Stanly News Journal Vol. 146, Issue 31

Stanly NewS Journal

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

WHAT’S HAPPENING

County prosecutor charges ICE agent with assault for pointing gun at people on Minneapolis highway

State prosecutors have charged an ICE agent with assault for pointing his gun at the occupants of a car on a highway in Minneapolis. The criminal case is believed to be the rst brought against a federal immigration o cer involved in the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Gregory Donnell Morgan Jr. is charged with two counts of second-degree aggravated assault in the Feb. 5 incident. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Morgan illegally drove along the shoulder of State Highway 62 and pointed his service weapon at two people in a vehicle.

House rejects e ort to withdraw U.S. forces from the Iran war as GOP sticks with Trump

The House has rejected a resolution requiring President Donald Trump to withdraw U.S. forces from the war with Iran unless Congress authorizes military action. The vote Thursday was the latest such attempt that fell short of passage as Republicans largely continue to support Trump’s operation. Democrats are concerned about the United States getting further entrenched in another lengthy Middle East con ict and are promising to keep raising the issue through more votes in the coming weeks. Republicans counter by noting that Congress never voted on a war powers resolution when the Biden administration attacked Iranian-backed Houthis.

Stanly County Concert Band to perform

‘Our

American Journey in Music’

The April 30 concert will feature patriotic works

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — A blend of patriotic music, American classics and a world premiere composition will highlight the Stanly County Concert Band’s upcoming spring performance later this month. The ensemble is scheduled to present “Our American Journey in Music” at 7 p.m. on April 30 at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, a program that traces the evolution of American music while marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. Directed by Carmella Hedrick, Tim Hedrick and Frank Poolos, the concert will include a collaboration with the Stan-

ly County Chorale and guest composer and conductor Bruce W. Tippette. Organizers said the program is designed to re ect a broad range of American musical traditions.

“This year is a celebration of the 250th birthday of the signing of the Declaration of Independence,” the Stanly County Concert Band said in an event announcement. “The concert re ects music of the people of

Locust Police involved in trio of pursuits in 3 days

“LPD maintains a policy that pursuits are authorized to be conducted safely and by policy every time a vehicle refuses to stop for a lawful tra c stop attempted by our o cers.”

Locust Police Department

All three incidents from April 9-11 resulted in arrests

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

LOCUST — Three separate vehicle pursuits over three days resulted in multiple arrests last week, according to the Locust Police Department.

The department announced in a Tuesday press release that the incidents occurred April 9-11 and involved assistance from several regional agencies.

The rst pursuit began around 3:20 a.m. on April 9, when Locust o cers were alerted to a chase traveling westbound on N.C. 24/27 near Brattain Road. Deputies with the Stanly County Sheri ’s O ce

were pursuing a suspect believed to have broken into an Ingles grocery store in Albemarle.

Locust o cers deployed a tire de ation device, striking two tires on the suspect vehicle. Deputies later took Gregory Gri n, of Charlotte, into custody. He was charged with felony breaking and entering, felony ee to elude arrest and multiple outstanding felony warrants.

The second pursuit occurred around 8:20 p.m. on April 10, when o cers attempted to stop a vehicle driven by Byron Reid, of Reidsville, for displaying a ctitious registration plate. Authorities said Reid refused to stop, leading o cers on a 16-mile pursuit that ended near Engineer Lane in Mint Hill after a crash involving his vehicle.

America and how it evolved through time. It is the hope that concertgoers will recognize much of it and appreciate the many di erent people

Underground bunker and national security construction work can continue

By Michael Kunzelman The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal judge who halted construction of President Donald Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom clari ed on Thursday that the administration can proceed with below-ground construction of a bunker and other “national security facilities” at the site.

U.S. District Judge Richard Leon in Washington, D.C., is-

CRIME LOG

April 6

• Derrick Lamoris Brown, 58, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.

• Francisco Roman Escobar, 62, was arrested for cock ghting.

April 7

• Kent R. Timmerman, 63, was arrested for driving while impaired, possession of an open container of alcohol after consuming and unsafe movement of a motor vehicle causing a crash.

• Anthony Samuel Walker, 27, was arrested for simple a ray.

• Jason Andrew Prosser, 40, was arrested for possession of a rearm by a felon; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; and other charges.

sued his latest ruling in a lawsuit over the ballroom project several days after an appeals court instructed him to reconsider the possible national security implications of stopping construction.

Government lawyers had argued that the project includes critical security features to guard against a range of possible threats, such as drones, ballistic missiles and biohazards.

Leon had barred work from proceeding without congressional approval, but he suspended enforcement of that order for two weeks. The appeals court extended that stay until Friday.

Leon, who was nominat-

April 8

• Darren Jay Russell, 64, was arrested for assault on a female, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and injury to personal property.

April 9

• Gregory Austin Gri n, 65, was arrested for felony eeing to elude arrest, felony breaking and entering and larceny after breaking and entering, and other charges.

• Marquis Daquinn Bordeaux, 32, was arrested for possession of a rearm by a felon, possession with intent to sell or deliver cocaine and carrying a concealed gun, and other charges.

April 10

• Tino Ray Anderson, 52, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.

• Avery Randall Smith, 42, was arrested for failure to register

ed to the bench by Republican President George W. Bush, said he is ordering a stop only to above-ground construction of the planned ballroom, apart from any work needed to cover or secure that part of the project. Otherwise, the Trump administration is free to proceed with construction of any excavations, bunkers, military installations and medical facilities below the ballroom.

“Defendants argue that the entire ballroom construction project, from tip to tail, falls within the safety-and-security exception and therefore may proceed unabated,” the judge wrote. “That is neither a reasonable nor a correct reading of my Order!”

as a sex o ender, failure to report a new address as a sex o ender and obstructing justice.

April 11

• Nakori Andrea Bowden, 25, was arrested for breaking and entering to terrorize or injure, simple assault and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.

• Heather Lorraine Lee, 38, was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of a controlled substance on prison or jail premises and possession of methamphetamine, and other charges.

• Byron Quincy Reid, 52, was arrested for felony eeing to elude arrest, reckless driving and driving on a revoked license, and other charges.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County.

April 19

Stanly County Chorale — “America: 250 Years in Song” 3-4:30 p.m.

The Stanly County Chorale presents “America: 250 Years in Song,” a musical retrospective celebrating the nation’s history from colonial times to the present as part of Stanly County’s America250 commemoration.

First Baptist Church of Albemarle 202 N. Second St. Albemarle

April 22-25

Spring Book Sale

9 a.m. - 6 p.m.

The Friends of the Stanly County Public Library hold their spring book sale, open to the public Wednesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday, April 25 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a $1-per-bag sale on the nal day.

Stanly County Public Library 133 E. Main St. Albemarle

April 24

Elevate Ballet — “The Wizard of Oz” 6 p.m.

Elevate Ballet presents “The Wizard of Oz,” featuring local student dancers in a full-scale production of the classic story; tickets are available at the door.

Stanly County Agri-Civic Center 26032 Newt Road Albemarle

Oakboro Monthly Cruise-In

5 p.m.

Classic and custom car enthusiasts gather for the Oakboro Cruise-In, billed as the largest cruise-in held in a North Carolina downtown, with vehicles on display along Main Street. Downtown Oakboro

THE CONVERSATION

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

VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | ANDREW TAYLOR-TROUTMAN

We are one crew

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Artemis II crew was also personally relatable. They

had a clogged toilet problem, and they joked about it!

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

In addition to potty humor, grief and sorrow are as much a part of the human experience as pride over accomplishments. Just as we do not all achieve the same things, we do not all su er the same losses — and yet, all of us will su er loss at some point. Loss is as inevitable as gravity on Earth, and while it weighs on us, sharing our grief can alleviate even our darkest moments, which (like the moon) we often hide from the light.

History will remember the space voyage of Artemis II. I pray that, on this whirling planet, we will remember the reality of loss and the lessons of grief so that we might care for one another like a crew and thereby make this planet a safer, kinder and more loving place.

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

Prices controls will deny millions of Americans credit cards

A credit card isn’t a luxury. They cover a car repair, a medical bill or groceries at the end of a tight month.

THERE’S A FAMOUS scene in the movie “The Graduate” in which a young Dustin Ho man receives this one-word bit of career advice from a businessman: “plastics.”

He wasn’t talking about credit cards, but he might as well have been. Back in the 1960s, only about half of Americans had credit cards. Today about 90% of us do. It’s what I call the democratization of credit.

This revolution in the way we pay for things bene ts everyone: shoppers, retailers, online companies, banks, recordkeepers and so on.

It’s no exaggeration to say that credit cards are the grease that makes the great American economic engine run smoothly.

Today, we increasingly tap our phones at checkout lines rather than swipe a plastic card. All told, one of every three consumer purchases today is made with a credit card. I’ve noticed lately that stores now have signs that read, “Sorry, we don’t take cash.”

But now some politicians in Washington won’t leave well enough alone. In order to make things “more a ordable,” they want to impose price controls on how much credit card companies charge merchants. Even worse, they want to put an interest rate cap of 10% on late credit card payments.

I understand the impulse of lowering interest penalties. Americans are still feeling the sting of the Biden in ation years and now higher energy prices due to the Iran con ict.

But good intentions cannot override the laws of economics. In a recent analysis conducted for Unleash Prosperity Now — based on rigorous research and a sweeping industry survey covering roughly 75% of the U.S. credit card market — we found a 10% rate cap would not lower costs for consumers. It would eliminate access to credit for tens of millions of them.

A 10% interest rate cap would result in more than half of all open credit card accounts being closed or having their credit lines drastically reduced. We’re talking about more than 100 million cardholders losing easy access to credit.

Especially vulnerable are the one-third of lower-income American adults with subprime or near-prime credit scores — especially younger workers, people rebuilding after a nancial setback or those who temporarily lose a job.

For many of these families, a credit card isn’t a luxury. It’s how they cover a car repair, a medical bill or groceries at the end of a tight month. The Federal Reserve’s own data shows that 37% of American adults couldn’t cover a $400 emergency expense from savings alone. A credit card is their safety net.

And it’s not just subprime borrowers who’d get hurt. Our study nds that many prime borrowers who use their cards responsibly would see their lines of credit cut under a 10% cap.

Our study found that when Illinois imposed interest rate caps in 2021, access to credit cards for low-credit-rate households fell by more than one-third.

Even the “compromise” position of a 15%-to-20% rate cap is problematic. Our study nds millions of families would lose credit card access or face lower credit limits, especially because interest rates have edged upward as of late.

What is needed is better nancial literacy in America. Credit cards aren’t meant for a “buy now, pay later” mentality. (Who do we think we are? The federal government?) The high fees are meant as a deterrent to running up unpaid bills. The credit card companies mostly lose money when bills aren’t paid on time.

There’s an old saying: If something isn’t broken, don’t x it. Let the market work. There’s plenty of free-market competition here: four major credit card companies and scores of banks issuing them. Let the market decide and let the politicians deal with their own unpaid bills: the $40 trillion national debt.

Stephen Moore is a former Trump senior economic adviser and the cofounder of Unleash Prosperity, which advocates for education freedom for all children. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye

Glenn Curtis Mabry

April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023

Feb. 17, 1942 – April 15, 2026

Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.

Barbara was born April 17, 1936 in North Carolina to the late Robert Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Watts Taylor.

Glenn Curtis Mabry, 84, of Locust, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Novant Presbyterian Medical Center, surrounded by his loving family.

She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor.

A funeral service will be held at 2:45 p.m. on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Stanly Funeral Home Chapel in Locust, o ciated by Pastor James Almond. Burial will follow at Carolina Presbyterian Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:30 p.m. prior to the service at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Locust.

obituaries

Mabry, Hadley Mabry, Thomas Glenn Mabry, Lillian Mabry, Lauren Mabry, Lydia Mabry, and Landyn Mabry; and greatgrandchildren, Alyssa, Amelia, Aiden, Eli, and Everlea. He is also survived by his stepbrother, John Tarlton, and stepsisters, Sue Helms and Linda Coble.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his son, Russell Mabry (2022), and siblings, Elwood Mabry, Wilsie Fincher, and Garry Mabry.

Dwight Farmer

Dave McGinnis, former Cardinals head coach and longtime NFL assistant, dead at 74

January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023

Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.

Glenn proudly served his country in the United States Air Force. Glenn was a man of deep faith and dedication, actively involved with his church, where he faithfully served as an elder and Sunday School teacher. He was also deeply committed to his community, playing an instrumental role in the startup of the local senior center and remaining active there throughout the years. Glenn coached little league baseball and football, touching the lives of many young people. He was known for his kindness, leadership, and servant’s heart, and was loved by all who knew him.

Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran. He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheri ’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.

Mr. Mabry was born February 17, 1942, in Stanly County to the late Hubert Mabry and Netta Tarlton.

Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Gar eld.

He is lovingly survived by his wife of 63 years, Sharon Stein Mabry. He also leaves behind his children, Ron Mabry (Catherine) of Fort Mill, SC, and Randy Mabry (Amber) of Fort Mill, SC; daughter-in-law, SoonAe Mabry; grandchildren, Kirsten Magee (Ryan), Curtis Mabry (Victoria), Megan Pearl (Nathan), Sam

Barbara was a member of Oakboro Baptist Church for over 60 years. She worked over 30 years at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just two years of retirement, she began managing the Oakboro Senior Center and did that for 18 years until this past week. Barbara was known for her good cooking and always taking care of others. She also loved going on day long shopping trips - she could out walk and out shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.

IN MEMORY

Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the sta of Novant Presbyterian Medical Center for the compassionate care and support shown to Glenn during his declining health.

He is survived by his wife Hilda Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Farmer Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, NC; one daughter Sharon Farmer Lowe (David) of Norwood; one sister Geraldine Dennis of Troy; two grandchildren, Dwight Britten “Dee” Farmer III and Whitley Rose Hui Lowe.

In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Trinity Reformed Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 447, Locust, NC 28097 or West Stanly Community Center Foundation, PO Box 164, Locust, NC 28097

Glenn’s life was a testament to faith, family, and service. He will be deeply missed and forever remembered by all who had the privilege of knowing him.

He was preceded in death by his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and Jimmy, sisters, Nancy, Cornelia Annabell, Glennie Mae, and Betty. Memorials may be made to Cedar Grove United Methodist Church, Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs Road, Norwood, NC 28128.

SYLVIA ANN SMITH

NOV. 24, 1945 – APRIL 13, 2026

Sylvia Ann Smith, 80, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, April 13, 2026.

A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Union Chapel Methodist Church, o ciated by W. Stephen Aldridge. She will lie in state 30 minutes prior to the hour of the service. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service.

Sylvia was born on November 24, 1945, in Stanly County to the late William and Geneva Austin. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother who found her greatest joy in time spent with her family.

She is survived by her daughters, Traci Smith of New London and Debbie Rinehardt (Gary) of Albemarle; her grandchildren, C.J. Oliver (Nicole) and Chase Rinehardt (Hattie); and her great-grandchildren, Cora Rinehardt, Wilkes Rinehardt and Odin Oliver.

In addition to her parents, Sylvia was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Bill Smith, in 2025; her great-grandchild, Sawyer Rinehardt; and her sisters, Juanita Blake and Eunice Swaringen.

Sylvia retired from the Stanly County Tax O ce after many years of dedicated service. She had a deep love for gardening and took great pride in her yard and owers. Above all, she cherished the moments she shared with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Union Chapel Methodist Church, 24361 S. Business 52, Albemarle, NC 28001.

Sylvia will be remembered for her gentle spirit, her love of family, and the warmth she brought to those around her. Her presence will be deeply missed and forever cherished by all who knew and loved her.

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@stanlynewsjournal.com

James Roseboro

A defensive coach beloved throughout the NFL for his passion

and loyalty

June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023

By Teresa M. Walker

The Associated Press

James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.

Mr. Roseboro was born on June 23, 1967 to the late Robert and Delena Shipp Roseboro. He graduated from South Stanly High School and was employed by Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching football and basketball, especially the Carolina TarHeels and Miami.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Former Arizona Cardinals head coach and longtime NFL assistant Dave McGinnis, long known simply as “Coach Mac,” died Monday. He was 74.

community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years.

In addition to his parents he is preceded in death by his brothers and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, Henrietta Ingram, and Harold Roseboro.

He is survived by his sisters: Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro of Washington DC, and Marion Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Thomas D. Roseboro of Charlotte, Robert Roseboro (Patricia) of Norwood, and Van Horne; a special friend of over 40 years, Michelle McLendon of the home; special nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya Little, and Laquanza Crump; special nephews: Robert Jr., Desmond Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; and God daughter, Daphne Johnson; and special friends, Vetrella Johnson and Ben McLendon.

McGinnis, who had been in declining health, died at Ascension St. Thomas Midtown Hospital with his family at his side, according to the Tennessee Titans. He had been the Titans’ color commentator on game broadcasts since 2017 and was a constant presence on radio shows and team podcasts.

“He was family,” controlling owner Amy Adams Strunk. “Coach Mac gave so much of himself to this organization over the years, and his passion, loyalty and love for the Titans never wavered. He cared deeply about the people around him, and that kindness and authenticity left a lasting impact on everyone who knew him.”

McGinnis went 17-40 for the Cardinals from 2000 to 2003, earning the job after nearly ve seasons as defensive coordinator. He also helped the Cardinals’ push for their current stadium before being red following a 4-12 record in 2003. That was despite a breakout season from receiver Anquan Boldin as the AP’s O ensive Rookie of the Year.

Arizona owner Michael Bidwill said in a statement the Cardinals were saddened to hear of McGinnis’ death.

“As Dave often said, he was a ‘ball coach’ through and

Darrick Baldwin

January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023

Darrick Vashon Baldwin, age 50, entered eternal rest, Sunday, January 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. Born January 7, 1973, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Darrick was the son of Eddie James Baldwin Sr. and the late Phyllis Blue Baldwin. Darrick enjoyed life, always kept things lively and enjoyed making others smile. His presence is no longer in our midst, but his memory will forever live in our hearts.

“H.R. Pufnstuf” aired just 17 episodes but became an enduring cult classic

The Associated Press

He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.

NEW YORK — Sid Kro t, the Canadian-born entertainment wizard who teamed with his brother and fellow puppeteer Marty Kro t to create such cult favorites as children’s 1960s TV show “H.R. Pufnstuf,” has died at age 96.

He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.

Kro t’s death, which came three years after the death of Marty Kro t, was announced on Instagram by his friend and business partner Kelly Killian. Additional details were not immediately available.

He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

“The last six years of my life were devoted to him, and his to me,” Killian wrote. “In that

He graduated from Millingport High in 1954 and entered into service with the US Airforce immediately afterward. Upon return from the service, he and his high school sweetheart Julie were married in 1956. He graduated from Nashville Auto Diesel College later in 1959 and began his career as a diesel mechanic at Mitchell Distributing Company, moving his growing family to Charlotte where they lived until their retirement.

October 11, 1944 - January 10,

When John purchased his rst Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!

through, and no one ever lled that role with more passion, enthusiasm and charisma,” Bidwill said. “Coach Mac truly loved the game and everything — and everyone — associated with it, especially his players. He was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.”

A respected defensive mind, McGinnis began his NFL career with the Chicago Bears in 1986 as linebackers coach, a season after the franchise won the Super Bowl. He spent 10 years in Chicago working under head coaches Mike Ditka and Dave Wannstedt.

At age 50, after years as a Detroit Diesel Mechanic he and Julie decided to take the plunge and open a full Model A Restoration Shop. They thrived at their shop in Cornelius, NC until their retirement in 1998 when they moved back to Cabarrus County. John once again set up shop in his back yard garage where he attracted a loyal group of friends who visited almost daily. While on the farm in Gold Hill, John also began a lifelong love with Alis Chalmers tractors after he restored his Dad’s tractor and began amassing his collection of tractors as well.

McGinnis brie y looked like he would become the Bears’ head coach in 1999 when the team announced his hiring after an interview. However, McGinnis said he had never agreed to a contract, the Bears apologized and the coach pulled his name from consideration. After he left the Cardinals in 2003, McGinnis was hired

John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level.

as the linebackers coach for the Tennessee Titans under coach Je Fisher. He stayed in that role — eventually being promoted to assistant head coach — until 2011.

McGinnis followed Fisher to the St. Louis Rams in 2012, where he worked until 2016 as assistant head coach before turning to being a broadcaster with the Titans.

“His passion for the Titans and love for the game came through in every interaction and every broadcast, and he had a unique way of making everyone around him better,” said Burke Nihill, the Titans president and chief executive o cer.

Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and 1944, in the mountains of Marion, ghting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966. Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC. Doris was an incredible neonatal intensive care nurse for most of her career, and this was her passion. The Augusta Chronicle did a feature on her in 1985. She was a clinical nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia at University Hospital NICU and worked there for 20 years. During this time, Doris mentored young nurses and assisted in saving the lives of so many babies. She also worked for Pediatrician Dr. William A. Wilkes in Augusta for several years prior to her NICU career. Doris retired from the mother/baby area at Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 years of nursing.

Before his NFL career, McGinnis was an assistant for 13 years at the college level, working at TCU, Missouri, Indiana State and Kansas State.

The Snyder, Texas, native was a three-year starter at defensive back for TCU and graduated in 1973.

Sid Kro t, ‘HR Pufnstuf’ children’s TV visionary, dead at 96

time, he taught me more than I could ever put into words — about the art of Hollywood, the magic of the stage, and the depth and complexity of human nature. I wish so very much that I had more time with him.”

The Kro ts popularized cultural gures ranging from the inept Weenie the Genie to siblings Donny and Marie Osmond.

This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Rich eld, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; ve great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.

TV fans of a certain age would long remember “H.R. Pufnstuf,” the live-action puppet series with its cheerful theme song, the dragon who gave the show its name — and served as mayor of Living Island — and such memorable, supporting characters as the larcenous witch Wilhelmina W. Witchiepoo, and her patented Vroom Broom. “H.R.

Doris was a gentle and sweet spirit and loved her Lord. She never met a stranger, and she always left you feeling uplifted after talking with her. She would often claim that she had “adopted” friends into her immediate family, and honestly, she never made a distinction between the two. Positivity radiated from her like sunlight. She was sel ess, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.

She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, out ts for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.

Pufnstuf” only aired for 17 episodes, in 1969, but lived on for decades in reruns and syndication. It ranked 27th in a 2007 TV Guide poll of all-time cult favorites.

Other Kro t productions included “Land of the Lost,” “Electra Woman and Dyna Girl” and “Pryor’s Place,” featuring comedian Richard Pryor. Their children’s shows were so far- ung at times that critics suspected the Kro ts were under the in uence of drugs — allegations the brothers rejected — but they also oversaw such wholesome programming as the “Donny & Marie,” the Osmonds’ 1970s variety show.

The Kro ts received a Daytime Emmy for lifetime achievement in 2018, and a Hollywood Walk of Fame star two years later.

Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley. Survivors include her two precious daughters: Amy Cameron Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and Laura Lindahl Coleman Oliverio (husband David) of Cincinnati, Ohio; seven grandchildren: Cameron David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John Dejak, Carson Joseph Oliverio, Ryan Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard Oliverio; and numerous in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved ones.

Locust police and assisting agencies were involved in multiple vehicle pursuits last week.

POLICE from page A1

Reid was taken into custody without further incident and charged with multiple trafc violations, including felony ee to elude arrest. Police noted that Reid told o cers he ed because he believed he had an outstanding warrant, though none was found.

The Mint Hill Police Department assisted with the aftermath and crash investigation.

The third pursuit took place around 10 p.m. on April 11,

when o cers attempted to stop a Walmart larceny suspect. The vehicle, driven by Rachel Paine, of Charlotte, and occupied by Nicholas Robben, of Charlotte, ed the scene.

O cers pursued the vehicle with assistance from the Cabarrus County Sheri ’s Ofce and the North Carolina State Highway Patrol. Deputies deployed a tire de ation device near Bethel Church of Midland, disabling the vehicle. Paine was taken into custody, while Robben ed on foot before being lo -

cated and arrested a short time later.

“LPD maintains a policy that pursuits are authorized to be conducted safely and by policy every time a vehicle refuses to stop for a lawful tra c stop attempted by our o cers,” the department said. “Our common-sense philosophy is if a person refuses to stop for law enforcement, there is a reason for that, and because of that our department will pursue that vehicle to bring that driver to justice.”

By John Leicester The Associated Press

PARIS — Europe has “maybe six weeks or so” of remaining jet fuel supplies, the head of the International Energy Agency said Thursday in a wide-ranging interview, warning of possible ight cancellations “soon” if oil supplies remain blocked by the Iran war.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol painted a sobering picture of the global repercussions of what he called “the largest energy crisis we have ever faced,” stemming from the pinch-o of oil, gas and other vital supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

“In the past there was a group called ‘Dire Straits.’ It’s a dire strait now, and it is going to have major implications for the global economy. And the longer it goes, the worse it will be for the economic growth and in ation around the world,” he told The Associated Press.

The impact will be “higher petrol (gasoline) prices, higher gas prices, high electricity prices,” said Birol, speaking in his Paris o ce looking out over the Ei el Tower.

Economic pain will be felt unevenly and “the countries who will su er the most will not be those whose voice are heard a lot. It will be mainly the developing countries. Poorer countries in Asia, in Africa and in Latin America,” said the Turkish economist and energy expert who has led the IEA since 2015.

But without a settlement of the Iran war that permanently reopens the Strait of Hormuz, “Everybody is going to su er,” he added.

“Some countries may be richer than the others. Some countries may have more energy than the others, but no country, no country is immune to this crisis,” he said.

‘Slow growth or even recession’

Nearly 20% of the world’s traded oil passes through the Strait of Hormuz in peacetime. Birol warned that not reopening the waterway within weeks could compound the repercussions for global energy supplies.

“In Europe, we have maybe six weeks or so (of) jet fuel left,” he said. “If we are not able to open the Strait of Hormuz ... I can tell you soon we will hear the news that some of the ights from city A to city B might be canceled as a result of lack of jet fuel.”

He added: “Many government leaders tell me that if Hormuz is not open until (the) end of May, many countries — starting from the weaker economies — are going to face huge challenges, and this will go from the high in ation numbers to coming close to slow growth or even to recession in some cases.”

Birol spoke out against the so-called “toll booth” system that Iran has applied to some ships, letting them travel through the strait for a fee. He

“Energy and geopolitics have been always interwoven. But I have never, ever seen ... such a dark and long shadow of geopolitics.”

Fatih Birol, IEA executive director

said allowing that to become more permanent would run the risk of setting a precedent that could then be applied to other waterways, including the vital Malacca Strait in Asia.

“If we change it once, it may be di cult to get it back,” he said. “It will be di cult to have a toll system here, applied here, but not there.”

“I would like to see that the oil ows unconditionally from the point A to point B,” he said.

Damage for Persian Gulf energy facilities

More than 110 oil-laden tankers and over 15 carriers loaded with lique ed natural gas are waiting in the Persian Gulf and could help ease the energy crisis if they could escape through the Strait of Hormuz to world markets, Birol said, adding: “But it is not enough.”

Even with a peace deal, war-damage to energy facilities means it could be many months before pre-con ict levels of production are restored, he said.

“Over 80 key assets in the region have been damaged. And out of these 80, more than one third are severely or very severely damaged,” he said.

“It will be extremely optimistic to believe that it will very quick,” Birol said. “It will take gradually, gradually, up to two years to come back where we were before the war.” ‘Dark shadow’ of geopolitics

Birol said it is incomprehensible that “a couple of hundred men with guns” — apparently referring to Iranian forces — are able to hold hostage the global economy. He said his Paris-based agency, which advises governments on energy policy and helped coordinate a record release of emergency oil reserves earlier in the crisis, has warned for years about the critical importance of the Strait of Hormuz.

The global shock could spur the embrace of other energy technologies, including nuclear power, and “will reshape the global energy map for the next years to come,” he said.

On his o ce shelves, Birol has a couple of soccer balls — he’s a devoted supporter of the Turkish club Galatasaray — and other memorabilia, including a photo of his late father playing soccer, and reams of books. One in particular stood out for its timely title: Oil, Power and War.

“Energy and geopolitics have been always interwoven,” Birol said. “But I have never, ever seen ... such a dark and long shadow of geopolitics.”

He added: “ Unfortunately, energy is at the heart of many con icts which, again, makes me, as an energy person, rather sad, to be honest.”

Democrats need only a few seats from redistricting to ip the House

By David A. Lieb The Associated Press

THE BATTLEFIELD is narrowing and the timeline is tightening in a congressional redistricting contest among states seeking a partisan advantage ahead of the November midterm elections.

The end of Maryland’s legislative session this week marked the demise of Democratic efforts to reshape the state’s U.S. House districts. But Florida lawmakers are to begin a special session Monday for a Republican attempt at congressional redistricting. And Virginia voters are deciding Tuesday on a Democratic redistricting plan that could help the party win several additional House seats in this year’s election.

Voting districts typically are redrawn once a decade, after each census. But President Donald Trump triggered an unusual round of mid-decade redistricting last year when he urged Texas Republicans to redraw House districts to give the GOP an edge in the midterm elections. California Democrats reciprocated, and redistricting e orts soon cascaded across states.

So far, Republicans believe they could win nine additional seats in states where they have redrawn congressional districts, while Democrats think they could gain six seats elsewhere because of redistricting. But that presumes past voting patterns hold in November. And that’s uncertain, especially since the party in power typically loses seats in the midterms and Trump faces negative approval ratings in polls.

Democrats need to gain just a few seats in November to wrest control of the House from Republicans, potentially allowing them to obstruct Trump’s agenda.

O cials in more than a dozen states debated or oated redistricting proposals. The immediate focus is on two states — one led by Republicans, the other by Democrats.

Where redistricting remains in play

Current Florida map: 8

Democrats, 20 Republicans

Proposed map: Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has called a special legislative session to begin Monday on congressional redistricting. Republicans haven’t yet publicly released a speci c plan.

Challenges: The state constitution says districts cannot

be drawn with intent to favor or disfavor a political party or incumbent.

Current Virginia map: 6

Democrats, 5 Republicans Proposed map: A new U.S. House map passed by the Democratic-led General Assembly could help Democrats win up to four additional seats. For the map to take e ect, voters would have to approve a constitutional amendment allowing mid-decade redistricting. That amendment is on Tuesday’s ballot.

Challenges: The state Supreme Court ruled the referendum can proceed, but it has yet to rule whether the e ort is legal. The court is considering an appeal of a Tazewell County judge’s ruling that the amendment is invalid because lawmakers violated their own rules while passing it.

New U.S. House districts have been adopted in six states since last summer. Four took up redistricting voluntarily, one was required to by its state constitution and another did so under court order.

Where new House districts were approved

Current Texas map: 13

Democrats, 25 Republicans

New map: Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed a revised House map into law last August that could help Republicans win ve additional seats.

Challenges: The U.S. Supreme Court in December cleared the way for the new districts to be used in this year’s elections. It put on hold a lower-court ruling that blocked the

new map because it was “racially gerrymandered.”

Current California map:

43 Democrats, 9 Republicans

New map: Voters in November approved revised House districts drawn by the Democratic-led Legislature that could help Democrats win ve additional seats.

Challenges: The U.S. Supreme Court in February allowed the new districts to be used in this year’s elections. It denied an appeal from Republicans and the Department of Justice, which claimed the districts impermissibly favor Hispanic voters.

Current Missouri map: 2 Democrats, 6 Republicans

New map: Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe signed a revised House map into law last September that could help Republicans win an additional seat.

Challenges: A Cole County judge ruled the new map is in e ect as election o cials work to determine whether a referendum petition seeking a statewide vote complies with constitutional criteria and contains enough valid petition signatures. The Missouri Supreme Court rejected a lawsuit claiming mid-decade redistricting is illegal. It’s scheduled to hear arguments in May on claims the new districts violate compactness requirements and should be placed on hold pending the potential referendum.

Current North Carolina map: 4 Democrats, 10 Republicans

New map: The Republican-led General Assembly gave nal approval in October to re-

vised districts that could help Republicans win an additional seat.

Challenges: A federal court panel in November denied a request to block the revised districts from being used in the midterm elections.

Current Ohio map: 5 Democrats, 10 Republicans New map: A bipartisan panel composed primarily of Republicans voted in October to approve revised House districts that improve Republicans’ chances of winning two additional seats.

Challenges: None. The state constitution required new districts before the 2026 election because Republicans had approved the prior map without su cient Democratic support after the last census.

Current Utah map: 0 Democrats, 4 Republicans

New map: A judge in November imposed revised House districts that could help Democrats win a seat. The court ruled that lawmakers had circumvented anti-gerrymandering standards passed by voters when adopting the prior map.

Challenges: A federal court panel and the state Supreme Court, in February, each rejected Republican challenges to the judicial map selection.

Where redistricting e orts were denied Governors, lawmakers or partisan o cials pushed for congressional redistricting in numerous states. In at least ve states, those e orts gained some initial traction but ultimately fell short in either the legislature or court.

Current Maryland map: 7 Democrats, 1 Republican Proposed map: The Democratic-led House in February passed a redistricting plan backed by Democratic Gov. Wes Moore that could help Democrats win an additional seat.

Challenges: The legislative session ended in April without the Democratic-led Senate voting on the redistricting plan. The state Senate president said there were concerns it could back re on Democrats.

Current New York map: 19 Democrats, 7 Republicans

Proposed map: A judge in January ordered a state commission to draw new boundaries for the only congressional district in New York City represented by a Republican, ruling it unconstitutionally dilutes the votes of black and Hispanic residents.

Challenges: The U.S. Supreme Court in March granted Republicans’ request to halt the judge’s order, leaving the existing district lines in place for the 2026 election.

Current Indiana map: 2 Democrats, 7 Republicans Proposed map: The Republican-led House passed a redistricting plan in December that would have improved Republicans’ chances of winning two additional seats.

Challenges: Despite pressure from Trump to adopt the new map, the Republican-led Senate rejected it in a bipartisan vote on Dec. 11.

Current Kansas map: 1 Democrat, 3 Republicans

Proposed map: Some Republican lawmakers mounted an attempt to take up congressional redistricting.

Challenges: Lawmakers dropped a petition drive for a special session on congressional redistricting in November, after failing to gain enough support.

Current Illinois map: 14 Democrats, 3 Republicans

Proposed map: The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee in October proposed a new U.S. House map that would improve Democrats’ chances of winning an additional seat.

Challenges: The Democratic-led General Assembly declined to take up redistricting, citing concerns about the effect on representation for black residents.

Dispatch from inside Vatican bubble during remarkable exchange between pope, president

The pope is on a four-nation

trip across northern Africa

By Nicole Win eld

The Associated Press

ABOARD THE PAPAL

PLANE — There is an odd sense of isolation when you are covering Pope Leo XIV from inside the Vatican’s traveling press pool: Escorted from venue to venue with police motorcades that clear even the most congested of tra c jams, it’s a membership that has many privileges.

But during Leo’s epic four-nation trip to Africa, being inside the Vatican “bubble” has been an almost surreal experience, as an unprecedented back and forth plays out between U.S. President Donald Trump and history’s rst American pope.

Every morning this week, waking up to developments in Washington from the evening before, the questions have abounded: Will Leo bite? How will he address the latest criticism, if at all, while focusing on the Africa program he has planned?

That was certainly the case on Wednesday, as Leo, the Vatican delegation and a pool of around 70 accredited reporters boarded the ITA Airways charter for the second leg of Leo’s 11- day odyssey — the ight from Algiers, Algeria to Yaounde, Cameroon.

Much to the reporters’ delight, Leo had responded headon to Trump at the start of the trip when he gamely came to the back of the plane and greeted journalists traveling April 13 from Rome to Algiers. He responded to those who asked him about Trump’s Truth Social post a day earlier, in which the U.S. president had accused him of being soft on crime, cozy with the left and owed his papacy to Trump.

Trump was responding to Leo’s calls for peace, in reference to the Iran war, and comments that Trump’s threat to annihilate Iranian civilization were “truly unacceptable.”

Stopping to chat as he made his way from row to row that rst day, Leo had told journalists that he was merely preach-

ing the Gospel when he called for peace and criticized war, and that he didn’t fear the Trump administration.

Comment about peace

On Tuesday, on the short ight from Algiers to Annaba, the ancient city of Hippo, Leo stayed in the front of the plane where the Vatican delegation sits, dashing the Vatican pool’s hopes for another Trump vs. Leo news cycle.

On Wednesday, with a ve-hour ight ahead of us to Cameroon, excitement grew in economy class when Vatican personnel came to the back of the plane, readied the microphone and did sound checks to make sure the whole cabin could hear.

Emerging from behind the curtain, Leo didn’t take questions from reporters and kept his remarks focused on his just-concluded visit to Algeria, where he honored the legacy of his spiritual inspiration, St. Augustine of Hippo. In brief remarks standing at the front of the cabin, Leo didn’t refer to war or Trump. But he

“Although we have di erent beliefs, we have di erent ways of worshipping, we have di erent ways of living, we can live together in peace.”

Pope Leo XIV

spoke in terms that could sug-

gest the latest overnight lobs from Washington certainly hadn’t gone unnoticed. Perhaps tellingly, he spoke exclusively in English.

Trump had kept up the criticism on Truth Social, while U.S. Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic convert, said that Leo should “be careful” when speaking about theology.

For starters, Leo noted the sign of “goodness,” “generosity,” and “respect” that the Algerian government showed him in welcoming him on the rst-ever papal visit. He said that the Algerian honors had included a full military aerial escort of the

papal plane through Algerian airspace.

He also recalled his visit to the Great Mosque in Algiers, which he said was a signi cant way to show that “although we have di erent beliefs, we have di erent ways of worshipping, we have di erent ways of living, we can live together in peace.”

He said that St. Augustine’s message of searching for God, searching for truth, building bridges and seeking unity and community “is something which the world needs to hear today and that together we can continue to o er in our witness as we continue on this apostolic voyage.”

Papal press pool

Like other heads of state, the pope travels internationally with both his own media team as well as a group of external news organizations that pay, oftentimes handsomely, to have their reporters travel aboard the papal plane and have special access to cover his events. The Associated Press is always on the plane, paying for as many as four journalists per trip.

Being inside the Vatican bubble has journalistic advantages and disadvantages. You get the best access and are traveling under the Vatican’s security umbrella, meaning there’s little or no hassle from local security organizers. The Vatican facilitates visas and local SIM cards in advance, and arranges hotels and local transportation, allowing reporters to focus on the news rather than logistics.

Journalists in the bubble get the pope’s speeches ahead of time and have occasional access to delegation members, as well as other information in real time from the Vatican spokesman.

But the real reason news organizations choose to spend thousands of dollars per journalist, per trip, to be on the papal plane is to be on hand for the pope’s news conferences. The only time a pope holds such brie ngs with journalists is at an altitude of 35,000 feet.

Who could forget Pope Francis’ famous line on his maiden trip as pope, in 2013 to Rio de Janeiro, when he uttered the line “Who am I to judge,” when he was asked about a purportedly gay priest. The downside of being in the Vatican bubble is obvious for many of the same reasons it’s helpful: You are removed from local reality, whether in Algeria or Alaska, and rarely have time to do the type of on-the-ground reporting that makes a news report balanced.

Those news organizations that have the resources have teams on the ground producing such content, or journalists within the bubble break away to do their own reporting, so that the end result is a healthy combination of o cial Vatican information and local input.

But when the real drama involving the pope is occurring thousands of miles and time zones away, being in the Vatican bubble is a somewhat jarring experience. The news everyone wants to know isn’t necessarily what the pope has on his agenda.

But on this trip, the rst by an American pope to Africa, being in the Vatican bubble certainly had its advantages. The next stop is Angola. Who knows what Leo will have to say.

Police: Justin Fairfax, who nearly became Virginia governor, killed estranged wife, himself

The separated couple was living together while going through a divorce

By Michael Biesecker and Nathan Ellgren The Associated Press

ANNANDALE, VA . — Former Virginia Lt. Gov. Justin Fairfax, a rising star in the Democratic party before his career was derailed by sexual assault allegations several years ago, killed his wife before killing himself, police said Thursday.

Fairfax and his wife, Dr. Cerina Fairfax, were found dead at their northern Virginia home in Annandale after the couple’s teenage son called 911 shortly after midnight, Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis said. The couple were separated and going through a divorce but living in the same house with their two children, who were home when the shootings occurred, he said.

EDITOR’S NOTE — This story includes discussion of suicide. If you or someone you know needs help, the national suicide and crisis lifeline in the U.S. is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org

Justin Fairfax was served recently with paperwork telling him when next to appear in

court, Davis said. “Detectives will gure out if that led to this tragedy here,” he said.

“It’s very sad for this community,” Davis said. “A lot of people who know the Fairfax family, everybody’s shocked. We’re shocked.”

Cerina Fairfax ran a family dentistry practice in northern Virginia. She graduated from Duke University and the Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry, which honored her in 2015 as its most outstanding alumna of the last decade.

For a brief period in 2019, Justin Fairfax seemed poised to become governor as Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam became engulfed in a scandal over a racist photo on his medical school yearbook that led to calls for his resignation. But then two women came forward accusing Fairfax of sexually assaulting them years earlier. He adamantly denied the allegations.

Vanessa Tyson said Fairfax — at the time a Columbia Law School student serving as an aide to Democratic vice presidential nominee John Edwards — forced her to perform oral sex in his hotel room during the Democratic National Convention in Boston in 2004. Two days after Tyson’s statement, Meredith Watson issued her own, accusing Fairfax of raping her in 2000, when they were students at Duke University.

The Associated Press gener -

“Along with so many in the Commonwealth, I am lled with sorrow.”

Ghazala Hashmi, Virginia lieutenant governor

ally doesn’t name people who say they are victims of sexual assault, but both women came forward publicly. Fair -

fax said the encounters were consensual and refused calls to resign. Fairfax later tried to run for governor in 2021, some said to clear his name, but was largely shunned by Virginia Democrats. Fairfax said he believed voters would see through what he described as a smear campaign against him. But he was defeated in the Democratic primary.

A former federal prosecutor and civil litigator, Fairfax rst unsuccessfully sought the

Democratic nomination for attorney general in 2013, then won the race for lieutenant governor in 2017.

Ghazala Hashmi, Virginia’s current lieutenant governor, called the deaths devastating.

“My thoughts are with their children, loved ones, and numerous friends,” Hashmi said in a statement. “Along with so many in the Commonwealth, I am lled with sorrow; I await further insights from our law enforcement o cials.”

A lost icon: American chestnut held central place in eastern U.S. landscape

A fungal blight wiped out billions, but genetic research o ers hope

By Michael Phillis The Associated Press

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In a quiet stretch of western Massachusetts stands a sycamore so old it was around when the Constitution was signed. It’s awe-inspiring, with branches bigger than the entire trunks of most trees.

But it’s also notable because it’s an outlier. It is a tree with a majestic presence that dwarfs the common maples and pines nearby — a living reminder of how much old-growth forest has been lost.

In the eastern United States, that rare sense of awe was once supplied in bulk by the American chestnut.

Its presence stunned: mature trees rose above the hardwood canopy supported by trunks wider than a person is tall. It was a centerpiece of the ecosystem, producing so many

chestnuts that it boosted the numbers of turkeys, bears and deer that, in turn, spread the trees’ seeds. American chestnut’s straight grain was useful in furniture and it made fenceposts that encircled farms and shrugged o pests and wear.

There were billions of them at the turn of the 20th century, their abundant fruit moved by railcar to cities for sale on street corners. We still sing about them during the holidays.

And then they started dying. It was disease that forever changed the American landscape. A deadly airborne fungal blight coupled with a lethal root rot that killed them by the millions. By the 1950s, the tree was functionally extinct.

That was long enough ago that few remember what it was like to live among them. But what they once o ered isn’t forgotten. Their size still impresses in old photos. Associations are dedicated to their story. And to bringing them back.

Another type of chestnut, the Chinese chestnut, had been introduced to the United States for its valuable nuts. It doesn’t grow as tall, but it can resist disease.

Arborists have tried to breed the advantageous, disease-resistant attributes into the American chestnut. That has turned out to be tremendously hard. Simple breeding techniques don’t work well, and recent e orts to sequence the DNA of the trees reveals why — their desirable traits are scattered across multiple spots along their genome.

But the DNA sequence also provides a map to breed trees that are more likely to survive.

Researchers hope in the coming decades, there will be enough healthy trees for the species to not need humans, to once again rely on the meanderings of bears and forgetfulness of squirrels.

This story is part of a recurring series, “American Objects,” marking the 250th anniversary of the United States.

CONCERT from page A1

that inspired the creation of it.”

A centerpiece of the evening will be the world premiere of “Tapestry of America,” a work commissioned speci cally for the band and chorale as part of the America 250 celebration.

Tippette, a North Carolina-based composer and educator, will conduct the piece.

“Everyone is very excited to premier Tapestry of America, a work that was commissioned to celebrate this anniversary year by the Stanly County Concert Band and the Stanly County Chorale with grant support from the America 250 Committee,” the concert band said in a statement.

“The concert re ects music of the people of America and how it evolved through time.”

Stanly County Concert Band

“Excitement has been building as both groups have been preparing this special piece. We are honored to have the composer, Bruce Tippette, here to conduct the presentation.”

The concert’s program will include a mix of patriotic standards and American-themed works, such as “America the Beautiful,” “National Emblem” and “God of Our Fathers,”

alongside pieces that highlight folk and popular in uences.

Selections will range from a folk-inspired arrangement of “The Wayfaring Stranger” to a big band medley featuring classics like “Chattanooga Choo Choo” and “Sing, Sing, Sing.”

The performance will also include a tribute to composer Aaron Copland and a medley from the musical “Grease.”

Additional works, including “A More Perfect Union” and “This Is My Country,” will round out the program.

The concert is supported through a grant from America 250 NC, a program of the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources, along with backing from the Stanly County Celebration 250 Committee.

STANLY SPORTS

Uwharrie Wampus Cats announce 2026 home schedule

The team is preparing for its fourth season

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — The Uwharrie Wampus Cats will open their fourth season next month with a new league a liation and a full slate of home games at Don Montgomery Park.

The Albemarle-based college wood-bat team announced its 2026 home schedule as part of its inaugural season as a founding member of the Blue Ridge League, marking a new chapter for the organization after three summers competing as an independent club and in the Southern Collegiate Baseball League.

“With a mix of returning rivals, strong brands, and fan-favorite opponents, the 2026 schedule is set up to deliver a great atmosphere all summer long in Albemarle,” the team said in a press release. “All home games will be played at Don Montgomery Park. Game times, promotions and special events will be announced soon.”

On May 23, the Wampus Cats will open their home

“The 2026 schedule is set up to deliver a great atmosphere all summer long in Albemarle.”

Uwharrie Wampus Cats

schedule against the Marion Hungry Mothers, beginning a stretch of four home games in eight days. Uwharrie will also host the Davie County Crocketts on May 24, followed by matchups against the Spartanburg County Peaches on May 29 and the Greensboro Yard Goats on May 30. June brings a heavier portion of the home schedule, highlighted by multiple visits from the Carolina Disco Turkeys, a familiar opponent that shares ownership ties with the Wampus Cats and has developed into a key rival over the past three seasons.

The Wampus Cats enter the new season coming o a 13 -14 -1 record in 2025, their third year of competition, before participating in the inaugural Blue Ridge Invitational Tournament.

The Blue Ridge League joins

Additional home opponents include the Queen City Corndogs, Greensboro Ducks, Carolina White Sox and Greenwood Flying Monkeys. The team’s home schedule currently runs through July 25, when Uwharrie will close the regular season at Don Montgomery Park against the Crocketts.

Pfei er softball extends winning streak to 12

The Falcons are tied for rst place in the USA South

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

MISENHEIMER — Pfei er’s softball team is continuing to shine at the right time.

Winners of a dozen straight games, the squad has not lost since March 21 and is positioning itself for another run at a USA South Athletic Conference title.

The Falcons (26-8, 11-1 USA

South) remain in pursuit of their fth consecutive regular-season championship and fourth straight tournament crown with only six league games remaining before the conference tournament begins April 30.

The race is far from settled, however, as Pfei er is locked in a tight battle atop the standings alongside Meredith and N.C. Wesleyan, who are sitting with conference marks of 11-1 and 10 -2, respectively. On Wednesday, the Falcons strengthened their position with a doubleheader sweep of William Peace at Jack Ingram

Field in Misenheimer, moving into a tie for rst place with Methodist.

Pfei er opened the day with a 9-1, ve-inning victory, scoring eight runs across the nal three innings. The Falcons collected 13 hits while limiting the Pacers (17-17, 5-9 USA South) to just two.

Sophomore pitcher Mollie Bulla delivered a complete-game e ort, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts and no walks over ve innings. The Appalachian State transfer now has a 12-4 record to go with her 2.36 ERA.

the Coastal Plain League and Appalachian League as a regional collegiate summer circuit with a footprint in North Carolina, while also extending into Virginia and West Virginia. The league’s inaugural lineup includes the Wampus Cats, Carolina Disco Turkeys, Queen City Corndogs, Marion Hungry Mothers and the West Virginia Miners.

At the plate, Pfei er’s o ense produced across the lineup.

Junior center elder Landry Stewart went 3 for 3 with two runs scored, while sophomore second baseman Natalie Auman nished 2 for 3 and scored twice. Junior left elder Brooke Piper highlighted the game with a three-run home run, and freshman right elder E.A. Nance drove in two runs as part of a 2-for-3 performance.

The Falcons carried that momentum into Game 2, securing a 10-2 win by scoring in four of ve innings. Freshman rst baseman Heather Vaughn had

At the conclusion of the regular season, the top two teams in the Blue Ridge League standings will meet in a best- of-three championship series in late July. All game start times and away dates for the 2026 season will be announced soon at wampuscatsbaseball.com.

a team-high three RBIs in the victory as she raised her season batting average to .412.

Freshman pitcher Abigail Bowman earned the win, surrendering two unearned runs on three hits while striking out four across ve innings. Earlier in the week, she was named as the USA South Softball Rookie Pitcher of the Week after posting a 1.31 ERA over 102⁄3 innings in two wins against Greensboro. Pfei er will look to extend its winning streak on Saturday with a road doubleheader against Methodist in Fayetteville before returning home Tuesday for a pivotal doubleheader against Meredith, a series that could help determine the conference regular-season champion.

Fewer players from outside Power Four being selected by NFL teams during draft

The college talent is getting concentrated at the top of the football food chain

By Arnie Stapleton

The Associated Press

JUST LIKE Cinderella teams have become less of a factor at the NCAA men’s basketball tournament, fewer long shots are reaching the NFL Draft from small schools.

Blame NIL riches and the crowded transfer portal, a combination that has led to a concentration of talent in the power conferences.

The SEC, Big Ten, ACC and Big 12 dominate college football, commanding higher revenue, better television ratings and bigger budgets.

And more and more, they’re siphoning stars from the nonpower leagues.

“Jerry Rice still gets drafted by the 49ers, but I don’t know that it’s from Mississippi Valley State today,” Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton said of the Hall of Fame wide receiver who had one of the biggest rags-to-riches journeys in league history. “That’s where he started, but I think it may be from — pick a big school.” Hardwood, gridiron parallels

March Madness used to regularly feature little-known schools that rose from obscurity to capture the hearts of hoops fans. But last year, all 16 regional semi nalists hailed from power conferences for the rst time since the bracket expanded to 64 teams in 1985. The same thing happened this year.

What has transpired on the hardwood is manifesting itself on the gridiron.

Consider: Only 24 of the 257 players selected in the NFL Draft last year came from nonpower conferences. That continued a trend since 2022, when 70 draftees came from nonpower conferences. That number dipped to 38 in 2023, then to 34 in 2024.

The two nonpower school rst-rounders last year were Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty, who was selected sixth overall by Las Vegas, and North Dakota State guard Grey Zabel, who was drafted 18th by Seattle.

Boise State has long been a powerhouse program, producing seven NFL draft picks since 2021, and the North Dakota State Bison have won 18 national championships, including 10

FCS titles since 2010 and eight Division II titles.

Others hailed from the likes of Alabama A&M, Central Arkansas and Western Kentucky.

What about this year?

There could be a bigger dearth of small-school names called in this year’s draft on April 23-25 in Pittsburgh because, of the 319 prospects invited to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, only 17 were from nonpower conference schools.

That includes safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren of Toledo, whom NFL Draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah rates as the 16th-best prospect in the draft,

and San Diego State defensive back Chris Johnson, whom Jeremiah ranks 40th.

Consequences of concentration

This phenomenon has changed the way some NFL teams scout college prospects, cutting down on their trips to check out players on small campuses.

“I think as you set your schedule for where you want your scouts to spend their most time, I think even in the last couple of years, you want them more in those places, concentrated areas like we talked about,” Broncos general manager George Paton said. “Not that there’s not going to be good players

“There’s a pretty good scouting department across the entire NFL, and they’ll come nd you.”

Division III WisconsinWhitewater’s Quinn Meinerz, drafted in 2021’s third round

in some of these other smaller schools.”

It’s just that plenty of them have transferred to the power conferences where, besides more money, they get more exposure and build their personal brand.

Small school successes

Paton drafted one of the best small college nds this decade when he picked guard Quinn Meinerz of Division III Wisconsin-Whitewater in the third round of the 2021 NFL Draft.

One of 37 smaller school draftees that year, Meinerz quickly established himself as one of the league’s top guards, and in 2024, he showed up in a gold paisley suit to sign his new $80 million contract. Since then, he’s earned back-to-back rst-team All-Pro honors.

Playing “for the love of the game” at the Division III level, Meinerz found himself on NFL radars despite playing in the obscure Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

“There’s a pretty good scouting department across the entire NFL,” Meinerz said, “and they’ll come nd you.”

That they will, but more and more scouts don’t have to bother straying too far from the campuses of the Power Four.

Heat waive Rozier, last o cial act of season derailed by federal gambling charges

The former Hornet did not play this season

By Tim Reynolds

The Associated Press

MIAMI — Terry Rozier, who is facing federal charges related to a gambling operation, was waived by the Miami Heat last Friday in an expected and procedural move to open up another roster spot before the postseason.

Rozier was with the Heat for one game this season — the opener at Orlando on Oct. 22, a contest in which he did not play. He was arrested by federal o cials at the team hotel the following morning on charges that he o ered information to help people win bets on his stat totals in a 2023 game when he was with the Charlotte Hornets.

Miami will convert two-way player Jahmir Young to a standard contract, meaning he’ll be eligible to play in the postseason. The Heat opened the play-in tournament Tuesday against Charlotte, and if they win two play-in games, they’ll begin the playo s against Detroit on Sunday.

Rozier was placed on leave by the NBA shortly after his arrest. He has collected his $26.6 million salary this season; the Heat were rst paying it into an interest-bearing account, and an arbitrator later ruled that Rozier should be getting the money despite his legal issues.

The Heat traded for Rozier in January 2024, unaware of the gambling probe. Miami sent Kyle Lowry and a 2027 rst-round pick to Charlotte in return for Rozier; last month, the Hornets wound up giving Miami a second-round pick in this year’s draft, a largely unprecedented move presumably to close the dispute over what wasn’t disclosed at the time of the original deal.

Miami, like all teams, had until 5 p.m. Friday to waive a player with either an expiring contract or one where the team held an option for next season. The Heat, albeit in name only, have continued listing Rozier on injury reports as “not with team” all season, and his nameplate has even remained over his stall in the team locker room even after it became obvious that he would not be with the team again. It’s not known how much contact Rozier — who was in thenal year of his four-year, $96.2 million contract — has had with the Heat since his arrest. He

Number of times Terry Rozier scored ve rst-quarter points in his NBA career. One was the game where he’s accused of faking an injury as part of a gambling operation.

did reach out to some in the organization via text in celebration of Bam Adebayo’s 83-point game against Washington, but

hasn’t been known to have been around the team in any way since October. The NBA was aware of unusual prop bet activity surrounding Rozier’s performance in that March 23, 2023, game he played with Charlotte against the New Orleans Pelicans; it was agged by sportsbooks that afternoon, but a league probe — not the federal investigation — found no reason at that time to keep him from playing. Rozier was in the starting lineup for Charlotte for that game and played reasonably well in 91⁄2 minutes of action,

with ve points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal. That remains one of only two times in his career that he had that many points, rebounds and assists in a rst quarter.

Rozier cited foot pain as his reason for not returning to that game. The Hornets have not said publicly if they were aware of any federal probes into Rozier’s conduct at that time. Rozier has averaged 13.9 points per game in his career, which includes stops with Charlotte and Boston before coming to Miami. He appeared in 95 games with the Heat.

Masters gnomes become hot commodity at Augusta National

Speculation is rampant that this is the nal year of production for the collectible

By Steve Reed

The Associated Press

AUGUSTA, Ga. — John James arrived at Augusta National an hour before the gates opened to patrons for the 90th Masters — all for the purpose of securing a 131⁄2-inch tall gnome.

“Had to have one,” said James, who was attending the Masters from Wycko , N.J. “It’s a novelty.”

This is the 10th and perhaps nal year Augusta National will sell the limited edition gnome, which features the traditional old man with a white beard in colorful golf attire.

Each year’s gnome is di erent, with the 2026 edition featuring the character dressed in khaki pants with a white-and-green striped polo shirt and blue vest holding an umbrella in one hand and a Masters-themed cup in the other.

The gnomes have become wildly popular — and increasingly valuable — over the last decade.

With only about 1,000 available each day, the gnomes regularly sell out within an hour each morning at the merchandise shop before being restocked the following day. This year’s gnome sells for $59.50 plus tax and is only

available at Augusta National. It has become a big money-maker for some patrons on the resale market.

The bidding for one gnome on eBay reached $620 last Friday. Another can be purchased directly for $670 plus delivery cost.

On Facebook Marketplace, some gnomes are being sold for $800.

Fueling the price is speculation this may be the nal year that the gnome will be produced.

Masters chairman Fred Ridley was asked earlier in the week if this will be the nal edition. He responded by saying, “I’ve been asking that question for several years, and they won’t tell me the answer. So I can’t help you.”

When asked if he’d consider selling his gnome, James laughed and said, “Maybe.”

“I mean, I just spent more than $1,000 in the gift shop, so from what I’ve heard, the gnome might pay for all of it,” James said. “I’ll have to think about it, but it’s de nitely an option.”

John Van Pay, who came from San Antonio, got caught up in the gnome hysteria after talking with a friend associated with the LIV tour the night before attending the Masters. He convinced his son, Bryce, to wake up early and get to the course, and limited to one per person, they each walked out of the merchandise shop with a gnome.

“Yeah, we kept hearing about this gnome, and the rumor is it’s going to be the last year they produce them,” Van Pay said. “So next thing you know, we are waiting in line at 7 a.m. to buy this gnome at the shop.”

Van Pay said he plans to keep his gnome as a souvenir of his trip to the Masters, calling it “a great piece of memorabilia” and something that “is going to look great on the shelf.” The younger Van Pay is a little more torn; he’s an avid memorabilia collector, mostly dealing with Funko Pop.

Bryce Van Pay recounted how he recently had a $10 trading card that exploded on the market and reached $300 in value following the release of the most recent Marvel movie, only to watch its worth slip to $100 a few months later. Van Pay lamented not selling it when it was at its most valuable.

“The Masters gnome is a hot seller, and I’m not sure if it’s going to go up and down (in value),” the younger Van Pay said. “There is a lot in circulation right now (on eBay and other platforms).”

He said given the possibility this is the last gnome produced, the wiser nancial decision might be to hold onto it for a while.

With that, his father jumped in and said: “Well, he’s my only son, so he can sell his now and make money and have mine when I hand it down to him.”

Gage Hudson

South Stanly, baseball

Gage Hudson is a freshman for the South Stanly baseball team. The Rowdy Rebel Bulls have won three straight, outscoring opponents by a combined 32-4 margin. In three games over spring break, Hudson went 3 for 9 at the plate with four runs scored, three stolen bases, a double and an RBI. He also appeared on the mound in two of the games, striking out ve in four innings and earning one win.

Back to the normal routine this week, he’s already had a home run and an RBI in a 1-for-4 game against Albemarle.

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quali ed as the Administrator of the Estate of Emory G. Hayman, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the Estate to present such claims to the undersigned Administratrix on or before the 31st day of July, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This the 10th day of April, 2026. Mark J. Hayman Administrator 218 Andrews Street Norwood, NC 28128 David A. Beaver Attorney for the Administrator 160 N. First Street (P.O. Box 1338) Albemarle, NC 28001 (28002) 704-982-4915

Dates of publication: April 18 & 25 and May 2 & 9, 2026.

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE BEFORE THE CLERK 20SP000095-830 IN RE: FORECLOSURE OF A LIEN HELD BY GRANDVIEW PROPERTY OWNERS ASSOCIATION, INCFOR PAST DUE ASSESSMENTS UPON 606 LEXINGTON DRIVE ALBEMARLE, NORTH CAROLINA, AKA BEING ALL OF LOT #80, PHASE I OF GRANDVIEW PROPERTIES SUBDIVISION SHOWN ON A PLAT OF A MAP IN PLAT BOOK 18, PAGE 106 AND 109, OF THE STANLY COUNTY REGISTRY, WHICH IS TITLED TO: TIFFANY N. INGRAM AMENDED NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE OF REAL ESTATE Foreclosure of Lien led with the Clerk of Superior Court on June 22, 2020, le #20M000059-830. Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in that certain Declaration of Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions for Grandview Property Owners Association, Inc, and recorded in the O ce of the Register of Deeds for Stanly County, North Carolina in Book 847, Page 210, and because of default in the payment of the indebtedness thereby secured and pursuant to the demand of the owner and holder of the indebtedness secured by said Lien, and pursuant to the Order of the Clerk of Superior Court for Stanly County, North Carolina, entered in this foreclosure proceeding, Law Firm Carolinas, the appointed Trustee, will expose for sale at public auction on April 22, 2026, at 2:30 PM at the usual place of sale of the Stanly County Courthouse, Albemarle, North Carolina, the following described real property (including the house, if any and any other improvements thereon): Being all of Lot #80, Phase I of Grandview Properties Subdivision shown on a plat of a map in Plat Book 18, Page 106 and 109, of the Stanly County Registry. Property address: 606 Lexington Drive, Albemarle, NC 28001. Present Owner(s): Ms. Ti any N. Ingram. The sale will be made subject to all prior sales and releases and to all deeds of trust, liens, unpaid taxes, restrictions, easements, assessments, leases, and other matters of record, if any. Pursuant to N.C.G.S §45-21.10(b), any successful bidder will be required to deposit with Law Firm Carolinas, the Trustee, immediately upon conclusion of the sale a cash deposit not to exceed the greater of Five Percent (5%) of the bid amount or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00). Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price in cash or certi ed check at the time Law Firm Carolinas, the Trustee, tenders to him a deed for the property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance of the purchase price so bid at the time, he shall remain liable on his bid as provided for in N.C.G.S §45-21.30(d) and (e). This sale will be held open ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law. 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 sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be e ective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. The notice shall also state that upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination. LAW FIRM CAROLINAS, Post O ce Box 41027, Greensboro, North Carolina 27404-1027. Telephone: (336) 378-1899. Signed: April 8, 2026. Jonathon L. Woodru , Attorney for the Trustee

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adjournment, notice to that e ect shall be published in this same newspaper. Board of Equalization and Review Meeting Schedule Tuesday, April 28, 2026 9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Thursday, May 21, 2026 10:00 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. Please Run Notice 04/11/26, 04/15/26, 04/18/26

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION COUNTY OF STANLY. BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO:25E000056-830 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF EUGENE CARRINGTON WALL Deceased.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Eugene Carrington Wall, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of the said Eugene Carrington Wall to present them to the undersigned or her attorney on or before the 6th day of July, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 5th

Amesbury Court, Albemarle, NC 28001. Present Owner(s): Rahim Shaheed Baptiste. The sale will be made subject to all prior sales and releases and to all deeds of trust, liens, unpaid taxes, restrictions, easements, assessments, leases, and other matters of record, if any. Pursuant to N.C.G.S §45-21.10(b), any successful bidder will be required to deposit with Law Firm Carolinas, the Trustee, immediately upon conclusion of the sale a cash deposit not to exceed the greater of Five Percent (5%) of

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Clerk Before the Clerk 26E000119-830 Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Patricia Jean Russell, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned or his attorney on or before June 29th, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 24th day of March, 2026. MARK T. LOWDER ADMINISTRATOR FOR THE ESTATE OF PATRICIA JEAN RUSSELL MARK T. LOWDER ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 1284 Albemarle, NC 28002 Telephone (704) 982-8558 Publish:

Jury nds Ticketmaster, Live Nation had anticompetitive monopoly over big concert venues

Concertgoers paid an extra $1.72 per ticket across 22 states

By Larry Neumeister and Jennifer Peltz

The Associated Press

NEW YORK — A jury found Wednesday that entertainment giant Live Nation, which hosts tens of thousands of concerts a year, and its Ticketmaster subsidiary had a harmful monopoly over big venues.

The ruling, in a lawsuit brought by dozens of states, won’t immediately bring relief for concertgoers who have long complained about high ticket prices. But it could cost Live Nation hundreds of millions of dollars and perhaps force the company to sell some of its concert venues when the judge hands out penalties later.

“The verdict’s in. We just won our case against Live Nation and Ticketmaster on all claims, and we’re closer to breaking down their illegal monopoly over the live entertainment industry,” said North Carolina Attorney General Je Jackson in a statement. “Every fan who’s watched prices pile up on a concert ticket just got proof they were right to feel mistreated by a monopoly.”

Among other things, the jury found Ticketmaster’s anticompetitive practices led to people in 22 states paying an extra $1.72 per ticket, which the judge could order the companies to pay back.

A jury in New York deliberated for four days before reaching its decision. State attorneys general who sued Live Nation said the verdict could potentially lead to lower ticket prices for music fans.

Live Nation said in a statement that the verdict “is not the last word on this matter.”

The company predicted that once a remedy phase of the litigation is completed before the judge and all appeals are

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NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION

25CVSDAVID D. FOREST and spouse, AMANDA W. FOREST, Plainti s, vs. TED W. DAVIS, Guardian, Ad Litem for All Persons, Firms and Corporations, As Well As For All Lien Creditors, Including But Not Limited To Any Defendants Herein Referenced (Male, Female or Fictitious Entity Such As A Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited ) Partnership And The Like) Who Or Which May Be Under A Disability At Law (Including Incompetency, Minority Or Corporate/Company Suspension), As Well As All Persons En Ventre Sa Mere And All Persons, Firms or Corporations Who Or Which May Have Any Contingent, Leasehold Or Future Ownership or Lien Encumbrance Interest, Defendant.

TO: ALL DEFENDANTS HEREINABOVE NAMED OR REFERENCED (EXCEPTING TED W. DAVIS, GUARDIAN AD LITEM):

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: To have the Court declare the owners of the land described in deeds recorded in Book 1660, page 230, 233, 418 and 422; and Book 1661, page 544 and Book 1667, page 51, Stanly County Registry, to be the real property of David D. Forest and spouse, Amanda W. Forest, the Plainti s herein, on the basis of their ownership of said realty in accordance with the doctrine of “Adverse Possession” under “Color of Title” in order to “Quiet Title” thereto. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than July 7, 2026 and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. This the 25th day of March, 2026. David A. Beaver Attorney for Plainti s Post O ce Box 1338 Albemarle, North Carolina 28002

Telephone: (704) 982-4915

State Bar No. 007603

Publish April 4/5; April 11/12; and April18/19; and April 25/26 2026.

resolved, the outcome likely won’t be much di erent from what the federal government achieved with a settlement it reached with the company just after the trial began.

That deal included a cap on service fees at some amphitheaters, plus some new ticket-selling options for promoters and venues — potentially allowing, but not requiring, them to open doors to Ticketmaster competitors such as SeatGeek or AXS.

Trial was backstage pass

The trial gave fans the equivalent of a backstage pass to a business that dominates live entertainment in the U.S. and beyond.

Live Nation CEO Michael Rapino testi ed, answering questions about matters including the company’s Taylor Swift ticket debacle in 2022. Rapino blamed a cyberattack.

Jurors also got to see a Live Nation employee’s internal messages to another employee declaring some prices “outrageous,” calling customers “so stupid” and boasting that the company was “robbing them blind, baby.” The employee,

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NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION 25CVSARTHUR T. WALTERS and spouse, SUZETTE R. WALTERS, Plainti s, vs.

TED W. DAVIS, Guardian, Ad Litem for All Persons, Firms and Corporations, As Well As For All Lien Creditors, Including But Not Limited To Any Defendants Herein Referenced (Male, Female or Fictitious Entity Such As A Corporation, Limited Liability Company, Limited ) Partnership And The Like) Who Or Which May Be Under A Disability At Law (Including Incompetency, Minority Or Corporate/Company Suspension), As Well As All Persons En Ventre Sa Mere And All Persons, Firms or Corporations Who Or Which May Have Any Contingent, Leasehold Or Future Ownership or Lien Encumbrance Interest, Defendant.

TO: ALL DEFENDANTS HEREINABOVE NAMED OR REFERENCED (EXCEPTING

TED W. DAVIS, GUARDIAN AD LITEM):

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you has been led in the above entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows:

To have the Court declare the owners of the land described in deeds recorded in Book 1649, page 1148, Stanly County Registry, to be the real property of Arthur T. Walters and spouse, Suzette R. Walters, the Plainti s herein, on the basis of their ownership of said realty in accordance with the doctrine of “Adverse Possession” under “Color of Title” in order to “Quiet Title” thereto.

You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than July 7, 2026 and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought.

This the 25th day of March, 2026. David A. Beaver Attorney for Plainti s Post O ce Box 1338 Albemarle, North Carolina 28002 Telephone: (704) 982-4915

State Bar No. 007603 Publish April 4/5; April 11/12; and April18/19; and April 25/26, 2026.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Notice is hereby given that the Town of New London Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing Tuesday, May 5th at 7:00 pm at the New London Community Center, 114 West Gold St, New London, to consider a text amendment establishing conditional zoning for mining operations. All interested parties are hereby noti ed to attend if they have any comments. Susan Almond Town Manager

“Every

Je Jackson, North Carolina attorney general

Benjamin Baker, who has since been promoted to a position as a ticketing executive, apologetically testi ed that the messages were “very immature and unacceptable.”

Live Nation Entertainment owns, operates, controls booking for or has an equity interest in hundreds of venues. Its subsidiary Ticketmaster is widely considered to be the world’s largest ticket-seller for live events.

The verdict could cost Live Nation and Ticketmaster hundreds of millions of dollars, based on the jury’s estimate that customers paid an extra $1.72 per ticket. The companies could also be assessed

PUBLIC NOTICE

Notice is hereby given that the Oakboro Board of Commissioners will hold a Public Hearing on April 20, 2026, at 6:45 PM at the Oakboro Town Hall, located at 109 N. Main Street, Oakboro, NC. The purpose of this meeting is to discuss a rezoning request from RA to R20 for 8631 NC 205, Oakboro, NC, PIN #650301164454. The tax number for this property is 939. The property is located in the ETJ zoning. For questions, contact the Town of Oakboro at 704-485-3351 or townofoakboro@oakboro.gov. Leslie Hatley-Murray Town Clerk

Please publish Sunday, April 12 Sunday, April 19

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STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION COUNTY OF STANLY. BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO:25E000141-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAYANTA KUMAR HALDAR Deceased. Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Jayanta Kumar Haldar, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of the said Jayanta Kumar Haldar to present them to the undersigned or his attorney on or before the 6th day of July, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 5th day of April, 2026. Executor: John Amirtharaj 801 Lafayette Drive Albemarle, NC 28001 Attorney for Estate: Connie E. Mosher 239 N. First Street Albemarle, NC 28001 704-983-0086 Dates of publication: April 5,

penalties. In addition, sanctions could result in court orders that they divest themselves of some entities, including venues such as amphitheaters that they own.

In its statement, Live Nation said the jury’s award of $1.72 per ticket applied to “a limited number of tickets” sold at 257 venues and representing about 20% of total tickets sold. The company estimated the aggregate single damages gure would be below $150 million, though it would be trebled.

The civil case, initially led by the U.S. government, accused Live Nation of using its reach to smother competition — by blocking venues from using multiple ticket sellers, for example.

Live Nation denies monopoly claims

Live Nation insisted it is not a monopoly, saying that artists, sports teams and venues decide prices and ticketing practices.

A company lawyer said its size was simply a function of excellence and e ort.

“Success is not against the

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NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000164-830

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Maxzell Hahn Whitley deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Maxzell Hahn Whitley to present them to the undersigned on or before July 13, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This the 12th day of April 2026. Marc P. Morgan PO Box 118 Oakboro, NC 28129 Executor

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NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000147-830

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executrix of the estate of Betty Peterson Davenport deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Betty Peterson Davenport to present them to the undersigned on or before July 6, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This the 5th day of April 2026. Sabrina Davenport Pearson 831 N. 9th Street Albemarle, NC 28001 Executrix

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA

STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000631-830

antitrust laws in the United States,” attorney David Marriott said in his summation.

Ticketmaster was established in 1976 and merged with Live Nation in 2010. The company now controls 86% of the market for concerts and 73% of the overall market when sports events are included, according to an attorney for the states, Je rey Kessler.

Ticketmaster has long drawn ire from fans and some artists. Grunge rock titans Pearl Jam battled the business in the 1990s, even ling an anti-monopoly complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice, which declined to bring a case then. Decades later, the Justice Department, joined by dozens of states, brought the current lawsuit during Democratic former President Joe Biden’s administration. Days into the trial, Republican President Donald Trump’s administration announced it was settling its claims against Live Nation.

A handful of the states joined the settlement. But more than 30 pressed ahead with the trial, saying the federal government hadn’t gotten enough concessions.

Attorneys hail verdict

New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport said in a release after the verdict that Live Nation’s “illegal, anti-competitive practices” had driven up ticket prices and made it harder for fans to see their favorite acts.

New York Attorney General Letitia James called the verdict “a landmark victory.”

After the victory, Kessler would not say speci cally what the states will seek in the next phase of the litigation, which was expected to involve another lengthy legal proceeding before penalties are decided.

But he celebrated the moment.

“It’s a great day for consumers,” he said.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

undersigned,

Executrix

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Patricia Berry Wilson deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Patricia Berry Wilson to present them to the undersigned on or before July 6, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 5th day of April 2026. Karen Biddy 112 Family Faith Drive Locust, NC 28097 Executor NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA, IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 26E000167-830

April, 2026. Melody C. Huneycutt Executrix of the Estate of Flora Helms Coley 32210 Chapel Road Albemarle, NC 28001 PUBLISH: April 19, 26, May 3, 10, 2026 James A. Phillips, Jr. Attorney

North Carolina (Stanly County File Number (26E000144830). This is to notify all persons, rms or corporations having claims against said decedent or her estate to present the same duly itemized and veri ed to the undersigned Administrator or his Attorney on or before the 29th

famous birthdays this week

George Takei turns 89, Robert Smith is 67, Shirley MacLaine hits 92, Al Pacino tops 86

The Associated Press

THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.

APRIL 19

Singer-songwriter Roberto Carlos is 85. Actor Tim Curry is 80. Motorsports Hall of Famer Al Unser Jr. is 64. Actor Ashley Judd is 58. Latin pop singer Luis Miguel is 56. Actor James Franco is 48. Actor Kate Hudson is 47.

APRIL 20

Actor George Takei is 89.

Actor Jessica Lange is 77. Actor Clint Howard is 67. Former MLB rst baseman Don Mattingly is 65. Actor Crispin Glover is 62. Actor Andy Serkis is 62. Actor Shemar Moore is 56. Actor-model Carmen Electra is 54.

APRIL 21

Actor-comedian-filmmaker Elaine May is 94. Author-activist Sister Helen Prejean is 87. Singer Iggy Pop is 79. Actor Patti LuPone is 77. Actor Tony Danza is 75. Actor Andie MacDowell is 68. Musician Robert Smith (The Cure) is 67.

APRIL 22

Actor Jack Nicholson is 89. Singer Mel Carter is 87. Author Janet Evanovich is 83. Filmmaker John Waters is 80. Basketball Hall of Famer Spencer Haywood is 77. Singer Peter Frampton is 76. Actor-comedian Ryan Stiles is 67.

APRIL 23

Actor Lee Majors is 87. Actor Blair Brown is 80. Actor Joyce DeWitt is 77. Filmmaker-author Michael Moore is 72. Actor Judy Davis is 71. Actor Valerie Bertinelli is 66. Actor-comedian George Lopez is 65. Actor-wrestler John Cena is 49.

APRIL 24

Actor Shirley MacLaine is 92. Actor-singer- lmmaker Barbra Streisand is 84. Fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier is 74. Actor Eric Bogosian is 73. Actor Michael O’Keefe is 71. Actor-co -

median Cedric the Entertainer is 62.

APRIL 25

Actor Al Pacino is 86. Musician-producer Björn Ulvaeus (ABBA) is 81. Actor Talia Shire is 80. NBA Commissioner Adam Silver is 64. Actor Hank Azaria is 62. Sportscaster Joe Buck is 57. Actor Renée Zellweger is 57. Actor Jason Lee is 56. Basketball Hall of Famer Tim Duncan is 50.

PEN America launches US safety program for authors facing harassment

Targeted writers include Ashley Hope Pérez for her book “Out of Darkness”

By Hillel Italie The Associated Press

NEW YORK — A coalition of publishers and literary agencies is teaming with PEN America on an initiative meant to counter a growing trend of harassment against members of the literary community.

PEN America, the century-old free expression organization, announced last Friday that it was launching the U.S. Safety Program, which would provide safety training and other resources for authors amid a wave of censorship efforts around the country.

“We have heard from countless authors, illustrators and translators who are under siege, fending o a steady stream of abuse and threats, online and at book events,” said Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, co-chief executive o cer of PEN America. “Through this new program, the literary and publishing community is stepping up together because writers should not be forced to choose between their safety and their voice.”

“Through this new program, the literary and publishing community is stepping up together because writers should not be forced to choose between their safety and their voice.”

Clarisse Rosaz Shariyf, PEN America co-chief executive o cer

Viktorya Vilk, who directs PEN’s digital safety e orts, told The Associated Press that she rst noticed a rise in harassment against journalists a decade ago, around the time Donald Trump was rst elected president, and has seen it spread to writers and educators over the past couple of years. Maia Kobabe, Jon Evison and George Johnson are among the authors of censored works who have spoken out about being harassed and threatened and even physically assaulted.

Ashley Hope Pérez, whose young adult novel “Out of Darkness” became a target for censors over its depictions of sex and sexual abuse, says she had to take down her o ce email and telephone. “I got hate mail and all kinds of ugly phone calls,” says Pérez, who teaches at Ohio State University. According to PEN, it

has raised nearly $1 million through contributions from Hachette Book Group, Macmillan Publishers and Penguin Random House among others. This spring, Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Egan and Lee Child will be among the writers auctioning o character names for future novels, with the proceeds bene ting the safety program. PEN will be building on other programs from recent years, including digital safety workshops held for Hachette authors in 2023.

“There have probably never been as many threats to authors’ safety as there are currently in the U.S,” Hachette CEO David Shelley said in a statement. “We’re proud to support this much-needed program from PEN America that will give writers a wide range of professional resources to help them deal with threats to their safety, online and o ine.”

Jackson, Smith, Ladd reunite to celebrate 50th anniversary of classic ‘Charlie’s Angels’

The show was a top-10 hit for ABC in its rst two of ve seasons, ending in 1981

By Beth Harris The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Once upon a time there were three little girls who starred as private detectives answering to a never-seen boss in a show that turned into a pop culture phenomenon called “Charlie’s Angels.”

Kate Jackson, Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd reunited to mark the show’s 50th anniversary at PaleyFest LA last Monday night. They were greeted with a standing ovation and whoops and cheers from an audience at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood.

The hourlong crime adventure series debuted Sept. 22, 1976, in a pre-internet and streaming world when there were just three major television networks.

“I knew the show was di erent, special and unique,” Smith told the audience. “Three women chasing danger instead of getting rescued.” Jackson added, “We made an impact, I think.”

Farrah Fawcett-Majors became a 1970s icon with her feathered hair and sexy swim-

suit poster. She left after the rst season to pursue a lm career. She died in 2009. She was replaced by Ladd, who showed up on her rst day wearing a Farrah Fawcett Minor T-shirt. She had turned down producer Aaron Spelling three times, knowing how beloved Fawcett had been.

“I knew that there was nobody that was going to replace Farrah, so I made a joke of myself,” Ladd said on the red carpet. “Everybody laughed. Farrah would have done something like that.”

Jackson added, “Cheryl stepped in and we didn’t miss a beat.”

Critics weren’t kind, however, calling the show “jiggle television” because the women dressed scantily to go undercover and slamming it for vapid acting.

“It didn’t bother me,” Jackson said on the red carpet. “I knew what we were doing and Gloria Steinem knew what we were do-

ing, and some other very impressive people knew what we were doing. We were helping to punch a hole in that glass ceiling and that makes a big di erence.”

Five decades later, the show remains popular in reruns and DVDs, having spawned a lm series starring Drew Barrymore, Cameron Diaz and Lucy Liu.

“We were giving people an hour to sit back, put their feet up, forget everything and watch television,” Jackson said, “and then again just kind of subtly getting the message in there that women are just as capable, intelligent, can do anything that a man can do.”

The mostly older audience cheered and laughed as scenes from various episodes were played. Included in the highlights were Shelley Hack, who lasted one season after replacing Jackson, and the late Tanya Roberts, who appeared in the nal season. Smith and the late David Doyle, who played Charlie’s go-between, were on the show’s entire run.

Smith, who is 80, and Ladd, who is 74, went on to prolific careers in made-for-TV movies and guesting on other shows. Jackson, who quit after three seasons, later starred in the CBS hit

“Scarecrow and Mrs. King.” Jackson left the business nearly 20 years ago to raise her son. Now 77, she said, “I’m ready to go back.”

this week in history

Revolutionary War begins, Mark Twain dies at 74, McCarthy hearings begin

The Associated Press

APRIL 19

1775: The American Revolutionary War began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord, launching an eight-year con ict between American colonists and the British Army.

1897: The rst Boston Marathon was held, with John J. McDermott winning in 2 hours, 55 minutes and 10 seconds.

1943: Tens of thousands of Jews in the Warsaw Ghetto began a valiant but ultimately doomed uprising against Nazi forces.

APRIL 20

1812: Vice President George Clinton died in Washington at age 72, becoming the rst U.S. vice president to die in o ce.

1912: Boston’s Fenway Park hosted its rst o cial game, with the Red Sox defeating the New York Highlanders before an estimated 27,000 spectators.

1999: Two students killed 12 classmates and a teacher and wounded 23 others before taking their own lives at Columbine High School near Denver.

APRIL 21

1836: An army of Texans led by Sam Houston defeated Mexican forces under Antonio López de Santa Anna at the Battle of San Jacinto, the nal battle of the Texas Revolution.

1910: Author Samuel Langhorne Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, died in Redding, Connecticut, at age 74.

2016: Music icon Prince was found dead at his home near Minneapolis from an accidental fentanyl overdose at age 57.

APRIL 22

1889: The Oklahoma Land Rush began at noon as thousands of homesteaders staked claims to nearly 1.9 million acres of former Indian Territory.

1915: German forces launched their rst large-scale chlorine gas attack against Al-

“Two things are in nite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.”

Albert Einstein

lied troops at the Second Battle of Ypres in Belgium during World War I.

1954: Televised sessions of the Senate Army-McCarthy hearings began, examining Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s claims of communist in uence in the U.S. government and Army.

APRIL 23

1635: The Boston Latin School, the rst public school in what would become the United States, was established. 1898: Spain declared war on the United States; the U.S. responded in kind two days later after months of rising tensions tied to Cuba’s ght for independence.

1971: Hundreds of Vietnam War veterans opposed to the con ict protested by tossing their medals and ribbons over

a wire fence erected in front of the U.S. Capitol.

APRIL 24

1800: President John Adams approved $5,000 for congressional books, e ectively establishing the Library of Congress.

1916: Irish republicans launched the Easter Rising against British rule; though it ended in six days, it paved the way for independence and the Irish Free State in 1922.

1960: Rioting erupted in Biloxi, Mississippi, after black protesters staging a “wade-in” at a whites-only beach were attacked by a crowd of white residents.

APRIL 25

1507: A world map by German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller used the name “America” for the rst time, honoring Amerigo Vespucci.

1859: Construction of the Suez Canal began in Egypt.

1898: Congress declared war on Spain; the 16-week con ict ended in a U.S. victory and control of the Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam.