conventional forces. I believe that is unacceptable. That’s why I was proud to host these members last week, in addition to advocating for increased funding for the base. However, supporting Fort Bragg is not just about supporting our military. It’s also about supporting our region. That’s why following our work on base, we joined leaders from the community, so the delegation could see how Fort Bragg impacts our entire region.

Working to support Fort Bragg and the soldiers stationed there, as well as their families, is one of my top priorities. As we return to Washington this week, I will continue to ensure Congress understands and supports the priorities of Fort Bragg and our service members. While the National Defense Authorization Act for our military will not be debated for several months, I was proud to secure a win for Fort Bragg just a few days ago. On July 5, President Joe Biden signed into law a bill I introduced to consolidate Fort Bragg into one federal judicial district. Cosponsored by Congresswoman Deborah Ross, a Democrat from Raleigh, this bill will help families at Fort Bragg by ensuring all court cases stemming from the base can be heard in the Eastern District’s nearby courthouse in Fayetteville, as opposed to having to drive up to two hours away to a different district. Securing this law is a reminder that we can still work together to get things done in Washington by putting forward commonsense solutions. Around our country, inflation, crime and illegal border crossings continue to rise. We need to get Americans back to work and our kids back in school. As we tackle these problems and many others facing our great country, rest assured I will continue to seek out commonsense and bipartisan solutions to help you and your family. Like Fort Bragg, I believe we can support our economy, our schools, our environment and our neighborhoods if we work together. I’m honored to be your congressman and will never stop working for you.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Joe Biden’s big lie “In America, if you lose, you accept the results. You follow the Constitution. You try again. You don’t call the facts ‘fake’ and then try to bring down the American experiment just because you’re unhappy.”

DID YOU KNOW that black people are not going to be allowed to vote in America anymore? At least in states controlled by Republicans. Sounds a bit unlikely, but that’s a conclusion you might have come to if you took seriously what President Joe Biden said in Philadelphia Tuesday. Biden decried Republicans’ proposed changes in election laws as “the 21st century Jim Crow assault” that tries “to suppress and subvert the right to vote in fair and free elections, an assault on democracy.” This is, to be polite, unhinged nonsense. Biden is old enough to remember what real Jim Crow voter suppression was like. It meant zero black people voting in places like Mississippi. It meant threats and violence against black people who tried to register to vote. It meant unfair application of literacy tests and poll taxes. Requiring voters to present photo ID is nothing like this: Large majorities think it’s reasonable. Measures such as reducing the number of pre-election voting days in Georgia (there are zero in Biden’s Delaware) or ending pandemic-inspired measures like drive-through voting in Harris County, Texas, are not the same. Not even close. Early in his speech, Biden denounced “the big lie,” a reference to Donald Trump’s claims that he actually won the 2020 election. But Biden’s Jim Crow charge is an even clearer instance of the big lie — and a more dangerous one — since it’s unlikely to be fact-checked by most media. If you want people to condemn a big lie, don’t tell one yourself. In his criticism of Trump, Biden invoked a long-standing norm of American politics. “In America, if you lose, you accept the results. You follow the Constitution. You try again. You don’t call the facts ‘fake’ and then try to bring down the American experiment just because you’re unhappy.” He spoke these words, apparently unaware that they could be applied to him and his own party. You might not understand this if your only news sources were the New York Times or CNN. But if you try to look at it, as Darryl Cooper does in the leftist Glenn Greenwald’s Substack, you might recall that Hillary Clinton and other Democrats did not accept the results of 2016 election and spent months advancing the Russia collusion hoax to delegitimize and end the Trump presidency. “We now know,” Cooper wrote, “that the FBI and other intelligence agencies conducted covert surveillance against members of the Trump campaign based on evidence

manufactured by political operatives working for the Clinton campaign, both before and after the election.” He went on: “We know that those involved with the investigation knew that accusations of collusion were part of a campaign ‘approved by Hillary Clinton... to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.” As Cooper noted, for months, many Trump supporters worried that there might be substance to the Russia collusion charges. Democrats insisted there was. News media like the NYT and CNN ignored or ridiculed efforts by the likes of House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes to show there was nothing there. Nunes was right, as became apparent when special counsel Robert Mueller admitted in his report — and in his pathetic performance on Capitol Hill — that he had no evidence of collusion. But the Times and other papers didn’t return the Pulitzers they won for their Russia collusion stories. The Times’ executive editor Dean Baquet acknowledged in an angry newsroom meeting: “The day Bob Mueller walked off the witness stand... [o]ur readers who want Donald Trump to go away suddenly thought, ‘Holy s—-, Bob Mueller is not going to do it.’” As a result, “We’re a little tiny bit flat-footed. I mean, that’s what happens when a story looks a certain way for two years.” “A little tiny bit flat-footed,” translated into English, means “dead wrong.” Have Baquet or other news media leaders confessed error for their misjudgments? Have any Democrats who pursued the Russia collusion hoax like Inspector Javert confessed error? Not that I’ve seen. Back in January, I wrote that Trump’s words to the Jan. 6 crowd “were uttered with a reckless disregard that they’d provoke violence that any reasonable person could find impeachable.” But calls for comity and confession of error are unpersuasive coming from people who haven’t shown comity or confessed error themselves. Democrats who want to restore respect for the electoral process need to stop calling harmless changes in election laws “voter suppression” and a return to Jim Crow. They and their media protectors need to apologize for their years-long campaign to delegitimize Donald Trump’s presidency by advancing a baseless hoax. 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.

3


Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT

Aric Almirola smiles as he holds up a giant lobster after winning Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

COLLEGE SPORTS

NCAA spent $68M on legal fees during pandemic Indianapolis The NCAA spent nearly $68 million on legal services during the 2019-20 fiscal year even as it lost hundreds of millions in revenue in the pandemic, according to tax documents released Monday. Revenue was down more than 50% over the previous year, from more than $1.1 billion to just over $520 million. Saying it “continues to defend its mission and core values,” the NCAA listed its legal expenses for 2019-20 at $67.7 million, more than double the $33 million the previous year.

NFL

Manning brothers team up for MNF Bistol, Conn. ESPN has finally landed Peyton Manning as a “Monday Night Football” commentator. It’s just not in a way anyone expected, and it won’t be for the full season. Walt Disney Company announced on Monday a partnership with Manning and his Omaha Productions company in which Peyton and Eli Manning will be part of a “Monday Night Football” MegaCast for 10 games a year the next three seasons. The Manning’s MegaCast will debut the first three weeks of this season with the remaining seven weeks to be announced.

OLYMPICS

CHARLES KRUPA | AP PHOTO

Almirola pulls off Cup Series shocker at New Hampshire The Stewart-Haas Racing driver earned his third career win and first since 2018 By Dan Gelston The Associated Press LOUDON, N.H. — With darkness closing in, Aric Almirola sprung to life late Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and pulled off the surprise victory, the first one of the year for Stewart-Haas Racing. “There is no doubt we have struggled,” Almirola said. “But guess what? We’re going playoff racing.” The victory was a needed boost for Ford and played havoc with

the playoff field with only four races left before the 16-driver field is set. The race was delayed nearly two hours by rain and NASCAR called it early due to darkness, leaving it eight laps shy of its scheduled conclusion. New Hampshire was scheduled for 301 laps and 318.46 miles. Almirola, who entered 27th in the points standings, raced to his third career Cup victory and first since 2018 and was the first driver out of the SHR pack that includes Kevin Harvick, Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe to take the checkered flag. Almirola had only two top 10s this season. “There have been so many people that have supported us through the crappiest year ever,”

Almirola said. “Man, this feels so good for them.” He broke up the Team Penske party — Brad Keselowksi and Ryan Blaney had a fun back-andforth for the lead at one point — and Christopher Bell could not catch him. Bell won the Xfinity Series race Saturday and was second. Keselowski, Joey Logano and Blaney made it a 3-4-5 finish for Team Penske. Almirola rested his head on the car in almost stunned disbelief that he clinched his playoff spot. “I love this racetrack,” he said. “I had this race won a couple of years ago and I lost it. We’ve been through so much and I just stood the test.” Almirola snapped a 98-race winless streak and added New Hampshire to a rain-shortened win at Daytona in 2014 and Talladega in 2018 for his third win in 374 career races. Ford drivers took five of the top six spots. NASCAR started the race under wet conditions and that decision turned into a disaster when Kyle Busch, the polesitter, spun

on the slick track and wrecked only six laps into the race. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin also spun and the red flag was waved to stop the race. Truex and Hamlin returned to race. Busch’s race in the No. 18 Toyota was over and he bit his tongue on NASCAR’s call to start the race. “It never should have gone green to begin with, but then it kept getting worse and worse lap over lap,” Busch said. “We’ve been talking about it for two laps that it was raining. There’s no sense in saying what I want to say, it doesn’t do you any good.” Hamlin added, “This is just a bad look.” NASCAR executive vice president Steve O’Donnell said on NBC Sports races have started in the mist but the track “got slick in a hurry.” With NBC busy with Olympics coverage, NASCAR takes a rare two-week break and does not return until Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen. Watkins Glen was bumped from the schedule last season because of the pandemic. Elliott won the last race on the road course in 2019.

Olympic composer steps down over past bullying Tokyo Keigo Oyamada, a Japanese composer working on the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony, resigned on Monday after coming under fire for bullying classmates during his childhood. Reports of his past abuse of classmates, including those with disabilities, surfaced online recently and sparked a backlash on social media plus demands for his resignation. Oyamada, 52, also known as Cornelius, apologized online last week. Oyamada, whose works have been compared to the American rock musician Beck, talked about the abuse in Japanese magazine interviews he gave in the 1990s.

United States' Collin Morikawa celebrates on the 18th green after winning the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 18, 2021.

MLB

White Sox, Lynn agree to $38M deal Chicago The White Sox announced a $38 million, two-year contract for All-Star right-hander Lance Lynn covering 2022-23 on Saturday. Lynn is 9-3 with an AL-best 1.99 ERA in 16 starts. He was acquired in a December trade with the Rangers for right-hander Dane Dunning and lefty Avery Weems. The 34-yearold is earning $8 million in 2021, the final season of a $30 million, three-year contract he signed with Texas in 2018. Lynn will make $18.5 million in each of the next two seasons. The White Sox have an $18 million option for 2024 with a $1 million buyout.

PETER MORRISON | AP PHOTO

Morikawa wins British Open for 2nd major The American joined an elite group of under-25 golfers to claim two majors The Associated Press SANDWICH, England — Collin Morikawa was making one of the most satisfying walks in golf, down the 18th fairway as a soon-to-be British Open champion, when he looked up at the huge grandstand surrounding the green. It was filled with spectators, who firstly were applauding and soon giving a standing ovation to a 24-year-old American making a historic start to his major championship career. So different to 11 months ago, when Morikawa won his first major — the PGA Championship — at an empty venue. “I hope the thing is off the table,” Morikawa said, “that I can play with fans and I can play well

on a Sunday.” Fans. No fans. Parkland. Now even links. Morikawa is the real deal, make no mistake. The mature-beyond-his-years Californian closed with a bogey-free, 4-under 66 at Royal St. George’s and won the British Open in his debut Sunday, becoming the first player to capture two different majors on the first attempt. And this time there was a crowd, at 32,000 the biggest since golf returned following the coronavirus outbreak. After tapping in for par to win by two shots over Jordan Spieth, he gave a fist pump before applauding the spectators. Before long, he was being handed the claret jug that so many go their entire career without winning. He gazed adoringly at it, then thrust it into the air and gave it a kiss. “Those are the moments, the few seconds that you embrace so much,” he said. “And you look

“When you make history, it’s hard to grasp, it’s hard to really take it in.” Collin Morikawa around, every seat is packed. Everywhere is packed with people.” They were seeing a young player already halfway to the career Grand Slam after eight starts, the first since Bobby Jones in 1926 to win two majors in so few appearances. He follows Gene Sarazen, Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Spieth in winning multiple majors before turning 25. His total of 15-under 265 was a 72-hole record in 15 British Opens at Royal St. George’s. In 13 of them, the winning score has been 5 under or lower.

“When you make history,” he said, “it’s hard to grasp, it’s hard to really take it in. ... At 24 years old, it’s so hard to look back at the two short years that I have been a pro and see what I’ve done because I want more.” He did it with style amid immaculate weather on the links off Sandwich Bay, flushing shots with his irons and getting up-anddown on the rare occasions he found trouble. He called his putting display one of the best of his short career, turning a statistical weakness into a strength. Starting the final round one shot behind Louis Oosthuizen, Morikawa was tied for the lead after four holes and then made three straight birdies on Nos. 7-9 to overtake the South African, who hadn’t trailed since the 12th hole of his second round. Morikawa made key par saves — pumping his fist both times — at Nos. 10 and 15, between which he rolled a birdie putt up and over a ridge and into the cup on the 14th to build a two-stroke lead he never lost. Spieth parred his final four holes and also shot 66.


Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

5 West Stanly names award winners for 2021 senior class of student-athletes The school named its choices for the Thoroughbred, Mularski-Kidd, Principal’s and Dash awards By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal

HIRO KOMAE | AP PHOTO

A Tokyo 2020 staff member stands by to help direct team members from other countries for the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games as they arrive at Haneda Airport in Tokyo.

Virus cases test Olympic organizers’ ‘zero risk’ assurances 11,000 Appoximate number of athletes traveling to Tokyo for the Summer Olympics

The Tokyo Games officially open Friday The Associated Press TOKYO — Two South African soccer players became the first athletes inside the Olympic Village to test positive for COVID-19, and other cases connected to the Tokyo Games were also confirmed Sunday, highlighting the herculean task organizers face to keep the virus contained while the world’s biggest sports event plays out. The positive tests came as some of the 11,000 athletes and thousands more team officials expected from across the globe began arriving, having traveled through a pandemic to get to Tokyo. They’ll all now live in close quarters in the Olympic Village on Tokyo Bay over the next three weeks. International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach said last week there was “zero” risk of athletes passing on the virus to Japanese or other residents of the village. But that bold statement was already being tested. The Olympics, which were postponed for a year because of the pandemic, are set to officially open Friday and run until Aug. 8. The two soccer players and a

team video analyst who also tested positive had been moved to “the Tokyo 2020 isolation facility,” the South African Olympic committee said. The rest of the squad members and officials had also been quarantined. Those positive tests further stoked local fears, with the South African team scheduled to play against host nation Japan in its first game on Thursday. There has already been consistent opposition from the Japanese public to holding the Olympics during the pandemic, with fears that it could become a super-spreader event and cause a spike in infections among Japanese people. Bach and the IOC have insisted it will be safe and have forged ahead against most medical advice. The IOC says it sees the Games as a chance to foster international solidarity during difficult times, but the IOC would also lose billions of dollars in broadcast rights if the Games were to be canceled completely. Also Sunday, Team South Africa confirmed the coach of its rugby sevens team also tested positive at a pre-Olympics training camp in the southern Japanese city of Kagoshima. He was also in isolation there and would miss the entire rugby competition, the team said.

And there were other Olympics-related positive tests. Olympic organizers said that another athlete had tested positive, although they were not residing in the Olympic Village. The athlete was not named and only identified as “non-Japanese.” The first International Olympic Committee official was reported as positive. He recorded a positive test on Saturday when arriving at a Tokyo airport. The IOC confirmed the test and identified him as IOC member Ryu Seung-min of South Korea. He was reportedly being held in isolation, too. Organizers say that 55 people linked to the Olympics in Japan have reported positive tests since July 1, but that figure does not include athletes or others who may have arrived for training camps but are not yet under the “jurisdiction” of the organizing committee. Tokyo reported 1,008 new COVID-19 cases on Sunday, the 29th straight day that cases were higher than seven days previously. It was also the fifth straight day with more than 1,000 cases. The Olympics will open under a state of emergency in Tokyo and three neighboring prefectures. No fans, Japanese or foreign, will be allowed at any of the Olympic sports in Tokyo and the three neighboring prefectures.

OAKBORO — In the absence of the high school’s annual athletic awards banquet, West Stanly athletic director and head baseball coach Chad Yow took to social media this past week to announce award winners from the Colts’ 2021 senior class of student-athletes. “Each year, our coaching staff assembles to nominate and vote on several important awards to be given out to our senior athletes,” Yow said in a five-part video series on the West Stanly Athletics Twitter page. “We certainly wish as a coaching staff that we could come together for our annual athletic banquet, but unfortunately this past season of high school athletics has been far from normal.” “We certainly Each of the four awards wish as a — Thoroughbred, Mularski-Kidd, Principal’s and coaching staff Dash — were given to both a that we could male and female athlete reprecome together senting their school. Jordan Poole (football) and for our annual Jordan Hatch (softball) were the recipients of the Thorough- athletic bred Award that is given to the banquet, but most outstanding athletes in unfortunately the senior class. “We as a coaching staff de- this past fine some of the characteristics season of high that make up the Thoroughbred Award as a student-ath- school athletics lete that possesses exceptional has been far athletic ability, demonstrates sportsmanlike conduct, lead- from normal.” ership skills and dedication in their chosen sports, and is Chad Yow, West in good standing with good Stanly athletic school behavior,” Yow said. In the following video, Ja- director and head cob Buczynski (football, swim- baseball coach ming) and Shelby Barbee (softball) were named the winners of the Mularski-Kidd Award. According to Yow, that honor is reserved for students who show “leadership, dedication and spirit in both sports and school, sportsmanlike conduct on and off the playing area, respect for coaches, teammates and referees and a positive attitude.” West Stanly’s 2021 Principal’s Award — an achievement based on exemplary behavior in school — was given to Connor Tucker (baseball, football) and Riley Barbee (volleyball). The Dash Award was the final honor that Yow announced in his video series. It is named in honor of Brian Brown, the father of a former Colt football player; Brown passed away in 2017 after a battle with nonalcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. Michael Crayton (baseball, swimming) and Addie Barbee (basketball, volleyball) were named the 2021 winners of the award that “embodies the ideals that Brown stood for: community, fair play, work ethic and making the most of their own life’s dash between its beginning and end.”

Unseld talking defense as he takes over Wizards job The son of the Washington Bullets legend wants to focus on defending The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Wes Unseld Jr.’s path to this point was a bit different than his father’s. The elder Unseld led Washington to an NBA title as a player before later taking over as coach. Unseld Jr. had a more modest playing career, but his experience as an assistant with multiple teams helped him earn a shot at coaching the Wizards. “I think we both share that deep-rooted passion for the game,” Unseld Jr. said. “He was coming from a different place as a player, obviously an MVP, a champion. I think my experiences to this point have been different.” Unseld was introduced as Washington’s new coach Monday, and there was understandably some nostalgia, given his father’s prominent place in franchise history. But the Wizards are looking for more than a familiar name, and after six seasons as an assistant with the Denver Nuggets, Unseld arrives with a clear vision of what Washington needs. “The defensive side of the ball has been an issue here. That’s an area where I’ve been charged with for the past five seasons,” he said. “It boils down to buy-in and commitment, and I think all parties involved, including the players, they know for us to take that next step, to really get to the level which we think we can attain, it’s going to take that commitment to that side of the ball.” Washington’s lone NBA title came in 1978, when the team was

GERALD HERBERT | AP PHOTO

The Wizards introduced Wes Unseld Jr. as their new coach Monday after hiring him to replace Scott Brooks. called the Bullets. Wes Unseld Sr. was MVP of the Finals. He was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 1988, around the time he took over as Washington’s coach. He died last year. “I know my dad’s up there smiling down,” Unseld said. “He’s probably chuckling, thinking, ‘You moron, I told you not to do this.’” Unseld played collegiately at Johns Hopkins and became a scout with Washington in 1997.

He was an assistant coach with the Wizards from 2005-11, then spent a season with Golden State and two with Orlando before his stint with Denver. He takes over for Scott Brooks, who made the playoffs three times with Washington but won only one series. The Wizards lost to top-seeded Philadelphia this year. They allowed the most points in the NBA — that they made the postseason at all was a credit to the offensive

talent on hand. Bradley Beal averaged 31.3 points per game, finishing second in the league to Curry. Russell Westbrook averaged 22.2 points and a league-best 11.7 assists. Although his experience as an assistant and his familiarity with the organization made him an obvious candidate for the job, Unseld still described “almost a feeling of disbelief” when he finally received it.

“I’ve been through the process with other teams over the last three years. At times you felt like you were close, so you never wanted to jump ahead of yourself until you actually got that call,” Unseld said. “It’s always that internal battle of being excited but not too excited. Tommy and I had been talking five, six times a day, so to see his name pop up was not extraordinary — until he said what he said.”


ment. area.” EMPHIS, Tenn. — Faced For Nutbush resident He also cited a widespread fear the threat of overburdened of being unnecessarily exposed to fear of contracting the itals, states across the country matched with the worry th onverting convention centers, Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, Julythe 21, virus. 2021 “All around, people are scared,” could lose stores that are ts facilities and performance the neighborhood. Offici he said. es into backup treatment sites Their fears are not unfounded. ven’t said if stores would oronavirus patients. plea bargain. the Gateway facility was In this majority-black city along What some Memphis, TenUnder Obama, 197 were transIf they did, shopping wo the Mississippi River, lawmakers e, residents don’t get is why in ferred to other countries. come more and community leaders haveThe beenpossibility that difficult former for re r city, a shopping center in the Guantánamo prisoners would re- who ar for those sounding the alarm over what they especially dle of a predominantly black, sume hostile activities has long see as a disturbing trend of the vi- have no means of transpo income residential neighborbeen a concern that has played rus killing African Americans at a to stores located farther aw d has been chosen. into the debate over releases. The “For people who don’t higher rate. ty and state officials are conoffice of the Director of National do they Nutbush resident Patricia Har- car, ed that By anDino influx of patients Intelligence said what in a 2016 reportdo?” ask Hazell that about 17% the 728 detainThe Associated Press ris,ofwho spoke to The Ass ris wondered aloud if city officials m Memphis, as well as nearby ees who been while released were a bott lugging were “trying to contaminate” the hadPress sissippi, Arkansas and rural “confirmed” tergent, and 12% awere “sus- of bott WASHINGTON, D.C. — The package neighborhood. Tennessee, will strain hospipected” of reengaging in such acBiden administration took a step Activist Earle Fisher, an Afri- ter and other items from t Their fears areitsechoed tivities. toward goal of across shutting down ADRIAN SAINZ | AP PHOTO A Lot to herofcar. She note can American Memphis pastor, country:theGovernors, mayors But the vast majority those Guantánamo Bay detention grocery store recently clos understands the anxiety. “This health center experts in numerous reengagements occurred with for international terrorThis sus- Friday, April 3, 2020 photo, shows Gateway Shopping Center former prisoners who did not go pects on Monday, releasing into her house and she already is an honest and reasonable cones are also researching and in Memphis, Tenn. through security reviewtothat custody of his home country a farther get to Gat cern and skepticism,” Fisher said. thetravel tructingthemakeshift medical was set up under Obama. A task Moroccan who’d been held with“When we do things “I think it’s par for the course for ities. out charge almost since the U.S. force that included agencies such got to consider the black people to be righteously a Chinese restaurant and other Lee has disclosed a few: the Mun New York City, they’re turnas the Defense Department and people opened the facility 19 years ago. neighborhood,” skeptical of governmentaltheintersic City Center in Nashville, the businesses. o the Javits Center convention CIA analyzed who was heldshe at said. “W The transfer of Abdullatif NassGuantánamo and determined to make who the neighb er was the the first by the BidenChattanooga adwith need Locating a treatment center for vention that did not consult Convention Center, in Chicago, McCormick whoitshould ministration, reviving worseand than already is.” the Knoxville Expo Center — all coronavirus patients there pos- people on the ground first.”could be released e Convention Center; and an in Obama continue that sites had away from residential neigh- es two problems, residents say: U.S. Rep. Steve Cohen, Doug McGowen, the city’s chief in detention. dy, Utah,administration the Mountaineffort AmerThe U.S. thanked Morocco for been stymied, in part, by conserphis Democrat, said the d Gate- Nasser’s It could potentially expose them operating officer, said thefacilitating borhoods. Expo Center. transfer. vative opposition and by the diffidoesn’t make sense. way site was being considered beto the virus amid concerns that The Gateway Shopping Cenhe U.S. culty Army Corps of Engi“The United States commends of finding secure sites to send “I’m sure there accoms has been locations ter in the Nutbush neighborhood blacks are contracting COVID-19 cause it could potentially the Kingdom of Morocco for itsare othe somescouting of the detainees. long-time partnership in secur-and they A review board had recomTennessee, and officials here of Memphis is different. The cen- at higher rates; and it could force modate hundreds of beds. He said that would work, ing both countries’ national secu-rather t mended repatriation for Nasser, converted a treatment have used those compiled a list of 35 possi- ter features a Save A Lot grocery some of the stores they rely on to if it were ALEX BRANDON | AP to PHOTO rity interests,” the Pentagon statewho is in his mid-50s, in July 2016, site, it would hold only mildly ill into a residential neighbo backup sites. They haven’t re- store, a Rent-A-Center, a Fami- close. ment said. but he had remained at Guantána- In this Wednesday, April 17, 2019, file photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, the control tower is seen Cohen coronavirus patients Nutbush resident and commuly Dollar, a beauty supply shop, ed the whole list, but Gov. Bill In abe statement, thesaid. public prosemo under President Donald through the razor wire inside the Camp VI detention facility in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. who could

6

In step to shut Guantanamo, President Biden transfers Moroccan home

Trump, who opposed closing the site. In announcing Nasser’s trans- process” aimed at reducing the defer, the Pentagon cited the board’s tainee population at Guantánamo. White House press secretary Jen determination that his detention was no longer necessary to protect Psaki had said in February it was the “intention” of the Biden adminU.S. national security. Nasser, also known as Abdul istration to close the detention faLatif Nasser, arrived Monday in cility, something President Barack Morocco. Police took him into cus- Obama pledged to do within a year tody and said they would investi- shortly after he took office in Janugate him on suspicion of commit- ary 2009. Almost 800 detainees have ting terrorist acts. Nasser’s attorney in Morocco, passed through Guantanamo. Of Khalil Idrissi, said the years Nass- the 39 remaining, 10 are eligible to be transferred out, 17 are eligible to er spent in Guantánamo “werebin un-Salman, a son of King Salman, Associated Press the review process for justified and outside the law,assented and go through to the deal. he suffered remains a stain possible transfer, another 10 are in“I go with the consent, so I UBAI, what United Arab Emirof disgrace on the forehead of the volved in the military commission agree,” the prince said, chuckling, — OPEC, Russia and other process used to prosecute detainAmerican system.” drawing round applause from roducing The nations Sunday said two of have been convicted, State on Department in eesaand another seniorcall. administration ofstatement that President Joe on the video ized ana unprecedented pro- those said. administration would conBut ficial it had not been smiles and ion cut Biden’s of nearly 10 million The Biden and thorough laughs for weeksadministration after the didn’t soels, or atinue 10th “aof deliberate global supply,

PEC, oil nations agree o nearly 10M barrel cut

address how it would handle the ongoing effort to prosecute five men held at Guantánamo for the Sept. 11 attacks. It also has to resolve what it will do with detainees that the Obama administration particularly struggled with, either because their home countries were not considered secure enough to return them to, or because they were refused by third-party countries. The detention center opened in 2002. Bush’s administration transformed what had been a quiet Navy outpost on Cuba’s southeastern tip into a place to interrogate and imprison people suspected of links to al-Qaida and the Taliban. The Obama administration, seeking to allay concerns that some of those released had “returned to

the fight,” set up a process to ensure those repatriated or resettled in third countries no longer posed a threat. It also planned to try some of the men in federal court. But the closure effort was thwarted when Congress barred the transfer of prisoners from Guantánamo to the U.S., including for prosecution or medical care. The prisoner transfer process stalled under Trump, who said even before taking office there should be no further releases. “These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield,” Trump said. Under Trump, only one prisoner, a Saudi, was transferred to Saudi Arabia to serve the remainder of his sentence after he agreed to a

cutor at the Court of Appeal in Rabat said the National Division of the Judicial Police in Casablanca had been instructed to open an investigation into Nasser “on suspicion of committing terrorist acts.” Idrissi, Nasser’s attorney, said judicial authorities should not “take measures that prolong his torment and suffering, especially since he lived through the hell of Guantánamo.” Nasser’s journey to the Cuban prison was a long one. He was a member of a nonviolent but illegal Moroccan Sufi Islam group in the 1980s, according to his Pentagon file. In 1996, he was recruited to fight in Chechnya but ended up in Afghanistan, where he trained at an al-Qaida camp. He was captured after fighting U.S. forces there and was sent to Guantánamo in May 2002.

opes of boosting crashing pric- called OPEC+ group of OPEC mid the coronavirus pandemic members and other nations failed in March to reach an agreement a price war, officials said. This could be the largest re- on production cuts, sending pricion in production from OPEC es tumbling. Saudi Arabia sharply perhaps a decade, maybe lon- criticized Russia days earlier over said U.S. Energy Secretary what it described as comments Brouillette, who credited critical of the kingdom, which court calendar following Sessions’ By Amy Taxin ident Donald Trump’s decision. The Associated Press per- finds itself trying to appease Since the 2018 fiscal year, the l involvement in getting duel- Trump, a longtime OPEC critic. number of cases pending in the U.S. ATTORNEY General MerEven U.S. senators had warned parties to the table and helpimmigration courts has risen 74%, rick Garland tossed a Trump adSaudi Arabia to find a way to to end ministration a price warpolicy between to 1.3 million, according to data that barred boost prices as American shale di Arabiaimmigration and Russia. from the Transactional Records judges from putting firms face far-higher production il pricesoff have theof immiAccess Clearinghouse at Syracuse the collapsed deportationas cases University. on green cardscosts. and American troops had been navirus grants and waiting the COVID-19 SAUDI ENERGY Gene Hamilton, a key architect visas.have largely halt- deployed to the kingdom for the ss it causes of many of Trump’s immigration Garland overruled a decision by lobal travel and slowed down first time since the Sept. 11, 2001, In this photo released by Saudi Energy Ministry, Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al-Saud, Minist policies who served in the Justice then-Attorney General Jeff Sesover concerns of Irani- Energy of Saudi Arabia, third right, chairs a virtual summitDepartment, r energy-chugging of the Group energy saidof he20 believes Gar-minister sions that judgessectors could not attacks temas manufacturing. It has coordinate a response to plummet decision will let immigrants porarily shelve those cases an — aretaliation amid regional ten- his office in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Friday, April 10, 2020, toland’s stated practice the oilknown industry in sions. prices due to an oversupply in the market and a downturn instay global demand due to thedepandem in the country indefinitely as administrative spite facing deportation. closure. “They’ve spent over the last U.S., which now pumps more But some immigration judges judges, whomonth are waging war on American e than anyImmigration other country. said they can only use the practice employees of Garland’s Departpraise. Andrés ut somement producers have been oil producers while we are defend- that Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and the deal but its president, in a limited number of cases and of Justice, said the practice “The pure sizeef-of the cu Manuel López Obrador, had said the United Arab Emirates would ing theirs. This is not how friends ctant to helps ease them supply. The carthat it makes the courts more manage their dockets precedented, Friday that he had agreed with cut another 2 million barrels of treat friends,” said Sen. Kevin nd other nations on Sunday ficient, not less. Without it, but, some then ag more efficiently by letting them foimmigrants ishave up the fil- corona thewound impact cus on cases that are ready to Cramer, a Republican from North oil a day between them atop the Trump that the U.S. will compened to allow Mexico to cut only to go for asylum or ap- said M court a and avoid dragging on demand,” addapplications to having OPEC+ deal. The three countries sate what Mexico cannot ing Dakota, before the OPEC+ deal. 000 barrels month, a stick-in immipeal simply to buy Ghulam, more time while grants attorneys for unnecesmed an energy an U.S. producers have already did not immediately acknowledge the proposed cuts. point for an and accord initially waiting on their green card applisary hearings. That’s critical in a Raymond James. “The big Oil Deal with OPEC been reducing output. The Amer- the cut themselves, though Zanhed Friday after asystem marathon cation, Marks said. backlogged where immiBut and others hunicana Petroleum Institute laud- ganeh attended the video confer- Plus is done. This will save “It o conference 23years na- to get clutters up theGhulam system with grants between already wait may not enough. dreds of thousands of energy jobs itfilings s. The nations together agreed ed Sunday’s global pact, saying it ence. unnecessary and be unnecescourt date. PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP PHOTO sarysaid hearings,” “This she said. “It helps us clear our dockets is at least a tempo Officials said other planned cuts in the United States,” Trump will help get other nations’ stateut 9.7 million barrels a day The movelief also auton-industry so we’re that In June 25, 2021, file photo, Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on to thank forrestores the energy in a tweet. “I would like wouldGeneral stand in the deal, meaning oilthis production to follow the Attorney ughout May anddealing June. with cases owned omy to the country’s immigraare really ready for hearings,” said voting rights at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. he group reached the deal just lead of U.S. producers that are try- an 8-million-barrel-per-day cut and congratulate President Pu- the global economy. This i tion judges over how they manage Immigration Judge Dana Leigh too Jeremy big to be let to fail and of issaid from July through the end of the tin of Russia and King Salman s beforeMarks, Asian markets re- anding their dockets, McKinpresident emerita ex-to adjust to plunging demand. liance showed responsibil Saudi Arabia.” year and a 6-million-barrel cut for Brouillette said the U.S. did not ned Monday and as internaecutive vice president of the Na- said immigration judges too often migrants fleeing violence to quali- courts, is making rules related to ney, president elect of the Amerithis agreement,” said Per M The closure Kremlin saidal- President beginning in 2021. administrative make let commitments of country its own al benchmark Brent of crude can Immigration Lawyers Associand will fy months for asylum. people stay in the lon- 16 tional Association Immigration ation. Immigration judges low the practice in the meantime, In the will decision on immigration ger than they but should in aable sort oftoleJudges. Nysveen, theclashed head of ana Vladimir Putin held a joint call “This enable the rebalanccuts, was ed at just over $31 a barrel production repeatedly the Energy. Trump adthe attorney general wrote. judges, Garland wrote that gal obvious purgatory.— that plunging ing Forshale many immigrants, Rystad “Even tho with Trump and Saudi King Sal- with of the oil markets andthree the exshow the American producers adminDuring the Trump administra- ministration, decrying measures The decision is one of several federal appeals courts had already istrative closure was seen as a lifebecause of the pandem- pected rebound of prices by $15 man to express support of the production cuts are small ggle. line that shielded them fromdemand de- recent Biden administration re- rejected Sessions’ 2018 policy, say- tion, the number of cases in the they said limited their independeal. Itcourts also said Putin sep- what the market needed a in the term,” said ic is expected slash U.S. oil proideo aired by the while Saudi-owned dence. immigration surged, part-spoke ing barrel the judges hadshort the authoriversals oftoformer President Don- per portation they awaited word postpone the stock arately with Trump about the from Nigeria’s lite channel Al-Arabiya “Tooil say the immigration judg- buildi ly as some of the hundreds of thouto decide how they wanted to oil on their applications for legalduction. sta- ald Trump’s immigration policies. aty statement thisproblem, power wasthe wor of cases and that other had been put es never possessed handle cases. The Justice Depart- sandsmarket Last Oil month, Garland ended two ministry. from other straints issues. Iranian Minister Bijan Zanwed the tus moment thatagencies, Saudi such as simply ridiculous,” McKinney said. on hold Analysts were added back on the cautious which had runs the immigration that made for im- ment, greenPrince cards orAbdulaziz other visas. Critics now avoided.” offered Mexico initially blocked ganeh policies also told stateit harder television rgy Minister

Garland lets immigration judges put off deportation cases

& CREMATORY 522 North 2nd St. P.O. Box 7 Albemarle, NC 28002 Phone 704-983-1188

460 Branchview Dr. NE P.O. Box 367 Concord, NC 28026 Phone 704-786-1161

13575 Broadway Ave. P.O. Box 100 Midland, NC 28107 Phone 704-888-5571

www.hartsellfh.com

12115 University City Blvd. P.O. Box 219 Harrisburg, NC 28075 Phone 704-247-1722


Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

7

obituaries Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, April 15, 2020

7

obituaries Lester Deese

Geneva Moore

LESTER RITCHIE DEESE, 82, GENEVA THOMPSON of Richfield, passed away Monday, MOORE, age 89, born August 3, July 12, 2021 at Stanly Manor in 1931, went to eternal rest on Monday, Jason Tony Albemarle. July 12, 2021. Geneva was the Efird20, 1938 daughter of the late Smith Lester was born October Adam Lindsay in Ridgecrest to the late John Lester and Letha Mae Whitley ASON EUGENE “GENE” ONY MONROE Thompson. SMITH, 72, of Deese andEFIRD, Rose Ray Deese. She was Rockwell, also preceded in death 94,Ritchie went home to be with NC, went to beby with He washis also preceded inApril death her brother sister Lord Tuesday, 7, by 2020, at his his LordJoel andThompson Savior Jesusand Christ his beloved of 52 years, Phyllis Brenda Maurice. She is survived by homewife in Stanfield. on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at Gene was October his home surrounded byMoore family. A Hartsell Deese, whoborn passed away9, 1925, in son Melvin Thomas “Tom” County to the late Simeonand wife, private family service will be held. in 2010;Cabarrus brothers, Richard, George, Kolis (Whitley) Moore of andDeese, the latean Sarah Ella Albemarle. Online She condolences can be made at Theron,Jason John,Efird Benny is also survived by her Burris Efird. In addition to his infant brother; and sisters, Belezora sister,stanlyfuneralhome.com Juanita Hatley of Albemarle parents, he was precededLois in death Tony was born August 11, 1947 D. Almond, Mary D. Almond, D. byand numerous nieces and nephews. his wife, Jewell Little Efird; sisters, in Stanly County to the late Pearlie Almond, Letha D. Long, and Carrie Mrs. Moore was a retired CRNA Mary Lambert, Fannie Almond, Asbury Smith and Emmer Lee D. Barbee. fromSmith. MooreHe County Hospital and Minnie Furr, Wilma Burleson and was the son in law of Pat The Aileen graveside service celebrate afterand her Mick retirement, she worked in at Huskey; andtobrothers, Homer Cagle where he worked his life will be at 11am on Friday, July home health care for many years Efird, Getus Efird and Wayne Efird, the fish house for many years until 16, 2021Sr.at St. Martin’s Lutheran (untilhe age 85). She worked in Stanly, opened Anchor House Seafood Church Cemetery Albemarle, andHe Union counties A privatein funeral service will be Montgomery, in Rockwell. and his wife Becky officiated byon Rev. Dr. James her medical career. Geneva held Saturday, April 11, 2020 during owned and operated Anchor House Bernacki. He will lie in state Methodist prior to touched many with her special at Love’ s Grove United for 25 yearslives before retiring in 2009. Church Cemetery in Stanfield Mr. Smith was a charter the service on Friday from 8:30am care and compassion for hermember patients byFuneral Rev. JimHome White.of Burialand their and deacon at Open Door Baptist - 10amofficiated at Hartsell families. will follow at the Love’s Grove United Church in Richfield. He loved the Albemarle. Cemetery, Lord and his family abundantly. Tony He isMethodist survived Church by his son, Terry 4360 Polk Ford Road, Stanfield. was a wonderful husband, father, and (Lisa) Deese of Richfield; daughter, Survivors include son Gerald grandfather and could fix anything Leita (James) Moore of Myrtle Beach, Wayne (Gail) Efird of Albemarle; he put his hands on. SC; grandson, Hamilton Deese; daughter Lisa Efird (Mark) Hartsell Mr. Smith is survived by his wife and granddaughters, Alexandra, of Stanfield; granddaughters, Becky Cagle Smith of the home, Margaret, Arlayna, and Zayda Deese. Kelly Efird Barbee and Lauren sons Walter Smith and Robbie Lester was a(Justin) loving father, Hartsell Crump; and greatSmith; daughter Kayla Henderson grandfather, brother, friend. grandsons, Ian and Patrick Simmons and (Brandon); grandchildren Danielle, He wasElliot a retired truck driver with Jacob Simmons. Dustin, and Steele Smith, Keaton Unicon. He enjoyed spending time Memorials may be made to Love’s and Ella Henderson; brother David gardening and woodworking. Grove United Methodist Church, PO Smith; sisters Kay Kriechbaum,

J

T

Box 276, Stanfield, NC 28163-0276.

Karen Stevenson, Ruby Eudy, and Dorothy Smith (Nick). He is preceded in death by brothers Joe Smith, Wayne Smith, Claude Smith, Wade Smith, Robert Smith, and sister Mary Morris. Memorial contributions can be made to Open Door Baptist Church at 44563 Hwy 52, Richfield, NC 28137 or to Hospice & Palliative Care JAMES DALE BURLESON of Cabarrus County at 5003 Hospice Lane, Kannapolis, NC 28081. (DOBBER), 84, of Locust, passed

Joseph Speight JOSEPH BOYD SPEIGHT, 70, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at Atrium Health Merle University City in Charlotte. Joe was Helms born April 8, 1951 in Stanly County to the lateERLE JosephLORRAINE Gad SpeightAUSTIN and the late Ramona Elizabeth Holt Speight. HELMS, 72, of Marshville, He is alsoaway preceded in death by8, his passed Wednesday, April sister, SpeightHospice Stewart.House 2020Donna at McWhorter inHe Monroe. is survived by his sons, Jay Lorraine was born April 28, 1947 (Meredith) Speight and Chris in Monroe to thebrothers, late Homer David (Ashley) Speight; Tim Austin and Jewell Delphia-Jane (Wendy) Speight and Dale (Sherrie) Austin.four She was also preceded in Speight; grandchildren, death by brothers, A.D. and William, Olivia, Ruthie, andTeddy Zach Austin;nephews and sister,and Joy niece, Austin.Kyle, Speight; The family will receive friends Emily and Sammy Speight; brotherfrom 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm, Friday, in-law, Don Stewart and love of his April 10, 2020 at Hartsell Funeral life Debra Home of Morgan. Albemarle. The funeral Despite allbethe service will at achievements 11:00 am on inSaturday Joe’s life,athePleasant was most of Hillproud Baptist hisChurch sons -in Jay and Chrisofficiated and his Marshville, grandchildren. He loved them more by Rev. John Miller and Rev. Leon Whitley. She will lie in state for 30 than anything in the world. minutes priorwill to the service. She will The family receive friends on be laid toJuly rest in church cemetery. Thursday, 22,the 2021 from 5pm She survivedFuneral by her beloved - 8pm atisHartsell Home of husband ofThere 47 years, Albemarle. willPaul be aHelms private of the home; son, Alex (Deanna) intimate graveside service for family Helms of Pageland; daughter, Paula and close friends at Stanly Gardens of (Cristin Brandt) Helms of Mint Hill; Memory. grandchildren, Mason, Grant, and

P Mitchell Coble

daughters, Gay Michel (Jack),

Coble and late Edith Mauldin Oakthe Island, NC; Pamela Rushing Coble. (Foreman), Oakboro, NC; Kathy ToddHunt worked for Hendrick (Marc), Albemarle, NC; her Motorsports for over 20 (Chris years.Lear), He son, Chris Tucker DC. She willat bethe greatly enjoyedWashington, grilling, spending time missed by her five grandchildren, beach, and spending time with his Heather Rushing Chaney (Shannon), family and friends. Everyone loved Michael Rushing, Elizabeth Michel his dry wit and his “Toddisms of Life”. Hartzog (Craig), Michel, Jr. Survivors include hisJack loving (Jenn), Woody Hunt as well as companion of and 18 years, Jennifer seven great-grandchildren. She also Mabry of Oakboro, NC; brother, leaves behind cherished nieces and Chris (Eva) Coble of Oakboro; nephews. nephew, Justin (Rebecca) Coble; The family expresses its sincere niece, Lindsey (Jonathan) gratitude to the staffMaulden, and caregivers and their Easton and Ellie at children, Trinity Place for the care they Jo Maulden; mother-in-law, Sherry provided Pauline. Mabry; brother-in-law, Stuart A private graveside service will be (Jenny)held Mabry, and their children, on Monday, April 13, 2020. A of Pauline’s life and legacy Jax andcelebration Essa Mabry. will be held this summer. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the BrightFocus Foundation at www. brightfocus.org.

D

J

Raegan Helms; brothers, Boyce, Royce, Tim Austin; and sisters, Patricia Mullis, and Angel Tarleton. Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4600 Park Rd., Suite 250, Charlotte, NC 28209.

his lake house with his family and friends as well as vacationing with his family. Danny and Denise enjoyed listening to beach music and loved to shag dance every chance they could get. He was an amazing father, loving grandfather and great friend to many. He will never be forgotten. A celebration of life will be announced once the current COVID-19 restrictions are lifted. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Luther family.

great-grandchildren, Britlyn-Eve Washington, Robert Setzer, George (Sara) Setzer, Tracy (Rob) Setzer Bumgardener, Katie Underwood, Andrew Underwood, Step great great grandchild, Waylon George Setzer and brother Donald Lewis Fincher of Albemarle, NC. Jerry Fincher will be laid to rest on Wednesday April 8,2020 at 11:00 am at Canton Baptist Church. Anyone interested in attending, please RSVP at 704-796-2412. Dr. Phil McCray and Pastor Tommy Fincher will officiate.

Keith Herlocker

KEITH CRAIG HERLOCKER, SR., 72, of Palestine, passed away Friday, July 16, 2021 at his home. Keith was born November 23, 1948 in North Carolina to the late James Calvin Herlocker and the late Mabel Speights Herlocker. He was also preceded in death MICHAEL BRIAN HELMS, by sisters, Linda Sides and Carolyn 49, of Stanfield, passed away July 16, Sides, and brother-in-laws, Raymond 2021 in Green Mountain, NC. Sides and Robert Sides. He was born April 14, 1972 in Survivors include wife, Linda Cabarrus County to Jerry and Elaine Blalock Herlocker of Palestine, Patricia (Yow) Helms. Michael NC, children, Keith Craig (Regina) worked for a Plant Nursery for Herlocker Jr., John Michael (Karen) many years in which he thoroughly Herlocker, grandchildren, Keith enjoyed. He graduated from Herlocker III, Marina Herlocker, Western Carolina University where Seldon Herlocker, Jacob Herlocker, he majored in geography. Michael Chad Melton, and Gabriel Kulbe all enjoyed the outdoors and had a of Badin, NC. unique understanding when it came Keith served in the Army during to plants and trees. In his free time the Vietnam War. He was a fan of he would be found listening to music NASCAR and any automobiles, and he loved to read. Michael will especially Chevrolets and Hot Rods. be remembered for his adventurous Keith also enjoyed reading science nature and his love for his family. fiction and watching the Discovery Michael will be sorely missed by all Channel. His last job was working at who knew and loved him. the school bus garage as a mechanic. Michael is survived by his loving Most importantly he was a loving parents Jerry Wayne Helms and husband, father, and grandfather. Patricia Yow Helms and his sister, He was his wife’s Best Friend and Joan Helms. soulmate, and Best Friend to his He wasloved preceded in death by his Celebrate the life ofgrandfather your children and grandchildren. Keith’s Cecil Yow, grandmother family will cherish hisSubmit memory andobituaries Carra Yow, and paternal grandmother ones. he will be missed always and forever. Helms, paternal grandfather death notices to beLucille published in Paul Helms.

Michael Helms

Linda John McRae Hatley

JOHN EDWARD “EDDIE” INDA TUCKER HATLEY, 69, of MCRAE, 66, of Richfield, passed passed away Monday, away Albemarle, Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at AprilManor 13, 2020. Stanly in Albemarle. Lindawas wasborn bornAugust September 18, Eddie 19, 1954 in Carolina Concord to and in1950 North tothe thelate lateJacob Harry Claris Tucker. Sheand wasthe alsolate preceded McEachin McRae in death by her McRae. brother, Terry Lee Robbie Sharkey Tucker, and her twin sister, Brenda He was also preceded in death by Tucker Strickland. We know Brenda sister, Angela Lynn McRae. and Linda are in Heaven watching Survivors sister, Donna over us and include laughing. Lea (Mark) Robinson Iron Station, Linda was a lovingof mother, sister, HIRLEY MAE HAIRE, 73, NC, brother, William Anderson and “Nana.” She was a very giving of Albemarle passed away on (Sandy) McRae of York, SC, niece, and loving person. Linda would April 11, 2020 at Atrium Health April (Bobby) Robinson Bridges, always do anything she could for Stanly. The family will hold a private others, Mitchell especially(Mari) her family. She nephew, Robinson, graveside service for Mrs. Haire. enjoyed working atRobinson FastShop #5, great-nieces, Briley and Shirley was born December 12, Locust. Linda will be forever loved Laura Robinson, great-nephew, Max 1946 in Washington, DC to the and greatly missed. Robinson, uncle, Jon (Karen) McRae, late Charles Richard Bateman and Survivors includeHiggins. her son, Elizabeth Mae Mulligan Bateman. and friend, Timothy Alan Hatley and wife, Angela, Shirley is survived by her husband Eddie graduated from Westof Albemarle; brother, Ronnie Tucker of 30 years Vaughn Smith of Mecklenburg High School in 1972. and wife, Linda, of Midland; Albemarle; sister Sandra Painter After he graduated, he Hatley; and his1 granddaughter, Leslie of Gainesville, VA; half-brother mother had a nephews. business refinishing niece; and 2 Robert Bateman of Stevensville, furniture. He enjoyed riding his The family will receive friends MD; step-children Heather Smith motorcycle, was-a6:00 member of the from 4:00 pm pm, Thursday, of Jacksonville, FL and David Sons of16, the2020 Confederacy, enjoyed April at Hartselland Funeral Smith of New London, NC; 4 reading Confederate history and Home in Albemarle. Linda will step-grandchildren; nieces Cyndi be laid to rest during a private family history. Hentschel of Leesburg, VA and

L

S

Cheryl Hardy of Aylett, VA; 16 grandnieces and nephews; and Gus the dog. Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Haire family.

JOE BLAKE passed away at JOY PHILLIPY, 95, of New Atrium Health Stanly on July 14th, London, passed away Wednesday, 2021 at the age of 86. July 14, 2021 at her home. Danny Jerry Joe is predeceased by his son, She was born May 13, 1926 in JosephFincher Blake. Arizona toLuther the late William Arthur He is survivedpassed by hisfrom loving wife, Hefley and the late Alma Koch ANNY PAUL LUTHER, ERRY FINCHER Evelyn, 58 years. Joeatis8:05 lovingly Hefley. additionpassed to her away husband 65, ofInNorwood, this life onofApril 3, 2020 by hisby grandson, James Robert PhillipyApril she was unexpectedly Thursday, 9, also pm. remembered He was surrounded his familyTyler, his the many nieces preceded in death by Stanly her three 2020 at Atrium Health in sisters,and and holding hand of theand lovenephews. of was born in Georgeville, one brother and a granddaughter, his life. Mr. Albemarle. JerryBlake is preceded in death North Carolina August 4, 1934. Mr. Luther was born March 27, by three siblings, two on brothers, Billy Michelle. 1955Survivors to the lateinclude Robert Fulton and Gilbert and Larry Richard HeFincher, attended Oakboro High School daughter, Helen Tucker Luther. Barbra Joyce and and wentone onsister, to serve in the United Phyllis Arnold; sons, William RobertFincher, Dannyand was Charles survivedKevin by his wife, States Army for eight years. After Phillipy Phillipy; Moore. Denise Burleson Luther of Norwood; He survived by his wife, Eleanor heiswas discharged, he attended grandchildren, Tom (Laurie), Bill sons, Jeremy (Karen) Luther and KateWinston-Salem Fincher of the home, daughter, Barber School (Sarah), Beth (Jeramy), Charlotte, Jody Luther; step-sons, Bryan Fincher Jacobstoofwork Wingate and proceeded as a barber Sarah, Jamie, John (Hannah), and Cindy Whitley and Gregg (Anita) Whitley; NC., son and daughter in law, Tommy for 10 years. After that, he was an James (Mackenzie); Grandchildren, Daniel numerous Luther andgreat (Tiffany) Fincher of New London salesman grandchildren and four great-great Hunter Zado, as well as his brother, NC.,accomplished Step Children,car Jimmy (Lisa) at Lum’s Ford until retiring at the(Bob) age of 65. grandchildren. Bob Luther Jr (Lorena), uncle Jack Lanier of Locust NC, Wanda Joe enjoyed golfing, fishing, Luther and several other loved nieces, Krimminger of Locust NC., Eric gardening, andNC., serving his nephews and cousins. (Sharon) Lanier singing, of Charlotte Church family at South Albemarle Danny recently retired from Grandchildren-Trey (Gera) Whitson Baptist Step-grandchildren, Church, where he taught Charlotte Pipe and Foundry after of Midland, a dedicated 37 years and worked ZachSunday (Brittney) Washington, school, and led Aaron the church there with his sons and several other (Kinsey) Caleb (Nayeli) choirWashington, for three years. He also loved friends and family members. Washington, spendingBeth time(Robbie) with hisSetzer, friends and Danny loved spending time at Matthew ( April ) Wallace, Step family.

M

James Burleson

away Monday, July 12, 2021 at home surrounded by his family. Dobber was born December 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Ira Burleson and the late Ethel Burleson. Pauline He was also preceded in death Tucker by wife, Patricia Gail Burleson, and seven siblings. AULINE ELIZABETH ALMOND TUCKER, 98, passed Survivors include children, away peacefully at Trinity Place, Kelly Morgan, Pam Burris, Jerry Burleson, Kathy Teeter, and Christy Albemarle, NC onCOBLE, April 11, 2020. MITCHELL TODD 60, Rouse; 10 grandchildren, 21 greatPauline was born on March 22, of Oakboro, passed away Tuesday, 1922 in Cabarrus County, NC to the grandchildren, sisters, Margaret July 13, 2021 at Atrium Health late John Richard Almond and AliceAldridge, Shirley Giles, brother, Cabarrus in Concord. Shirley Ada Ann Lambert Almond. Claude Burleson, and many nieces Todd was May 19, in Sheborn is survived by1961 her three and nephews. Haire Stanly County to the late Harold Bill

Joe Blake

Joy Phillipy

SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

committal service at Bethel United Methodist Church, Midland. In lieu of flowers, please consider a memorial donation to Bethel UMC, 12700 Idlebrook Rd, Midland, NC 28107.

Simple, Affordable, Convenient Available 24 Hours a Day

Southern Piedmont Cremation Services provides a basic cremation service for families who have experienced the loss of a loved one and do not desire a traditional funeral or farewell ceremony. When your loved one passes simply call our office and our professional team will come as quickly as possible and bring your loved one into our care. Phone: 704-985-4851

Fax: 704-550-5508

Email: care@spcremation.com


8

Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

STATE & NATION

Biden and Sanders, once rivals, are now partners in power By Lisa Mascaro The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Talkers both, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders stayed for an hour in the Oval Office, just two former rivals for the White House now acting as potential partners, negotiating a compromise both could live with. The president listened as the liberal senator spoke. Sanders passionately made his case that Biden’s big infrastructure investment should go even bigger — and include his own longtime goal of dental, hearing and vision benefits for older Americans on Medicare. The president gave his full backing, ac-

cording to a senior White House aide and another person familiar with the private session, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe a private meeting. Together, they are trying to unite the political factions of progressives and centrists in the sprawling Democratic Party, which controls Congress by only the narrowest of margins in the House and a 5050 Senate, with no votes to spare around the president’s $3.5 trillion national rebuilding proposal. In their sights is a legislative feat on par with Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal or Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society. For two political leaders in the twilight of decade-

slong careers, it is the chance of a lifetime and the stuff of legacies. “We’re going to get this done,” Biden said Wednesday as he entered the private lunch room at the Capitol. Biden encouraged the senators to think of the good they could do for people across America, investing in places like Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he was born, who feel that the party is not in touch with working people’s pain. The president gave a nod to Sanders, who noted their past rivalry and yet spoke with similar urgency about the moment before them — how the future of democracy rests with how well they can connect with people who feel the government has forgotten them. When it came time for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to call on senators who had raised their hands to speak, there were no pointed questions or objections, only enthusiasm, according to a person in the room who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting. Senators emerged enthralled by the possibility of doing something

big for the country. “Truly transformative,” Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said, using a word both Biden and Sanders now share. The relationship between Biden and Sanders goes back years, the president having already spent decades in the Senate by the time the Vermont lawmaker was elected in 2006. While Biden was the ultimate senator’s senator, Sanders has always been an outsider on Capitol Hill, a declared independent, rather than member of the Democratic Party, with his rumpled suits, gruff demeanor and unrelenting focus on liberal causes. Once seen as outlandish, Sanders’ views have captivated millions of Americans who filled arenas to hear him speak. He almost won the party’s presidential nomination in 2016, but was defeated by Hillary Clinton, and again in 2020, before he lost to Biden. In returning to the Senate, Sanders quickly became a focal point of Republicans opposed to Biden’s agenda. The president intends to finance his plan with tax

hikes on corporations and Americans making more than $400,000 a year. Republicans see Sanders as an influencer, alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and other prominent progressives, pushing the president to liberal extremes. “The president may have won the nomination, but Bernie Sanders won the argument,” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said recently back home in Kentucky, on the same day he said he was “100% focused” on stopping Biden’s agenda. With Republicans opposed in lockstep to Biden’s broader proposal, Democrats are pressing ahead on the more robust package they could pass on their own, under special budget rules of 51 votes for passage rather than the 60 typically needed to overcome objections from a filibuster. If Biden, Sanders and Schumer can keep all 50 Democratic senators united, Vice President Kamala Harris can cast a tiebreaking vote. Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi has a similarly slim margin in the House.

SUSAN WALSH | AP PHOTO

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., finishes talking to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C., Monday, July 12, 2021, following his meeting with President Joe Biden.

South Dakota’s Noem taking swings at potential 2024 hopefuls By Stephen Groves The Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa — Long before the first presidential nomination contest of 2024, most potential Republican candidates are just getting a sense of the political landscape, tiptoeing through early-voting states and trying to make friends in key places. Then there’s Kristi Noem. The South Dakota governor has come out swinging as she tries to carve a niche among an early crowd of possible GOP rivals for the White House. Her combative style, no surprise to those who follow her, is evidence of how competitive the nomination race will be if Donald Trump stays on the sidelines. Noem charged into Iowa over the weekend singing a battle hymn and armed with barbed comments for her fellow GOP governors. At a conservative gathering in Des Moines, she told the crowd she “really hates this America” under President Joe Biden’s leadership, then led them in singing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” But Noem didn’t just take aim at political foes. She also unleashed sharp-edged comments on those within her own party, accusing fellow GOP governors of “rewriting history” by claiming they kept their states open during the pandemic.

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL | AP PHOTO

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks during the Family Leadership Summit, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa. “To pretend that they didn’t take actions that they had no authority to take isn’t standing on truth,” she told reporters Friday. It’s easy to see why the 49-yearold governor, who is known as a scorched-earth campaigner in her home state, is elbowing out anyone trying to claim a more handsoff approach to the pandemic. She doesn’t have the experience of working alongside Trump, like Mike Pence, Nikki Haley or Mike Pompeo — all of whom have visited the presidential-proving

ground of Iowa in recent days. Other potential rivals like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have the advantage of governing states that figure prominently in national politics. The pandemic was rocket fuel for Noem’s political rise. While she had been laying the groundwork to build a national profile and looking for ways to make South Dakota a testing ground for conservative policies, she jumped on decrying coronavirus restric-

tions early. Conservatives nationwide have since made efforts to try to halt the pandemic’s spread into a favorite punching bag. At the Family Leadership Summit, where Noem spoke alongside Pence, Pompeo and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, speakers warned that government restrictions were eroding personal liberties. DeSantis has even begun selling “Don’t Fauci My Florida” merchandise to raise money for his gubernatorial reelection campaign, taking aim at another favorite target, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Noem didn’t mention DeSantis by name during a Sunday speech at another conservative conference in Texas, but seemed to single him out when she accused other GOP governors of “pretending” they didn’t shut down their beaches. “All I’m saying is that we need leaders with grit. That their first instinct is to make the right decision,” Noem told the audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference. But as an early wave of virus cases hit her state in the spring of last year, Noem initially stepped in. She declared an emergency and told schools to close, urged a meatpacking plant to temporarily shutter after an outbreak among workers, and even issued a stay-at-

home order in two hard-hit counties for people over 65 or vulnerable to the virus. While Noem never ordered businesses to close, many did so anyway. And city leaders, frustrated with Noem’s inaction, issued their own orders that forced many to shutter for weeks in the spring. As the response to the virus became increasingly politicized, however, Noem moved to the forefront of governors railing against government orders. By June of 2020, her message had shifted: “More freedom, not more government is the answer.” With an eye on the economic and mental health ripple effects of the pandemic, she frequently touted the fact that her state has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and a growing economy. She refused to urge people to wear masks in public. Instead, the state spent more in federal coronavirus funds on an ad campaign inviting tourists to visit than it did on public health advertising. It’s not clear how her record on the virus would play beyond the Republican base. South Dakota recorded the nation’s 10th highest COVID-19 death rate. Midwest states with far more aggressive approaches to mitigating the pandemic saw similar outcomes, however. “When I ran for governor I ran on it being an example to the nation,” she told the crowd Friday. “I had no idea that that was going to happen through a pandemic.”


VOLUME 3 ISSUE 43 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021

Twin City Herald

ROSS D. FRANKLIN | AP PHOTO

NBA finals Phoenix Suns guard Chris Paul, middle, huddles with head coach Monty Williams, bottom left, center Deandre Ayton (22) and teammates during the second half of Game 5 of basketball's NBA Finals against the Milwaukee Bucks, Saturday, July 17, 2021, in Phoenix.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

Area hospitals dangerously low on blood The Associated Press

Neighbors oppose weekly turkey shoots Forsyth County Several Kernersville residents are up in arms over weekly turkey shoots being held behind a local business, a short distance from their back yards. The owner of the Little Cedar Grocery on High Point Road got a temporary permit to hold the shooting events regularly, and neighbors can hear the gunshots from their home. The owner has set up 20 targets on the property and began hosting shooting events on Saturday nights last year. Residents have taken concerns over noise, safety and property values to the local planning board. FOX 8

Belews Lake Park receives conservation grant Forsyth County Belews Lake Park received a grant to help with conservation efforts. The award, from the North Carolina Land and Water Fund, formerly named the Clean Water Management Trust Fund, consists of 640,000, which will be used to preserve 216 acres to serve as the first-ever public access point for the lake, which covers almost 4,000 acres. Overall, the organization awarded $20 million in grants to fund 65 projects around the state. NCLWF

Winston-Salem moves up list of best places to live Forsyth County US News & World Report released its annual list of best places in the U.S. to live, and Winston-Salem has jumped up the rankings. The city came in at No. 46 out of the 150 metropolitan areas rated, up 13 spots from last year’s list. The magazine also ranked the area No. 35 among places to retire, No. 16 among safest places to live. It was the third best area to live in the state, behind the Triangle, which was No. 2 overall, and Charlotte, which was No. 20. US NEWS & WORLD REPORT

WINSTON-SALEM — Leaders of the agencies that provide blood to some North Carolina hospitals say the easing of the coronavirus pandemic has created potentially dangerous shortages. As people get out and about more, injuries from car crashes and other traumas are increasing, and the backlog of surgical procedures delayed by the pandemic have driven up demand for blood and platelets. The Red Cross estimates that demand for blood is up by 10 percent at trauma centers. Meanwhile, fewer organizations are hosting blood drives and fewer individuals are coming in to donation centers. The Red Cross said that, with blood being distributed from the organization to area hospitals faster than it’s being collected, there’s the danger that some pro-

cedures may be delayed due to a lack of available blood. Delisha English, president and CEO of The Blood Connection, said her agency cannot keep up with what she calls an unprecedented need for blood. “We’re experiencing a blood shortage that can last for several weeks if the community doesn’t take immediate action,” English said. At a news conference, English said donations at the agency are down 30%. She attributed some of the “unprecedented low donor turnout” to people rediscovering travel and other activities they missed. Good numbers of people donated at the height of the pandemic last year at The Blood Connection, perhaps because people had more time on their hands or wanted to do their part in response to the national health crisis, she said. She’s

hoping more people find that motivation again. Blood supplies often dwindle during summer months. Blood drives are frequently held at colleges and high schools, which are not in session or have drastically reduced student populations during summer months. The American Red Cross has been warning of a summer blood shortage for weeks. Nationwide, the agency said, it needs to collect more than 1,000 additional blood donations each day to meet the spike in demand for emergencies, organ transplants and elective surgeries. The Blood Connection and the Red Cross must maintain a steady flow of donations because they said blood and platelets can’t be frozen or stockpiled.

“We’re experiencing a blood shortage that can last for several weeks if the community doesn’t take immediate action." Delisha English, president and CEO of The Blood Connection

TCH Staff contributed to this report.

WWE leaves virtual Winston-Salem’s Crocker reality behind in 1st tour named to WCU board since 2020 TCH staff

The Associated Press

without its “Yes!” chants or “This is Awe-some!” singsongs once the pandemic relegated the company to running empty arena matches every week with a piped-in soundtrack and virtual fans. No more. With most American sports leagues settled in to their old routines, WWE ditched its stopgap home in Florida and resumed touring last Friday night with “Smackdown” from Houston, a pay-per-view Sunday in Texas and Dallas on Monday for the flagship “Raw” TV show on USA. WWE spruced up sets, brought back old stars and hit the reset button on TV programming humbled with record-low ratings and a strong need for new stars. “I do think if we were doing this in front of the live crowd, it would have been a situation that would have made me an even better performer,” Reigns said. “As a live performer, that simultaneous response keeps you sharp. We had to adjust and adapt to the times that were in front of us.” With Hulk Hogan in the house, WWE held their only WrestleMania with fans this past April

PHILADELPHIA — Triple H walked with his arms crossed like an X — his signature Degeneration X symbol — with his 7-foot tag-team partner, Joel Embiid, to ring a ceremonial bell last month before a Philadelphia 76ers playoff game. His theme music blared through the arena, and nearly 19,000 fans hanging from the rafters roared when the wrestler hoisted his bad-guy weapon-ofchoice sledgehammer and struck the bell. Sure, the setting wasn’t WrestleMania — though Triple H lost a match in the same building when the event was held there in 1999 — but for the superstar-turned-executive, the frenzied atmosphere was a reminder of what WWE lost during the 16 months it ran without live events and raucous crowds. “It was a fun opportunity to get back into an arena packed full of fans and have them go nuts,” said Triple H, known these days as WWE executive Paul Levesque. “That adrenaline rush, there’s nothing like it.” WWE hasn’t been the same See WWE, page 2

WINSTON-SALEM — The North Carolina General Assembly appointed Joseph Crocker of Winston-Salem to the Western Carolina University Board of Trustees. Crocker joined William Brawley of Matthews, also named to the WCU board. The board appointments are from July 1 of this year until June 30, 2025. Crocker and Brawley are replacing outgoing board members Joyce Dugan and John Lupoli whose terms expired on June 30. Crocker was previously the director of Local Impact in Forsyth County at the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust before his retirement in December 2019. According to a release from Western Carolina, Crocker “is well known for his extensive civic career across the Carolinas. With the Trust, Crocker implemented programs that improved the lives of Forsyth County’s financially disadvantaged residents.” Crocker’s prior positions included director of operations for the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation, assistant secretary for community development for the North Carolina Department of Commerce, and senior vice president at Wachovia Corporation. Crocker is a WCU alumnus with

a degree in business administration, and later pursued a career in banking services. He has additional finance training from the North Carolina School of Banking at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, the University of Oklahoma, and the American Institute of Banking, among others. Crocker lives in Winston-Salem with his wife, Carol. Brawley was a four-term state representative for District 103 who helped pass the Strategic Transportation Investments law, the Human Trafficking Restorative Justice Act, and several University Non-Appropriated Capital Projects bills. As a senior chairman of the House Finance Committee, he was involved in writing the budget and in tax reform. He served as co-chairman of the Virginia-North Carolina High Speed Rail Compact for six years. Brawley previously served two terms as a commissioner for the Town of Matthews and served 11 years as an appointed park commissioner for Mecklenburg County. A North Carolina native, Brawley is a U.S. Army veteran and has a degree in accounting from UNC Charlotte. His career began in a Charlotte-based utility in 1978. His early use of computers in government filings and financial modeling led to a career in the application of technology.


Twin City Herald for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

2 WEDNESDAY

7.21.21

WEEKLY FORECAST

#147

WEDNESDAY

JULY 21

HI LO PRECIP

“Join the conversation” Twin City Herald

90° 68° 10%

THURSDAY

JULY 22

HI LO PRECIP

89° 69° 5%

FRIDAY

JULY 23 HI LO PRECIP

91° 69° 19%

SATURDAY HI LO PRECIP

MONDAY

SUNDAY

JULY 24

JULY 26

JULY 25

88° 70° 24%

HI LO PRECIP

89° 71° 24%

HI LO PRECIP

90° 71° 31%

TUESDAY

JULY 27

HI LO PRECIP

90° 70° 24%

OPINION | MICHAEL BARONE

Joe Biden’s big lie

Publisher Neal Robbins

Editor Shawn Krest

Sports Editor Cory Lavalette

Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Design Editor Lauren Rose Published each Wednesday as part of the North State Journal. 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609 (704) 269-8461 INFO@TWINCITYHERALD.COM TWINCITYHERALD.COM

TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or online at nsjonline.com Annual Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. and at additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Stanly County Journal 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Albemarle, N.C. 28001.

DID YOU KNOW that Black people are not going to be allowed to vote in America anymore? At least in states controlled by Republicans. Sounds a bit unlikely, but that’s a conclusion you might have come to if you took seriously what President Joe Biden said in Philadelphia Tuesday. Biden decried Republicans’ proposed changes in election laws as “the 21st century Jim Crow assault” that tries “to suppress and subvert the right to vote in fair and free elections, an assault on democracy.” This is, to be polite, unhinged nonsense. Biden is old enough to remember what real Jim Crow voter suppression was like. It meant zero Black people voting in places like Mississippi. It meant threats and violence against Black people who tried to register to vote. It meant unfair application of literacy tests and poll taxes. Requiring voters to present photo ID is nothing like this: Large majorities think it’s reasonable. Measures such as reducing the number of pre-election voting days in Georgia (there are zero in Biden’s Delaware) or ending pandemic-inspired measures like drive-through voting in Harris County, Texas, are not the same. Not even close. Early in his speech, Biden denounced “the big lie,” a reference to Donald Trump’s claims that he actually won the 2020 election. But Biden’s Jim Crow charge is an even clearer instance of the big lie — and a more dangerous one — since it’s unlikely to be fact-checked by most media. If you want people to condemn a big lie, don’t tell one yourself. In his criticism of Trump, Biden invoked a long-standing norm of American politics. “In America, if you lose, you accept the results.

You follow the Constitution. You try again. You don’t call the facts ‘fake’ and then try to bring down the American experiment just because you’re unhappy.” He spoke these words, apparently unaware that they could be applied to him and his own party. You might not understand this if your only news sources were the New York Times or CNN. But if you try to look at it, as Darryl Cooper does in the leftist Glenn Greenwald’s Substack, you might recall that Hillary Clinton and other Democrats did not accept the results of 2016 election and spent months advancing the Russia collusion hoax to delegitimize and end the Trump presidency. “We now know,” Cooper wrote, “that the FBI and other intelligence agencies conducted covert surveillance against members of the Trump campaign based on evidence manufactured by political operatives working for the Clinton campaign, both before and after the election.” He went on: “We know that those involved with the investigation knew that accusations of collusion were part of a campaign ‘approved by Hillary Clinton... to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.” As Cooper noted, for months, many Trump supporters worried that there might be substance to the Russia collusion charges. Democrats insisted there was. News media like the NYT and CNN ignored or ridiculed efforts by the likes of House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes to show there was nothing there. Nunes was right, as became apparent when special counsel Robert Mueller admitted in his report — and in his pathetic performance

on Capitol Hill — that he had no evidence of collusion. But the Times and other papers didn’t return the Pulitzers they won for their Russia collusion stories. The Times’ executive editor Dean Baquet acknowledged in an angry newsroom meeting: “The day Bob Mueller walked off the witness stand... [o]ur readers who want Donald Trump to go away suddenly thought, ‘Holy s—-, Bob Mueller is not going to do it.’” As a result, “We’re a little tiny bit flat-footed. I mean, that’s what happens when a story looks a certain way for two years.” “A little tiny bit flat-footed,” translated into English, means “dead wrong.” Have Baquet or other news media leaders confessed error for their misjudgments? Have any Democrats who pursued the Russia collusion hoax like Inspector Javert confessed error? Not that I’ve seen. Back in January, I wrote that Trump’s words to the Jan. 6 crowd “were uttered with a reckless disregard that they’d provoke violence that any reasonable person could find impeachable.” But calls for comity and confession of error are unpersuasive coming from people who haven’t shown comity or confessed error themselves. Democrats who want to restore respect for the electoral process need to stop calling harmless changes in election laws “voter suppression” and a return to Jim Crow. They and their media protectors need to apologize for their yearslong campaign to de-legitimize Donald Trump’s presidency by advancing a baseless hoax. Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime coauthor of The Almanac of American Politics.

DEATH NOTICES

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ BARBER, WILLIAM LEE was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 920 BROOKSTOWN AV on 7/17/2021 ♦ BENTHALL, WENDALL was arrested on a charge of VIO. PROTECTIVE ORDER BY COURTS ANOTHER STATE/ INDIAN TRIBE at 4004 LEO ST on 7/17/2021 ♦ CALABRETTA, EMILY ROSE was arrested on a charge of LARC BY EMPLOYEES at 2835 REYNOLDA RD on 7/17/2021 ♦ CALDWELL, KEVIN LAMAR was arrested on a charge of BREAKING/ LARC-FELONY at 1106 SALEM VALLEY RD on 7/17/2021 ♦ CALDWELL, LATEEF ANTONIO was arrested on a charge of ADW INFLICT INJURY at WAKE FOREST BAPTIST on 7/18/2021 ♦ CAMPBELL, ROY GEORGE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULTPOINT GUN at 2356 S STRATFORD RD on 7/15/2021 ♦ CARSON, TINA LAKEI was arrested on a charge of CONTRIB DELINQ MINOR at 5599 FAIRWAY FOREST DR/SALEM TRAIL CT on 7/18/2021 ♦ Crockett, Cedric Lemart (M/29) Arrest on chrg of 1) Poss Cocaine Fel (F), 2) Drug Paraphernalia (M), 3) Weap-poss By Felon (F), and 4) Ccw (M), at 2400 Newark St/e Twentyfifth St, Winston-salem, NC, on 7/18/2021 20:15. ♦ Crockett, Christopher Shaquan (M/27) Arrest on chrg of 1) Poss Cocaine Fel (F) and 2) Ccw (M), at 2400 Newark St/e Twenty-fifth St, Winston-salem, NC, on 7/18/2021 20:15.

FIFTH ST on 7/16/2021 ♦ DOMINGUEZ, JORGE was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 1199 WAUGHTOWN ST on 7/17/2021 ♦ Dwiggins, Danielle Alexis (F/21) Arrest on chrg of 1) Robbery (F), 2) Awik/serious Injury (F), 3) Accessory-after Fact (F), and 4) Conspiracy To Commit A Felony (F), at 301 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 7/14/2021 13:45.

♦ Jackson, Monterio Terrell (M/30) Arrest on chrg of 1) Impaired Driving Dwi (M) and 2) Ndl - Suspended / Revoked (M), at Sb 421/lewisvilleclemmons Rd_sb 421 Ra, Lewisville, NC, on 7/14/2021 01:00.

♦ MUMFORD, RYAN SHYMEEK was arrested on a charge of DRUGSPOSS SCHED I at 201 N CHURCH ST on 7/16/2021 ♦ REEVES, CODY ANTHONY was arrested on a charge of REC/POSS STOLE MV at 4099 SHERATON ST on 7/17/2021 ♦ Santos, Jessy Leonardo (M/26) Arrest on chrg of 1) Impaired Driving Dwi (M) and 2) Ndl - Suspended / Revoked (M), at 300 Second St/broad St, Rural Hall, NC, on 7/17/2021 00:52.

♦ ELLIS, BRIANNA DARNELLA was arrested on a charge of VIO. PROTECTIVE ORDER BY COURTS ANOTHER STATE/ INDIAN TRIBE at 1604 N PATTERSON AV on 7/15/2021

♦ Johann, Shane Richard (M/26) Arrest on chrg of Impaired Driving Dwi (M), at 1050 Bethania-rural Hall Rd, Rural Hall, NC, on 7/14/2021 21:52.

♦ FORE, PAUL ALEXANDER was arrested on a charge of B&EVEHICLE at 2921 REYNOLDS PARK RD on 7/18/2021

♦ Lopez, Crystal Mankins (F/46) Arrest on chrg of 1) Disorderly Conduct (M) and 2) Resisting Arrest (M), at 5774 Misty Meadows Ct, Clemmons, NC, on 7/16/2021 22:48.

♦ SEMETA, GOVINDAS was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 770 LIBERTY VIEW CT on 7/18/2021

♦ LOWERY, MELVIN LEON was arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 2101 N JACKSON AV on 7/17/2021

♦ SIMMONS, THUMBILINA MASHELLE was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT-SIMPLE at 729 E SIXTEENTH on 7/16/2021

♦ MCFADDEN, ADRIAN LAMONT was arrested on a charge of DISCHARGING FIREARMS at 200 SUMMIT SQUARE BV on 7/17/2021

♦ STANBACK, TIMOTHY ALPHONZO was arrested on a charge of DRUGSMAINTAIN at 2921 REYNOLDS PARK RD on 7/18/2021

♦ MEGHOOTONGE, TEKLETAFARI J TSCHAKA was arrested on a charge of 2ND DEGREE TRESPASS at 420 HIGH ST on 7/17/2021

♦ STEWART, LOGAN TAYLOR was arrested on a charge of IMPAIRED DRIVING DWI at 100 THOMAS ST/W FIRST ST on 7/17/2021

♦ MITCHELL, TERRI BRIANNA was arrested on a charge of RESISTING ARREST at 2815 BON AIR AV on 7/17/2021

♦ Thomas, Bobby Lee (M/30) Arrest on chrg of Assault On Female (M), at 6435 Ferry View Ln, Lewisville, NC, on 7/18/2021 03:53.

♦ Mix, Francis Michael (M/36) Arrest on chrg of Impaired Driving Dwi, M (M), at Wb Salem Pw/linville Rd_wb Salem Pw Ra, Winston-salem, NC, on 7/15/2021 05:02.

♦ Willard, Leslie Pauline (F/43) Arrest on chrg of 1) Communicate Threats (M) and 2) Disorderly Conduct (M), at 3649 Spangenberg Av, Clemmons, NC, on 7/14/2021 01:51.

♦ MOORE, BRODERICK JAMIL was arrested on a charge of VIO. PROTECTIVE ORDER BY COURTS ANOTHER STATE/ INDIAN TRIBE at 1708 GREEN OAKS DR on 7/16/2021

♦ WILLIAMS, LORENZO LENARD was arrested on a charge of ASSAULT ON FEMALE at 2508 LADEARA CREST LN on 7/19/2021

♦ FOWLER, RONALD LEE was arrested on a charge of B&E-VEHICLE at 519 N JACKSON AV on 7/17/2021 ♦ Fulk, Dylan Richard (M/30) Arrest on chrg of 1) Assault On Female (M) and 2) Assault On Female (M), at 6300 Cook Av, Clemmons, NC, on 7/18/2021 02:14. ♦ Grimes, Robert Daniel (M/36) Arrest on chrg of 1) Larceny-felony (F), 2) Larceny-felony (F), 3) Larceny-felony (F), 4) Vand-personal Prop (F), 5) Vand-personal Prop (F), 6) Vandpersonal Prop (F), 7) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 8) Fail To Appear/compl (M), 9) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 10) Fail To Appear/compl (M), at 201 N Church St, Winston-salem, NC, on 7/18/2021 19:05.

♦ DAVIS, TRIEGHTON NAMIL was arrested on a charge of ASSLT ON OFF/ST EMP at 612 HANES MALL BV on 7/17/2021

♦ Grooms, Rashaun Antoine (M/34) Arrest on chrg of 1) Disorderly Conduct (M), 2) Drunk / Disruptive (M), and 3) Resisting Arrest (M), at 975 Peters Creek Pw, Winstonsalem, NC, on 7/18/2021 03:00.

♦ DELGADO, EDWIN was arrested on a charge of POSS HEROIN at 100 W

♦ Hackler, Heather Lynn (F/35) Arrest on chrg of 1) Abuse, Neglect, And

WWE from page 1

Center, Tropicana Field and the Yuengling Center. “People like Roman have been able to emotionally bring a performance that, maybe with people cheering over him, or booing over him or going into different directions over him,” have benefited, Levesque said. “But that’s the beauty of what we do, to go be entertained, however you want to be entertained. As a performer, sometimes that’s difficult.”

10 and 11 at Raymond James Stadium. WWE last ran a weeknight televised event with a paid crowd on March 9, 2020, in Washington. WWE then moved to its inhouse performance center in Florida on March 13, before setting up what it dubbed The ThunderDome -- where fans registered for spots on LED digital videoboards — for stretches in Florida at the Amway

Exploitation Of Disabled / Elder Adults (F), 2) Misd Poss Controlled Substance (M), 3) Fail To Appear/ compl (M), 4) Fail To Appear/compl (M), and 5) Fail To Appear/compl (M), at 5429 Walls Lake Rd, Walnut Cove, NC, on 7/15/2021 06:42.

WWE’s July 5 “RAW” on USA Network hit 1.472 million viewers, the lowest in the 28-plus year history of the show. Levesque, WWE EVP of global talent strategy and development, said the company would “take a hard look” at how it can attract more fans to the product each week. WWE can only hope the combination of live crowds and the return of box office attractions such as Becky Lynch, Goldberg, and Cena

♦ Sawyers, Melinda Rose (F/33) Arrest on chrg of Fugitive (F), at 7427 Ridge Rd, Tobaccoville, NC, on 7/14/2021 16:20.

can ignite interest and grow ratings during the build to the marquee Aug. 21 SummerSlam at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders. “It never is one thing,” Levesque said. “We see this as a moment in time to shift everything. I think you’ll see it in just the layout of everything, the set designs, the way it’s presented. There’s a greater emphasis on utilizing the spaces that we have and the TV aspect of it while still engaging the fans. A lot of that

♦ Verona Norris Johnson Altman, 96, of Kernersville, died July 15, 2021. ♦ Tommy James Anderson, 74, of Wilkes County, died July 16, 2021. ♦ Herman William Bennett, 88, of Stokes County, died July 16, 2021. ♦ Joe Louis Campbell, of Winston-Salem, died July 14, 2021. ♦ Charlie “Chuck” Richard Caulder, Jr., 45, of Kernersville, died July 18, 2021. ♦ Garland Raymond Crews, 85, of Winston-Salem, died July 15, 2021. ♦ Guelda Hartman Crouse, 85, of Davidson County, died July 18, 2021. ♦ Robert Wade Ellis, 61, of Forsyth County, died July 17, 2021. ♦ Gloria Faye Troutman Garrett, 74, of WinstonSalem, died July 16, 2021. ♦ Mary Ella Tuttle Matthews, 104, of Winston-Salem, died July 18, 2021. ♦ Phyllis Justice Miller, 83, of Thomasville, died July 15, 2021. ♦ Violet Matilda Daniels Motsinger, 96, of Kernersville, July 19, 2021. ♦ Barry Eugene Parks, 79, of Forsyth County, died July 15, 2021. ♦ Rachel Anne Templeton, 88, of Winston-Salem, died July 17, 2021.

comes from the time we had to experiment inside the ThunderDome.” The first start is putting fans — holding their homemade signs and wearing their catchphrase T-shirts — back in the seats. “When we have that live crowd, sometimes they almost become the cameras for a lot of the performers,” Reigns said. “But when you don’t have that real-time, flesh interaction, the red light becomes the focal point for the performer.”


Twin City Herald for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

3

SPORTS

SPONSORED BY

SIDELINE REPORT

Aric Almirola smiles as he holds up a giant lobster after winning Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

COLLEGE SPORTS

NCAA spent $68M on legal fees during pandemic Indianapolis The NCAA spent nearly $68 million on legal services during the 2019-20 fiscal year even as it lost hundreds of millions in revenue in the pandemic, according to tax documents released Monday. Revenue was down more than 50% over the previous year, from more than $1.1 billion to just over $520 million. Saying it “continues to defend its mission and core values,” the NCAA listed its legal expenses for 2019-20 at $67.7 million, more than double the $33 million the previous year.

NFL

Manning brothers team up for MNF Bistol, Conn. ESPN has finally landed Peyton Manning as a “Monday Night Football” commentator. It’s just not in a way anyone expected, and it won’t be for the full season. Walt Disney Company announced on Monday a partnership with Manning and his Omaha Productions company in which Peyton and Eli Manning will be part of a “Monday Night Football” MegaCast for 10 games a year the next three seasons. The Manning’s MegaCast will debut the first three weeks of this season with the remaining seven weeks to be announced.

OLYMPICS

Olympic composer steps down over past bullying

CHARLES KRUPA | AP PHOTO

Almirola pulls off Cup Series shocker at New Hampshire The Stewart-Haas Racing driver earned his third career win and first since 2018 By Dan Gelston The Associated Press LOUDON, N.H. — With darkness closing in, Aric Almirola sprung to life late Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and pulled off the surprise victory, the first one of the year for Stewart-Haas Racing. “There is no doubt we have struggled,” Almirola said. “But guess what? We’re going playoff racing.” The victory was a needed boost for Ford and played havoc with

the playoff field with only four races left before the 16-driver field is set. The race was delayed nearly two hours by rain and NASCAR called it early due to darkness, leaving it eight laps shy of its scheduled conclusion. New Hampshire was scheduled for 301 laps and 318.46 miles. Almirola, who entered 27th in the points standings, raced to his third career Cup victory and first since 2018 and was the first driver out of the SHR pack that includes Kevin Harvick, Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe to take the checkered flag. Almirola had only two top 10s this season. “There have been so many people that have supported us through the crappiest year ever,”

Almirola said. “Man, this feels so good for them.” He broke up the Team Penske party — Brad Keselowksi and Ryan Blaney had a fun back-andforth for the lead at one point — and Christopher Bell could not catch him. Bell won the Xfinity Series race Saturday and was second. Keselowski, Joey Logano and Blaney made it a 3-4-5 finish for Team Penske. Almirola rested his head on the car in almost stunned disbelief that he clinched his playoff spot. “I love this racetrack,” he said. “I had this race won a couple of years ago and I lost it. We’ve been through so much and I just stood the test.” Almirola snapped a 98-race winless streak and added New Hampshire to a rain-shortened win at Daytona in 2014 and Talladega in 2018 for his third win in 374 career races. Ford drivers took five of the top six spots. NASCAR started the race under wet conditions and that decision turned into a disaster when Kyle Busch, the polesitter, spun

on the slick track and wrecked only six laps into the race. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin also spun and the red flag was waved to stop the race. Truex and Hamlin returned to race. Busch’s race in the No. 18 Toyota was over and he bit his tongue on NASCAR’s call to start the race. “It never should have gone green to begin with, but then it kept getting worse and worse lap over lap,” Busch said. “We’ve been talking about it for two laps that it was raining. There’s no sense in saying what I want to say, it doesn’t do you any good.” Hamlin added, “This is just a bad look.” NASCAR executive vice president Steve O’Donnell said on NBC Sports races have started in the mist but the track “got slick in a hurry.” With NBC busy with Olympics coverage, NASCAR takes a rare two-week break and does not return until Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen. Watkins Glen was bumped from the schedule last season because of the pandemic. Elliott won the last race on the road course in 2019.

United States' Collin Morikawa celebrates on the 18th green after winning the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 18, 2021.

Tokyo Keigo Oyamada, a Japanese composer working on the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony, resigned on Monday after coming under fire for bullying classmates during his childhood. Reports of his past abuse of classmates, including those with disabilities, surfaced online recently and sparked a backlash on social media plus demands for his resignation. Oyamada, 52, also known as Cornelius, apologized online last week. Oyamada, whose works have been compared to the American rock musician Beck, talked about the abuse in Japanese magazine interviews he gave in the 1990s.

MLB

White Sox, Lynn agree to $38M deal Chicago The White Sox announced a $38 million, two-year contract for All-Star right-hander Lance Lynn covering 2022-23 on Saturday. Lynn is 9-3 with an AL-best 1.99 ERA in 16 starts. He was acquired in a December trade with the Rangers for right-hander Dane Dunning and lefty Avery Weems. The 34-yearold is earning $8 million in 2021, the final season of a $30 million, three-year contract he signed with Texas in 2018. Lynn will make $18.5 million in each of the next two seasons. The White Sox have an $18 million option for 2024 with a $1 million buyout.

PETER MORRISON | AP PHOTO

Morikawa wins British Open for 2nd major The American joined an elite group of under-25 golfers to claim two majors The Associated Press SANDWICH, England — Collin Morikawa was making one of the most satisfying walks in golf, down the 18th fairway as a soon-to-be British Open champion, when he looked up at the huge grandstand surrounding the green. It was filled with spectators, who firstly were applauding and soon giving a standing ovation to a 24-year-old American making a historic start to his major championship career. So different to 11 months ago, when Morikawa won his first major — the PGA Championship — at an empty venue. “I hope the thing is off the table,” Morikawa said, “that I can play with fans and I can play well

on a Sunday.” Fans. No fans. Parkland. Now even links. Morikawa is the real deal, make no mistake. The mature-beyond-his-years Californian closed with a bogey-free, 4-under 66 at Royal St. George’s and won the British Open in his debut Sunday, becoming the first player to capture two different majors on the first attempt. And this time there was a crowd, at 32,000 the biggest since golf returned following the coronavirus outbreak. After tapping in for par to win by two shots over Jordan Spieth, he gave a fist pump before applauding the spectators. Before long, he was being handed the claret jug that so many go their entire career without winning. He gazed adoringly at it, then thrust it into the air and gave it a kiss. “Those are the moments, the few seconds that you embrace so much,” he said. “And you look

“When you make history, it’s hard to grasp, it’s hard to really take it in.” Collin Morikawa

around, every seat is packed. Everywhere is packed with people.” They were seeing a young player already halfway to the career Grand Slam after eight starts, the first since Bobby Jones in 1926 to win two majors in so few appearances. He follows Gene Sarazen, Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Spieth in winning multiple majors before turning 25. His total of 15-under 265 was a 72-hole record in 15 British Opens at Royal St. George’s. In 13 of them, the winning score has been 5 under or lower.

“When you make history,” he said, “it’s hard to grasp, it’s hard to really take it in. ... At 24 years old, it’s so hard to look back at the two short years that I have been a pro and see what I’ve done because I want more.” He did it with style amid immaculate weather on the links off Sandwich Bay, flushing shots with his irons and getting up-anddown on the rare occasions he found trouble. He called his putting display one of the best of his short career, turning a statistical weakness into a strength. Starting the final round one shot behind Louis Oosthuizen, Morikawa was tied for the lead after four holes and then made three straight birdies on Nos. 7-9 to overtake the South African, who hadn’t trailed since the 12th hole of his second round. Morikawa made key par saves — pumping his fist both times — at Nos. 10 and 15, between which he rolled a birdie putt up and over a ridge and into the cup on the 14th to build a two-stroke lead he never lost. Spieth parred his final four holes and also shot 66.

the bett ing to e stitution don’t kn now.” The o for mil taking while a about t


Larson’s

Larson’s

op Cup Racing. ist of a

ur races stopped

uring a against es. The SCAR’s

ediately he slur, ng him, eryone,

up wins

. He is of two

4

Twin City Herald for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

STATE & NATION

Biden and Sanders, once rivals, are now partners in power By Lisa Mascaro The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Talkers both, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders stayed for an hour in the Oval Office, just two former rivals for the White House now acting as potential partners, negotiating a compromise both could live with. The president listened as the liberal senator spoke. Sanders passionately made his case that Biden’s big infrastructure investment should go even bigger — and include his own longtime goal of dental, hearing and vision benefits for older Americans on Medicare. The president gave his full backing, according to a senior White House aide and another person familiar with the private session, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe a private meeting. Together, they are trying to unite the political factions of progressives and centrists in the sprawling Democratic Party, which controls Congress by only the narrowest of margins in the House and a 50-50 Senate, with no votes to spare around the president’s $3.5 trillion national rebuilding proposal. In their sights is a legislative feat on par with Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal or Lyndon John-

son’s Great Society. For two political leaders in the twilight of decadeslong careers, it is the chance of a lifetime and the stuff of legacies. “We’re going to get this done,” Biden said Wednesday as he entered the private lunch room at the Capitol. Biden encouraged the senators to think of the good they could do for people across America, investing in places like Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he was born, who feel that the party is not in touch with working people’s pain. The president gave a nod to Sanders, who noted their past rivalry and yet spoke with similar urgency about the moment before them — how the future of democracy rests with how well they can connect with people who feel the government has forgotten them. When it came time for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to call on senators who had raised their hands to speak, there were no pointed questions or objections, only enthusiasm, according to a person in the room who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting. Senators emerged enthralled by the possibility of doing something big for the country. “Truly transformative,” Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said, using a word both Biden and Sand-

SUSAN WALSH | AP PHOTO

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., finishes talking to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C., Monday, July 12, 2021, following his meeting with President Joe Biden. ers now share. The relationship between Biden and Sanders goes back years, the president having already spent decades in the Senate by the time the Vermont lawmaker was elected in 2006. While Biden was the ultimate senator’s senator, Sanders has always been an outsider on Capitol Hill, a declared independent, rather than member of the Democratic Party, with his rumpled suits, gruff demeanor and unrelenting focus on liberal causes. Once seen as outlandish, Sanders’ views have captivated millions of Americans who filled arenas to hear him speak. He almost won the party’s presidential nom-

ination in 2016, but was defeated by Hillary Clinton, and again in 2020, before he lost to Biden. In returning to the Senate, Sanders quickly became a focal point of Republicans opposed to Biden’s agenda. The president intends to finance his plan with tax hikes on corporations and Americans making more than $400,000 a year. Republicans see Sanders as an influencer, alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and other prominent progressives, pushing the president to liberal extremes. “The president may have won the nomination, but Bernie Sanders won the argument,” Senate Republican leader Mitch McCo-

South Dakota’s Noem taking swings at potential 2024 hopefuls By Stephen Groves The Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa — Long before the first presidential nomination contest of 2024, most potential Republican candidates are just getting a sense of the political landscape, tiptoeing through early-voting states and trying to make friends in key places. Then there’s Kristi Noem. The South Dakota governor has come out swinging as she tries to carve a niche among an early crowd of possible GOP rivals for the White House. Her combative style, no surprise to those who follow her, is evidence of how competitive the nomination race will be if Donald Trump stays on the sidelines. Noem charged into Iowa over the weekend singing a battle hymn and armed with barbed comments for her fellow GOP governors. At a conservative gathering in Des Moines, she told the crowd she “really hates this America” under President Joe Biden’s leadership, then led them in singing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” But Noem didn’t just take aim at political foes. She also unleashed sharp-edged comments on those within her own party, accusing fellow GOP governors of “rewriting history” by claiming they kept their states open during the pandemic.

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL | AP PHOTO

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks during the Family Leadership Summit, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa. “To pretend that they didn’t take actions that they had no authority to take isn’t standing on truth,” she told reporters Friday. It’s easy to see why the 49-yearold governor, who is known as a scorched-earth campaigner in her home state, is elbowing out anyone trying to claim a more handsoff approach to the pandemic. She doesn’t have the experience of working alongside Trump, like Mike Pence, Nikki Haley or Mike Pompeo — all of whom have visited the presidential-proving

ground of Iowa in recent days. Other potential rivals like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have the advantage of governing states that figure prominently in national politics. The pandemic was rocket fuel for Noem’s political rise. While she had been laying the groundwork to build a national profile and looking for ways to make South Dakota a testing ground for conservative policies, she jumped on decrying coronavirus restric-

tions early. Conservatives nationwide have since made efforts to try to halt the pandemic’s spread into a favorite punching bag. At the Family Leadership Summit, where Noem spoke alongside Pence, Pompeo and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, speakers warned that government restrictions were eroding personal liberties. DeSantis has even begun selling “Don’t Fauci My Florida” merchandise to raise money for his gubernatorial reelection campaign, taking aim at another favorite target, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Noem didn’t mention DeSantis by name during a Sunday speech at another conservative conference in Texas, but seemed to single him out when she accused other GOP governors of “pretending” they didn’t shut down their beaches. “All I’m saying is that we need leaders with grit. That their first instinct is to make the right decision,” Noem told the audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference. But as an early wave of virus cases hit her state in the spring of last year, Noem initially stepped in. She declared an emergency and told schools to close, urged a meatpacking plant to temporarily shutter after an outbreak among workers, and even issued a stay-at-

nnell said recently back home in Kentucky, on the same day he said he was “100% focused” on stopping Biden’s agenda. With Republicans opposed in lockstep to Biden’s broader proposal, Democrats are pressing ahead on the more robust package they could pass on their own, under special budget rules of 51 votes for passage rather than the 60 typically needed to overcome objections from a filibuster. If Biden, Sanders and Schumer can keep all 50 Democratic senators united, Vice President Kamala Harris can cast a tiebreaking vote. Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi has a similarly slim margin in the House.

home order in two hard-hit counties for people over 65 or vulnerable to the virus. While Noem never ordered businesses to close, many did so anyway. And city leaders, frustrated with Noem’s inaction, issued their own orders that forced many to shutter for weeks in the spring. As the response to the virus became increasingly politicized, however, Noem moved to the forefront of governors railing against government orders. By June of 2020, her message had shifted: “More freedom, not more government is the answer.” With an eye on the economic and mental health ripple effects of the pandemic, she frequently touted the fact that her state has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and a growing economy. She refused to urge people to wear masks in public. Instead, the state spent more in federal coronavirus funds on an ad campaign inviting tourists to visit than it did on public health advertising. It’s not clear how her record on the virus would play beyond the Republican base. South Dakota recorded the nation’s 10th highest COVID-19 death rate. Midwest states with far more aggressive approaches to mitigating the pandemic saw similar outcomes, however. “When I ran for governor I ran on it being an example to the nation,” she told the crowd Friday. “I had no idea that that was going to happen through a pandemic.”


THE RANDOLPH COUNTY EDITION OF THE NORTH STATE JOURNAL

VOLUME 6 ISSUE 21 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 21, 2021 | RANDOLPHRECORD.COM

Randolph record

PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Copperheads vs. RedWolves Asheboro Copperheads Caleb Marmo is greeted by the bench after his 3 run home run in the bottom of the 3rd inning against Florence RedWolves at McCrary Park, in Asheboroon July 15th, 2021. See more on page 5.

COUNTY NEWS Randolph County Schools drop mask mandate The Randolph County School Board adopted a resolution Monday ending mask mandates in the county’s largest school system. The resolution, adopted unanimously by the board, is effective immediately and allows teachers and students in summer school programs to make their own choices regarding mask usage. The new board policy cites CDC guidance and the board’s concern for individuals’ rights to make decisions regarding their own personal health in making the change. The resolution also said harassment, discrimination, bullying, or intimidation based on a person’s decision to wear or not wear a mask would not be tolerated.

U.S. Amateur qualifiers sizzle at Asheboro site Asheboro Drew Hackett of Charlotte topped the field in U.S. Amateur sectional qualifying at Pinewood Country Club last week. Hackett shot two rounds of 67 for a 10-under-par 134 total across two days. Also advancing to next month’s U.S. Amateur at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa., are Canton’s Carson Ownbey (8 under), Salisbury’s Nick Lyerly (7 under and Washington, D.C.’s Evan Katz (6 under). Katz secured the last spot by topping Atlantic Beach, Fla.’s Sam Nicholson in a playoff. Nicholson is the first alternate from the site, while North Carolina Amateur champion Nick Mathews of Mebane is the second alternate after surviving a three-golfer playoff among those tied at 5 under. Asheboro’s Sam Davidson shot 1 over (73, 72) to tie for 25th place among 112 entrants.

Hiring issues impact NC Zoo, with some exhibits closed Randolph County At the same time the North Carolina Zoo is seeing a huge increase in visitors compared with last year, it’s struggling to find staff to keep all of its exhibits open. Most attractions are open, but certain features like an obstacle course and feeding activities have remained closed. Twenty people recently turned out for a job fair with dozens of open positions. Many of the jobs at the zoo are part time, temporary and pay about $10 to $12 per hour. AP

Incumbents file in large numbers for municipal elections By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO — Asheboro mayor David Smith, who first elected to that position in 2009, will run unopposed in November’s election, while there are six candidates for four spots on the city council. Incumbent council members Clark Bell, Walker Moffitt and Katie Snuggs will have challenges from Kelly Heath, William (Bill) McCaskill and Delilah Perkins Warner. Linda Carter isn’t running for re-election for a board spot. For the Asheboro City Schools board of education, there will be seven names on the ballot for four open positions. Vice chair Baxter Hammer and Beth Knott are aiming to remain on the board. Other candidates are Todd Dulaney, Adam Hurley, Hailey Trollinger Lee, Kathryn Thill and Bob Williams. Archie Priest and Art Martinez didn’t file to keep their expiring terms on the 11-member

board of education. In the Town of Franklinville, Perry Conner seeks his fifth term as mayor with a challenge from AC Hurley, who has been a town commissioner for more than 20 years. Conner has been mayor since 2011 after a pair of four-year terms on the town council. Candidates for the Franklinville town commissioner seats are Ricky J. Collins, William (Billy) Farias, Richard Goodwin, Brandon Hurley, Michael Johnston and Craig Smith. Goodwin is in his third term while Brandon Hurley – AC Hurley’s son -- is also an incumbent. In Liberty, Filmore York will run unopposed for mayor to keep his position. Town commissioner seats will be up for grabs with Terry Caviness challenging incumbents Larry Coble and Chris Compton and mayor pro tempore Tyson Nixon. In Ramseur, town commissioner candidates are Diana Brower, Wayne Carroll and incumbent Joy Hooker for two seats. Tanya Ken-

yon isn’t seeking to retain her seat. On the Town of Seagrove ballot, incumbent David Fernandez is unopposed for mayor. For town commissioner, the candidates are incumbent Ed Walker (6139 Auman Farm Road) and Sandra Walker (P.O Box 236). The Town of Staley ballot shows only Karen Scotton seeking to remain mayor. Town commissioner spots had a similar pattern, with only incumbents Renee Harrelson, Faye Johnson, Janet Langley Lambert, Lori Lynn Langley-Hankins and Steve Rollins Sr. filing for the five two-year terms. There are a small number of Randolph County residents living within Thomasville city limits. The mayor’s race in Thomasville consists of Joe Leonard and Raleigh York Jr. Current mayor Greg Hobbs isn’t running, while major pro tem David Hufstetler isn’t on the ballot either. The Thomasville city council has 12 candidates for two slots. Those candidates are Ronald Bratton, Ronald Fowler, Doug Hunt, JacQuez Johnson, Eric Kuppel, Katrina Milburn, Wendy Bryant Sellars, Lisa Shell, Jeannette Shepherd, Dee Stokes, D. Hunter Thrift and Payton Williams. Fowler and Sellars both live on Memorial Park Drive. Incumbent Todd Mobley, who holds a city-wide at-large spot, isn’t seeking re-election. The filing period for spots on bal-

Asheboro’s Kidd elevates role with UNCW By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO — Gidget Kidd views her newest assignment with the UNC Wilmington board of trustees as an ideal next step in public education. “I have a passion for public education,” said Kidd. “I think it’s a natural progression. It’s a nice chapter.” Kidd was elected chair of the board this month. Kidd’s involvement has been extensive on the UNCW board, previously holding the position of vice chair and twice serving as secretary. She has chaired all board committees except for one. Although she’s a UNCW graduate from the Class of 1991, much of her role in education stems from time in Randolph County. Kidd was an elementary and middle school teacher with Randolph County Schools for nine years and director of the preschool program at Asheboro First United Methodist Church for nine years. She chaired the Asheboro city board of education for six years and remains part of that elected body. She said it’s important for her to help bridge the gap between K-12 education and university level schooling. She considers that one of her tasks. “I think I bring that connection,”

COURTESY PHOTO

she said. As the first Randolph County resident to hold the chair position at UNCW, she hopes to further the ties between that coastal community and the Triad. “I try to be a good ambassador for the university and introduce UNCW to the Randolph County community,” she said. “We want students from across the state.” Kidd, whose husband is Randolph County commissioner Kenny Kidd, has been a member of the UNCW board since 2013. Mr. Kidd and their daughter also are UNCW graduates. Issues addressed under Kidd’s watch are bound to include funding topics, future planning that fore-

casts a couple of decades ahead, and potential programs desired by students. She said recent additions of film study masters and coastal engineering masters have been logical programs. She said she wants the university to continue to be known for what it does best – think and discuss. Kidd said she is proud to see UNCW raising its profile among public schools in the state. Aside from University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and North Carolina State University, Wilmington attracts more prospective students than the state’s other public universities. UNCW used to hold the reputation as a destination for students looking to hang out at the beach. “I think we’ve certainly raised our standards,” Kidd said. “It’s not just location, though that’s a huge part of it.” Kidd’s expansive roles with UNCW include a board position with D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy, which is a year-round K-8 lab school opened by the university in July 2018. Hank Miller, a 1985 UNCW graduate who lives in Wrightsville Beach, will be the vice chair of the board of trustees and Wilmington resident H. Carlton Fisher of the Class of 1983 was elected secretary of the board.

lots in Randleman and Trinity runs from July 26 through noon Aug. 13. Election Day is Nov. 2. Early voting to be discussed Some specifics of early voting in Randolph County will be ironed out during the county’s board of elections meeting Aug. 10, Board of Elections director Melissa Johnson said. Last week’s July meeting was smooth, she said. “This was mostly very routine,” Johnson said. “The next one might be different.” The 2021 election with numerous municipal seats up for grabs is generally considered a smaller election. Johnson said Randolph County usually has just one early voting location – at the board of elections office on North Fayetteville Street in Asheboro. She said inquiries with officials in towns around the county haven’t generated much interest in setting up other early voting sites. Also at the July meeting, the five members of the county board of elections were approved to retain their spots on the panel. They are chair Margaret Megerian, Republicans Darren Allen and Mary Jane Pugh and Democrats Tiffany Alston and Chapin Pierre Oldham. Alston is from Archdale, while the others live in Asheboro.


Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

2

Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 7, 2021

2

WEDNESDAY

7.21.21

WEDNESDAY

7.7.21 #3

WEEKLY FORECAST WEEKLY FORECAST

#1

WEDNESDAY

WEDNESDAY

JULY JUNE 30 21

THURSDAY

THURSDAY

JULY 1JULY 22

HI 91° HI HI 91° 88° HI LO LO 70° 67° LO LO 70° PRECIP 15% PRECIP15% 13% PRECIPPRECIP

“Join the “Join the conversation”

conversation” Stanly County Journal ISSN: 2575-2278 North State Journal (USPS 20451) Publisher (ISSN 2471-1365) Neal Robbins

Editor

Publisher Xxx

Neal Robbins Sports Editor Cory Lavalette Editor

Matt Mercer Senior Opinion Editor Frank Hill

Sports Editor

Design Editor Cory Lavalette Lauren Rose

Senior Opinion Editor

Published each Wednesday by North State Media LLC 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W, Design Editor Albemarle, Lauren RoseN.C. 28001

Frank Hill

Published each Wednesday (704) 269-8461 by North State Media, LLC INFO@STANLYJOURNAL.COM 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 STANLYJOURNAL.COM Raleigh, N.C. 27609 TO SUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 online at nsjonline.com TOorSUBSCRIBE: 704-269-8461 or Annual online at nsjonline.com Subscription Price: $50.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, Annual Subscription Price: $50.00N.C. and at additional mailing offices.

Periodicals Postage Paid at Raleigh, N.C. POSTMASTER: andStanly at additional mailing offices. County Journal 1550 N.C. Hwy 24/27 W,

POSTMASTER: Albemarle, N.C. 28001. Send address changes to: North State Journal 3101 Industrial Dr., Suite 105 Raleigh, N.C. 27609

DEATH NOTICES

♦ Christopher Enos Burris, 40, of Oakboro,X DEATH NOTICES ♦ Georgia Bernice Siler, 89, of Siler City, died July 15, 2021, at her home. ♦ Harold Eugene “Gene” Anderson, 82, died at his home on Monday, July 12, 2021 in a tragic house fire. ♦ Addie Mae Hunt McLeod, age 79, died July 11, 2021, at Autumn Care in Biscoe. ♦ Jonathan Edward Ferree, 50, of Black Mountain, formerly of Asheboro, died July 11, 2021.

FRIDAY

FRIDAY

SATURDAY JULY 2 JULY 23 JULY 3

88° HI LO 67° PRECIP 5%

HI78° 66° LO 57% PRECIP

HI89° LO68° PRECIP 20%

SATURDAY

SUNDAY JULY 24 JULY 4

MONDAY

SUNDAY

MONDAY

TUESDAY

JULY JULY 26 6

JULY 25 5 JULY

86° 84° HI HI 86° 81°HI 88° HI 62°LO 65° LO 69° 62° LO LO 69° 43% PRECIP 17% PRECIPPRECIP 24% 24% PRECIP 32%

HI HI LO LO PRECIP PRECIP

87° 89° 67° 69° 24% 24%

TUESDAY

JULY 27

HI LO PRECIP

88° 69° 24%

RANDOLPH COMMUNITY COLLEGE

RCC pushes more MEETfor THE STAFFstudents as numbers lag

PJ Ward-Brown before those classes start. said there’s an efMattfortWilliams to bolster enrollment. He cited the RCC Commitment Grant, ASHEBORO — Enrollment Lauren at Randolph Community Col- a program designed as a funding lege isn’t likely to bounce back to mechanism to fill the gap that’s Frank pre-pandemic levels right away not covered by federal or state aid Coryto students. despite a school official pointing “There has never been a betout unprecedented financial inter opportunity to attend RCC centives for potential students. Who is “Editor?” Chad Williams, vice president and not have to worry about how By Bob Sutton Randolph Record

for student services at RCC, said a decline in high school students in dual enrollment has been the biggest reason for a dip. “Overall, we’re still seeing a decline in enrollment comparing to previous years prior to the pandemic,” Williams said. “I don’t know if we’ll get to numbers we’ve seen in previous fall semesters. … We’re reaching out to every student we can in every way we can.” A fall semester at the two-year school in Asheboro would often have 2,600 to 3,000 students enrolled. At the beginning of this week, that number stood at about 1,900 with about a month to go

to pay for it,” RCC president Dr. Robert Shackleford Jr. said. “We meet students exactly where they are and help them go as far as they can possibly go.” Beginning with the fall semester, qualifying full-time students will be eligible for up to $1,000 per semester. That makes attending RCC the most enticing from a financial standpoint in the 16 years Williams has been at the school, he said. He previously worked in RCC’s financial aid office. “There’s never a better time to go back to college,” he said. For the current summer ses-

sion, there’s enrollment of 915. That’s off slightly from the usual number that ranges up to 1,000, Williams said. Traditional enrollment numbers have flattened, but it’s the number of high school students in programs designed for dual enrollment that has dropped, “We’re just not seeing the level of engagement that we had seen,” Williams said. RCC held a one-week break earlier this month amid the summer semester, which began May 24 and concludes July 26. Late registration for the fall semester runs through Aug. 10, with classes beginning Aug. 16. Still dealing with adjustments made because of the coronavirus pandemic, not all 2021 fall semester classes will be in person. Some will use a hybrid model with a mixture of face-to-faces sessions and virtual sessions. Many classes provide students with options on how to attend and participate, Williams said.

“There has never been a better opportunity to attend RCC and not have to worry about how to pay for it.” RCC president Dr. Robert Shackleford Jr.

WEEKLY CRIME LOG ♦ Williams, Denishia Lorren (B /F/30) Arrest on chrg of WEEKLY CRIME 1) Pwimsd Marijuana (F), 2) LOG Maintain Veh/dwell/place Cs (f) (F), 3) Possess X

♦ Boggs, Matthew Harrison (M, 39), Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Larceny, at 2587 Wayne White Rd, Pleasant Garden, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Bolton McKee, James Henry (M, 47), Arrest on charge of Possession of Stolen Goods, at 6469 Clyde King Rd, Seagrove, on 07/15/2021. ♦ Pugh, Robert Daniel (M, 39), Arrest on charge of Simple Assault (M), at 139 Drum St, Asheboro, on 07/14/2021.

♦ Mildred Mae Cozart Poole, age 85, of Asheboro, died July See OBITS, page 7 9, 2021.

♦ Richardson, Erwin Quint Jr (M, 31), Arrest on charges of Felony Larceny and Possession of Stolen Goods, at 5471 Needhams Trail, Seagrove, on 07/14/2021.

See OBITS, page 7

♦ Seibert, Sarah Elizabeth (F, 32),

Arrest on charge of Resisting Public Officer, 321 Kings Ridge Rd, Randleman, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Hazelwood, Elizabeth (F, 44), Arrest on chage of Misdemeanor Larceny, at Hoover Hill Rd/Slick Rodk Mtn, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Lynch, Detrick Lamont (M, 40), Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Possession of Schedule VI CS, Possessiong of Stolen Motor Vehicle, at I-85 Exit 111, on 07/13/2021. ♦ McQueen, James Allen Jr (M, 35), Arrest on charge of Possession of Marijuana up to 1/2 oz., Possession of drug paraphernalia, Failure to appeal on felony, failure to appear on misdemeanor, at

176 E. Salisbury St, Asheboro, on 07/13/2021. ♦ Millikan, Bobby Wayne (M, 33), Arrest on charge of Assault on a Female, at 8300 Curtis Power Rd, Bennett, NC, on 07/14/2021. ♦ Passmore, Casey Lynn, Arrest on charge of possession of marijuana up to 1/2 oz., at Randolph Courthouse, on 7/13/2021. ♦ Roark, Justin Steven (M, 30), Arrest on charge of Possession of Meth, Possession with intent to manufacture, sell or distribute heroin, Simple possession of Schedule II, III, IV CS, Maintaining Place, Possession of Drug Paraphernalia, at 1029 High Point Rd, on 7/13/2021.

♦ Whitehead, George Alan (M, 52), Arrest on charge of Misdemeanor Possession of Schedule IV CS, Possession of Stolen motor vehicle, imporoper use of a dealer tag, failure to deliver title, failure to appear on felony, at I-85 Exit 111, on 07/13/2021. ♦ Cheek, Helenia Spinks (F, 64), Arrest on charge of Assault by pointing a gun, Discharging a firearm to cause fear, Reckless driving to endanger, Seagrove, on 07/12/2021. ♦ Helms, Chad Lee (M, 37), Arrest on charge of Felony Sexual Exploitation of a minor in the second degree (10 counts), 727 McDowell Rd, Asheboro, NC, on 07/12/2021.

WWE leaves virtual reality behind in 1st tour since 2020 By Dan Gelston The Associated Press PHILADELPHIA — Triple H walked with his arms crossed like an X — his signature Degeneration X symbol — with his 7-foot tag-team partner, Joel Embiid, to ring a ceremonial bell last month before a Philadelphia 76ers playoff game. His theme music blared through the arena, and nearly 19,000 fans hanging from the rafters roared when the wrestler hoisted his bad-guy weapon-ofchoice sledgehammer and struck the bell. Sure, the setting wasn’t WrestleMania — though Triple H lost a match in the same building when the event was held there in 1999 — but for the superstar-turned-executive, the frenzied atmosphere was a reminder of what WWE lost during the 16 months it ran without live events and raucous crowds. “It was a fun opportunity to get back into an arena packed full of fans and have them go nuts,” said Triple H, known these days as WWE executive Paul Levesque. “That adrenaline rush, there’s nothing like it.” WWE hasn’t been the same without its “Yes!” chants or “This is Awe-some!” singsongs once the pandemic relegated the company to running empty arena matches every week with a piped-in soundtrack and virtual fans. No more. With most American sports leagues settled in to their old routines, WWE ditched its stopgap home in Florida and resumed touring last Friday night with “Smackdown” from Houston, a

4” Ad

PHOTO BY WILLY SANJUAN/INVISION/AP

In this Jan. 9, 2018, file photo, Paul “Triple H” Levesque participates in the “WWE Monday Night Raw: 25th Anniversary” panel during the NBCUniversal Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif. pay-per-view Sunday in Texas and Dallas on Monday for the flagship “Raw” TV show on USA. WWE spruced up sets, brought back old stars and hit the reset button on TV programming humbled with record-low ratings and a strong need for new stars. “I do think if we were doing this in front of the live crowd, it would have been a situation that would have made me an even better per-

former,” Reigns said. “As a live performer, that simultaneous response keeps you sharp. We had to adjust and adapt to the times that were in front of us.” With Hulk Hogan in the house, WWE held their only WrestleMania with fans this past April 10 and 11 at Raymond James Stadium. WWE last ran a weeknight televised event with a paid crowd on March 9, 2020, in Washington.

WWE then moved to its in-house performance center in Florida on March 13, before setting up what it dubbed The ThunderDome -where fans registered for spots on LED digital videoboards — for stretches in Florida at the Amway Center, Tropicana Field and the Yuengling Center. “People like Roman have been able to emotionally bring a performance that, maybe with peo-

ple cheering over him, or booing over him or going into different directions over him,” have benefited, Levesque said. “But that’s the beauty of what we do, to go be entertained, however you want to be entertained. As a performer, sometimes that’s difficult.” WWE’s July 5 “RAW” on USA Network hit 1.472 million viewers, the lowest in the 28-plus year history of the show. Levesque, WWE EVP of global talent strategy and development, said the company would “take a hard look” at how it can attract more fans to the product each week. WWE can only hope the combination of live crowds and the return of box office attractions such as Becky Lynch, Goldberg, and Cena can ignite interest and grow ratings during the build to the marquee Aug. 21 SummerSlam at the home of the Las Vegas Raiders. “It never is one thing,” Levesque said. “We see this as a moment in time to shift everything. I think you’ll see it in just the layout of everything, the set designs, the way it’s presented. There’s a greater emphasis on utilizing the spaces that we have and the TV aspect of it while still engaging the fans. A lot of that comes from the time we had to experiment inside the ThunderDome.” The first start is putting fans — holding their homemade signs and wearing their catchphrase T-shirts — back in the seats. “When we have that live crowd, sometimes they almost become the cameras for a lot of the performers,” Reigns said. “But when you don’t have that real-time, flesh interaction, the red light becomes the focal point for the performer.”


Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

OPINION Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | REP. RICHARD HUDSON

The importance of Fort Bragg

Working to support Fort Bragg and the soldiers stationed there, as well as their families, is one of my top priorities.

WE ALL KNOW how important Fort Bragg is to our region and state. But did you know Fort Bragg is the only Joint Strategic Deployment Platform that allows our nation to respond to a threat within hours rather than days or weeks? This capability is critical for our country’s defense, and I am determined to maintain it. As Fort Bragg’s congressman, I am working to make sure every other member of Congress understands the importance of Fort Bragg — especially those in charge of supporting and funding the base and our troops. As part of that work, last week I hosted a bipartisan group at Fort Bragg that included leadership of the House Armed Services Committee. For two days, members of the committee were able to better understand what makes our Airborne and Special Operators soldiers so special. This experience was vital for members to help understand the importance of fully funding Fort Bragg. While the base is critical for our national defense, since 2014, Fort Bragg has only received one military construction funding project for our conventional forces. I believe that is unacceptable. That’s why I was proud to host these members last week, in addition to advocating for increased funding for the base. However, supporting Fort Bragg is not just about supporting our military. It’s also about supporting our region. That’s why following our work on base, we joined leaders from the community, so the delegation could see how Fort Bragg impacts our entire region.

Working to support Fort Bragg and the soldiers stationed there, as well as their families, is one of my top priorities. As we return to Washington this week, I will continue to ensure Congress understands and supports the priorities of Fort Bragg and our service members. While the National Defense Authorization Act for our military will not be debated for several months, I was proud to secure a win for Fort Bragg just a few days ago. On July 5, President Joe Biden signed into law a bill I introduced to consolidate Fort Bragg into one federal judicial district. Cosponsored by Congresswoman Deborah Ross, a Democrat from Raleigh, this bill will help families at Fort Bragg by ensuring all court cases stemming from the base can be heard in the Eastern District’s nearby courthouse in Fayetteville, as opposed to having to drive up to two hours away to a different district. Securing this law is a reminder that we can still work together to get things done in Washington by putting forward commonsense solutions. Around our country, inflation, crime and illegal border crossings continue to rise. We need to get Americans back to work and our kids back in school. As we tackle these problems and many others facing our great country, rest assured I will continue to seek out commonsense and bipartisan solutions to help you and your family. Like Fort Bragg, I believe we can support our economy, our schools, our environment and our neighborhoods if we work together. I’m honored to be your congressman and will never stop working for you.

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Joe Biden’s big lie “In America, if you lose, you accept the results. You follow the Constitution. You try again. You don’t call the facts ‘fake’ and then try to bring down the American experiment just because you’re unhappy.”

DID YOU KNOW that black people are not going to be allowed to vote in America anymore? At least in states controlled by Republicans. Sounds a bit unlikely, but that’s a conclusion you might have come to if you took seriously what President Joe Biden said in Philadelphia Tuesday. Biden decried Republicans’ proposed changes in election laws as “the 21st century Jim Crow assault” that tries “to suppress and subvert the right to vote in fair and free elections, an assault on democracy.” This is, to be polite, unhinged nonsense. Biden is old enough to remember what real Jim Crow voter suppression was like. It meant zero black people voting in places like Mississippi. It meant threats and violence against black people who tried to register to vote. It meant unfair application of literacy tests and poll taxes. Requiring voters to present photo ID is nothing like this: Large majorities think it’s reasonable. Measures such as reducing the number of pre-election voting days in Georgia (there are zero in Biden’s Delaware) or ending pandemic-inspired measures like drive-through voting in Harris County, Texas, are not the same. Not even close. Early in his speech, Biden denounced “the big lie,” a reference to Donald Trump’s claims that he actually won the 2020 election. But Biden’s Jim Crow charge is an even clearer instance of the big lie — and a more dangerous one — since it’s unlikely to be fact-checked by most media. If you want people to condemn a big lie, don’t tell one yourself. In his criticism of Trump, Biden invoked a long-standing norm of American politics. “In America, if you lose, you accept the results. You follow the Constitution. You try again. You don’t call the facts ‘fake’ and then try to bring down the American experiment just because you’re unhappy.” He spoke these words, apparently unaware that they could be applied to him and his own party. You might not understand this if your only news sources were the New York Times or CNN. But if you try to look at it, as Darryl Cooper does in the leftist Glenn Greenwald’s Substack, you might recall that Hillary Clinton and other Democrats did not accept the results of 2016 election and spent months advancing the Russia collusion hoax to delegitimize and end the Trump presidency. “We now know,” Cooper wrote, “that the FBI and other intelligence agencies conducted covert surveillance against members of the Trump campaign based on evidence manufactured

by political operatives working for the Clinton campaign, both before and after the election.” He went on: “We know that those involved with the investigation knew that accusations of collusion were part of a campaign ‘approved by Hillary Clinton... to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.” As Cooper noted, for months, many Trump supporters worried that there might be substance to the Russia collusion charges. Democrats insisted there was. News media like the NYT and CNN ignored or ridiculed efforts by the likes of House Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes to show there was nothing there. Nunes was right, as became apparent when special counsel Robert Mueller admitted in his report — and in his pathetic performance on Capitol Hill — that he had no evidence of collusion. But the Times and other papers didn’t return the Pulitzers they won for their Russia collusion stories. The Times’ executive editor Dean Baquet acknowledged in an angry newsroom meeting: “The day Bob Mueller walked off the witness stand... [o]ur readers who want Donald Trump to go away suddenly thought, ‘Holy s—-, Bob Mueller is not going to do it.’” As a result, “We’re a little tiny bit flat-footed. I mean, that’s what happens when a story looks a certain way for two years.” “A little tiny bit flat-footed,” translated into English, means “dead wrong.” Have Baquet or other news media leaders confessed error for their misjudgments? Have any Democrats who pursued the Russia collusion hoax like Inspector Javert confessed error? Not that I’ve seen. Back in January, I wrote that Trump’s words to the Jan. 6 crowd “were uttered with a reckless disregard that they’d provoke violence that any reasonable person could find impeachable.” But calls for comity and confession of error are unpersuasive coming from people who haven’t shown comity or confessed error themselves. Democrats who want to restore respect for the electoral process need to stop calling harmless changes in election laws “voter suppression” and a return to Jim Crow. They and their media protectors need to apologize for their years-long campaign to de-legitimize Donald Trump’s presidency by advancing a baseless hoax. 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.

3


Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

4

SPORTS SIDELINE REPORT

Aric Almirola smiles as he holds up a giant lobster after winning Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

COLLEGE SPORTS

NCAA spent $68M on legal fees during pandemic Indianapolis The NCAA spent nearly $68 million on legal services during the 2019-20 fiscal year even as it lost hundreds of millions in revenue in the pandemic, according to tax documents released Monday. Revenue was down more than 50% over the previous year, from more than $1.1 billion to just over $520 million. Saying it “continues to defend its mission and core values,” the NCAA listed its legal expenses for 2019-20 at $67.7 million, more than double the $33 million the previous year.

NFL

Manning brothers team up for MNF Bistol, Conn. ESPN has finally landed Peyton Manning as a “Monday Night Football” commentator. It’s just not in a way anyone expected, and it won’t be for the full season. Walt Disney Company announced on Monday a partnership with Manning and his Omaha Productions company in which Peyton and Eli Manning will be part of a “Monday Night Football” MegaCast for 10 games a year the next three seasons. The Manning’s MegaCast will debut the first three weeks of this season with the remaining seven weeks to be announced.

OLYMPICS

Olympic composer steps down over past bullying

CHARLES KRUPA | AP PHOTO

Almirola pulls off Cup Series shocker at New Hampshire The Stewart-Haas Racing driver earned his third career win and first since 2018 By Dan Gelston The Associated Press LOUDON, N.H. — With darkness closing in, Aric Almirola sprung to life late Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway and pulled off the surprise victory, the first one of the year for Stewart-Haas Racing. “There is no doubt we have struggled,” Almirola said. “But guess what? We’re going playoff racing.” The victory was a needed boost for Ford and played havoc with

the playoff field with only four races left before the 16-driver field is set. The race was delayed nearly two hours by rain and NASCAR called it early due to darkness, leaving it eight laps shy of its scheduled conclusion. New Hampshire was scheduled for 301 laps and 318.46 miles. Almirola, who entered 27th in the points standings, raced to his third career Cup victory and first since 2018 and was the first driver out of the SHR pack that includes Kevin Harvick, Cole Custer and Chase Briscoe to take the checkered flag. Almirola had only two top 10s this season. “There have been so many people that have supported us through the crappiest year ever,”

Almirola said. “Man, this feels so good for them.” He broke up the Team Penske party — Brad Keselowksi and Ryan Blaney had a fun back-andforth for the lead at one point — and Christopher Bell could not catch him. Bell won the Xfinity Series race Saturday and was second. Keselowski, Joey Logano and Blaney made it a 3-4-5 finish for Team Penske. Almirola rested his head on the car in almost stunned disbelief that he clinched his playoff spot. “I love this racetrack,” he said. “I had this race won a couple of years ago and I lost it. We’ve been through so much and I just stood the test.” Almirola snapped a 98-race winless streak and added New Hampshire to a rain-shortened win at Daytona in 2014 and Talladega in 2018 for his third win in 374 career races. Ford drivers took five of the top six spots. NASCAR started the race under wet conditions and that decision turned into a disaster when Kyle Busch, the polesitter, spun

on the slick track and wrecked only six laps into the race. Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin also spun and the red flag was waved to stop the race. Truex and Hamlin returned to race. Busch’s race in the No. 18 Toyota was over and he bit his tongue on NASCAR’s call to start the race. “It never should have gone green to begin with, but then it kept getting worse and worse lap over lap,” Busch said. “We’ve been talking about it for two laps that it was raining. There’s no sense in saying what I want to say, it doesn’t do you any good.” Hamlin added, “This is just a bad look.” NASCAR executive vice president Steve O’Donnell said on NBC Sports races have started in the mist but the track “got slick in a hurry.” With NBC busy with Olympics coverage, NASCAR takes a rare two-week break and does not return until Aug. 8 at Watkins Glen. Watkins Glen was bumped from the schedule last season because of the pandemic. Elliott won the last race on the road course in 2019.

United States' Collin Morikawa celebrates on the 18th green after winning the British Open Golf Championship at Royal St George's golf course Sandwich, England, Sunday, July 18, 2021.

Tokyo Keigo Oyamada, a Japanese composer working on the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony, resigned on Monday after coming under fire for bullying classmates during his childhood. Reports of his past abuse of classmates, including those with disabilities, surfaced online recently and sparked a backlash on social media plus demands for his resignation. Oyamada, 52, also known as Cornelius, apologized online last week. Oyamada, whose works have been compared to the American rock musician Beck, talked about the abuse in Japanese magazine interviews he gave in the 1990s.

MLB

White Sox, Lynn agree to $38M deal Chicago The White Sox announced a $38 million, two-year contract for All-Star right-hander Lance Lynn covering 2022-23 on Saturday. Lynn is 9-3 with an AL-best 1.99 ERA in 16 starts. He was acquired in a December trade with the Rangers for right-hander Dane Dunning and lefty Avery Weems. The 34-yearold is earning $8 million in 2021, the final season of a $30 million, three-year contract he signed with Texas in 2018. Lynn will make $18.5 million in each of the next two seasons. The White Sox have an $18 million option for 2024 with a $1 million buyout.

PETER MORRISON | AP PHOTO

Morikawa wins British Open for 2nd major The American joined an elite group of under-25 golfers to claim two majors The Associated Press SANDWICH, England — Collin Morikawa was making one of the most satisfying walks in golf, down the 18th fairway as a soon-to-be British Open champion, when he looked up at the huge grandstand surrounding the green. It was filled with spectators, who firstly were applauding and soon giving a standing ovation to a 24-year-old American making a historic start to his major championship career. So different to 11 months ago, when Morikawa won his first major — the PGA Championship — at an empty venue. “I hope the thing is off the table,” Morikawa said, “that I can play with fans and I can play well

on a Sunday.” Fans. No fans. Parkland. Now even links. Morikawa is the real deal, make no mistake. The mature-beyond-his-years Californian closed with a bogey-free, 4-under 66 at Royal St. George’s and won the British Open in his debut Sunday, becoming the first player to capture two different majors on the first attempt. And this time there was a crowd, at 32,000 the biggest since golf returned following the coronavirus outbreak. After tapping in for par to win by two shots over Jordan Spieth, he gave a fist pump before applauding the spectators. Before long, he was being handed the claret jug that so many go their entire career without winning. He gazed adoringly at it, then thrust it into the air and gave it a kiss. “Those are the moments, the few seconds that you embrace so much,” he said. “And you look

“When you make history, it’s hard to grasp, it’s hard to really take it in.” Collin Morikawa

around, every seat is packed. Everywhere is packed with people.” They were seeing a young player already halfway to the career Grand Slam after eight starts, the first since Bobby Jones in 1926 to win two majors in so few appearances. He follows Gene Sarazen, Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Seve Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Spieth in winning multiple majors before turning 25. His total of 15-under 265 was a 72-hole record in 15 British Opens at Royal St. George’s. In 13 of them, the winning score has been 5 under or lower.

“When you make history,” he said, “it’s hard to grasp, it’s hard to really take it in. ... At 24 years old, it’s so hard to look back at the two short years that I have been a pro and see what I’ve done because I want more.” He did it with style amid immaculate weather on the links off Sandwich Bay, flushing shots with his irons and getting up-anddown on the rare occasions he found trouble. He called his putting display one of the best of his short career, turning a statistical weakness into a strength. Starting the final round one shot behind Louis Oosthuizen, Morikawa was tied for the lead after four holes and then made three straight birdies on Nos. 7-9 to overtake the South African, who hadn’t trailed since the 12th hole of his second round. Morikawa made key par saves — pumping his fist both times — at Nos. 10 and 15, between which he rolled a birdie putt up and over a ridge and into the cup on the 14th to build a two-stroke lead he never lost. Spieth parred his final four holes and also shot 66.


Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

5

COPPERHEADS

PHOTOS BY PJ WARD-BROWN | NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Clockwise from top left, Asheboro Copperheads starting pitcher Adam Dossenback delivers in the top of the 3rd inning against Florence RedWolves at McCrary Park in Asheboro, on July 15th, 2021. Asheboro Copperheads shortstop Matt Kemp makes the out in the top of the first inning. Asheboro Copperheads Head coach Jeremy Knight, far right, Assistant coach Dustin Haithcox, middle, and Assistant coach Chase Hetzel, left, stand in the dugout. Asheboro Copperheads Hunter Baker watches his home run in the 2nd inning.

Teen creates family connection at Caraway Track points leader hopes to follow father’s championship path

“He races more like a veteran. ... He has basically always been at the racetrack growing up.”

By Bob Sutton Randolph Record ASHEBORO — When Blaise Brinkley is behind the wheel of his stock car at Caraway Speedway, there are all sorts of connections that surface. “I get told that every time I go race out there,” Brinkley said of spectators recalling his father’s racing days. “They said, ‘I watched your dad here and he was a wheelman.’ ” That’s in reference to Brad Brinkley, a past champion at the track. Now there’s a new generation emerging, with 18-year-old Blaise Brinkley leading the Late Models points as the 2021 season has passed the midway mark. “He races more like a veteran,” Brad Brinkley said of his son. “He has basically always been at the racetrack growing up.” The Brinkleys live in Sanford, so they make the approximate onehour drive for competition at Caraway Speedway. Blaise Brinkley has sped into the spotlight in his first season of racing at the Asheboro track. But he has been training for this for several years. Half his life has involved handling a car at some level. He began in the Bandolero cars at age 9 in Charlotte. “He just kept taking to it,” Brad Brinkley said. The result was six track titles in

Brad Brinkley “It’s just what I’m happy doing and I want to do it as long as I can afford it,” he said. Another race night

PHOTO COURTESY OF BRINKLEY FAMILY

Blaise Brinkley, second from right, and his father Brad Brinkley stand in victory lane at Caraway Speedway. At the other end of the car is younger brother Bryson Brinkley, mom Tara Brinkley and older sister Morgan Brinkley. five years while driving Bandolero cars, winning at places such as Southern National Motorsports Park, Wake County Speedway and East Carolina Motor Speedway. Brad Brinkley had success behind the wheel at Caraway Speedway. He won the Mini Stocks division in 1996 and then claimed track titles in Late Models in 2006 and 2011. “That’s kind of got a special place in our heart,” Brad Brinkley said. Following that last championship, he stepped away from fulltime racing.

The Brinkley family racing legacy could have another addition soon. Blaise’s younger brother Bryson, 11, has started to compete. Blaise Brinkley, who drives a Chevy Camaro in competition, is a recent graduate of Lee Early College in Sanford. Brinkley leads the Late Models points with 889, followed by Blake Bledsoe’s 839. Brinkley has won three of seven features this year. “We tried some new stuff and it has really been working,” Brinkley said. “There’s so many emotions out there and having family out there.”

On the Caraway Speedway track, he’s pursuing the same goals as drivers twice his age. “Being in the points battle is kind of stressful sometimes,” Brinkley said. “I try not to think about it too much. I just try to go out and have fun.” Brinkley has started to get more involved in the business aspect of racing. He’s working in Raleigh helping with set-ups for Bandolero and Legends cars used by younger drivers. For now, he wants to keep seeing what he can do as a driver on weekends.

Saturday night’s Hot Summer Clash at Caraway Speedway will include racing in Late Models, Challengers, Mini Stocks, U-Cars, 602 Mods and Legends classes. Aside from Brinkley, the Late Models class features Bledsoe, who has been consistent with a first place, a second and three third places, and Boo Boo Dalton of Liberty. Dalton has entered four times at Caraway, winning two appearances before a 13th place July 3. Dylan Ward has won in two of three outings. In the 602 Mods, Lee Jeffreys and Rich Hunter are tied with 588 points. The Mini Stocks class shows Brandon Collins (947) atop the standings, followed by Johnny Baker (869). Baker has won two of the last three races. Collins hasn’t finished first this year. Other track points leaders are Mike Chambers (852 points in Challengers) and AJ Bisco (795 points in U-Cars).


Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

6

In step to shut Guantanamo, President Biden transfers Moroccan home By Dino Hazell The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Biden administration took a step toward its goal of shutting down the Guantánamo Bay detention center for international terror suspects on Monday, releasing into the custody of his home country a Moroccan who’d been held without charge almost since the U.S. opened the facility 19 years ago. The transfer of Abdullatif Nasser was the first by the Biden administration, reviving an Obama administration effort that had been stymied, in part, by conservative opposition and by the difficulty of finding secure sites to send some of the detainees. A review board had recommended repatriation for Nasser, who is in his mid-50s, in July 2016, but he had remained at Guantánamo under President Donald Trump, who opposed closing the site. In announcing Nasser’s transfer, the Pentagon cited the board’s determination that his detention was no longer necessary to protect U.S. national security. Nasser, also known as Abdul Latif Nasser, arrived Monday in Morocco. Police took him into custody and said they would investigate him on suspicion of committing terrorist acts. Nasser’s attorney in Morocco, Khalil Idrissi, said the years Nasser spent in Guantánamo “were unjustified and outside the law, and what he suffered remains a stain of disgrace on the forehead of the American system.” The State Department said in a statement that President Joe Biden’s administration would continue “a deliberate and thorough

ALEX BRANDON | AP PHOTO

In this Wednesday, April 17, 2019, file photo reviewed by U.S. military officials, the control tower is seen through the razor wire inside the Camp VI detention facility in Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. process” aimed at reducing the detainee population at Guantánamo. White House press secretary Jen Psaki had said in February it was the “intention” of the Biden administration to close the detention facility, something President Barack Obama pledged to do within a year shortly after he took office in January 2009. Almost 800 detainees have passed through Guantanamo. Of the 39 remaining, 10 are eligible to be transferred out, 17 are eligible to go through the review process for possible transfer, another 10 are involved in the military commission process used to prosecute detainees and two have been convicted, another senior administration official said. The Biden administration didn’t

address how it would handle the ongoing effort to prosecute five men held at Guantánamo for the Sept. 11 attacks. It also has to resolve what it will do with detainees that the Obama administration particularly struggled with, either because their home countries were not considered secure enough to return them to, or because they were refused by third-party countries. The detention center opened in 2002. Bush’s administration transformed what had been a quiet Navy outpost on Cuba’s southeastern tip into a place to interrogate and imprison people suspected of links to al-Qaida and the Taliban. The Obama administration, seeking to allay concerns that some of those released had “returned to

the fight,” set up a process to ensure those repatriated or resettled in third countries no longer posed a threat. It also planned to try some of the men in federal court. But the closure effort was thwarted when Congress barred the transfer of prisoners from Guantánamo to the U.S., including for prosecution or medical care. The prisoner transfer process stalled under Trump, who said even before taking office there should be no further releases. “These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield,” Trump said. Under Trump, only one prisoner, a Saudi, was transferred to Saudi Arabia to serve the remainder of his sentence after he agreed to a

plea bargain. Under Obama, 197 were transferred to other countries. The possibility that former Guantánamo prisoners would resume hostile activities has long been a concern that has played into the debate over releases. The office of the Director of National Intelligence said in a 2016 report that about 17% of the 728 detainees who had been released were “confirmed” and 12% were “suspected” of reengaging in such activities. But the vast majority of those reengagements occurred with former prisoners who did not go through the security review that was set up under Obama. A task force that included agencies such as the Defense Department and the CIA analyzed who was held at Guantánamo and determined who could be released and who should continue in detention. The U.S. thanked Morocco for facilitating Nasser’s transfer. “The United States commends the Kingdom of Morocco for its long-time partnership in securing both countries’ national security interests,” the Pentagon statement said. In a statement, the public prosecutor at the Court of Appeal in Rabat said the National Division of the Judicial Police in Casablanca had been instructed to open an investigation into Nasser “on suspicion of committing terrorist acts.” Idrissi, Nasser’s attorney, said judicial authorities should not “take measures that prolong his torment and suffering, especially since he lived through the hell of Guantánamo.” Nasser’s journey to the Cuban prison was a long one. He was a member of a nonviolent but illegal Moroccan Sufi Islam group in the 1980s, according to his Pentagon file. In 1996, he was recruited to fight in Chechnya but ended up in Afghanistan, where he trained at an al-Qaida camp. He was captured after fighting U.S. forces there and was sent to Guantánamo in May 2002.

Garland lets immigration judges put off deportation cases By Amy Taxin The Associated Press U.S. ATTORNEY General Merrick Garland tossed a Trump administration policy that barred immigration judges from putting off the deportation cases of immigrants waiting on green cards and visas. Garland overruled a decision by then-Attorney General Jeff Sessions that judges could not temporarily shelve those cases — a practice known as administrative closure. Immigration judges, who are employees of Garland’s Department of Justice, said the practice helps them manage their dockets more efficiently by letting them focus on cases that are ready to go to court and avoid dragging in immigrants and attorneys for unnecessary hearings. That’s critical in a backlogged system where immigrants already wait years to get a court date. “It helps us clear our dockets so we’re dealing with cases that are really ready for hearings,” said Immigration Judge Dana Leigh Marks, president emerita and executive vice president of the National Association of Immigration Judges. For many immigrants, administrative closure was seen as a lifeline that shielded them from deportation while they awaited word on their applications for legal status from other agencies, such as green cards or other visas. Critics

PATRICK SEMANSKY | AP PHOTO

In this June 25, 2021 file photo, Attorney General Merrick Garland speaks during a news conference on voting rights at the Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. said immigration judges too often let people stay in the country longer than they should in a sort of legal purgatory. The decision is one of several recent Biden administration reversals of former President Donald Trump’s immigration policies. Last month, Garland ended two policies that made it harder for im-

migrants fleeing violence to qualify for asylum. In the decision on immigration judges, Garland wrote that three federal appeals courts had already rejected Sessions’ 2018 policy, saying the judges had the authority to decide how they wanted to handle cases. The Justice Department, which runs the immigration

Subscribe today (704) 269-8461 randolphrecord.com/subscribe

courts, is making rules related to administrative closure and will allow the practice in the meantime, the attorney general wrote. During the Trump administration, the number of cases in the immigration courts surged, partly as some of the hundreds of thousands of cases that had been put on hold were added back on the

court calendar following Sessions’ decision. Since the 2018 fiscal year, the number of cases pending in the immigration courts has risen 74%, to 1.3 million, according to data from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at Syracuse University. Gene Hamilton, a key architect of many of Trump’s immigration policies who served in the Justice Department, said he believes Garland’s decision will let immigrants stay in the country indefinitely despite facing deportation. But some immigration judges said they can only use the practice in a limited number of cases and that it makes the courts more efficient, not less. Without it, some immigrants have wound up filing applications for asylum or appeal simply to buy more time while waiting on their green card application, Marks said. “It clutters up the system with unnecessary filings and unnecessary hearings,” she said. The move also restores autonomy to the country’s immigration judges over how they manage their dockets, said Jeremy McKinney, president elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. Immigration judges clashed repeatedly with the Trump administration, decrying measures they said limited their independence. “To say the immigration judges never possessed this power was simply ridiculous,” McKinney said.


Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

7

obituaries Roy Perry

daughter, Brittany Richardson of High Point; grandson, Aiden Richardson; and sisters, Linda Curtis and Patricia Cole. A Private Service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Dr., Asheboro, NC 27203 or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memorial Giving, Memphis, TN 38105-9959 or Foster Street Wesleyan Church, 214 Foster St., Asheboro, NC 27205. Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro is serving the Richardson family.

1951 - 2021 Roy Perry, age 69, of Trinity died Sunday, July 18, 2021. Mr. Perry was formerly employed with Ramtex and formerly attended Calvary Pentecostal Church. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jenny Hiatt Perry, brother, Roy Earl Perry, sisters, Helen Lemonds and Frances Miller. He is survived by stepdaughters, Donna Deweese of Trinity, Tina Mendez of Bennett; sister, Betty Brumitt of Norfolk, VA; half-brothers, Harvey Miller of High Point, Marvin Miller of High Point, James Miller of High Point, Jimmy Miller of Trinity; many loving grandkids and great grandkids. The family will receive friends Wednesday, July 14, 2021 from 2:00-3:00 pm at Pugh Funeral Home, 437 Sunset Avenue, Asheboro. A private burial will be held. Memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Dr., Asheboro, NC 27203, www. hospiceofrandolph.org

Zora “Eloise” Riddle

Bessie Marie Bland Norris

1926 - 2021 Bessie Marie Bland Norris, age 94, peacefully passed away at 12:30 am July 15, 2021 at the Randolph Hospice House. Born November 15, 1926 in Conway, South Carolina, she was the daughter of the late Sam and Bessie Bland. Mrs. Norris will be remembered as a loving wife, devoted mother, grandmother, great-great grandmother as well as a friend to many. Along with her parents, Mrs. Norris was predeceased by her sons Jimmy Ludlum, Stewart Norris, grandsons, Michael Clarence Smart, Alvin Strider, and Daniel Norris, and great grandson William Michael Ludlum. Surviving is her loving devoted husband Don Norris, son Bill Ludlum (Sandra) of Rock Hill, SC, her daughters, Linda Smart (Clarence) of Conway, SC, Sandra Strider of Asheboro, Julie Matthews (Anthony) of Asheboro, Debbie Lanier (Paul) of Winston-Salem, James Norris (Connie) of Asheboro, along with 9 grandchildren, 11 great grandchildren, and 13 great-great grandchildren. Funeral services will be held in the chapel at Pugh Funeral Home in Asheboro on Sunday, July 18, 2021 at 2:00 pm with Pastor Wayne Eller officiating. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Burial will follow at Randolph Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203.

Sharon Blanton Richardson

1961 - 2021 Sharon Blanton Richardson, age 60, of Denton passed away on Thursday, July 15, 2021 at her home. Mrs. Richardson was born in Randolph County on March 23, 1961 to General M. and Flossie Brinson Blanton. She was retired from Pugh Oil Company. Sharon enjoyed going to the beach, camping, and taking care of her plants at her home. She loved spending time with her grandson Aiden and her Yorkies and enjoyed being with her family and friends. She is survived by her husband, Todd Richardson;

2

1941 - 2021 Zora “Eloise” Huie Riddle was born, August 30, 1941 in Harmony, NC to Cowan Huie and Edna Campbell Huie. She passed from this life July 13, 2021. Eloise was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. She was also a devoted Christian and an active member of Centre Friends Meeting. She taught school for 30 years in Iredell, Randolph and Guilford Counties. After her retirement from teaching, she took a hostess job with Holiday Tours and enjoyed traveling and meeting new people. In addition to her parents, Eloise is preceded in death by her brother, John Huie. She is survived by her husband of 57 years, David Eugene Riddle; two sons, Calvin Riddle (Margaret) and Dalen Riddle (Melissa), and her three grandchildren, Adam, Jake and Campbell Riddle. She is also survived by one brother Elmer Huie (Lavonne) and sister-in-law Mary Huie. A service to celebrate her life will be held Sunday, July 18, 2021 at 2:00 pm at Centre Friends Meeting with Rev. Rusty Parsons and Rev. Tommy Sluder presiding. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends after the service in the fellowship hall. Memorials may be made to Centre Friends Meeting, P.O. Box 632, Randleman, NC 27317.

Susan Elaine Campbell Watkins

1958 - 2021 Susan Elaine Campbell Watkins, age 63, of Troy went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, July 9, 2021 at her home. Susan was born January 8, 1958 to James Harrison and Frances Weld Campbell. Susan was raised in Candor and was a 1976 graduate of East Montgomery High School. She received an associate degree in Criminal Justice from Montgomery Community College. In 1987, Susan married her soulmate Chris. She started her Criminal Justice career working as a dispatcher with the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office. Later she began work as a correctional officer with the NC Prison system and finished her career there in 2016 working in administration. Susan is a lifelong member of Macedonia Presbyterian Church. Susan enjoyed taking trips to the beach with her family and loved riding motorcycle with Chris. Most of all, she was a loving wife, mother, sister and friend to all that knew her. Susan is preceded in death by her parents. She is survived by her husband of 34 years, Chris Watkins; daughters, Katherine Watkins of Arlington, VA and Laura Watkins WEDNESDAY Dills and husband Michael of Troy; brothers, Larry Campbell

7.7.21

and wife Donna of Fuquay-Varina and Phillip Campbell and wife Sue of Garner. The family will receive friends Monday, July 12, 2021 from 5:00-7:00 pm at Pugh-Troy Funeral Home, 211 North Main Street, Troy. A graveside service will be held on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 11:00 AM at Macedonia Presbyterian Church Cemetery, 3269 Candor-Troy Road, Biscoe with Rev. Steve Wilkinson and Rev. Beth Olker officiating.

Drexell Leroy “Rocky” Rockhold

1960 - 2021 Drexell Leroy “Rocky” Rockhold, 61, of Asheboro passed away on Monday, July 19, 2021 at UNC Hospitals, Chapel Hill. Mr. Rockhold was born in Cowley County, Kansas on March 2, 1960 the son of Claire and Patricia Elam Rockhold. Rocky attended Moon’s Chapel Baptist Church. He spent his working years as a Tow Truck Driver. He loved Ford trucks and any kind of vintage cars or trucks. In his free time, you could find Rocky watching Nascar, fishing or drawing. His family was everything to him and he cherished spending as much time as he could with them. In addition to his parents, Rocky is preceded in death by his son, Jon Rockhold. He is survived by his wife of 30 years: Martha Ann Rockhold of Asheboro; sons, Casey Donovan Fraser and wife Amber of AL, and Kale Koppold of IA; daughters, Mandy, Darcy and Sasha; several grandchildren, and his loving cat Windsor. No services are planned at this time. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Rockhold family.

Kenneth Lee Trogdon

1943 - 2021 Kenneth Lee Trogdon, Sr., 78, of Chapel Hill passed away on Friday, July 16, 2021 at his home. Mr. Trogdon was born in Chatham County on April 19, 1943 the son of the late Luva B. and the late Fleta Perry Trogdon. Kenneth was a Veteran serving in the National Guard. He was an avid golfer and a diehard Duke fan. Kenneth spent his working years self-employed as a carpenter. He is survived by his daughters; Amy Reddick of Asheboro, and Wendy L. Tamplin and husband Chris of Asheboro; son, Kenneth Lee Trogdon, Jr. and wife Cressida Lamy of Chapel Hill; sister, Barbara Rachel of Siler City; grandchildren, Natalie Leonhardt and husband Dalton of Hamlet, and Autumn Beane and husband Luke of Asheboro; great grandchildren, Dayton and Henry Beane, and Delany Leonhardt. The family will receive friends Saturday, July 24, 2021 from 2:00-5:00 pm at Smith & Buckner Funeral Home, 230 North Second Avenue, Siler City, NC. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Liberty Hospice Services, 3414 N. Duke Street, Suite 201, Durham, NC 27704. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Trogdon family.

WEEKLY

Josephine Short Pike

Mr. Coltrane is survived by his wife, Mary Jordan Coltrane of the home; daughters, Marlene Dawalt (Mark), Teena Vanvick (Mark); son, Crandel Coltrane (Jessica); sister, Sue Hussey; brothers, Thurman Coltrane, Johnny Coltrane (Patricia); grandchildren, Hannah Wilson (Dustin), Mary Kathryn Coltrane, Joshua Dawalt (Keisha), Luke Vanvick, Ben Vanvick, Cole Vanvick, Carson Coltrane; great grandchildren, Paylina Wilson, Liliana Wilson, Addison Dawalt, Emmaline Wilson, Jordyn Dawalt, Coulter Wilson, Brentley Wilson. Memorials may be made to Rushwood Church, 1810 Old Farmer Road, Asheboro, NC 27205; or Hospice of Randolph, 416 Vision Drive, Asheboro, NC 27203.

1927 - 2021 Josephine Short Pike, 94, of Staley passed away on Sunday, July 11, 2021 at Chatham Hospital, Inc., Siler City. Mrs. Pike was born in Chatham County on May 1, 1927 the daughter of Lacy Herbert and Daisy Johnson Short. She is preceded in death by her parents; brothers, Earl and Clyde Short; and husband, Franklin Pike. She is survived by her son, Don Pike of Staley; and several nieces and nephews. A graveside service will be held at 11:00 am on Tuesday July 13, 2021 at Loves Creek Baptist Cemetery, 1745 East 11th Street, Siler City with Rev. Kenny Black officiating. Memorials may be made to Loves Creek Baptist Church, 1745 East 11th Street, Siler City, NC 27344. Smith & Buckner Funeral Home is assisting the Pike family.

Betty Tysinger

Winfred Brown

September 17, 1941 - July 18, 2021 Betty Lee Wall Tysinger, 79, of Asheboro, died Sunday, July 18, 2021 at her home in Asheboro. A native of Randolph Co., Mrs. Tysinger was the daughter of the late Jeff and Elizabeth Wall of Asheboro. She was a member of Mount Pleasant Community Church. Mrs. Tysinger is survived by her husband of 61 years, John (Jay) Tysinger of the home; sons, Terry Tysinger (Sandra), and Ricky Tysinger (Beverly); grandchildren, Alyssa (Josh), and Sarah; and three great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 24, at Mount Pleasant Community Church, 2415 Hoover Hill Road Trinity. A memorial service will follow the receiving of friends to celebrate the loving life that Betty lived. Memorials may be made to Mount Pleasant Community Church, 2415 Hoover Hill Road, Trinity, NC 27370.

October 23, 1936 - July 14, 2021 Winfred Everette Brown, 84, of Asheboro, died of natural causes on Wednesday, July 14, 2021, at his home. A private funeral service will be conducted at Huldah Baptist Church with Rev. Tommy Brown officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Winfred was born on October 23, 1936, in Randolph Co., to the late Gurney Everett Brown and Roselle Luck Brown. He was a graduate of Seagrove High School, class of ‘55. Winfred retired as a trucker for Oliver Rubber after 38 years. He loved bluegrass music and played guitar, piano, and dobro. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Latham Brown; sister, Irene Bell; brother, William “Bill “ Brown. Winfred is survived by his daughters, Anita Helms and husband Doug of Asheboro, Angie Brown of Boone, NC; son, Tony Brown; grandchildren, Brandon Helms and wife Tonia, Ashley Jones and husband Stefan; great grandchildren, Lee Helms and Cora Jones.

Gilbert Coltrane

Amanda Bulla

April 21, 1993 - July 12, 2021 Amanda Dael Bulla, 28, of April 29, 1939 - July 15, 2021 Asheboro, passed away Monday, Gilbert Lawrence Coltrane, 82, July 12, 2021, at the home. of Asheboro, died Thursday, July Amanda was born on April 15, 2021 at The Randolph Hospice 21, 1993, in Guilford County. She House in Asheboro. was a kind person with a sweet Funeral services will be spirit and a beautiful smile. conducted at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, She was very soft spoken, slow July 17, 2021, at Ridge Funeral to anger, and quick with a hug. Home Chapel with Rev. Joshua Amanda touched everyone she Dawalt, Rev. Hannah Wilson and met in a very special way. Having Dr. Brent Tysinger officiating. a chronic illness since she was six Burial will follow at West Chapel years old, Amanda was a fighter United Methodist Church and a warrior. She will be deeply Cemetery. missed. A native of Randolph Co., Mr. Amanda was preceded in Coltrane was born April 29, 1939, death by her grandmother, Linda the son of the late John Allen Craven. and Lula Mae Poole Coltrane. She is survived by her parents, Mr. Coltrane was a graduate Luann and Luther Cagle of of Asheboro High School, class the home; father, Bryan Bulla of 1958. He was a member of and wife Kat of Asheboro; Rushwood Park Wesleyan Church sisters, Emily Goins Allred and where he served on the church husband Travis, Lindsay Bulla, board for over 50 years. He Abigail Jordan Williamson and also served as church treasurer, husband Riley all of Asheboro; Sunday school superintendent brother, Alex Cagle of Asheboro; and custodian. He loved serving grandfather, Darrell Craven; God with his whole heart. nieces and nephews whom she He retired from GE / Black & loved dearly, Connor Allred, Addy Decker after 35 years of service Mae Allred, Kylee Dixon, Hazlee and served on the official board of Dixon; aunt, Waynette Araj Westside Fire Dept. and husband Saba of Asheboro; Gilbert played softball for cousins, Ben and Emily Harless many years, was an avid Tarheel and their son Declan Harless, baseball fan and loved to fish. He Hannah Mellon, Katie Mellon; enjoyed his evening golf cart rides best lifelong friends, Bailey Kidd, with his bride and his greatest Record Randolph Wednesday, July Hayleyfor White, Kristen Aln, joy was spending time with his Rhonda Bingham. family. Memorials may be made to the In addition to his parents, Mr. Lupus Foundation of America, Coltane was preceded in death 2121 K Street, NW, Suite 200, by his sisters Mary Lee Cox and Washington, DC 20037-1830. Kathleen Bowman, and brother FORECAST Richard Coltrane.

7, 2

#1

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

JUNE 30 JULY 1 Celebrate the life of your loved ones. 91° deathHInotices 91° Submit HI obituaries and LO 70° LO to be published in Randolph Record at 70° PRECIP 15% PRECIP 15% obits@randolphrecord.com

“Join the conversation” Stanly County Journal

FRIDAY

JULY 2

HI LO PRECIP

78° 66° 57%

SATURDAY

JULY 3

HI LO PRECIP

81° 62° 43%


8

Randolph Record for Wednesday, July 21, 2021

STATE & NATION

Biden and Sanders, once rivals, are now partners in power By Lisa Mascaro The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Talkers both, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders stayed for an hour in the Oval Office, just two former rivals for the White House now acting as potential partners, negotiating a compromise both could live with. The president listened as the liberal senator spoke. Sanders passionately made his case that Biden’s big infrastructure investment should go even bigger — and include his own longtime goal of dental, hearing and vision benefits for older Americans on Medicare. The president gave his full backing, ac-

cording to a senior White House aide and another person familiar with the private session, who spoke on condition of anonymity to describe a private meeting. Together, they are trying to unite the political factions of progressives and centrists in the sprawling Democratic Party, which controls Congress by only the narrowest of margins in the House and a 5050 Senate, with no votes to spare around the president’s $3.5 trillion national rebuilding proposal. In their sights is a legislative feat on par with Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal or Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society. For two political leaders in the twilight of decade-

slong careers, it is the chance of a lifetime and the stuff of legacies. “We’re going to get this done,” Biden said Wednesday as he entered the private lunch room at the Capitol. Biden encouraged the senators to think of the good they could do for people across America, investing in places like Scranton, Pennsylvania, where he was born, who feel that the party is not in touch with working people’s pain. The president gave a nod to Sanders, who noted their past rivalry and yet spoke with similar urgency about the moment before them — how the future of democracy rests with how well they can connect with people who feel the government has forgotten them. When it came time for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer to call on senators who had raised their hands to speak, there were no pointed questions or objections, only enthusiasm, according to a person in the room who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the private meeting. Senators emerged enthralled by the possibility of doing something

big for the country. “Truly transformative,” Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said, using a word both Biden and Sanders now share. The relationship between Biden and Sanders goes back years, the president having already spent decades in the Senate by the time the Vermont lawmaker was elected in 2006. While Biden was the ultimate senator’s senator, Sanders has always been an outsider on Capitol Hill, a declared independent, rather than member of the Democratic Party, with his rumpled suits, gruff demeanor and unrelenting focus on liberal causes. Once seen as outlandish, Sanders’ views have captivated millions of Americans who filled arenas to hear him speak. He almost won the party’s presidential nomination in 2016, but was defeated by Hillary Clinton, and again in 2020, before he lost to Biden. In returning to the Senate, Sanders quickly became a focal point of Republicans opposed to Biden’s agenda. The president intends to finance his plan with tax

hikes on corporations and Americans making more than $400,000 a year. Republicans see Sanders as an influencer, alongside Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., and other prominent progressives, pushing the president to liberal extremes. “The president may have won the nomination, but Bernie Sanders won the argument,” Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said recently back home in Kentucky, on the same day he said he was “100% focused” on stopping Biden’s agenda. With Republicans opposed in lockstep to Biden’s broader proposal, Democrats are pressing ahead on the more robust package they could pass on their own, under special budget rules of 51 votes for passage rather than the 60 typically needed to overcome objections from a filibuster. If Biden, Sanders and Schumer can keep all 50 Democratic senators united, Vice President Kamala Harris can cast a tiebreaking vote. Democratic Speaker Nancy Pelosi has a similarly slim margin in the House.

SUSAN WALSH | AP PHOTO

Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., finishes talking to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, D.C., Monday, July 12, 2021, following his meeting with President Joe Biden.

South Dakota’s Noem taking swings at potential 2024 hopefuls By Stephen Groves The Associated Press DES MOINES, Iowa — Long before the first presidential nomination contest of 2024, most potential Republican candidates are just getting a sense of the political landscape, tiptoeing through early-voting states and trying to make friends in key places. Then there’s Kristi Noem. The South Dakota governor has come out swinging as she tries to carve a niche among an early crowd of possible GOP rivals for the White House. Her combative style, no surprise to those who follow her, is evidence of how competitive the nomination race will be if Donald Trump stays on the sidelines. Noem charged into Iowa over the weekend singing a battle hymn and armed with barbed comments for her fellow GOP governors. At a conservative gathering in Des Moines, she told the crowd she “really hates this America” under President Joe Biden’s leadership, then led them in singing “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.” But Noem didn’t just take aim at political foes. She also unleashed sharp-edged comments on those within her own party, accusing fellow GOP governors of “rewriting history” by claiming they kept their states open during the pandemic.

CHARLIE NEIBERGALL | AP PHOTO

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem speaks during the Family Leadership Summit, Friday, July 16, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa. “To pretend that they didn’t take actions that they had no authority to take isn’t standing on truth,” she told reporters Friday. It’s easy to see why the 49-yearold governor, who is known as a scorched-earth campaigner in her home state, is elbowing out anyone trying to claim a more handsoff approach to the pandemic. She doesn’t have the experience of working alongside Trump, like Mike Pence, Nikki Haley or Mike Pompeo — all of whom have visited the presidential-proving

ground of Iowa in recent days. Other potential rivals like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have the advantage of governing states that figure prominently in national politics. The pandemic was rocket fuel for Noem’s political rise. While she had been laying the groundwork to build a national profile and looking for ways to make South Dakota a testing ground for conservative policies, she jumped on decrying coronavirus restric-

tions early. Conservatives nationwide have since made efforts to try to halt the pandemic’s spread into a favorite punching bag. At the Family Leadership Summit, where Noem spoke alongside Pence, Pompeo and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, speakers warned that government restrictions were eroding personal liberties. DeSantis has even begun selling “Don’t Fauci My Florida” merchandise to raise money for his gubernatorial reelection campaign, taking aim at another favorite target, the nation’s top infectious diseases expert, Dr. Anthony Fauci. Noem didn’t mention DeSantis by name during a Sunday speech at another conservative conference in Texas, but seemed to single him out when she accused other GOP governors of “pretending” they didn’t shut down their beaches. “All I’m saying is that we need leaders with grit. That their first instinct is to make the right decision,” Noem told the audience at the Conservative Political Action Conference. But as an early wave of virus cases hit her state in the spring of last year, Noem initially stepped in. She declared an emergency and told schools to close, urged a meatpacking plant to temporarily shutter after an outbreak among workers, and even issued a stay-at-

home order in two hard-hit counties for people over 65 or vulnerable to the virus. While Noem never ordered businesses to close, many did so anyway. And city leaders, frustrated with Noem’s inaction, issued their own orders that forced many to shutter for weeks in the spring. As the response to the virus became increasingly politicized, however, Noem moved to the forefront of governors railing against government orders. By June of 2020, her message had shifted: “More freedom, not more government is the answer.” With an eye on the economic and mental health ripple effects of the pandemic, she frequently touted the fact that her state has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and a growing economy. She refused to urge people to wear masks in public. Instead, the state spent more in federal coronavirus funds on an ad campaign inviting tourists to visit than it did on public health advertising. It’s not clear how her record on the virus would play beyond the Republican base. South Dakota recorded the nation’s 10th highest COVID-19 death rate. Midwest states with far more aggressive approaches to mitigating the pandemic saw similar outcomes, however. “When I ran for governor I ran on it being an example to the nation,” she told the crowd Friday. “I had no idea that that was going to happen through a pandemic.”


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook