Air Force Reserve colonel announces bid for lieutenant governor
Raleigh
U.S. Air Force Reserve Col. Dr. Josh McConkey announced his candidacy for North Carolina lieutenant governor Tuesday. McConkey is an emergency physician, author of “Be The Weight Behind The Spear” and founder of The Weight Behind the Spear Foundation, a nonprofit providing disaster relief. The Republican says his campaign will focus on faith, family, freedom and service while championing conservative principles, including parental rights, fiscal responsibility and public safety. McConkey came fifth in the 2024 GOP primary for U.S. House District 13.
Inflation fell again in April as some tariffs went into effect
Washington, D.C.
Inflation cooled for the third straight month in April even after some of President Donald Trump’s tariffs took effect.
Consumer prices rose 2.3% in April from a year ago, the Labor Department said Tuesday, down from 2.4% in March and the smallest increase in more than four years. Grocery prices dipped 0.4% from March to April in what will come as a relief to many people stretching family budgets for the basics. It was the biggest decline in food costs at home since September 2020, the government said. Egg prices fell sharply, declining 12.7%, the most in 41 years. Overall, the report suggests tariffs haven’t yet impacted prices for many items.
Stanly Schools’ career, technical programs see strong enrollment
Local SkillsUSA winners were recognized by the school board
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Stan-
ly County Schools has revealed its annual presentation on the highlights and accomplishments of the school district’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) department.
At the Stanly County Board of Education meeting May 6, CTE Director Mandy Melton provided an update on the career pathway program that adds up to 67 different course offerings within the county.
“A total of 1,518 students — 68.8% of our students — have taken or enrolled in a high school CTE course, filling 3,120 seats,” Melton said. “Also, 671
students, or 45.9%, have taken a middle school CTE exploration class. In the fall of 2024, students earned 2,563 workplace credentials. That was 75% of our credential potential for that semester.” Additionally, 46 students are participating in the internship
program, while seven students are participating in the preapprenticeship program.
As of this past year, SCS has introduced a new program where it advertises CTE by sending every eighth grade student in the county a book explaining the depart-
More than 600 graduate from 49 different programs at SCC
“On this joyous day, I hope you are filled with gratitude, humility, and love.”
SCC President John Enamait
Some 760 different credentials were awarded
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Stan-
ly Community College held its graduation ceremonies and commencement events at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center last Thursday night.
This year’s graduating class of 603 people completed 760 credentials in 49 programs.
Many of them attended the event in person to walk across the stage and receive their credentials as they were cheered on by family and friends, as well as faculty and staff from the college. The SCC Student Honors
Ceremony was held the night prior in the same venue, during which numerous awards and honor cords were handed out by SCC President John Enamait, VP of Student Success Carmen Nunalee and Chief Academic Officer Jeff Parsons.
Laura Sides was named the recipient of the Shirley Dennis Outstanding Student Award, given to an individual who has overcome notable obstacles to achieve a high school diploma.
The Annie Ruth Kelley Leadership Award, created in 2001 to honor the service and leadership of the first chairperson of the college board of trustees and the first woman to chair a community college board in the state, went to Albemarle High
ment, complete with a list of courses offered at their high schools, descriptions of the classes, and pictures and names of instructors.
“I think that’s really helping kids go ahead and get a head start of what they like, and that’s awesome,” board member Meghan Almond said.
SCS also introduced three new CTE courses during the 2024-25 academic calendar year: Interior Design Studio at Albemarle High School, Electrical Trades II at North Stanly High School and Natural Resources at South Stanley High School.
Along with classes and skills competitions, the county’s CTE department has been involved in numerous events for students, including Be Pro Be Proud (BPBP)
THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
COURTESY STANLY COUNTY SCHOOLS
Stanly County Schools were well represented at the SkillsUSA North Carolina Games on April 14.
STANLY NEWS JOURNAL STAFF
The Class of 2025 spirit rock was shining bright in Bulldog blue in front of Albemarle High School on Tuesday afternoon.
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
The crisis of radical district judges
Resign and run for office.
THE FIGHT OVER whether unelected federal district court judges should be able to unilaterally halt an elected President of the United States’ agenda has reached a critical point.
For the last three months, the American people’s effort to profoundly change the Washington establishment has been blocked by radical district judges, who have wildly exceeded their authority. In the first 100 days of President Donald J. Trump’s second administration, lower court judges have issued 37 nationwide injunctions against various administration actions. That is more than one every three days.
This is not an issue of judges against President Trump. It is an issue of judges against the American people.
In the 2024 election, the American people elected a Republican House, Senate, and President. President Trump carried all seven swing states. He received 77.3 million votes — 2.3 million more than Vice President Kamala Harris.
There are 677 district judges on the federal bench. If any of them can issue nationwide injunctions to override the decisions of the elected president, we are in a real crisis. Remember, these judges have never been elected by the American people. They face no consequence if their rulings result in ruined lives or wasted taxpayer dollars.
Not all of them are overreaching, but some certainly are. And some of the nationwide injunctions which have been passed verge on insanity.
One injunction asserted that the executive cannot pause or terminate fugitive admissions into to the United States and had accept hundreds of thousands of refugees — never mind the humanitarian
or financial cost of the decision.
Another injunction blocked the removal of men from women’s prisons despite the risk of physical harm to female prisoners.
A third injunction blocked the executive branch from doing anything about so-called sanctuary cities. It went wildly overboard and asserted the White House cannot even have conversations about sanctuary cities.
These are just a few examples of the absurd judicial micro-management we are witnessing.
When President Thomas Jefferson was working to build and protect our new nation, he warned that government ultimately controlled by judges would be a road to despotism. In a letter to William Jarvis on Sept. 28, 1820, Jefferson wrote:
“You seem ... to consider the judges as the ultimate arbiters of all constitutional questions: a very dangerous doctrine indee[d] and one which would place us under the despotism of an Oligarchy.”
As I testified at a House Judiciary Subcommittee hearing, the Founding Fathers all believed that the three branches of government should be co-equal. If anything, the judiciary would be the weakest of the three branches. They were clear that the two elected branches could correct the judicial branch if it tried to impose its will on the American people.
Alexander Hamilton warned in the Federalist Papers that the legislative and executive branches could powerfully respond to judges — and judges would have no means of defending themselves.
As President, Jefferson and the Democrats eliminated 14 of 34 federal judges in the Judiciary Act of 1802. They did not impeach anyone (a lengthy and difficult task). Jefferson simply abolished the judgeships, and the judges
no longer had jobs. We do not have to eliminate district courts in the Jeffersonian tradition — unless we are forced to.
Hopefully, the U.S. Supreme Court will recognize that judicial tyranny by lower courts is intolerable and unsustainable. The High Court could take decisive steps to eliminate nationwide injunctions by local judges — or make a rule that they are immediately adjudicated by the Supreme Court.
In the meantime, the House and Senate have begun work to correct absurd overreach by the most radical district court judges.
This week’s introduction of the Judicial Relief Clarification Act of 2025 by Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Chuck Grassley and 20 senators is a powerful signal that the Senate can defend itself against tyrannical judges.
When this is combined with Congressman Darrell Issa’s No Rogue Rulings Act of 2025 (which passed in the House by 219213) it’s clear the district judges are forcing a constitutional crisis.
We must protect the American people’s right to elect those who manage the federal government. Lower court judges who think they can micromanage and override the elected President and Congress have a simple path: Resign and run for office.
Hopefully the Supreme Court will end this absurdity. If not, the Congress and the President will have to exercise their constitutional authority and eliminate nationwide injunctions by district judges.
There is no alternative if we are to retain government of, by, and for the people.
Newt Gingrich was the 50th speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Why are North Carolina lawmakers copying Illinois’ worst swipe fee policy?
Swipe fees help fund essential parts of the payment system.
SOME NORTH CAROLINA lawmakers are eyeing a shiny new idea — straight from the land of broken budgets and busted promises: Illinois.
Yes, Illinois, the state famous for fiscal faceplants and legislative landmines. At issue? A proposal to regulate and cap credit card “swipe fees.” Sounds consumer-friendly, right? Until you dig into what happened in Illinois and how it’s backfiring on the folks lawmakers said they were trying to help.
When you cap swipe fees, it doesn’t mean the costs disappear — they just get moved around. And, spoiler alert: They usually land squarely in the laps of small businesses and consumers.
That’s what’s happening in Illinois right now. Merchants didn’t magically eat those higher processing costs — they’re passing them right along. The end result? Higher prices at the register and fewer rewards from the credit card in your wallet. Those airline miles and cashback perks sure were nice while they lasted.
Swipe fees help fund essential parts of the payment system: fraud protection, technology upgrades and security. Limiting them might sound like a win, until you realize you’re kneecapping the innovation that makes digital payments safe and seamless. If North Carolina chooses this path, don’t
be surprised when card security weakens, customer perks dry up, bank fees increase and the start-up capital that small businesses rely on dwindles.
Want to bring back checkbooks, dial-up internet and Blockbuster too? Because capping swipe fees is basically asking for a financial time machine — and not the fun kind.
Big retailers love these kinds of regulations. They have armies of lawyers and custom point- of-sale systems. But mom-and-pop shops across North Carolina? They’re the ones who really suffer.
From the pulled pork pits of Lexington to the indie cafés tucked between Blue Ridge boutiques, North Carolina’s backbone is built on small business hustle — not corporate handouts and Chicago-style schemes. Some rely on swipe rewards to manage purchases. And many will have to overhaul their payment systems just to stay compliant. That’s money out the door and time they don’t have.
Worse, these businesses won’t get the sweetheart deals big box stores can negotiate. They’ll get squeezed, and some may not survive the pinch.
Banks won’t take this lying down. When swipe fees get capped, they’ll make up the difference elsewhere. That “free checking account”? Say goodbye. That nice mobile banking service? Expect fees.
This means higher costs and fewer options for everyday North Carolinians — all so a handful of national retailers can boost their bottom lines.
Here’s the kicker: Illinois lawmakers are already scrambling to undo the very policy North Carolina legislators are considering to copy. One of the original backers of the swipe fee ban has introduced legislation to repeal it. Apparently, the economic hangover kicked in faster than expected.
When a state with a history of budget blunders realizes it’s made another mistake, maybe — just maybe — it’s not a blueprint worth following.
North Carolina prides itself on pragmatic policy and sound fiscal management.
Following Illinois down a regulatory rabbit hole doesn’t match that tradition. This swipe fee scheme might sound sweet, but it’s likely to end in regret for North Carolina consumers and small businesses.
Lawmakers should think twice before importing Illinois’ mistakes and selling them as solutions. Bless their well-intentioned hearts, but North Carolina taxpayers deserve better. Jessica
Ward is senior director of state affairs and mattias gugel is director of state external affairs for the National Taxpayers Union.
COLUMN | JESSICA WARD AND MATTIAS GUGEL
COLUMN | NEWT GINGRICH
Jovian aurorae captured by Webb Space Telescope
The light show is comparable to Earth’s “aurora borealis”
By Webb Mission Team NASA
NASA’S JAMES WEBB
Space Telescope has captured new details of the auroras on our solar system’s largest planet. The dancing lights observed on Jupiter are hundreds of times brighter than those seen on Earth. With Webb’s advanced sensitivity, astronomers have studied the phenomena to better understand Jupiter’s magnetosphere.
Auroras are created when high-energy particles enter a planet’s atmosphere near its magnetic poles and collide with atoms or molecules of gas. On Earth these are known as the Northern and Southern Lights. Not only are the auroras on Jupiter huge in size, they are also hundreds of times more energetic than those in Earth’s atmosphere. Earth’s auroras are caused by solar storms — when charged particles from the Sun rain down on the upper atmosphere, energize gases, and cause them to glow in shades of red, green and purple.
Jupiter has an additional source for its auroras: The strong magnetic field of the gas giant grabs charged particles from its surroundings. This includes not only the charged particles within the solar wind
but also the particles thrown into space by its orbiting moon Io, known for its numerous and large volcanoes. Io’s volcanoes spew particles that escape the moon’s gravity and orbit Jupiter. A barrage of charged particles unleashed by the Sun also reaches the planet. Jupiter’s large and powerful magnetic field captures all of the charged particles and accelerates them to tremendous speeds. These speedy particles slam into the planet’s atmosphere at high energies, which excites the gas and causes it to glow.
Now, Webb’s unique capabilities are providing new insights into the auroras on Jupiter. The telescope’s sensitivity allows astronomers to capture fast-varying auroral features. New data was captured with Webb’s NIRCam (Near-Infrared Camera) Dec. 25, 2023, by a team of scientists led by Jonathan Nichols from the University of Leicester in the United Kingdom.
“What a Christmas present it was — it just blew me away!” shared Nichols. “We wanted to see how quickly the auroras change, expecting them to fade in and out ponderously, perhaps over a quarter of an hour or so. Instead, we observed the whole auroral region fizzing and popping with light, sometimes varying by the second.”
In particular, the team studied emission from the trihydrogen cation (H3+), which can be created in auroras. They found that this emission is far more
variable than previously believed. The observations will help develop scientists’ understanding of how Jupiter’s upper atmosphere is heated and cooled.
The team also uncovered some unexplained observations in their data.
“What made these observations even more special is that we also took pictures simultaneously in the ultraviolet with NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope,” added Nichols. “Bizarrely, the brightest light observed by Webb had no real counterpart in Hubble’s pictures. This has left us scratching our heads. In order to cause the combination of brightness seen by both Webb and Hubble, we need to have a combination of high quantities of very low-energy particles hitting the atmosphere, which was previously thought to be impossible. We still don’t understand how this happens.”
The team now plans to study this discrepancy between the Hubble and Webb data and to explore the wider implications for Jupiter’s atmosphere and space environment. They also intend to follow up this research with more Webb observations, which they can compare with data from NASA’s Juno spacecraft to better explore the cause of the enigmatic bright emission.
These results were published this week in the journal Nature Communications.
U.S. welcomes 59 ‘Afrikaner’ refugees from South African
The State Department says the group faced persecution at home
By Martha Lee, Rebecca Santana and Mogomotsi Magome The Associated Press
DULLES, Virginia — The Trump administration on Monday welcomed a group of 59 white South Africans as refugees, saying they face discrimination and violence at home, which the country’s government strongly denies.
The decision to admit the Afrikaners also has raised questions from refugee advocates about why they were admitted when the Trump administration has suspended efforts to resettle people fleeing war and persecution who have gone through years of vetting.
Many in the group from South Africa — including toddlers and other small children, even one walking barefoot in pajamas — held small American flags as two officials welcomed them to the United States in an airport hangar outside Washington. The South Africans were then leaving on other flights to various U.S. destinations.
A group of 49 Afrikaners had been expected, but the State De-
SCC from page A1
School student Vincent Gregory.
The Edward J. Snyder Jr. Exceptional Scholars Award was given to student commencement speaker Kayleigh Faircloth, who was honored for grade point average and an essay she submitted to the college.
partment said Monday that 59 had arrived.
“I want you all to know that you are really welcome here and that we respect what you have had to deal with these last few years,” Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said.
President Donald Trump told reporters earlier Monday that he’s admitting them as refugees because of the “genocide that’s taking place.” He said that in post-apartheid South Africa, white farmers are “being killed” and he plans to address the issue with South African leadership next week.
That characterization has been strongly disputed by South Africa’s government, experts and even the Afrikaner group AfriForum, which says farm attacks are not being taken seriously by the government.
South Africa’s government says the U.S. allegations that the white minority Afrikaners are being persecuted are “completely false,” the result of misinformation and an inaccurate view of the country. It cited the fact that Afrikaners are among the richest and most successful people in the country.
Speaking at a business conference in Ivory Coast, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said Monday that he spoke with Trump recently and told him
“Thank you for nominating and choosing me for this opportunity to speak to my fellow graduates and community members tonight,” Faircloth said in her speech. “The journey through these past years hasn’t always been easy, but every step of the way it has molded and prepared us for the greater things yet to come.” Throughout the commence-
his administration had been fed false information by groups who were casting white people as victims because of efforts to right the historical wrongs of colonialism and South Africa’s previous apartheid system of forced racial segregation, which oppressed the black majority.
“I had a conversation with President Trump on the phone and he asked me, ‘What’s going on down there?’ and I told him that what you are being told by those people who are opposed to transformation back in South Africa is not true,” Ramaphosa said.
Afrikaners make up South Africa’s largest white group and were the leaders of the apartheid government, which brutally enforced racial segregation for nearly 50 years before end-
ment process, SCC honored graduates from a variety of programs and affiliated schools, including health sciences, advanced manufacturing industry and trades, public services, business, technology, university transfer, college and career readiness, Stanly Early College, and Stanly STEM Early College.
Afrikaner refugees from South Africa holding American flags arrive Monday at Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C.
ing it in 1994. While South Africa has been largely successful in reconciling its many races, tensions between some black political parties and some Afrikaner groups have remained.
The Trump administration has falsely claimed white South Africans are having their land taken away by the government under a new expropriation law that promotes “racially discriminatory property confiscation.” No land has been expropriated.
Trump has promoted the allegation that white farmers in South Africa are being killed on a large scale as far back as 2018 during his first term.
Conservative commentators have promoted the allegation about a genocide against white farmers, and South African-born Trump ally Elon Musk has post-
The three programs with the highest number of graduates were associate in arts, business administration and early childhood education. In his closing remarks, Enamait said he was proud to call every SCC graduate an alumnus.
ed on social media that some politicians in the country are “actively promoting white genocide.”
South Africa has extremely high levels of violent crime, and white farmers have been killed in rural Afrikaner communities. It has been a problem for decades. The government condemns those killings but says they are part of the country’s problems with crime.
“There is no data at all that backs that there is persecution of white South Africans or white Afrikaners in particular who are farmers,” South African Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola said Monday. “White farmers get affected by crime just like any other South Africans who do get affected by crime. So this is not factual, it is without basis.
Landau said many of those who arrived Monday experienced “threatening invasions of their homes, their farms and a real lack of interest or success of the government in doing anything about this situation.”
They all had met stringent vetting standards, including the ability to assimilate into American culture, Landau said. Critics of the refugee program suggest that refugees aren’t properly vetted, though supporters say they go through some of the strictest vetting of anyone seeking to come to America.
“On this special day, we are celebrating the wonderful accomplishments that these graduates have made over the course of their careers at Stanly Community College,” he said. “To the graduates, may the skills you have developed be the foundation on which you build successful careers and lives. On this joyous day, I hope you are filled with gratitude, humility, and love.”
COURTESY NASA
Left, Observations of Jupiter’s auroras at 3.36 microns (F335M) were captured with the Webb Telescope’s nearinfrared camera on Christmas Day 2023. Right, The location of the observed auroras on Jupiter in a separate image.
JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON / AP PHOTO
Is the Southern accent fixin’ to disappear?
It’s fading with younger generations and new transplants moving in
By Mike Schneider The Associated Press
GROWING UP in Atlan-
ta in the 1940s and 1950s, Susan Levine’s visits to New York City relatives included being the star of an impromptu novelty show: Her cousin invited over friends and charged 25 cents a pop for them to listen to Levine’s Southern accent.
Even though they too grew up in Atlanta, Levine’s two sons, born more than a quarter century after her, never spoke with the accent that is perhaps the most famous regional dialect in the United States, with its elongated vowels and soft “r” sounds.
“My accent is nonexistent,” said Ira Levine, her oldest son. “People I work with, and even in school, people didn’t believe I was from Atlanta.”
The Southern accent, which has many variations, is fading in some areas of the South as people migrate to the region from other parts of the U.S. and around the world. A series of research papers published in December documented the diminishment of the regional accent among black residents of the Atlanta area, white working-class people in the New Orleans area and people who grew up in Raleigh.
More than 5.8 million people have moved into the U.S. South so far in the 2020s, more than four times the combined total of the nation’s three other regions. Linguists don’t believe mass media has played a significant role in the language change, which tends to start in urban areas and radiate out to more rural places.
Late 20th-century migration surge affects accents
The classical white Southern accent in the Atlanta area and other parts of the urban South peaked with baby boomers born between 1946 and 1964 and then dropped off with Gen Xersborn between 1965 and 1980 and subsequent generations, in large part because of the tremendous in-migration of people in the second half of the 20th century.
It has been replaced among the youngest speakers in the 21st century with a dialect that was first noticed in California in the late 1980s, according to recent research from linguists at the University of Georgia, Georgia Tech and Brigham Young University. That dialect, which also was detected in Canada, has become a pan-regional accent as it has spread to other parts of the U.S., including Boston, New York and Michigan, contributing to the diminishment of their regional accents.
In Raleigh, the trigger point in the decline of the Southern accent was the opening in 1959 of the Research Triangle Park, a sprawling complex of research and technology firms that attracted tens of thousands of highly educated workers from outside the South. White residents born after 1979, a generation after the Research Triangle’s establishment, typically don’t talk with a Southern accent, linguist Sean Lundergan wrote in a pa-
Michelle and Richard Beck, right, stand outside their Atlanta-area home earlier this month. They are Gen Xers who speak with Southern accents, while their Gen Z sons, Dylan and Richard, left, do not.
per published in December. Often, outsiders wrongly associate a Southern accent with a lack of education, and some younger people may be trying to distance themselves from that stereotype.
“Young people today, especially the educated young people, they don’t want to sound too much like they are from a specific hometown,” said Georgia Tech linguist Lelia Glass, who co-wrote the Atlanta study.
“They want to sound more kind of, nonlocal and geographically mobile.”
Accents change for younger people
The Southern dialect among black people in Atlanta has dropped off in recent decades mainly because of an influx of African Americans from northern U.S. cities in what has been described as the “Reverse Great Migration.”
During the Great Migration, from roughly 1910 to 1970, African Americans from the South moved to cities in the North like New York, Detroit and Chicago. Their grandchildren and great-grandchildren have moved back South in large numbers to places like Atlanta during the late 20th and ear-
In Raleigh, the trigger point in the decline of the Southern accent was the opening in 1959 of the Research Triangle Park.
ly 21st centuries and are more likely to be college-educated.
Researchers found Southern accents among African Americans dropped off with Gen Z, or those born between 1997 and 2012, according to a study published in December. The same researchers previously studied Southern accents among white people in Atlanta.
Michelle and Richard Beck, Gen Xers living in the Atlanta area, have Southern accents, but it’s missing in their two sons born in 1998 and 2001.
“I think they speak clearer than I do,” Richard Beck, a law enforcement officer, said of his sons. “They don’t sound as country as I do when it comes to the Southern drawl.”
New Orleans “yat” accent diminished
Unlike other accents that have changed because of an in-
flux of new residents, the distinctive, white working-class “yat” accent of New Orleans has declined as many locals left following the devastating Hurricane Katrina in 2005. The accent is distinct from other regional accents in the South and often described as sounding as much like Brooklynese as Southern.
The hurricane was a “catastrophic” language change event for New Orleans since it displaced around a quarter million residents in the first year after the storm and brought in tens of thousands of outsiders in the following decade.
The diminishment of the “yat” accent is most noticeable in millennials, who were adolescents when Katrina hit, since they were exposed to other ways of speaking during a key time for linguistic development, Virginia Tech sociolinguist Katie Carmichael said in a paper published in December.
Cheryl Wilson Lanier, a 64-year-old who grew up in Chalmette, Louisiana, one of the New Orleans suburbs where the accent was most prevalent, worries that part of the region’s uniqueness will be lost if the accent disappears.
“It’s kind of like we’re losing our distinct personality,” she said.
Southern identity changing
While it is diminishing in many urban areas, the Southern accent is unlikely to disappear completely because “accents are an incredibly straightforward way of showing other people something about ourselves,” said University of Georgia linguist Margaret Renwick, one of the authors of the Atlanta studies.
It may instead reflect a change in how younger speakers view Southern identity, with a regional accent not as closely associated with what is considered Southern as in previous generations, and linguistic boundaries less important than other factors, she said.
“So young people in the Atlanta area or Raleigh area have a different vision of what life is in the South,” Renwick said. “And it’s not the same as the one that their parents or grandparents grew up with.”
May 6
• Joseph Trayvonne Dryden, 46, was arrested for communicating threats.
• Quantarius Little, 27, was arrested for assaulting a government official, communicating threats, and littering less than 15 pounds.
• Izaac Cole Viars, 25, was arrested for possessing methamphetamine, resisting a public officer, possessing marijuana up to half an ounce, possessing drug paraphernalia, and possessing marijuana paraphernalia.
• Anthony Joseph Polk, 43, was arrested for possessing a firearm as a felon.
May 7
• James Kevin Byrd, 40, was arrested for habitual impaired driving, driving while impaired, driving an unregistered vehicle, operating a vehicle without insurance, and reckless driving with wanton disregard.
• Alfonsa Junior Bryant, 40, was arrested for firstdegree trespassing.
May 8
• Brett Adam Rupp, 30, was arrested for violating felony probation and failing to register as a sex offender.
May 9
• Richard Arnold Vangorder, 53, was arrested for assaulting a female, assault by strangulation, misdemeanor domestic violence, and seconddegree forcible sex offense.
May 10
• Christina Marie Ford, 47, was arrested for felony marijuana possession, intent to sell or distribute marijuana, possessing methamphetamine, maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances, driving with a revoked license, possessing schedule IV controlled substances, possessing drug paraphernalia, and possessing marijuana paraphernalia.
• Nathan Wayne Hollingsworth, 48, was arrested for littering 15 to 500 pounds.
May 11
• Justin Wayne Waldroup, 40, was arrested for failing to register as a sex offender, violating felony probation, and possessing methamphetamine.
May 12
• Kelli Rae Dunn, 35, was arrested for identity theft and obtaining property by false pretense.
• Jordan Terrill Stewart, 19, was arrested for intent to sell or distribute marijuana, carrying a concealed gun, and possessing marijuana paraphernalia.
SHARON JOHNSON / AP PHOTO
Georgia Tech linguist Lelia Glass points to a diagram showing how the pronunciation of certain words by metro Atlanta residents has changed over several generations.
SHARON JOHNSON / AP PHOTO
Tuckers coach final game for South baseball
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
close the 16-year career of the coaching staff at South.
South led early, but the visiting Eastern Randolph Wildcats rallied for six runs in the fourth and scored five runs in the final three innings to earn an 11-2 win.
Terry Tucker, coaching in his 16th and final season along with his brother, Mark, and their cousin, Bryan, announced their retirement before the current baseball season.
Bryson Marley earned the win for the Wildcats (13-12) going six innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits with three walks and six strikeouts.
Jarrett Hinson took the loss for South (21-7) giving up four earned runs on three hits with
South Stanly head coach Terry Tucker hugs his brother Mark Tucker after their loss to Eastern Randolph, ending a long coaching career for the retiring pair.
three walks and five hits in 3.2 innings.
“Needless to say, Friday night was not our best performance of the year,” Tucker said.
“I really thought we were the better team. But as we know, if you don’t pitch it, hit it and catch
it, it doesn’t matter if you are the better team.”
Tucker added Marley’s slower off-speed pitches did not allow the Bulls to “ever adjust to in getting the bats hot. Eastern Randolph was not as bad as we thought from our scouting, a good-hitting team.”
Regarding the season, Tucker said, “winning the conference tournament over North Stanly was definitely the highlight of the year in giving them their first loss of the year. Six awesome seniors leave us this year who have made an impact on South Stanly baseball. They are going to do great things in the near future. Those kids made a huge change from last season to this year. They really came together as ‘One Family’.
Assistant Coach JP Lisk, who will take over as head coach next
season, “will have some good returners still for the next season.” Tucker said he knew the time would come to put his coaching hat down.
“The last 20 years of my life have been very rewarding, to say the least,” Tucker said.
“I leave the program, along with my brother Mark and cousin Bryan, in good hands with JP Lisk. We had all decided that when I decided to leave that we’d all leave as well. I thank all the coaches, score booth folks, athletic director and all the administration over the past 17 years here at South for their support.”
Tucker added, “Many community people have spent time and money on this program to make it what it is today. Finally, my family has been instrumental in me being able to do what I do. My wife has supported me in many ways, and the kids have always been there to support us in what we do.”
Pfeiffer enters 2025 NCAA Softball Tournament red hot
The Falcons have won 23 consecutive matchups
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
MISENHEIMER — On the heels of its third-straight USA South Tournament Title victory, the Pfeiffer University softball team is set for the first round of the 62-team 2025 NCAA Division III Softball Tournament this week.
The Falcons (35-7) are the No. 2 seed for the Salisbury Regional in Salisbury, Maryland, and will face off in Regionals with the No. 3 Mount Union Purple Raiders (27-12) on Thursday at 1:30 p.m.
The two teams have never competed against each oth-
er and share no common opponents this season.
Pfeiffer, ranked 20th in the country in the 2025 National Fastpitch Coaches Association’s Top 25 Coaches Poll for NCAA Division III schools, is riding a 23-game winning streak, while Mount Union earned the Ohio Athletic Conference’s automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament for their accomplishments in their conference tournament.
Pfeiffer softball poses for a team photo after winning the USA South Tournament last week — the third straight conference title for the Falcons.
Mount Union is now 6-1 in its last seven contests, moving well beyond a rough early-season stretch of games back in March where the team piled up seven losses in a short time period.
Following the Game 1 matchup between the Falcons and Purple Raiders, the winner will square off on Friday at 11 a.m., with the winner of No. 1 Salisbury/No. 4 Westminster (PA); either Rowan, Cortland, Tufts,
or Rensselaer will still be alive to face Pfeiffer on Sunday at 11 a.m. should the Falcons make it past their first two opponents. Along with Pfeiffer coach Monte Sherrill, who captured his fourth straight USA South Coach of the Year award, numerous Falcons have been awarded for their efforts this season.
Senior pitcher and infielder Emma Bullin is the USA South Pitcher of the Year, while sophomore outfielder Landry Stewart was named the conference’s overall Player of the Year.
Additionally, senior infielder Gracie Griffin was honored with a All-USA South first team berth and sophomore shortstop Ky Perdue and junior outfielder Charly Cooper took home All-USA South second team honors.
The 2025 Pfeiffer Falcons team went undefeated (18-0) against USA South opponents this season, marking an improvement even over last season’s successful Falcons squad (25-4, 16-2 conference).
The 2024 Falcons suffered a 9-4 loss to Ramapo in the first matchup of the NCAA Regional last May, sending Pfeiffer down the path of elimination games as the team went 2-1 in those three contests.
At this point, any loss by the Falcons would be the team’s first defeat since a 6-4 road loss to Christopher Newport back on March 15.
As the 2025 NCAA Tournament progresses, Super Regionals are scheduled for May 22-23 and Finals are scheduled for May 29 to June 4.
PJ WARD-BROWN / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
COURTESY PFEIFFER ATHLETICS
SIDELINE REPORT
NFL Saints QB Carr retiring due to “degenerative changes” in shoulder
New Orleans
The New Orleans Saints say veteran quarterback Derek Carr has decided to retire because of a labral tear in his right shoulder and “significant degenerative changes” to his rotator cuff. The 34-year-old Carr has played for 11 pro seasons. Carr was acquired by the Saints as a free agent in 2023 but had mixed results in New Orleans, going 14-13 as a starter while also struggling through oblique, hand and head injuries that caused him to miss seven games last season.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
FCS teams could be allowed to play 12 regular-season games every year
Indianapolis FCS teams would be allowed to play 12 regular-season games every year under a Division I Football Championship Subdivision Oversight Committee recommendation. The NCAA announced the one-game extension would go into effect in 2026 if the Division I Council gives its approval during its June 24-25 meeting. Current legislation permits 12 regular-season games in years when there are 14 Saturdays from the first permissible playing date through the last playing date in November. In all other years, only 11 regular-season contests are permitted.
MLB Astros’ McCullers receives threats directed at children after tough start
Houston Houston pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. received online death threats directed at his children after his tough start against the Cincinnati Reds. McCullers, who was making just his second start since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series, allowed seven runs while getting just one out in Houston’s 13-9 loss on Saturday night. Afterward, McCullers said he had received the threats on social media and that people had threatened to “stab my kids.” The Astros said that the Houston Police Department and MLB security had been alerted to the threats.
NHL Smith scores with 0.4 seconds left, Golden Knights stun Oilers Edmonton, Alberta Reilly Smith scored with 0.4 seconds left to give the Vegas Golden Knights a stunning 4-3 victory in Saturday’s Game 3. It was officially the third latest third-period winning goal in playoff history, at least since the NHL added decimals to the final minute. Nazem Kadri had one with 0.1 seconds left for Colorado in 2020, and Jussi Jokinen scored with 0.2 remaining for Carolina in 2009.
Judges may toss order allowing 23XI, Front Row to race as chartered status
argued, essentially, that the teams should not have the benefits of the charter system they are suing to overturn.
By Mike Barber The Associated Press
RICHMOND, Va. — A three-judge federal appellate panel indicated it might overturn an injunction that allows 23XI Racing, co-owned by retired NBA great Michael Jordan and veteran driver Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports to race as chartered teams in NASCAR this season while the two teams sue the stock car series over alleged antitrust violations.
NASCAR attorney Chris Yates argued the injunction, granted in December by U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell of the Western District of North Carolina, forced the series into an unwanted relationship with unwilling partners, and that it harms other teams because they earn less money. Yates said the district court broke precedent by granting the injunction, saying the “release” clause in the charter contracts forbidding the teams from suing is “common.” He
Overturning the injunction would leave the two organizations able to race but without any of the perks of being chartered, including guaranteed weekly revenue. They would also have to qualify at every Cup Series event to make the field, which currently has only four open spots each week; 23XI and Front Row are each running three cars in Cup this season.
Judges Steven Agee, Paul Niemeyer and Stephanie Thacker at multiple points during the 50-minute hearing pushed back on the argument made by plaintiff’s attorney Jeffrey Kessler, who accused NASCAR of being a monopoly.
“There’s no other place to compete,” Kessler told the judges, later noting that overturning the injunction would cause tremendous damage to the two teams, which could lose drivers and sponsors. “It will cause havoc to overturn this injunction in the middle of the season.”
The teams filed the antitrust lawsuit against NASCAR on
NCAA decision could alter junior hockey, NHL talent pipelines
Canadian Hockey League players are now allowed to compete in the NCAA
By John Wawrow The Associated Press
BOSTON UNIVERSITY
sophomore Aiden Celebrini has no regrets over the decision he reached at 16 to maintain his college eligibility by skipping a chance to play for the Western Hockey League’s Saskatoon Blades.
And it makes no difference that college hockey wasn’t on his radar growing up in North Vancouver and regularly attending WHL games with his younger brother Macklin, the NHL’s Draft’s No. 1 pick last summer.
“We didn’t know much about college hockey,” Celebrini said. “Going to Vancouver Giants games, that was always kind of our dream to play in the WHL and then eventually play in the NHL.”
It’s a dream Macklin has already achieved in completing his rookie season with the San Jose Sharks and after one year at BU. Aiden could well follow after being drafted by his hometown Canucks in 2023.
Last fall, the NCAA made a landmark eligibility deci-
sion to allow Canadian Hockey League players to compete at the college level. The ruling frees today’s players from the either-or choice the Celebrinis faced to either join the CHL team that drafted them or preserve their college eligibility as they did by playing at the Canadian Junior A or USHL levels — Aiden in Alberta and Macklin in Chicago.
“I’m kind of jealous,” Aiden Celebrini said. “I think it’s awesome that guys can experience both now because I think the WHL is a top league, and obviously the NCAA is also. It’s great to have that kind of pipeline now.”
While players will benefit most, the NCAA ruling has the potential to dramatically tilt North America’s junior hockey developmental landscape toward U.S. colleges in a fundamental altering of how prospects reach the NHL.
The route for many has traditionally run through the CHL’s three leagues, the WHL, OHL and QMJHL.
The CHL remains the clear leader in having 839 players drafted from 2015-24, with the NCAA’s 74 a distant seventh. And yet, of those 74 college players, 63 were chosen in the first round, including two Canadians selected first over-
Oct. 2, arguing that the series bullied teams into signing new charters that make it difficult to compete financially. That came after two years of failed negotiations on new charter agreements, which is NASCAR’s equivalent of franchise deals.
23XI — co-owned by Jordan, Hamlin and Curtis Polk, a longtime Jordan business partner — and Front Row Motorsports, were the only two out of 15 charter-holding teams that refused to sign new agreements in September.
The charters, which teams originally signed before the 2016 season, have twice been extended. The most recent extension runs until 2031, matching the current media rights deal. It guarantees that 36 of the 40 available spots in weekly races will go to teams holding charters.
The judges expressed agreement with Yates’s argument that the district court had erred in issuing the injunction allowing the teams to race, because it mandated they sign the NASCAR charter but eliminated the contract’s release.
“It seems you want to have your cake and eat it, too,” Niemeyer told Kessler.
At another point, the judge pointedly told Kessler that if the teams want to race, they should sign the charter.
Yates contended that forcing an unwanted relationship between NASCAR and the two teams “harms NASCAR and other racing teams.” He said that more chartered teams would earn more money if not for the injunction and noted that the two teams are being “given the benefits of a contract they rejected.”
Kessler argued that even if the district court’s reasoning was flawed, other evidence should lead the circuit court to uphold the injunction. Niemayer disagreed.
“The court wanted you to be able to race but without a contract,” he said.
A trial date is set for December and Agee strongly urged the sides to meet for mediation — previously ordered by a lower court — to attempt to resolve the dispute over the injunction.
“It’ll be a very interesting trial,” Agee said with a wry smile.
The prospect of successful mediation seems unlikely. Yates told the judges: “We’re not going to rewrite the charter.”
all (Celebrini and Michigan’s Owen Power in 2021).
The 16-team USHL says it has produced more NHL draft picks (197) over the past four years than each of the CHL’s individual leagues, led by the OHL (166), the WHL (155) and QMJHL (89).
Meanwhile, college hockey players now make up about a third of NHL rosters, up from 20% in 2000, with Hockey East commissioner Steve Metcalf envisioning that number growing.
“I don’t think it’s that complicated. There’ll be an increasing number of NHLers that come from college,” Metcalf said. ”(The CHL and USHL) will feed players up into college hockey. And college hockey will feed the players up to the NHL.”
A big concern is the NCAA’s change in eligibility rules leading to Canadians potentially displacing Americans on college rosters. USA Hockey exec-
utive director Pat Kelleher said he’d like to see the U.S. Congress cap the number of international players on college teams.
Currently, NHL teams retain the draft rights to players for 30 days after they leave college. By comparison, teams hold CHL players’ right for two seasons after being drafted.
One benefit NHL teams have in drafting college players is, once signed, those players can be sent directly to the minors. CHL players must be returned to their CHL teams until their eligibility expires.
“The NCAA made whatever decision, and we’re all going to have to adjust,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “We’re going to have to talk to the union and understand how we think it works based on the current rule and what maybe we need to modify to be reflective of the way we think things would flow best.”
JEFF ROBERSON / AP PHOTO
Members of Western Michigan celebrate after defeating Boston University in the championship game of the NCAA Frozen Four.
The teams are currently able to race while suing NASCAR
Denny Hamlin (11) holds onto the lead during an April’s NASCAR Cup Series race in Bristol, Tennessee.
Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye
Horace Keith Furr
Dec. 25, 1933 – May 9, 2025
April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023
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. She was also preceded in death by husband of 61 years, Keith Furr Drye, and brothers, Robert Lee Taylor, Jr. and George Kenneth Taylor.
Horace Keith Furr, 91, of Albemarle passed away peacefully on Friday, May 9, 2025, at Trinity Place, surrounded by his loving family. The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 1 p.m. until 1:45 p.m. at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care in Albemarle. A funeral service, officiated by Pastor Drew Edmiston, will follow at 2 p.m. in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel. Burial will take place at Stanly Gardens of Memory.
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 Garfield. 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.
Born in Stanly County on December 25, 1933, Horace was the son of the late Allen and Carrie Furr. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Margie Furr, in 2019, and by siblings Wayne Furr, Helen Hathcock and Brenda Hill.
Horace is survived by his sons, Tony Furr (Peggy) of Albemarle, Perry Furr (Mison) of Albemarle, and Gene Furr of Albemarle. Also cherishing his memory are his grandchildren, Allen Furr (Jenny), Justin Furr (Katie), Yunmi Furr and Lora Furr, and great-grandchildren Addison, Emerson, Eli, Landon, Chase, Brooke and Kai. He is also survived by brothers Calvin Furr (Wanda) and Boyd Furr (Vickie), and sisters Ruby Rummage (Robert) and Evola Thompson (Wayland).
Horace lived a life defined by dedication, faith and family. He was known for his strong work ethic, beginning his career in milk delivery and later retiring from Custom Doors. He also served faithfully as a volunteer fireman with the Eastside Volunteer Fire Department. A longtime member of Anderson Grove Baptist Church, Horace served as a deacon when his health allowed, contributing meaningfully to his church community.
A devoted father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Horace will be remembered for his kindness, his sense of duty and the love he gave to all who knew him.
The Furr family would like to express their deepest appreciation to the staff of Tillery Compassionate Care and Trinity Place for their attentive and loving care during Horace’s declining health.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Anderson Grove Baptist Church, 2225 E. Main Street, Albemarle, NC 28001.
Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is honored to serve the Furr family.
Dwight Farmer
Grover Wayne Mauldin
January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023
July 21, 1943 – May 9, 2025
Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.
Grover Wayne Mauldin, 81, of New London, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, May 9, 2025, surrounded by his loving family.
The family will receive friends on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care in Albemarle. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 15, 2025, at Albemarle First Assembly. Burial will follow at New London Cemetery.
Born July 21, 1943, in Stanly County, Wayne was the son of the late Pearl and Ethel Mauldin.
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 Sheriff’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.
Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.
A devoted husband, father, grandfather and friend, Wayne was known for his humility, strength of character and unwavering work ethic. He was a devout Christian and lived his life as a quiet leader and peacemaker. He had a quick wit and a generous heart, always ready to lend a hand to those in need.
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.
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.
He is lovingly survived by his son, Rodney Mauldin (Tammy) of New London, and his daughter, Amy Napier (Charles) of Myrtle Beach, SC. He also leaves behind his cherished grandchildren, Avery Mauldin and Seth Mauldin; his sisters, Lois Almond and Marie Thompson (Bobby); and many extended family members and friends who will miss him deeply.
Wayne was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Carolyn Louise Mauldin, who passed in 2011; his brothers, Alvin Mauldin and William Mauldin; and his sister, Shelby Jean Mauldin.
The Mauldin family wishes to extend their heartfelt appreciation to the compassionate staff of Tillery Compassionate Care for their dedicated care and support during Wayne’s declining health.
Arrangements are entrusted to Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com
James Roseboro
Joan Herlet Woodard
June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023
James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.
March 27, 1941 – May 3, 2025
Joan Herlet Woodard, 84, formerly of Stanfield, NC, passed away peacefully Saturday, May 3, 2025, at The Haven in Highland Creek Memory Care Facility in Charlotte, NC.
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.
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.
Born on March 27, 1941, in Jamestown, New York, Joan was the daughter of the late Howard and Mildred Herlet. Joan was a 1958 graduate of Jamestown High School, finishing eleventh in her class at the age of 17. After graduation, she briefly worked at Falconer Glass. At age 18, Joan married Alan Woodard Sr. of Stockton, NY. Together, they raised three children, Alan Jr., Michael and Denise. Marriage and family were the pride of Joan’s life.
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.
Darrick
Baldwin
January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023
Over the years, the family enjoyed golfing and bowling together. They also enjoyed her homemade blueberry pie, with the berries being picked from Alan’s garden. Joan and Alan were active for several years later in life at the Kiantone Congregational Church in Kiantone, NY. In October 2020, Joan and Alan relocated to Stanfield, NC, to live with their son, Michael. In her roles as wife, mother, grandmother and greatgrandmother, Joan showed kind, loving and sincere devotion, and she will be greatly missed. Joan is lovingly survived by her husband, Alan of 65 years; her children, Alan Jr.(Beth) of Oak Ridge, NC, Michael (Susan) of Stanfield, NC and Denise Pribis(Barry) of Wade, NC; Her grandchildren: Ryan Woodard(Kelsey),Nick Woodard(Kayla), Alex Woodard(Kathy), Kelly Woodard, Emily Woodard, Joshua Pribis(Cailey) and Cameron Pribis, her great-grandchildren, Maxwell, Walter, Harrison, Oliver, Madison, Colten and Graham. She is also survived by her sisterin-law, Debbie Brownell, and niece, Meredith Herlet. Joan was preceded in death by her brother, Ronald Herlet.
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.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, June 1, at 3 p.m. at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, 16592 St. Martin Road, Albemarle, NC 28001. A second one will be held on Sunday, July 6, at 3 p.m. at Kiantone Congregational Church, 646 Kiantone Road, Jamestown, NY, 14701.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to any hospice care organization of your choice. Arrangements are entrusted to Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Locust, NC.
He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.
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.
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.
Brenda Ann Myers
John B. Kluttz
March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023
Sept. 25, 1949 – May 5, 2025
Brenda Ann Myers of Richfield, NC, passed away on May 5, 2025, at the age of 75. She was born on September 25, 1949, in Alamance County to the late Paul and Dorothy (Dot) Younger. Brenda was a student at Mecklenburg High School. She worked as a retail clerk. She loved puzzle books and walks on the beach, collecting seashells.
John grew up in the Millingport community where he drove a school bus and worked at the local gas station during his High School years. 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.
Judy Swanner
Holt
October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023
April 26, 1948 –April 24, 2025
Mrs. Judy Swanner Holt, age 76, of 1229 Poplar Street, Albemarle, NC, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 24th, 2025, at her home with her family by her side.
Born April 26th, 1948, Mrs. Holt was the daughter of the late George Arnold Swanner and the late Desdy Lee Smith Swanner. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a sister, Wanda Hilliard.
When John purchased his first 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!
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her sister, Glenda Upright. Left to cherish her memory are her husband, B.T. Myers of Richfield; daughters Tammy (JR) Webb of New London, and Wanda (James) Houck of Hornbeck, LA; stepsons Chris Myers of Spencer, and Chris (Teresa) Myers of Salisbury; as well as 11 grandchildren and 22 greatgrandchildren. Visitation will be from 1-2 p.m. on May 13, 2025, at Rowan Memorial Park, 4125 Franklin Comm Center Road, Salisbury, NC 28144. Service will follow at 2 p.m. Lyerly Funeral Home serves the Myers family.
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.
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.
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 Richfield, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; five 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.
Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long fight in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away fighting 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.
Mrs. Holt was a retired employee of Lowe’s of Albemarle. She was a devoted wife, mother, sister, and friend to many. She loved cooking, gardening, antiquing, spending time with her cat Miggy, and was known for her collection of all things, chicken.
Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC.
She is survived by her beloved husband of 43 years, Billy Holt of Albemarle, NC; one daughter, Leigh Holt Taylor (Mark) of China Grove, NC; one son, Michael Mauldin of Albemarle, NC; one sister, Joyce Swanner of Albemarle, NC, and many nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers, memorials or donations can be made to: Trellis Supportive Care Foundation, 101 Hospice Ln, Winston-Salem, NC 27103 or The Stanly County Humane Society, 2049 Badin Rd, Albemarle, NC 28001, or another charity of the donor’s choice.
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.
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 selfless, 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, outfits for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices for Stanly News Journal to obits@northstatejournal.com
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.
