The ags of the United States and North Carolina y in front of Locust City Hall earlier this month.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Trump tells UN in speech it’s “not even coming close to living up” to potential
President Donald Trump has returned to the United Nations to boast of his second-term foreign policy achievements and lash out at the world body as a feckless institution. He also warned Europe it would be ruined if it doesn’t turn away from a “double-tailed monster” of ill-conceived migration and green energy policies. World leaders listened closely to his Tuesday remarks at the U.N. General Assembly as Trump has already moved quickly to diminish U.S. support for the world body in his rst eight months in o ce. After his speech, Trump met with Secretary-General António Guterres and told the top U.N. o cial that the U.S. is behind the global body “100%” amid fears among members that he’s edging toward a full retreat.
Secret Service
dismantles telecom threat around UN capable of crippling cell service in NYC
The U.S. Secret Service has dismantled a massive hidden telecom network in New York. Investigators say the system could have crippled cell towers and jammed 911 calls. The cache included over 300 SIM servers with more than 100,000 SIM cards. It was located within 35 miles of the United Nations. The network could have blacked out cellular service, especially during the United Nations General Assembly. O cials have not uncovered a direct plot against the assembly. Forensic analysis is ongoing, and authorities suspect nation-state actors.
Stanly school board reviews grant application with county commissioners
The funding would pay for two major capital projects
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Board of Education and Stanly County Board of Commissioners met in Albemarle for a special-called joint session Monday night to discuss a grant application that could fund major facility improvement projects.
The meeting focused on Stanly County Schools’ plan to pursue a Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund grant from the N.C. Department of Public Instruction that would provide up to $52 million for construction funding. In order for the application process to move forward, the grant requires a 5% local match approved by the county commissioners.
The school board voted at its Sept. 11 work session to apply for the grant, with the overall goal of building a new elementary school to replace Oakboro
Albemarle introduces new assistant city manager
Zach Ollis began his new role Sept. 15
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Assistant City Manager Zach Ollis is ofcially on the job after beginning his duties last week with the city of Albemarle.
At the Albemarle City Council meeting on Sept. 15, City Manager Darren Rhodes introduced Ollis, who was hired in August following a competitive search that drew more than 100 applicants.
“Zach has been a town manager at three separate municipalities, and he’s been successful at every point in his career,” Rhodes said. “He’s
a proven leader, and he’s really the perfect t here for the city of Albemarle to work with our fantastic team. We’re really looking forward to working with Zach. He’s a servant leader and he’s a perfect member of the team.”
Ollis brings over a decade of local government experience in North Carolina, overseeing services that have included public safety, planning and development.
“He’s really the most qualied individual that we’ve ever hired for the assistant city manager position that I can tell,” Rhodes added. “That speaks not only to Zach’s ability and talent, but it also speaks to the city and its leadership. It
“I think that I can be here for a very long time.”
Zach Ollis, new assistant city manager
THE STANLY
MY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
COURTESY STANLY COUNTY SCHOOLS
The Stanly County Board of Education and Board of Commissioners held a joint meeting on Monday night in Albemarle.
“Join
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
25
FRIDAY SEPT. 26
SATURDAY SEPT. 27
SUNDAY SEPT. 28
reunion
The Albemarle High School Class of 1958 gathered on Saturday, Sept. 13, for a reunion marking 67 years since graduation.
First row: Tommy Murrell, Jerry Reid, Rita Morris Morgan, Kay Swindell Cochran, Peggy Smith Grigg, Emma Lynn Morton Burleson, Eddie Burleson, Diane Watkins Earnhardt. Second row: Barbara Hoey Pinion, Sue Winn Harris, Martha Barbee Eudy, Judy E rd Murrell, Carolyn Nicholds Fitzgerald, Molly Holbrook Thomas, Evelyn Underwood Farrar, Gail Buck Josey, Bill Hartsell, Pat Starnes Bramlett, Stan Lawhon. Third row: Carolyn Butler Tindall, T A Gri n, Barbara Smith Johnson, Kenneth Helderman, Reggie Crowell, Larry Mullis, Ronnie Morris, Norris Je rey, Wade McSwain, Martha Huckabee Lowder, Roger Eudy. Not Pictured: Libbie Hatley Rodgers, Roger Whitley.
Sept. 15
• Debra Jean Hartsell, 33, was arrested for felony possession of schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, misdemeanor larceny, second degree trespass, and possession of methamphetamine.
• Shantel Ceara Cole, 34, was arrested for possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver methamphetamine, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for controlled substances, tra cking in opium or heroin, possession of drug paraphernalia, conspiracy to tra c opium/heroin, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance.
• Yoka Michelle McIntyre, 42, was arrested for tra cking in opium or heroin, maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for controlled substances, possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, conspiracy to tra c opium/ heroin, and possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance.
Sept. 16
• Carla Jo Garris, 49, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine.
• Jazmyne Luria Thomas, 32, was arrested for resisting a public o cer, rst degree trespass, and communicating threats.
• Whitney Nichole Hathcock, 36, was arrested for felony possession of schedule II controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Dorothy Elizabeth Hayman, 48, was arrested for possession with intent to manufacture, sell and deliver schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of open container/ consuming alcohol in passenger area, and expired registration.
Sept. 17
• Jessie Houston Bullock, 38, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.
• William Franklin Bailey, 46, was arrested for communicating threats and violation of court order.
• Jared Ashley Hatley, 38, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia.
• Rankin Patrick Lee Welch, 34, was arrested for obtaining property by false pretense and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sept. 18
• Johnny C Knotts, 62, was arrested for possession of rearm by felon, simple possession of schedule VI controlled substance, and third degree sexual exploitation of a minor.
• Jeremy Taylor Little, 30, was arrested for felony possession of cocaine.
Sept. 21
• Bradley Matthew Olsen, 40, was arrested for assault by pointing a gun, assault on a female, communicating threats, misdemeanor domestic violence, false imprisonment, resisting a public o cer, carrying a concealed gun, failure to heed light or siren, assault with a deadly weapon, civil order for arrest for child support, injury to personal property, larceny of a rearm, and possession of stolen rearm.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County.
Sept. 25
An Evening with Mike Wiley: One Noble Journey 7 p.m.
The Stanly County Historical Society presents Mike Wiley’s acclaimed one-man performance “One Noble Journey: The Box Marked Freedom.” This powerful evening of theatre and history is presented in partnership with the Arts Council and America 250 Committee.
Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre 219 E. North St. Albemarle
Sept.
27
Stanly County Fall Fest 3-7 p.m.
The festival includes a vendor market, food trucks and live music for community members to enjoy. It also o ers a kid’s zone and areas for adults to relax with beverages alongside family and friends.
Loping Crow Distillery 24030 Endy Road Albemarle
Summer Concert Finale with The Tams 7-10 p.m.
The event features a live beach music performance by The Tams, followed by a reworks display. Food trucks, vendors, a bounce house and a rock climbing wall provide additional options for families attending.
Locust Town Center Park 288 Market St. Locust
COURTESY PAM BRAMLETT
THE CONVERSATION
Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
Charlie Kirk: American patriot and Christian martyr
He spoke for millions of young people desperate for
I WROTE THESE words on the Lord’s Day, Sunday, Sept. 14 — a day meant for rest and worship yet overshadowed by tragedy. It came in the shadow of the cold-blooded assassination of Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus. Like millions of others, I nd myself wrestling with anger, sorrow, grief and confusion — searching for meaning in a moment that de es it.
We have long known that we live in a fallen, godless and debauched age. Yet two weeks ago, that grim truth was displayed in stark relief on a college campus — an institution that should nurture learning and virtue but instead became the stage for barbarity.
I call Charlie a martyr because he was killed for his convictions — for his un inching defense of truth and his fearless witness to Christ. He spoke for millions of young people desperate for clarity in a world where woke classrooms and even woke pulpits leave them spiritually starved.
Charlie was not an elected o cial, yet he carried himself with a statesman’s brilliance. A masterful debater, he could summon Scripture and the Constitution from memory. Many of us believed he had the intellect, vision and courage that could have carried him to the presidency one day.
The radical left saw the same potential — and feared it. They recognized that Charlie was a singular gure: principled, persuasive and deeply rooted in faith. His integrity and God-given ability to connect with young people threatened the woke ideological stranglehold on our culture. That was a threat his enemies could not tolerate. Now it falls on us to carry forward his ght with sharper minds, stouter hearts and steel spines.
Charlie was vili ed because he loved the Bible, loved his country and stood for objective truth. Above all, he was hated because he followed Jesus Christ. As John’s Gospel reminds us, the world loves darkness and rejects the light. Christ himself warned in John 15 that his followers would be hated and silenced precisely because they proclaim the truth of God’s word.
Across America and around the world, Christians are asking today: What will we do with this moment? How will we respond?
First, pray for Charlie’s wife, Erika, and their children, whose loss is beyond words. They will grow up without their father, unable yet to grasp the hatred that stole him away.
Second, recognize the danger we face. To
be a faithful Christian who engages the public square is now to risk one’s life. Charlie’s murder was not random — it was a warning to silence truth-tellers. In such times, we must pray for courage and boldness to speak God’s truth without fear.
Third, plead with God for mercy on our broken nation. As Romans 8 declares, creation itself “groans.” We saw that groaning in the vile ood of comments that mocked and even celebrated Charlie’s death.
Fourth, pray for leaders — that they will have the moral clarity to bring justice to the wicked and ful ll their God-given charge to punish evil and protect the righteous.
No single column can capture the life, goodness, and impact of Charlie Kirk. More must be written, and will be. For now, let us bear one another’s burdens and so ful ll the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).
May we never again witness such a week in America — or endure another Lord’s Day clouded by such tragedy.
Sam Currin is a former judge, U.S. attorney and law professor. He holds degrees from Wake Forest University, UNC School of Law and Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Government lists are a threat to free association
Without clearly showing cause, no government o cial should have the power to scour a private organization’s records.
NO GOVERNMENT o cial needs to know what organizations you nancially support. And no state attorney general should have access to Americans’ sensitive personal information without clearly showing cause or in the absence of criminal proceedings. Yet wielding state power for his own political agenda, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin asked a court to force First Choice Women’s Resource Centers to disclose donor information about nearly 5,000 contributions (see AAF’s amicus brief in First Choice Women’s Resource Center v. Platkin).
Similar disclosures in the past have not fared well for Americans. In 2014, Mozilla forced their new chief executive, Brendan Eich, the founder of JavaScript, to resign after discovering that Eich had donated $1,000 six years earlier to a campaign that supported Proposition 8, the voter-approved California constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. In the late 1950s during the Civil Rights Movement, Alabama attempted to use disclosure requirements to prevent the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) from conducting business, which included the Montgomery Bus Boycott and funding programs for African American students wishing to attend the state university (see NAACP v. Alabama). Today, big government agencies already have large databases on Americans’ private information. Plenty of people have not told their best friend or neighbors how much they earn. Yet the government — only trusted by 22% of Americans to do the right thing
always or most of the time — knows.
Thanks to the SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT), the federal government also compiles a list linking your every purchase and sale in the stock market to your sensitive, personal information (see AAF’s amicus brief challenging CAT in Davidson v. Gensler). With the Supreme Court tailoring opt-outs for gender ideology in schools to religious exemptions, the government could seize the opportunity to create yet another list, this time of religious parents.
As explained in AAF’s amicus brief in Platkin, “No government o cial should be able to use his legitimate law enforcement power to pursue those with whom he disagrees politically.” The latter would reduce our constitutional protections to be the “mere parchment barriers” that our framers feared. Regardless of whether the court rules against Platkin, he will have taken time and resources away from First Choice’s mission of helping mothers and saving babies. Without clearly showing cause, no government o cial should have the power to scour a private organization’s records. Even the threat of disclosure threatens freedom of speech and association, which are the cornerstones of the American tradition.
In America’s earliest days, Alexis de Tocqueville noted the “art of association then becomes … the mother science; everyone studies it and applies it” (quoted in AAF’s amicus brief First Choice Women’s Resource Centers v. Platkin). Where “all citizens are independent and weak” and “can hardly do
anything by themselves,” Americans must coordinate to e ect change. The latter is an intentional feature of our constitutional system that protects minority opinions from suppression and ensures power remains derived from the people.
Platkin is not a uke or merely a result of one bad actor. In October, the Sixth Circuit will hear a similar freedom of association case, Buckeye Institute v. IRS, where the federal government defends its practice compelling nonpro t organizations to disclose private donor information.
President Ronald Reagan said the scariest words in the English language were “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.” When the government collects information, Americans are threatened by the abuse of that information. For that reason, the government should only be collecting information it absolutely needs. The courts in these cases must ensure that governments are not storing up information and, in so doing, exposing Americans to harassment by government agents.
Marc Wheat is the general counsel of Advancing American Freedom. This column was rst published by Daily Caller News Foundation.
BE IN TOUCH
Letters addressed to the editor may be sent to letters@nsjonline.com or 1201 Edwards Mill Rd., Suite 300, Raleigh, NC 27607. Letters must be signed; include the writer’s phone number, city and state; and be no longer than 300 words. Letters may be edited for style, length or clarity when necessary. Ideas for op-eds should be sent to opinion@nsjonline.com.
COLUMN | J. MARC WHEAT
COLUMN | SAM CURRIN
clarity.
Trump o cials praise Charlie Kirk’s faith, mark on the conservative movement
The memorial service drew thousands, including Vice President JD Vance
By Jonathan J. Cooper, Eugene Garcia, Aamer Madhani and Meg Kinnard The Associated Press
GLENDALE, Ariz. — President Donald Trump praised Charlie Kirk as a “great American hero” and “martyr” for freedom as he and other prominent conservatives gathered Sunday evening to honor the slain conservative political activist whose work they say they must now advance.
The memorial service for Kirk, whom Trump credits with playing a pivotal role in his 2024 election victory, drew tens of thousands of mourners, including Vice President JD Vance, other senior administration ofcials and young conservatives shaped by the 31-year-old rebrand.
“He’s a martyr now for America’s freedom,” Trump said in his tribute. “I know I speak for everyone here today when I say that none of us will ever forget Charlie. And neither now will history.”
Speakers highlighted Kirk’s profound faith and his strong belief that young conservatives need to get married, have children and pass on their values to keep building their movement. They also repeatedly told conservative activists, sometimes in forceful tones, that the best way to honor Kirk was doubling down on his mission to move American politics further to the right.
“For Charlie, we will remember that it is better to stand on our feet defending the United States of America and defending the truth than it is to die on our knees,” Vance said. “My friends, for Charlie, we must remember that he is a hero to the United States of America. And he is a martyr for the Christian faith.”
Kirk’s assassination at a Sept. 10 appearance on a Utah college campus has set o a erce debate about violence, decency and free speech in an era of deep political division.
The shooting has stirred fear among some Americans that Trump is trying to harness outrage over the killing as justi cation to suppress the voices of his critics and political opponents.
Those close to Kirk prayed and the oors at the home of the
MEETING from page A1
and a remaining funding gap of nearly $30 million.
The plan would rebuild Oakboro as a 700-student elementary campus and redistrict students from Locust, Stan eld, Endy and Aquadale, while West Stanly Middle would be expanded to hold 950 students — a capacity larger than some county high schools.
Initial plans project both school upgrades would be completed by 2028. Commissioners raised questions about the proposal, particularly the monetary gap that
NFL’s Arizona Cardinals shook from the bass of Christian rock bands, as the memorial started with the feel of a megachurch service before veering into something more akin to a political rally.
Longtime worship leader Chris Tomlin opened the service and was joined later by other big names in contemporary Christian music, including Brandon Lake and Phil Wickham. Near the end, as Trump took the stage, Lee Greenwood
would require additional taxpayer-backed loans.
“I’m not going to put a $33 million tax debt on the people of the county until they have a say so, whether it be a referendum vote or speaking out,”
Commissioner Chair Mike Barbee said. “I think most of the problems that we have capacity-wise have been created by the school system moving kids around from one school to the other for special programs and stu like that.”
Some also questioned why Ridgecrest Elementary — closed for a decade — was not part of the plan despite being
sang a live rendition of the president’s campaign walk-on song, “God Bless the U.S.A.”
People began lining up before dawn to secure a spot inside State Farm Stadium west of Phoenix, where Kirk’s Turning Point organization is based. Security was tight and speakers delivered their tributes from behind bullet-proof glass.
The 63,400-seat stadium quickly lled with people dressed in red, white and blue, as organizers suggested.
in slightly better condition than Oakboro. School o cials noted that Oakboro had previously been reopened in response to community needs, while Ridgecrest had not received similar support.
“The needs are huge across the county, and we do have to start somewhere,” Commissioner Patty Crump said. “I have a lot of thinking to do. I have an entire county to represent with my vote, but we have needs that have to be addressed. I don’t want to kick the can down the road anymore, so I want to just put that on the record. I do appreciate
The mood in the stadium ebbed and owed throughout a service that stretched more than ve hours. Mourners were patient and cordial, even after waiting hours to enter and then an hour or more for food in stadium concession lines.
Kirk’s widow, Erika, in her own address said in the midst of her grief she was nding comfort that her husband left this world without regrets. She said she forgives the man who is charged with killing him.
“My husband, Charlie, he wanted to save young men, just like the one who took his life,” said Erika Kirk, who is taking over as Turning Point’s leader.
She added, “I forgive him.”
Trump, who closed out the service, remarked that Charlie Kirk “did not hate his opponents” and “wanted the best for them,” an attribute he found hard to understand.
“That’s where I disagreed with Charlie. I hate my opponent, and I don’t want the best for them,” Trump said. “I’m sorry, I am sorry Erika.”
Trump has blamed the “radical left” for Kirk’s death and threatened to go after liberal organizations and donors or others who he feels are maligning or celebrating Kirk’s death.
Dozens of people, from jour-
the time and the e ort that you put into this.”
With the deadline for grant applications set for Oct. 3, the school board has requested anal decision from commissioners by Friday.
“We need a decision from you by the end of this week because that’s going to give us time to know what direction we need to go in,” Board Member Glenda Gibson said.
“I guess the question is, do you want to help us build new schools and give us what our county and students need?” Gibson asked. “Or are we going to stay idle for another 23
nalists to teachers to late show host Jimmy Kimmel, have faced suspensions or lost their jobs as prominent conservative activists and administration o cials target comments about Kirk that they deem o ensive or celebratory. The retaliation has in turn ignited a debate over the First Amendment.
Some speakers at the memorial said Kirk was battling evil and referred to a vague “they” as the enemy. Others were blunt.
“You have no idea the dragon you have awakened, you have no idea how determined we will be to save this civilization, to save the West, to save this republic,” said White House deputy chief of sta Stephen Miller.
Kirk was a provocateur who at times made statements that some called racist, misogynistic, anti-immigrant and transphobic. That has drawn backlash from conservatives who view the criticism as cherry-picking a few select moments to insult the legacy of someone they see as an inspirational conservative leader.
A 22-year-old Utah man, Tyler Robinson, has been charged with killing Kirk and faces the death penalty if convicted of the most serious charges. Authorities have not revealed a clear motive in the shooting, but prosecutors say Robinson wrote in a text to his partner following the shooting that he “had enough” of Kirk’s hatred.
Turning Point, the group Kirk founded to mobilize young Christian conservatives, became a multimillion-dollar operation under his leadership with enormous reach.
The crowd was a testament to the in uence he accumulated in conservative America with his ability to mobilize young people. And the service brought together a veritable who’s who of the Republican Party, with numerous current and former lawmakers in the crowd. Elon Musk, the tech billionaire and former top adviser to Trump, was spotted sitting with Trump for part of the service.
Kirk was a MAGA celebrity with a loyal following that turned out to support or argue with him as he traveled the country for the events like the one at Utah Valley University, where he was shot.
Speaker after speaker, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, expressed awe at Kirk’s ability to go into what many conservatives saw as the lion’s den to make the conservative case: college campuses.
“Why don’t you start somewhere easier,” Rubio recalled thinking when he rst heard about Kirk years ago. “Like, for example, communist Cuba?”
years and leave this problem for the next generation? Because that’s what it’s going to be if we don’t do something now. Our students can’t wait another decade, and our buildings can’t wait another decade. We are at a stopping point where we have to make some decisions about our facilities.” No public comment period was included in Monday’s meeting.
Earlier this month, resolutions backing the school district’s grant application were passed by the Oakboro Board of Commissioners, Stan eld Town Council and Locust City Council.
JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON / AP PHOTO
President Donald Trump arrives to speak at a memorial for conservative activist Charlie Kirk on Sunday at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
JOHN LOCHER / AP PHOTO
People listen as Erika Kirk speaks at a memorial for her late husband conservative activist Charlie Kirk, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Ariz.
How faith-based support is helping Scouting America stabilize
Religious organizations provide crucial backing despite past controversies
By David Crary
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — For the Boy Scouts of America — recently renamed Scouting America — the past 12 years have been arduous. Opening its programs to gay people and later to girls sparked dismay in some quarters. Its 2020 bankruptcy declaration led to prolonged wrangling over compensation for thousands of men claiming they were sexually abused as scouts.
Yet the 115-year-old organization — though serving far fewer youths than at its peak decades ago — seems to be stabilizing, with a slight uptick in membership last year. A key factor is the abiding loyalty of major religious denominations that still view scouting’s mission as uniquely in tune with their own.
“I tell parents this is the best time to be involved with Scouting America, and the best time to be involved through a Catholic unit,” said Bill Guglielmi, who chairs the National Catholic Committee on Scouting. “There is a hunger out there now for nding a values-based organization.”
Guglielmi and others who are engaged in faith-based scouting praise the manner in which time-honored scouting programs — such as camping and expeditions — have been blended with newfangled activities such as indoor skydiving and an arti cial-intelligence merit badge. But foremost, they value the organization’s continued commitment to communal prayer.
“Worship is a big deal here,” said Bill McCalister, who served more than 40 years as scoutmaster of Troop 285 in San Antonio under sponsorship of a United Methodist church.
“Every campout, we have a formal worship service. Sometimes we serve Communion,” he said. “Many scouts come to me and say, ‘Mr. Mac, this is my church.’”
A diversity of faiths in scouting
According to Scouting America’s latest data, faith-based organizations account for 42% of
OLLIS from page A1 speaks to the fact that we’re an attractive community for someone of his caliber.”
Most recently, Ollis served as Cramerton’s town manager in Gaston County, overseeing an $8 million budget and nearly 100 employees. Under his leadership, the town secured about $5 million in state grants and completed more than $3 mil-
the nearly 40,000 units operated by chartered organizations. The Catholic Church and its afliates are No. 1 — overseeing 3,514 units serving more than 87,100 of the roughly 1 million boys and girls now active in scouting.
Other major sponsors include the United Methodists, the Episcopal Church and various Lutheran and Presbyterian denominations. Nearly 250 units, serving more than 6,500 scouts, are sponsored by Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist organizations.
“It really speaks to the alignment of the mission, vision and values that our organization has and what those organizations have,” Roger Krone, Scouting America’s president and CEO, told The Associated Press. “It’s character development, it’s spiritual growth, it’s community service.”
The Boy Scouts lifted a ban on openly gay youth members in 2013 and began accepting girls in 2018 — steps Krone depicted as a message of welcome to any family considering scouting.
One step the organization will not take, Krone said, is abandoning the religious credo at the core of its mission. The famed Scout Oath begins, “On my honor I will do my best to do my duty to God,” while the Scout Law’s concluding message is: “Be reverent toward God. Be faithful in your religious duties. Respect the belief of others.”
“There are some places today where you’re not encouraged to
lion in improvements, including streetscapes, park upgrades and public art.
“I’m extremely excited to be here,” Ollis told the council.
“Darren has been great to meet and learn from, and this leadership team is really something special. My rst job out of college was as an intern in Troy, so I fell in love with this area probably 11 years ago and I’ve paid attention to it ever since. This is
talk about spiritual growth and what may be going on outside your little bubble,” Krone said. “In our organization, it’s been core to our principles for years and years and will continue to be core.”
Krone acknowledges that some nonreligious families, while admiring aspects of scouting, might be uncomfortable with the “Duty to God” pledge. He encourages them to try scouting nonetheless.
“You are all welcome in our organization,” he said. “But I want people to know when you come to scouting, there’s this concept of reverence and spiritual growth and saying prayers and being thoughtful.”
“The parent can come and be a volunteer and go through a couple meetings and a couple of campouts and watch what we do, see what e ect the way we deal with duty to God and reverence has on the youth of your child’s age, and then make a decision,” Krone said. “Don’t dismiss us out of hand.”
How it’s done by Troop 228
That welcoming approach is fully practiced by Troop 228, chartered by St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church in the Los Angeles suburb of Santa Clarita, according to one of its adult leaders, Christine Tezai. She estimates that less than half the troop’s 40-plus scouts are Catholic, yet all participate in occasional religion-themed events, including an annual Mass at which religious awards are presented.
a place that not only I can bring my skill set to, but I can learn from. I think that I can be here for a very long time.”
Ollis also has six years of experience as town manager in Tryon in Polk County, where he developed a $15 million capital improvement plan, guided an information technology upgrade and oversaw a downtown streetscape project.
He began his career as town
“It doesn’t matter if you’re Catholic,” Tezai said. “A scout is reverent — it doesn’t matter how you’re reverent. You don’t have to say prayers. … You know what we do by showing kindness and being helpful.”
Her 17-year-old son, Mykhail Tezai, entered Cub Scouts in the rst grade. Now, as a high school senior, he’s on track to become an Eagle Scout.
He said several fellow scouts don’t identify with a speci c faith but feel comfortable in a church-chartered troop.
“They’re very curious about my religion and being Catholic,” he said. “They want to know how it works.”
Some faith groups broke away
After the 2013 decision to admit gay youth, some disgruntled conservatives formed a new group, Trail Life USA, which created its own ranks, badges and uniforms. It now claims 65,000 youth members, participating in church-run units aligned with “biblical Christian principles.”
The biggest blow came at the start of 2020, when The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — then the Boy Scouts’ largest faith-based partner — withdrew more than 400,000 scouts in favor of new programs of its own.
Krone said many Latter-day Saints families remain fond of Boy Scout programming and now place their children in units una liated with their church.
“We would love to have more Mormon youth in our program,” Krone said. “They can have their own program … but also maybe embrace Scouting America more than they have the last couple of years to gain the bene ts of the program we’ve developed.”
As for Trail Life, Krone acknowledged that its conservative Christian outlook has strong appeal for some families.
“But our program will prepare you better for life,” he said. “Once you get out of high school … you need to learn to get along with others in the world as it is today, outside of the environment that you grew up in.”
The loss of many units a liated with the Latter-day Saints and conservative Christian churches was part of a broad-
manager in Wilson’s Mills in Johnston County, helping to establish the public safety department and directing a $5 million sewer project funded through grants and loans.
Ollis, a past president of the Appalachian State University Local Government Alumni Association, holds both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in public administration from the university.
er shrinkage experienced by the Boy Scouts, which served more than 4 million boys in the 1970s. The COVID-19 pandemic and the bankruptcy process were major factors as membership dwindled. In all, more than 82,000 people led claims alleging they were sexually abused as scouts. Leading faith-based sponsors of scout units, including Catholic dioceses and Methodist churches, contributed to a $2.4 billion reorganization plan that took e ect in 2023, allowing the Boy Scouts to keep operating while compensating abuse survivors.
For those who stayed, a deep commitment
Steven Scheid, director of the United Methodists’ Center for Scouting Ministries, sees some upsides for scouting after its previous di culties. He cited rigorous child-protection policies that he views as e ective in curtailing sex abuse.
“The lessons we can gain out of the mistakes of the past can make a better, stronger community, a safer one,” he said.
Back in 2013, the United Methodists accounted for almost 350,000 youth members in the Boy Scouts. The gure now is 52,600.
While Christian churches account for the vast majority of Scouting America’s faith-based units, there are more than 3,500 scouts in Muslim-sponsored units and about 1,560 in Jewish-a liated units.
“Muslims in America are searching for their identity, and there’s nothing more American than scouting,” said Rashid Abdullah, executive director of the executive director of the National Association of Muslim Americans on Scouting. “It’s aligning perfectly with the values of our faith.”
Abdullah is also a lead organizer of scout units chartered to the Islamic Center of Northern Virginia Trust and the father of three sons who — like himself — made Eagle Scout.
Another Eagle Scout of long standing is Ricky Mason, a bankruptcy attorney who helped negotiate the reorganization plan and who next year will become the second Jewish chair of the Scouts’ National Executive Committee. His mother foresightedly told Mason when he was 7 that he would become an Eagle Scout through their synagogue-sponsored troop in Richmond, Virginia.
“In addition to the having fun part, scouting is really about character and leadership development,” Mason said. “This organization is needed now more than ever.”
Additionally, he is a credentialed manager through the International City/County Management Association and serves on multiple leadership boards with the North Carolina City and County Management Association.
The Albemarle City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Oct. 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
KRYSTA FAURIA / AP PHOTO
Scout Troop 228 participates in the U.S. ag retirement ceremony for Saint Kateri Tekakwitha Church during the annual Patriots Day observance at the church in Santa Clarita, California, on Sept. 11.
Joann Furr Bullins
Dec. 19, 1941 – Sept. 18, 2025
JoAnn Furr Bullins, 83, of Oakboro, passed away Thursday, September 18, 2025 at her home.
JoAnn was born December 19, 1941 in Stanly County, North Carolina to the late John Spurgeon Sasser and the late Essie Velma Hatley Sasser. She was also preceded in
OBITUARIES
death by husband, David Bullins and son, John Reece Furr.
A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.
Survivors include children, Patty Furr Randolph (Scott) of Concord, NC and Steven Barry Furr (Denise) of Harrisburg, NC; grandchildren, Jon Almond (Ashley) and Rebecca Randolph, Nicholas Furr and Sarah Furr; and great-grandchildren, Miller and Mason Almond.
JoAnn was a lifelong member of Big Lick Baptist Church. When she was younger, she was involved with Scouting and the Parents without Partners Group where she met David Bullins. JoAnn loved her dogs, her books, and her co ee. She had a huge heart and was unendingly generous.
Memorials may be made to the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.
Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Bullins family.
Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@ northstatejournal.com
IN MEMORY
‘Dickie’ Bird, charismatic former cricket umpire, dead at age 92
The legendary English o cial was known for eccentricities and warmth
By Steve Douglas The Associated Press
HAROLD “DICKIE” Bird, the charismatic and much-loved former cricket umpire from England who o ciated in 66 test matches and three World Cup nals, has died. He was 92.
Bird’s death was announced Tuesday by English club Yorkshire, his home county where he was made president in 2014. Yorkshire said he died “peacefully” at his home.
Yorkshire called Bird a “national treasure” who was “known not only for his umpiring excellence but also for his eccentricities and warmth.”
“He leaves behind a legacy of sportsmanship, humility, and joy — and a legion of admirers across generations.”
Bird’s rst-class playing career, which included spells with his beloved Yorkshire and Leicestershire, was cut short by injury at the age
of 32 with an average of 20.71. He went on to become arguably the world’s most famous umpire, standing in an English county match for the rst time in 1970 and his rst test three years later.
In 1975, Bird took charge of the inaugural men’s Cricket World Cup nal. At his nal test in 1996, a guard of honor by the players of England and India at Lord’s reduced him to tears.
“Dickie enjoyed an illustrious career as an umpire,” the Lord’s-based Marylebone Cricket Club said, “and was one of the most popular o cials in the history of the game.”
An umpire long before the introduction of technology to cricket, Bird — whose name resonated beyond the world of cricket — was renowned for being cautious with his decisions and making few clear mistakes, telling the BBC that his parents “installed this mental strength to believe in myself.”
In his pomp — and in his later years — he was as popular as the players he o ciated, never refusing to sign an
ALICE LORRAINE TURNER
NOV. 1, 1947 – SEPT. 22, 2025
Alice Lorraine Turner, 77, of Norwood gained her wings Monday, September 22nd, 2025; at Forrest Oaks in Albemarle. She will lie in state on Sunday, September 28th, from 12-6 P.M.; at Edwards Funeral Home in Norwood.
Alice was born on November 1, 1947 in Stanly county to the late Walter Hall and Maria Turner. She graduated from Kingsville High School and began working in the textile industry. She was a member of Bennettsville AME Zion Church in Norwood.
Alice was preceded in death by her son, Trevor Turner.
She was survived by her son: Terence Turner, of the home; brother, Delano Turner Sr. ,Daughter, Lisa Gasque (Que) of Concord; of the home; grandchildren: Sh-Mira Dumas, Jayden Dumas, Curtis Turner (Sylvia), Trevor “Bug” Turner (Stacey), Odell Quaries III; nieces and nephews: Delano “Chub” Turner Jr. and Shawana Long (Anthony); great nieces and nephews: Ace and Avana Long; and a host of beloved great-nieces and nephews, and cousins.
The family will be at the home of Terence and Delano Turner, in Norwood.
CHADWICK LEE SMITH
MAY 1, 1972 – SEPT. 18, 2025
Chadwick Lee Smith, 53, of Oakboro, passed away Thursday, September 18, 2025. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at Bethel Baptist Church in Locust with Pastor Brian Bolding o ciating. Burial will follow in the Oakboro Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle.
Born May 1, 1972, in Mecklenburg County, Chad was the beloved son of Roy Lee Smith and Carolyn Morton Smith of Oakboro, and beloved husband of Ellie Smith. He was a retired Geology Technician with the NC Department of Transportation and was the proud owner and operator of Good Life Grading. A lifelong member of Bethel Baptist Church, Chad’s faith guided his life and was evident in the way he cared for others.
Chad’s family remembers him as a devoted husband, loving father, faithful son and brother, and a steadfast friend. His family meant everything to him. He was the rock everyone leaned on— faithful, helpful, funny, and always providing for those he loved. He had a passion for the outdoors and especially enjoyed hunting duck, turkey, dove, and deer. He loved grilling, relaxing by the pool, listening to bluegrass and old country music, and being surrounded by family and friends.
Known for his quick wit and humor, Chad’s “Chadisms” brought many smiles—phrases like “104,” “hanging out like hair in a biscuit,” “out of here like a Washburn in a Spelling Bee,” and calling everyone “Bubba.” When faced with life’s challenges, his simple but powerful reminder was always, “Give it to God.” He had a gift for storytelling—often standing up to act out his tales with laughter and energy. Above all, he adored his wife Ellie, whom he lovingly called “Baby,” and their children.
Chad is survived by his wife of 28 years, Ellie Smith; his parents, Roy Lee and Carolyn Smith of Oakboro; three children, Dawson Smith (Brooke Helms) of Oakboro, Carson Smith of Oakboro, and Mylee Smith of Oakboro; and his sister, Karla Aldridge (Kelly) of Oakboro.
BENSON FRANKLIN KIMREY JR JULY 1, 1945 – SEPT. 18, 2025
Benson Franklin Kimrey, Jr., 80, of Albemarle, passed away at his home on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
A funeral service to honor his life will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Jerry Mabry o ciating. Burial will follow at Union Grove Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Sunday evening from 5:00 until 7:00 PM at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle.
Born July 1, 1945, in Stanly County, Benson was the son of the late Benson Franklin Kimrey, Sr. and Jenner Cooper Kimrey. He was co-owner of K & S Floor Covering until his retirement and a member of West Albemarle Baptist Church.
A devoted husband, father, and grandfather, Benson was known for his deep faith and quiet prayers, his compassion, and his unwavering dedication to his family. He worked hard and lived simply, always putting the needs of others before his own. He loved cheering for the Atlanta Braves and the Carolina Tar Heels, and he found joy in life’s everyday blessings.
Benson is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Janice Deese Kimrey; his daughter, Christy Kimrey Martin of Albemarle; his son, Derrick B. Kimrey (Eddie McDaniel) of Raleigh; granddaughter, Meredith Russell (Mitchell) of Albemarle; and two great-grandchildren, Luella Mae Russell and Salah Jordan Russell.
He was preceded in death by his grandson, Jordan Anthony Martin, and his sisters, Emma Marie Kimrey and Janette Kimrey Harward.
Benson will be remembered as a spiritual, hardworking, and sel ess man who gave generously of himself and leaves behind a legacy of love and devotion to his family.
autograph and often seen waiting patiently to do so even when lines were long. His autobiography chalked up more than a million sales, becoming Britain’s biggest-selling sports book in the process. It was his idiosyncrasies that made him so loved — the way he raised his nger to give a batter out, his warmth and conversational approach with players, his grin, his stooping gait, how he twitched his arms and
tugged at his umpire’s jacket. Bird listed Gar eld Sobers, Sunil Gavaskar, Viv Richards and Dennis Lillee as the best players he ever umpired.
“Remembered for your fairness, integrity, humour, and true Yorkshire spirit,” former India player Dinesh Karthik posted on X. “A legend forever.”
In his post-umpire life as after-dinner speaker and occasional TV personality, he wasn’t short of anecdotes — not least
Former umpire
Dickie Bird attends the rst day of the rst Test match at Lord’s cricket ground in London on May 21, 2015.
DEVLIN / PA VIA AP
when he was in the middle when the pitch at Yorkshire’s home ground, Headingley, once ooded because of a problem with the drainage system — and he remained a proud Yorkshireman to the end. His one regret in life, Bird told The Guardian newspaper in 2013, was not having a family.
“I gave my life to cricket, it’s as simple as that,” he said. “I never got married because I was married to the game.”
ANTHONY
STANLY SPORTS
South Stanly football improves to 3-1 with 47-0 home shutout win
The Bulls racked up 34 rst-half points
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
NORWOOD — South Stan-
ly’s varsity football team welcomed Hunterville’s Bonnie
Cone Leadership Academy to K.L. Young Stadium in Norwood with a 47-0 shutout victory Friday night.
It was a lopsided a air where the home team scored early and never looked back.
The Rowdy Rebel Bulls (3-1) used three rst-quarter touch-
downs to build a quick lead over the Eagles (0-4), who allowed South to enter halftime with a 34-0 lead and eventually climb up to 47 unanswered points for its second consecutive win.
It marked the Bulls’ second shutout of the season following a season-opening 27-0 road win at West Stanly and the team’s highest scoring output since a 66-0 home shutout over South Davidson last Sept. 12. Facing a winless BCLA team, South quarterback Kaleb Richardson completed 5 of 10 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns, pacing a Bulls o ense
North Stanly looks to stay unbeaten in road matchup
South Stanly has the county’s other winning record
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — As the halfway mark of the high school football season approaches, this week’s action brings the beginning of conference play for two Stanly teams. For the two other local squads, Week 6 presents their nal nonconference matchups of the regular season before a heavy dose of league play begins next week.
North Stanly at Thomas Je erson Classical Academy
For the rst time in ve years, North Stanly has a 5-0 record in its sights as the Comets (4-0) enter Yadkin Valley Conference play by traveling to face the TJCA Gryphons (3-1, 1-0 YVC). After winning each of their rst three games of the season by one score or less, the Comets thrashed Mountain Island Charter 51-21 at home last
weekend to move to 4-0 on the year. North has continued to thrive this season with a balanced approach, spreading the ball around between wide receiver Jaylon McKoy and a trio of running backs. Against the Gryphons, the Comets will challenge a dual-threat quarterback-led team that has outscored its opponents 107-6 in its three wins this season.
South Stanly at Union Academy
Following three straight home matchups in Norwood, South Stanly will take a two -game winning streak on the road to Union Academy to begin league play against the Cardinals (2-2, 0-1 YVC).
The Rowdy Rebel Bulls (3-1) blasted Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy in a 47-0 shutout last weekend, while the Cardinals fell 49-7 at home to North Rowan in their rst loss since their season opener. Last season, the Bulls went 2-3 in YVC play but managed to pull out a victory in theirnal conference matchup of the 2024 campaign: a 20-14 victory over the Cardinals at home.
that often got down the eld with ease.
Senior running back Carter Callicutt had 96 yards and two touchdowns on four carries, while freshman Andre Dockery rushed the ball eight times for a team-best 98 yards and a score.
South sophomore running back Nate Poplin added a touchdown of his own for the Bulls.
Senior wideout Jayden Woods had a team-best 51 receiving yards and a touchdown to go along with his explosive performance on the other side of the eld as a cornerback, where he had four interceptions and a pick-six.
Team-high rushing yards for freshman Andre Dockery
Woods’ rst score of the night arrived in the rst quarter to put the Bulls up 21-0 following an extra point; his pick-six in the second quarter made it a 34-0 game.
Senior wide receiver Wyatt
Crawford added two catches for 40 yards as Callicut added 44 receiving yards of his own.
Coming o their rst winning season since 2018, the Bulls are now matching the record they had through four games in last year’s 6-5 (2-3 Yadkin Valley) campaign.
Through four games, South has outscored its opponents 140-71, a stretch that includes two blowout wins, a close victory and a narrow Aug. 29 home loss to Piedmont (33-27).
Following three straight home matchups in Norwood, South Stanly will next take a two-game winning streak on the road to Union Academy in Monroe to begin conference play against the Cardinals (2-2, 0-1 YVC).
The Bulls, who are averaging 35 points a game, will be up against a Cardinals defense that has allowed 26.3 points per contest.
Union Academy will be looking for revenge Friday night as South heads to Monroe.
Albemarle at Mountain Island Charter
Hoping to recover from backto-back losses, the Albemarle Bulldogs (2-2, 0-1 YVC) will need more help from their o ense Friday as they head to Mount Holly to face the Mountain Island Charter Raptors (1-3).
The Bulldogs have only scored 13 points in their past two performances after scoring 97 points in their rst two games of the season. In a 20-6 home loss against TJCA on Fri-
day, marking the Bulldogs’ YVC opener, Albemarle picked up 117 yards of o ense on the ground but only 38 passing yards.
A quick detour back into nonconference play with the Raptors provides Albemarle a chance to regain its early-season momentum with ve more conference opponents awaiting in October.
Eastern Randolph at West Stanly
In a 35-14 loss at Central in South Carolina on Sept. 12, West Stanly came back down to earth after delivering a 43-7 blow to Albemarle a week before.
The Colts (1-3) are now rested up for their nal nonconference contest of the regular season as they host Eastern Randolph this week. The Wildcats (3-2) have lost two of their past three games and are coming o a 20-13 home loss to Asheboro.
West will head into Rocky River Conference play coming o a win if they can now take down a Wildcats team that has been vulnerable to strong rushing attacks. Led by junior quarterback Dominik Danzy, the Colts racked up 304 rushing yards at Albemarle but were held to 110 at Central.
COURTESY SOUTH STANLY ATHLETICS
South Stanly delivered the crowd inside Norwood’s K.L. Stadium its second home win of the 2025 season with a 47-0 shutout over BCLA on Sept. 19.
COURTESY NFHS NETWORK
North Stanly’s defense prepares for a Mountain Island Charter drive during the rst quarter of the Comets’ 55-21 home win on Sept. 19.
NASCAR Blaney opens 2nd round of Cup with New Hampshire win
led 10 laps. “Hats o to Ryan at the end. All our cars were really strong, and Ryan did a great job there. I was honestly surprised I was able to keep him honest at the end.
LOUDON, N.H. — In a race in which Fords were fastest at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, Ryan Blaney barely was best in class for the second-round opener of the NASCAR Cup Series playo s.
The 2023 Cup champion led 116 laps in his No. 12 Mustang, including the nal 39, but still had to fend o a furious charge by runner-up Josh Berry, who closed within a few car lengths with 10 laps left before overdriving a corner.
Blaney pulled away to win by 0.937 seconds Sunday for his third victory of the season and 16th of his career.
“That was probably the hardest 20 laps that I drove,” the Team Penske driver said.
“I was trying to kind of bide my stu and pull Josh a little bit, then he really started coming. It was all I could do to hold him o , trying new lanes. That was good and clean racing. I appreciate Josh for not throwing me the bumper when he could have.
“What a cool day, what a cool weekend. Super fast car. Really have been strong through the playo s. It’s great to get a win in the rst race of the round.”
Blaney, who is trying to reach the Championship 4 season nale for the third consecutive year, became the rst driver to advance into one of the eight available spots in the third round of the Cup playo s.
Berry, whose No. 21 Wood Brothers Racing Ford has a competitive alliance with Penske, overcame a spin on the 82nd lap and rebounded from his rst-round elimination after nishing last in each of the rst three races in the playo s.
“It was de nitely an awesome day,” said Berry, who
“Just a shame to nish second, but after the last couple of weeks, it feels good. This is de nitely what we’re capable of, and hopefully we can keep it going.”
The Fords backed up their impressive performances in qualifying Saturday when Penske star Joey Logano won the pole position to cap a sweep of the top three starting spots with Blaney and Berry. The same trio led 273 of 301 laps Sunday.
William Byron was the highest- nishing Chevrolet driver in third.
“It was a good day overall,” said Byron, who is the highest-ranked driver behind Blaney in the playo standings with two races left in the second round. “Penske guys were super fast. I felt like they were in another ZIP code.”
Logano took fourth after leading a race-high 147 laps in the No. 22 Ford. The Middletown, Connecticut, native started from the pole for the rst time at New Hampshire, which he considers his home track.
“(Blaney) was wicked fast in practice, and he showed that again in the race,” Logano said. “We obviously got a ton of points today, so we did what we needed to do, but I’d rather win. That’s just the greed in me, especially when it’s home.”
After qualifying 27th, last among the 12 playo drivers, Chase Elliott raced to a fth-place nish.
Christopher Bell took sixth as the top nishing Toyota driver for Joe Gibbs Racing, which went undefeated in the rst round of the playo s. Kyle Larson took seventh, and Ross Chastain was ninth as playo drivers took eight of the top 10 spots on the 1.058 -mile oval.
CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO
Ryan Blaney celebrates after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playo race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.
Local teams snap losing streaks with conference wins
Stanly News Journal sta
South Stanly volleyball, 5-9, 3-2 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A
Last week’s scores Won 3-1 vs. Gray Stone Day
This week’s schedule
Sept. 23 vs. Albemarle
Sept. 25 vs. North Rowan
Sept. 30 at North Stanly
The Rowdy Rebel Bulls snapped a three-match losing streak last week, moving over .500 in conference.
South Stanly boys’ soccer, 2-5, 0-3 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A
Last week’s scores Lost 4-3 to North Stanly Lost 12-0 to Union Academy
This week’s schedule Sept. 24 vs. Gray Stone Day Sept. 29 vs. West Stanly
The Rowdy Rebel Bulls have now lost ve in a row. Making things more frustrating for the team, four of the losses were in games during which South Stanly scored three goals.
West Stanly volleyball, 14-3, 8-0 in Rocky River
4A/5A
Last week’s scores Lost 3-0 vs. Cox Mill
Won 3-0 at Central Won 3-1 at Gray Stone Day
This week’s schedule Sept. 17 vs. Cox Mill Sept. 18 at Central Sept. 22 at Gray Stone Day
After winning four straight and sweeping 12 sets in a row, the Colts fell in a nonconference game against Cox Mill. They recovered, winning their next two outings.
West Stanly boys’ soccer, 3-8-1, 1-3-1 in Rocky River 4A/5A
Last week’s scores Tied 2-2 at Forest Hills Lost 10-1 at Sun Valley
This week’s schedule
Sept. 24 vs. Anson Sept. 25 vs. Piedmont
Sept. 29 vs. South Stanly
The Colts scored for the rst time in three games but had to settle for a tie. Their winless streak is now up to four matches.
North Stanly volleyball, 10-9, 5-1 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores Won 3-0 at Albemarle Won 3-1 vs. Union Academy Lost 3-1 vs. Mount Pleasant
This week’s schedule: Sept. 25 at Gray Stone Day Sept. 29 at Cox Mill
Sept. 30 vs. South Stanly
The Comets won three in a row to move over .500 for the rst time this season.
North Stanly boys’ soccer, 4-7, 1-1 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores
Won 4-3 at South Stanly
This week’s schedule
Sept. 24 at Albemarle
The Comets snapped a fourgame losing streak and a scoreless streak of the same length. Oddly, the 4-3 win over South was just North Stanly’s second game this season during which both teams scored.
Albemarle volleyball, 5-4, 1-4 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores Lost 3-0 vs. North Stanly Won 3-1 vs. South Davidson
This week’s schedule
Sept. 23 at South Stanly Sept. 25 vs. Union Academy Sept. 29 vs. North Rowan
The Bulldogs split two matches last week to remain a game over .500.
Albemarle boys’ soccer, 5-7, 0-2 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores
Won 3-2 at North Rowan Lost 3-0 vs. West Davidson Lost 3-0 vs. Gray Stone Day
This week’s schedule
Sept. 24 vs. North Stanly Sept. 25 at Math and Science Academy
The Bulldogs won one of three games last week. Moi Carrillo, Nick Yang and Paul Mendikute scored goals for Albemarle.
Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@stanlynewsjournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon
RUSHING (all stats courtesy of MaxPreps, may be incomplete)
AJ Butler (Albemarle): 49-356, 5 TDs
Carter Callicutt (South Stanly): 40-323, 6 TDs
Dominik Danzy (West Stanly): 52-283, 4 TDs
Mason Jackson (West Stanly): 40-181, 1 TD
*Demetrius Brooks (North Stanly): 21-156, 0 TDs
*Jaden Little (North Stanly): 22-136, 3 TDs
Treyvian Legrande (Albemarle): 13-136, 2 TDs
*Lorquis Lilly (North Stanly): 18-114, 1 TD
Skyler Potts (Albemarle): 9-101, 1 TD
Ikey Holt (South Stanly): 29-97, 1 TD
Joneil Cabrera Arroyo (Albemarle): 8-96, 2 TDs
*Brady Lowder (North Stanly): 13-83, 0 TDs
A. Dockery (South Stanly): 8-98, 1 TD
Carter Shaw (West Stanly): 28-80, 0 TDs
Ray Blakeney (Albemarle): 20-49, 2 TDs
*stats not reported from most recent game
RECEIVING
Jasiah Holt (South Stanly): 20-375, 5 TDs
Jayden Woods (South Stanly): 16-273, 3 TDs
*Kylan Dockery (North Stanly): 10-185, 2 TDs
Javier Padilla (West Stanly): 12-130, 1 TD
Wyatt Crawford (South Stanly): 9-121, 1 TD
Jaymi Campbell (Albemarle): 9-114, 2 TDs
Carter Callicutt (South Stanly): 4-107, 0 TDs
Zayden Thomas (West Stanly): 6-99, 0 TDs
*Racere Bruton (North Stanly): 3-65, 0 TDs
*Solomon Hudson (North Stanly): 5-48, 1 TD
*stats not reported from most recent game
PASSING
Kaleb Richardson (South Stanly): 47-81 for 878, 11 TDs
*Brady Lowder (North Stanly): 22-38 for 336, 4 TDs
Dominik Danzy (West Stanly): 22-40 for 240, 2 TDs
Ray Blakeney (Albemarle): 16-32 for 190, 1 TD
*stats not reported from most recent game
Yadkin Valley 2A/3A
Thomas Je erson: 3-1, 1-0
North Rowan:1-3, 1-0
Union: 2-2, 0-1
Albemarle: 2-2, 0-1
North Stanly: 4-0, 0-0
South Stanly: 3-1, 0-0
Games last week Sept. 19
West Stanly (Open)
South Stanly 47, Bonnie Cone 0
North Stanly 51, Mountain Island Charter 21
Thomas Je erson 20, Albemarle 6
Rocky River 4A/5A
Forest Hills: 5-0
Mount Pleasant: 3-2
West Stanly: 1-3
Monroe: 1-3
Parkwood: 1-4
Anson: 0-4
Games this week Sept. 26
North Stanly at Thomas Je erson
South Stanly at Union Academy Albemarle at Mountain Island Charter
Eastern Randolph at West Stanly
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NOTICES
NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT DIVISION Jamie Hartsell Glover vs. Ricky Dale Glover 25CV000702-830 ATTENTION: Ricky Dale Glover TAKE NOTICE that a COMPLAINT in the above-entitled civil action has been led against you at: Civil District Court at Stanly County Courthouse, Albemarle, NC. The Nature of the relief sought is as follows: Absolute Divorce You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than November 7, 2025; and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. This the 18th day of September, 2025.
Jeremy D. Gri n Attorney at Law PO Box 422 Locust, NC 28097
NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE No. 25E000424-830 NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as EXECUTRIX of the estate of RICHARD C. LEONARD, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said RICHARD C. LEONARD to present them to the undersigned on or before December 3, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 3rd day of September, 2025.
Executrix: Millicent Leonard 2033 Sprucewood Street Albemarle, NC 28001
Erin L. Basinger Attorney at Law PO Box 65 Albemarle, NC 28002 (704) 322-2800
NOTICE
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF STANLY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NUMBER 25E000485-830 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF JAMES LARRY BOLES, SR. Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of James Larry Boles, Sr., this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the estate to present such claims to the undersigned or his attorney on or before the 10th day of December, 2025, 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 September, 2025. Administrator: James Larry Boles, Jr. 72 Pine Ridge Drive Whispering Pines, NC 28237 Attorney for the estate: Connie Edwards Mosher First Street Legal 239 N 1st Street Albemarle, NC 28001 Dates of publication: September 10, 17, 24, October 1
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY FILE#25E000439-830
The undersigned, RONDA GAY FISHER, having quali ed on the 4TH Day of SEPTEMBER, 2025 as EXECUTRIX, of the Estate of LADRICK URIAH HARRIS, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to exhibit them to the undersigned on or before the 18TH Day DECEMBER 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This, the 17TH DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2025. RONDA GAY FISHER, EXECUTRIX 1009 JEFFERY DEAN CT. ALBEMARLE, NC 28001
NOTICE
OF SOUTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF CHESTERFIELD
NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000508-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Mary Horton Pemberton, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Mary Horton Pemberton to present them to the undersigned on or before December 18, 2025 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 17th day of September, 2025. Robert Joe Horton 315 Martin Luther King Drive Apt. A Albemarle, NC 28001
PUBLISHED NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having quali ed as Executor of the ESTATE OF CLAY THOMAS KENDALL, SR, late, of Stanly County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them in care of the undersigned attorney on or before the 17th day of December, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. SAUNDRA KENDALL (EXECUTOR) DSR Legal, PLLC PO Box 51596 Durham, NC 27717 Sept. 17, 24, Oct. 1, 8
NOTICE 25SP000038-830
NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE NORTH
Mariah Carey, ‘Superman,’ ‘Slow Horses,’
Jesse Williams, Cher drops ’02 tour on vinyl
“House of Guinness” land on Net ix
By Jake Coyle The Associated Press
DOJA CAT’S 15-track album
“Vie” and James Gunn’s “Superman” ying to HBO Max are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you.
Also among the streaming o erings worth your time this week: the fth season of the mis t espionage drama “Slow Horses,” a sequel to the 2020 indie megahit video game Hades and Mariah Carey will release her rst new album in seven years.
MOVIES TO STREAM
After notching one of the summer’s biggest box-o ce hauls, Gunn’s “Superman” has own to HBO Max and is available there now. The lm, the rst from a rebooted DC Studios, stars David Cornswet as the Man of Steel, alongside Rachel Brosnahan’s Lois Lane, Nicholas Hoult’s Lex Luthor and Edi Gathegi’s Mr. Terri c. After grossing some $615 million in ticket sales, a sequel has already been greenlit for “Superman.”
In my review, I praised Gunn’s light and earnest touch: “For anyone who found Zack Snyder’s previous administration painfully ponderous, this ‘Superman,’ at least, has a pulse.”
Brett Goldstein is better known for another Apple TV+ release, “Ted Lasso,” but in “All of You” (streaming Friday), he stars alongside Imogen Poots in a tender and heartbreaking romance. Goldstein, who co-wrote the script with director William Bridges, is about a pair of best friends who haven’t worked up the courage to confess their feelings to the other. Set in the near future, a matchmaking service that identi es soul mates further complicates matters.
Not much that Nicolas Cage does ies below the radar, but Lorcan Finnegan’s psychological thriller “The Surfer” (Thursday on Hulu) deserved a wider audience. It’s one of Cage’s best recent performances. He plays a man who returns to the Australian beach of his childhood with dreams of buying a house nearby. But after being accosted by pushy local surfers, his world quickly disintegrates. In my review, I wrote: “For a long, sun-addled stretch, Lorcan Fin-
negan’s beach-set ‘The Surfer’ simmers as a deliciously punishing nightmare, driving Nicolas Cage into his most natural state: a boil.”
MUSIC TO STREAM
Two years ago, the chameleonic Doja Cat released a stellar fourth full-length album, the take-no-prisoners “Scarlet.” It was an aggressive collection, a hard pivot away from the glossy pop of her last two albums, 2021’s “Planet Her” and 2019’s “Hot Pink.” On Friday, she’ll release her fth, the 15-track “Vie.” Little is known about it beyond the single “Jealous Type,” which appears to channel her previous cheeriness. She brought back her disco-pop, now front-loaded with ’80s synths. But is that the direction of the full release?
Only time will tell.
In 2002, Cher embarked on “Living Proof: The Farewell Tour.” At the time, it was the highest grossing tour by a female artist — a massive glob -
al undertaking of 325 shows. A live album, appropriately titled “Live! The Farewell Tour,” was released to CD shortly thereafter. But on Friday, it will hit streaming and receive a vinyl release. Just, you know, newly remastered and with three bonus tracks: “Save Up All Your Tears,” “We All Sleep Alone” and “Di erent Kind of Love Song.” Your eyes are not deceiving you. Carey will release her rst new album in seven years, “Here for It All,” on Friday. Start with “Sugar Sweet,” featuring Shenseea and Kehlani. Or “Type Dangerous,” with its sample of Eric B. & Rakim’s “Eric B. Is President.” Start anywhere — and expect smooth R&B-pop bliss.
SERIES TO STREAM
A fth season of the mist espionage drama “Slow Horses” is on Apple TV+. Based on novels by Mick Herron, it’s about a group of MI-5
agents whose mistakes have sent them to spy purgatory, but they nevertheless nd themselves embroiled in highstakes cases. Their leader is the brash, messy, seemingly uninterested Jackson Lamb, played by Gary Oldman. Critically acclaimed, the show is already renewed through a seventh season.
If you’ve got to work on location, former “Grey’s Anatomy” star Jesse Williams found a pretty sweet deal. His new show, “Hotel Costiera” is set on Italy’s Amal Coast where he plays Daniel De Luca, a “ xer” for a luxury hotel. When the resort’s guests have problems, De Luca solves them. At the show’s recent premiere in Rome, Williams described the show to the AP as “a kind of international, old school, caper show that is smart.” It is streaming now on Prime Video. Net ix’s new historical drama “House of Guinness” tells the story of the famed brewing company. Set in the 19th century, it’s
“For a long, sun-addled stretch, Lorcan Finnegan’s beach-set
‘The Surfer’ simmers as a deliciously punishing nightmare, driving Nicolas Cage into his most natural state: a boil.”
Jake Coyle, AP lm writer
like “Succession”-meets-beer where the Guinness family patriarch had died and his adult children battle over the company. Anthony Boyle, Louis Patridge, James Norton and David Wilmot star. The eight-episode series debuts Thursday.
Also new on Net ix on Thursday is “Wayward,” starring Toni Collette as the leader of Tall Pines Academy, a boarding facility for troubled teens. Its practices come under question after Alex, a former cop (played by creator Mae Martin) moves with his pregnant wife Laura (Sarah Gadon) to her small town. Laura is a former student at the school and has a creepy familial relationship with Collette’s Evelyn. Alex quickly picks up on the weirdness of it all and starts to investigate.
Tsukasa Hojo’s popular manga series from the 1980s called “Cat’s Eye” has been adapted into a new, 12-part anime series for Hulu premiering Friday, Sept. 26. It follows three sisters who run a cafe by day and then steal art at night. One of the sisters also happens to be dating a detective looking into the theft.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY A di erent kind of hell is the setting for Hades II, Supergiant Games’ sequel to its 2020 indie megahit. The protagonist this time is Melinoe, Princess of the Underworld. She’s on a mission to conquer Chronos, the Titan of Time, before he can escape Hades and wage war on Mount Olympus. The witch Hecate is around to teach you how to wield ancient magic, and you can expect guest appearances from other charac
ters in Greek mythology. Fans will want to start digging in as soon as it arrives Thursday
and PC.
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on Switch
CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO
Cher, pictured accepting the Icon Award at the 2024 iHeartRadio Music Awards, will release “Live! The Farewell Tour” on streaming and vinyl this week.
JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION FOR THE TELEVISION ACADEMY / AP CONTENT SERVICES
Actor Gary Oldman participates in the FYC presentation of “Slow Horses” during Televerse 25. The espionage drama is back for its fth season on Apple TV+.
