Musk leaving Trump administration after leading e ort to slash spending
Washington, D.C.
Elon Musk is leaving his government role as a top adviser to President Donald Trump after spearheading e orts to reduce and overhaul the federal bureaucracy.
The billionaire entrepreneur posted Wednesday about his decision on X, his social media website. “As my scheduled time as a Special Government Employee comes to an end, I would like to thank President @realDonaldTrump for the opportunity to reduce wasteful spending,” he wrote. A White House o cial, who requested anonymity to talk about the change, con rmed that Musk was leaving. Musk’s departure comes one day after he criticized the president’s “big beautiful bill,” saying he was “disappointed.”
Trump meets with Federal chair he’s repeatedly scorned Washington, D.C.
President Donald Trump met with Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, and the two discussed the economy but not Powell’s outlook for interest rates, the Fed said. Powell told Trump on Thursday that the central bank would make decisions about the short-term interest rate it controls “based solely on careful, objective, and nonpolitical analysis.”
The Fed’s rate typically in uences borrowing costs across the economy, including for mortgages, car loans, and business borrowing.
Supreme Court backs Utah oil railroad expansion, scales back key environmental law Washington, D.C.
The Supreme Court has backed a multibillion-dollar oil railroad expansion in Utah in a ruling that scales back a key environmental law. The ruling Thursday involves the Uinta Basin Railway, a proposed 88-mile expansion that would connect oil and gas producers to the broader rail network and allow them to access larger markets. In their 8-0 decision, the justices endorsed a limited interpretation of a key environmental law. Justice Neil Gorsuch didn’t participate in the case. The Supreme Court reversed a lower court decision and restored a critical approval from regulators. But the project could still face additional legal and regulatory hurdles.
Albemarle City manager announces retirement
cording to a release from the city.
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
THE SEARCH will begin soon by the City of Albemarle for a new city manager, ac -
Todd Clark, who accepted the position with the city last Aug. 1, announed he is retiring after serving in local government for 35 years.
“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the City of Albemarle,” said Clark.
“I’ve truly enjoyed building
relationships with the people of our community, City sta , and our elected o cials. After 35 years in local government, I’m now looking forward to spending more time with my wife, Jane, who recently retired from her career as an educator. Albemarle and Stanly County will
Stanly County Schools honors teachers,
sta
at awards ceremony
Numerous awards were handed out by the school district
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Local teachers and sta throughout the county were honored for their 2024-25 academic year achievements at the recent Stanly County Schools Excellence Recognitions night.
Superintendent Jarrod Dennis, Assistant Superintendent of Human Resources Lydia Hedrick and Chief
Academic O cer Lynn Plummer were among the SCS representatives at the Agri-Civic Center on May 22 presenting awards to teachers and sta .
“Thursday evening was a wonderful night of celebration as we came together to honor the incredible individuals who make Stanly County Schools such a special place to learn and grow,” the public school district said in a statement following the event. “To all of our honorees, thank you for your dedication, your heart, and the
Todd Clark held the position with the city for one year
CHARLES REX ARBOGAST / AP PHOTO
COURTESY PHOTO
Todd Clark
Lowder — strong advocate, loyal friend, tireless public servant — dead at 83
Her career and political focus was on helping her community
Stanly News Journal sta
ALBEMARLE — Former Albemarle City Council member Shirley Lowder, a woman remembered for her unwavering convictions, compassionate service and erce love for her community, died May 23 at the age of 83. Lowder’s career was de ned by devotion — to students, health care, and the city of Albemarle. From 1967 until her retirement in 2002, she served Stanly County Schools as a nurse, medical social worker and coordinator of student services.
Her public service continued in elected o ce. In 2018, Lowder won election to the Albemarle City Council representing District 2, unseating an incumbent. During her term, she was known for speaking her mind and standing by her principles. She opposed the city’s move to nonpartisan elections and cast the lone vote against creating a downtown social district, citing concern for families and community values.
Though her positions sometimes put her in the minority, she remained deeply respected by her peers.
“She worked diligently for the children of the Stanly County Schools and often helped me make tough decisions when the need arose,” said longtime friend Mary Austin Adkins in a Facebook post. “She even put her own life at risk for the kids.
One day she asked me to go on a home visit with her. When the father came out on the porch with a shotgun, I dove for the oorboard.”
RETIREMENT from page A1
always hold a special place in our hearts.”
“On behalf of City Council and our citizens, I thank Todd for his leadership in our City,” Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael said.
“Todd has done a remarkable job balancing the immense responsibilities of City operations. His professionalism and vision for making local government the best it can be are deeply appreciated. We wish him the very best in his retirement.”
Born June 27, 1941, Lowder dedicated herself to a life of learning and service. She earned her nursing diploma from Cabarrus Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in 1962. She later studied public health nursing at UNC Chapel Hill, earned a bachelor’s degree in social work from Eckerd College in 1981 and a master’s degree in human development and learning from UNC Charlotte in 1983.
Her early career included nursing roles at Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro, Cabarrus Memorial Hospital and Stanly County Hospital, according to her family. She also served as a Lamaze instructor and certi ed childbirth educator for more than a decade.
Lowder’s civic service extended beyond the City Council. She was a member of the Stanly County Board of Health (serving as both chair and vice chair), the Stanly Community College Board of Trustees, and was appointed to the North Carolina Department of Corrections Substance Abuse Ad-
Clark was city manager during the installation of infrastructure for the Albemarle Business Center and has been part of the development of the city’s land use plan.
Clark previously served as the town manager of Beaufort and was the city manager in Newton for 15 years. He also was a town manager for Maiden and Catawba.
He was recognized for 30 years of service in local government by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA).
visory Council and the North Carolina Commission for Mental Health, Mental Retardation, and Substance Abuse Services by Gov. Jim Martin. In every role — whether elected, appointed or informal — Lowder’s passion for helping others guided her actions.
Kathy Burr, a friend from Albemarle, remembered their nal visit: “We talked about our special times. Fly high, sweet friend.”
Former Albemarle Councilwoman Judy Holcomb re ected on their long friendship: “She was a special person and will be missed. Prayers to her daughters and other family.”
Lowder’s granddaughter Margaret Kline o ered a simple tribute: “She passed away in her home holding my mother’s hand. We are thankful for the time we spent with her, but she is in peace now. We will love and miss her.”
Lowder is survived by her three children: Lisa (Terry) Deese of Rich eld, Dodd Lowder of Monroe and Sally (Jesse) Lowder of Sausalito, California. She also leaves behind four grandchildren — Hamilton (Lani) Deese, Allie (Christopher) Moreo, Margaret (Jackson) Kline and Bella Menayan — and one great-grandchild, Emily Rose Moreo.
Her family, friends and community will remember her as a woman of grit, grace and generosity — one who never hesitated to speak truth, stand up for others or take the wheel on a shopping trip through Charlotte, even if she didn’t know where she was going.
“She was one of a kind,” Adkins said. “And she will always be a part of our family.”
There will be a memorial service on Sunday, June 29 at 3 p.m. at Annunciation Catholic Church in Albemarle.
“I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve the City of Albemarle.I’ve truly enjoyed building relationships with the people of our community, City sta , and our elected o cials.”
Todd Clark, Albemarle city manager
June 3
5
June 5
Hill Veterans Memorial Park 8850 Fairview Road Mint Hill
June 7
Race to Remember: Alzheimer’s Charity Race 8-10 a.m.
Raise money with the the Albemarle Rotary Club by joining the 5K Run/Walk or 1K Fun Walk. Registration ends June 6. Registration fee is $30. Stanly County YMCA Park 115 C.B. Crook Drive Albemarle
COURTESY PHOTO
Shirley Lowder
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
COLUMN | TYLER O’NEIL
‘White Supremacist Adjacent’: James Comey exposes the Left’s nefarious strategy to silence opponents
Critics have long slammed the SPLC for exaggerating “hate” to scare donors into ponying up cash and to silence political opponents.
A FEW WEEKS after his message about “86”ing President Donald Trump, former FBI Director James Comey once again revealed the Left’s nefarious strategy to silence its opponents by referring to the Republican Party as “white supremacist adjacent.”
It’s not enough for the Left to cry “racism” against the GOP. No, the Left has launched a systematic approach to compare conservatives to the Ku Klux Klan and suggest they represent a terrorist threat — and Comey is breathing oxygen into that preposterous and dangerous narrative.
MSNBC host Jen Psaki asked Comey about ghting domestic terrorism, then turned to discuss the Trump administration “testing the system.”
She asked if the former FBI director thinks “there are laws that should be put in place that would help better manage” various threats.
Comey didn’t advocate legal changes, but he highlighted what he called “cultural impediments to doing this work.”
“Let’s say you work in the FBI,” Comey began. “You know that one of the two political parties is, let me put it nicely, white supremacist adjacent — at a minimum. And so, why would you want to throw your career on that side of the line and be summoned to Capitol Hill to be asked, ‘Why are you pursuing these innocent groups?’ And so, we have a cultural impediment to working e ectively that should get more attention than it does.”
I think this exchange is rather revealing. You see, I remember when members of Congress called in then-FBI Director Christopher Wray to answer for a particularly notorious abuse involving “pursuing these innocent groups.”
The FBI’s Richmond o ce had written a report about “radical-traditional Catholics,” citing none other than the Southern Poverty Law Center.
The SPLC gained its reputation by suing Ku Klux Klan groups into bankruptcy. That’s a noble cause, but when the SPLC ran out of Klan members to target, it began adding conservative organizations to the same “hate map” it used to expose the Klan.
Now, the SPLC’s “hate map” includes conservative Christian law rms like Alliance Defending Freedom, immigration reform groups like the Federation for American Immigration Reform, parental rights groups like Moms for Liberty, and groups of doctors who oppose the Frankensteinian transgender experiments often euphemistically referred to as “gender-a rming care.”
It even branded an LGBTQ group — Gays Against Groomers — an “antiLGBTQ hate group” because Gays Against Groomers opposes the SPLC’s transgender agenda.
Critics have long slammed the SPLC for exaggerating “hate” to scare donors into ponying up cash and to silence political opponents. The SPLC has a $730 million endowment and o shore accounts in the Cayman Islands. In 2019, a former SPLC employee revealed that workers called it the “poverty palace” and called the
“hate” accusations a “highly pro table scam.” For more on this, you can check out my book “Making Hate Pay: The Corruption of the Southern Poverty Law Center.”
Yet the scam seems to be paying o , and not just nancially. As I wrote in my second book, “The Woketopus: The Dark Money Cabal Manipulating the Federal Government,” the SPLC had a large impact in the Biden administration: advising the Justice Department and the Department of Education, getting an attorney nominated to the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals and getting cited by the FBI. SPLC President Margaret Huang bragged about the administration asking the SPLC for advice on combating “domestic terrorism.”
That seems darkly ironic considering that a convicted terrorist used the SPLC “hate map” to target the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C., for an attempted mass shooting. The SPLC condemned the attack but kept the council on the “hate map” anyway.
Does Comey really want to be taking the side of the SPLC on this?
On Catholics, in particular, the SPLC has a horri c track record. When it branded the Ruth Institute — a Louisiana pro -family nonpro t — an “anti-LGBTQ hate group,” it quoted (as evidence of hate) Ruth Institute founder Jennifer Roback Morse, who was in turn quoting the Catechism of the Catholic Church.
That’s right, if the SPLC were to be consistent, it would have to put the entire Catholic Church on the “hate map.”
This is the major scandal to which Comey is referring. In his mind, it is a “cultural impediment” when Republicans demand answers after the FBI cites the anti-Catholic SPLC in demonizing Catholic groups.
Of course, his remarks came right after the Southern Poverty Law Center branded Turning Point USA, the largest conservative youth organization in the country, an “antigovernment extremist group,” placing it on the “hate map” with Klan chapters and claiming the group supports “white Christian supremacy.”
This is all part of the SPLC’s modus operandi — smearing its political and ideological opponents by association with the Klan and “white supremacy” and attempting to exile them from polite society, all while making a buck by scaring people into sending it money.
The truly scary thing is that Comey appears not to agree with Wray, who said he was “appalled” by the FBI Catholic memo. Comey seems to think the outrage over the memo was the real scandal — and that outrage revealed how the Republican Party defends “white supremacists.”
Thank God he’s no longer calling the shots at the FBI.
Tyler O’Neil is senior editor at The Daily Signal and the author of two books: “Making Hate Pay: The Corruption of the Southern Poverty Law Center” and “The Woketopus: The Dark Money Cabal Manipulating the Federal Government.” This article was rst published on dailysignal.com.
Big Beautiful Bill doesn’t increase the deficit
I’VE SEEN A FEW CLAIMS making the rounds on the Big Beautiful Bill that require correction.
The rst is that it doesn’t “codify the DOGE cuts.” A reconciliation bill, which is a budget bill that passes with 50 votes, is limited by Senate rules to “mandatory” spending only — e.g., Medicaid and Food Stamps. The Senate rules prevent it from cutting “discretionary” spending — e.g., the Department of Education or federal grants. The DOGE cuts are overwhelmingly discretionary, not mandatory. The bill saves more than $1.6 trillion in mandatory spending, including the largest-ever welfare reform. A remarkable achievement. I’ve also seen claims the bill increases the de cit. This lie is based on a CBO accounting gimmick. Income tax rates from the 2017 tax cut are set to expire in September. They were always planned to be permanent. CBO says maintaining *current* rates adds to the de cit, but by de nition, leaving these income tax rates unchanged cannot add one penny to the de cit. The bill’s spending cuts reduce the de cit against the current law baseline, which is the only correct baseline to use.
Another fantastically false claim is that the bill spends trillions of dollars. This is just completely invented out of whole cloth. This is not a 10-year budget bill — it doesn’t “fund” almost any operations of government, which are funded in the annual budget bills (which this is not). In other words, if this bill passed but the annual budget bill did not, there would be no government funding. Under the math that critics are using, if we passed a one-paragraph reconciliation bill that cut simply $50 billion in food stamp spending, they would say the bill “added” trillions in spending and debt because they are counting all the projected federal spending that exists entirely outside the scope of this legislation, which is of course preposterous. The only funding in the bill is for the president’s border and defense priorities, while enacting a net spending cut of over $1.6 trillion.
The bill has two scal components: a massive tax cut and a massive spending cut.
Stephen Miller is White House deputy chief of sta for policy and Homeland Security adviser. Via @StephenM on _x.com.
LETTERS
Trump cuts will hurt everyday Americans
TODAY, more than 45 million of us Americans have health care due to the ACA act. Most of us think that’s a great plan since we all have family and friends who are able to take advantage of that, including my daughter.
But the proposed budget bill by the Republicans in Congress will devastate those families. Restrictions and reductions to both Medicaid and Medicare will be on the way if the bill the House just passed is passed by the Senate.
The Congressional Budget O ce (CBO) has said that the proposed work requirement alone would mean 7.7 million folks lose their health insurance by 2034.
The CBO has predicted $500 billion in automatic cuts to Medicare, and that’s on top of what the Trump administration has already cut that a ects our poor, elderly, disabled and needy.
What about Meals on Wheels and other food programs for elderly and others? The federal funding has been cut.
What about Head Start for children? The funding has been cut.
What about monies to help disabled children in our schools? The funding has been cut.
And that’s just for starters.
It is so clear that the administration’s proposed budget bill is really about cutting programs from Medicaid and Medicare so that the wealthiest get more tax breaks.
The previous Trump administration’s national debt was increased by $7.8 trillion because of the massive tax cuts they gave to the wealthy. That kind of debt is exactly what is going to happen again at the expense of our middle and lower classes.
Gee, how does that work for us in Stanly County and surrounding counties? Sound like something we all want?
Nancy Bryant, Norwood
COLUMN | STEPHEN MILLER
Food and Brews Festival to bring entertainment to Oakboro
The upcoming event has three full-length music sets lined up
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
OAKBORO — Next weekend, the town of Oakboro will be kicking o the summer of 2025 with a full afternoon of music, food truck vendors and adult beverage selections.
Scheduled on Saturday, June 7 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., the Oakboro Food and Brews Festival is set to take place at Sophia’s Wedding and Events (722 South Oak Ridge Road) at the site of the historic Big Lick Festival Park and Big Lick Bluegrass Festival.
The festival will include a vendor show from more than 75 local artisans, businesses and
nonpro t organization booths, along with a kid zone with rock climbing stations and bounce houses.
“Get ready for one of Oakboro’s largest food, brews, and music festivals,” the Indi-
an Trail-based event host and promoter Sunny Day Markets said in a festival advertisement.
“Join us for a full day of delicious eats, incredible live music and family fun. Tickets are available online and at the door. We have
“Get
ready for one of Oakboro’s largest food, brews, and music festivals.”
Sunny Day Markets
a great lineup of music. Bring your chairs and blankets!” Native Burger, Black Villain, Hatch House BBQ, Taco Land NC, VP Jerkcenter, Mel Digs Bird Dog and Black Bear Popcorn are among the dozen-plus food options that will be available on site, while a beer and wine garden will be stocked by New Sarum Brewing Company and Uwharrie Vineyards and Winery.
Along with the dining choices and selection of drinks, the
Prosecution rests in Karen Read trial
By Patrick Whittle and Michael Casey The Associated Press
THE PROSECUTION in the second trial of Karen Read rested Thursday after about a month of testimony spotlighting evidence from the scene and witnesses who heard the defendant repeatedly say “I hit him” in reference to the killing of her Boston police o cer boyfriend.
Read, 45, is accused of backing her SUV into her boyfriend, John O’Keefe, and leaving the 46-year-old o cer to die on a snowy night in the front yard of another o cer’s home after she dropped him o at a party there in January 2022. Her lawyers say she was framed in a police conspiracy and someone in the home that night killed him.
A mistrial was declared last year and the second trial has attracted massive media attention and become the subject of a Hulu documentary series. Read’s second trial on charges of second-degree murder, manslaughter and leaving the scene has often looked similar to the rst trial. If she is found guilty of the most serious charge of second-degree murder, she could spend the rest of her life in prison.
The prosecution, led this time by Hank Brennan, has taken a more streamlined, focused approach.
Unlike the rst trial where witness after witness undermined the prosecution’s case, Brennan did everything to avoid those mistakes. Most signi cantly, he refrained from putting Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the case, on the stand.
Proctor was red in March after a disciplinary board found he
sent sexist and crude text messages about Read to his family and colleagues. His testimony played a key role in the rst trial. Defense attorneys used his text messages to attempt to show Proctor was biased and ignored the possibility of other suspects.
Brennan also didn’t put Brian Albert, the Boston o cer who owned the house where O’Keefe’s body was found, on the stand. He also passed on putting on Brian Higgins, a federal agent who had exchanged irty texts with Read, on the stand. All three testi ed in the rst trial and could be called by the defense as it seeks to show O’Keefe was beaten at the house party hosted by Albert and left outside to die.
Read’s attorney, Alan Jackson, still managed to raise concerns about Higgins and Proctor.
During the cross-examination of Massachusetts State Police Sgt. Yuriy Bukhenik, he made him read all the irtatious texts between Higgins and Read.
Jackson also brought up a text message chain with Bukhenik in which Proctor said, “I hate that man, I truly hate him” about David Yannetti, an attorney for Read.
Prosecutors have spent much of the trial building their case through evidence from the scene. Like before, they started by introducing several law enforcement witnesses who were among the rst responders and recalled hearing Read repeatedly say “I hit him” after she found O’Keefe.
They also played several clips of interviews Read has done since the rst trial, in which
she talked about how much she drank and made comments suggesting she knew what she did. She also talked about pulling a piece of glass from O’Keefe’s nose.
“Could I have clipped him?
Could I have tapped him in the knee and incapacitated him?” she said during an interview for a documentary on the case. “He didn’t look mortally wounded, as far as I could see” but “could I have done something that knocked him out and in his drunkenness and in the cold didn’t come to again.”
Prosecutors called a neurosurgeon who testi ed O’Keefe su ered a “classic blunt trauma injury” associated with falling backward and hitting the back of his head.
Prosecutors also showed jurors pieces of the Read’s broken
upcoming festival will notably include three full-length concert performances for the audience’s listening pleasure: the alt-country group Pressley Laton Band (11 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.) to start the day, honky-tonk artist Love Bug Junkie (2-4:15 p.m.) as a second act, and jam band 9daytrip (5-7 p.m.) to close out the fest.
The upcoming festival will have free parking; event admission is available for $5 and free of charge for children 12 years of age and under.
Looking ahead throughout the year, the event promoter has also scheduled a fall edition of the Oakboro Food and Brews Festival for Sept. 13, where locals can reunite at the same spot for another round of entertainment.
Interested sponsors can contact Sunny Day Markets at sponsorships@sunnydaymarkets.com. The signup deadline is set for the day prior to the event. Vendor spots can be purchased for packages between $100 and $350 by contacting info@sunnydaymarkets.com. All vendor fees are nonrefundable with no exceptions, including weather-related cancellations.
taillight, which they say was damaged when she hit O’Keefe. The defense argues the taillight was damaged later when she was backing out of O’Keefe’s house and hit O’Keefe’s car. Prosecutors also introduced evidence of a broken cocktail glass, found at the scene, which they said O’Keefe was holding when Read backed into him.
Andre Porto, a forensic scientist who works in the DNA unit of the Massachusetts State Police Crime Lab, detailed various items he tested, including the broken rear taillight and pieces of a broken cocktail glass found in in the yard. Only O’Keefe was a likely match for both.
Porto found three DNA contributors but only O’Keefe was a likely match. He also tested DNA from parts of a broken cocktail glass found in the yard and only O’Keefe was seen as a likely match. Porto also tested a hair found on the taillight. Later in the trial, analyst Karl Miyasako of Bode Technology testi ed that tests of the hair sample taken from Read’s vehicle found a mitochondrial DNA match to O’Keefe. He said that means the DNA could be a match to O’Keefe or any one of his maternal relatives.
The trial could easily continue several more weeks as Read’s defense team makes its case. Read has said the defense’s case will be “more robust” this time. It listed more than 90 witnesses who could testify.
“I’m anxious for everyone to learn what we know,” she said last week.
Read’s defense has vigorously questioned the prosecution’s witnesses and called into question evidence presented about O’Keefe’s death. During opening statements in April, Brennan said Read “admitted what she did that night” and pointed to a television interview in which Read said “could I have clipped him?” about O’Keefe’s death.
di erence you make every day. Stanly County Schools is stronger because of you.”
Beverly Pennington, principal at Albemarle High, was named by SCS as its Principal of the Year, while West Stanly Middle’s Mandy E rd was the recipient of the Assistant Principal of the Year award and Locust Elementary fourth grade teacher Bailey McGuire was awarded as the district’s Teacher of the Year.
After the event, SCS recognized these three winners by name in a statement, highlighting their impacts on the county and each of their respective schools.
“Mrs. Pennington is a passionate and dedicated leader who brings vision, heart, and strength to her school community,” the statement said. “Her commitment to students, sta , and the Bulldog family is truly inspiring. Ms. E rd leads with heart,
dedication, and a deep commitment to student success. Her leadership makes a lasting impact on students, sta , and the entire school community. Ms. McGuire’s passion for teaching, dedication to her students, and commitment to excellence truly make her stand out. She inspires those around her every day, and we are so proud to honor her with this well-deserved recognition.”
Millingport Elementary’s Natasha Krueger and Locust Elementary’s Kimberly Dean were also honored as nalists for the principal awards.
Many of the county’s 2024-25 Teacher of the Year award winners for their individual schools were present at the ceremony: Victor Ubaldo (Stanly STEM Early College); Stacy Salayers (Stanly Early College); Kelsie Hatley (Stan eld Elementary); Wendy Je son (East Albemarle Elementary); Kasey Byrd (Badin Elementary); Kellie Hinson (Millingport Elementary);
Amanda Furr (Rich eld Elementary); Andria Harris (North Stanly High); Erin Morehead (Central Elementary); Shannon Bullard (Endy Elementary); Meredith Hinshaw (South Stanly High) and Dustin Foley (Albemarle High). A large group of Support Sta of the Year winners were also honored for their service: Jennifer Hamilton (South Stanly Middle); Vicki Dumas (Stanly Academy Learning Center); Traci Swaringen (Stanly STEM Early College); Star Huneycutt (Stanly Early College); Jessica Palmer (Millingport Elementary); Mike Marshburn (Badin Elementary); Gerald Labriola (West Stanly High); Jessica Strausser (East Albemarle Elementary); Tina Shaver (Endy Elementary); Lorena Salazar (Norwood Elementary); Selina Shelton (South Stanly High); Diana Popoca (Albemarle High); Kristin Strickland (Richeld Elementary) and Ashleigh McCollum (Locust Elementary).
PHOTO COURTESY STANLY COUNTY SCHOOLS
SCS Principal of the Year Beverly Pennington, left, stands next to SCS Superintendent Jarrod Dennis at the Excellence Recognitions ceremony on May 22.
SCS from page A1
COURTESY IMAGE
She’s charged in the death of her Boston police o cer boyfriend
MATT STONE / THE BOSTON HERALD VIA AP, POOL
Defense attorney Robert Alessi, center, confers with Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone as Karen Read, left, stands by during a sidebar during her murder trial on Tuesday in Dedham, Massachusetts.
Norwood to consider new parks and rec plan
The plan calls for expanded development of the town’s existing parks
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
THE NORWOOD Town Council will consider approval of a new parks and recreation plan as part of its upcoming meeting June 2. Norwood conducted a survey to ask residents about their usage and opinions on the town’s park department, receiving 125 surveys. Of those surveys, 96 said they had used either Darrell Almond Park or Norwood Memorial Park.
In the survey, the majority of responses were against paying fees to use facilities or raising property taxes to improve existing facilities. Regarding taxes, 51 were in favor and 57 against, while 70 were against fees.
The plan recommends improvements to Almond Park, suggesting the town could expand it into a district park with more land and expansion of its facilities.
Norwood’s proposed land use plan also suggests expanding opportunities at Norwood Memorial Park by acquiring 10 to 40 acres of land upon which walking trails could be built.
The land use plan also suggests building a larger base-
ball eld at Memorial Park, expansion of a walking trail to connect with Lake Tillery, the Yadkin and Pee Dee rivers, and provide public access to the lake.
These changes, the plan said, could attract tourists, enhance the value of residents’ real estate, and attract businesses and retirees.
Council will also consider a budget amendment which would cover the costs of the rec department’s payroll for June, along with leaving an extra $4,000 to cover miscellaneous expenses. The total amount of money expected to move from the fund balance to the parks and rec department will be $15,000.
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What is palliative care?
obituaries
Ronald “Ron” Terry Still, Jr.
Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye
April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023
Aug.30, 1967 –May 26, 2025
Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.
Ronald ‘Ron’ Terry Still Jr., 57, of Norwood, passed away Monday, May 26, 2025 at Forrest Oakes Healthcare Center in Albemarle.
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.
A celebration of life will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, June 2, 2025 at Community Full Gospel Church. Pastor Mike Lisk will o ciate and the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Survivors include children, Debbie (Mike) Williams of Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) Drye of Oakboro; grandchildren, Melissa (Don) Parrish of Albemarle, Samantha (Destiny) Smith of Oakboro, Bradley Smith of Oakboro, Jonathan Stover of Peachland, and Jessie Stover of Lylesville; sisterin-law, Beatrice Goodman; many nieces and nephews; and her beloved cats, Bo and Gar eld.
Ron was born on August 30, 1967, in Stanly County to the late Ronald Terry Still Sr. and Linda Ward Forsyth, who survives. He was a truck driver for many years and was a member at Community Full Gospel Church. He loved to crack jokes and make people laugh.
He is survived by his mother, Linda Ward Forsyth, and stepfather Robert Forsyth of the home; one daughter: Amber Still; two sisters: Alissa Taylor and Ann Still; and two brothers: Bill Forsyth and Richard Still.
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.
Annarah Frances Spears Gould
Feb. 7, 1923 –May 21, 2025
Annarah Frances Spears Gould, 102, passed away on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at the SECU Hospice House in Smith eld, NC. Her funeral service was Tuesday, May 27, in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. David Hatley o ciating. Burial followed in Fairview Memorial Park. Born February 7, 1923, in Stanly County, NC, she was the daughter of the late Davis Spears and Gertie Melton Spears. She was a graduate of Millingport School Class of 1941 and was a retired employee of Wiscassett Mills Company. She was a good woman. She was preceded in death by her husband Titus “Shorty” Gould in 1973 and a son John D. Gould. Survivors include sons Harry E. Gould and wife Donna of Garner and Timothy Gould of Cary, daughter Myrna Fesperman of Rockwell, 7 grandchildren, 12 great grandchildren and 9 great-greatgrandchildren. In lieu of owers, memorials can be made to SECU Hospice House of UNC Health Johnson (426 Hospital Rd. Smith eld, NC 27577)
Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Gould family.
Dwight Farmer
David Dwight Vanhoy
James Roseboro
January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023
Jan. 24, 1963 –May 27, 2025
Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.
David Dwight Vanhoy, 62, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully at his home on May 27, 2025.
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.
A funeral service to honor his life was held on Saturday, May 31, at Charity Baptist Church with Pastor Scott Vanderburg and Pastor Derek Lanier o ciating.
Born on January 24, 1963, in Stanly County, NC, David was the son of the late James Curtis Vanhoy Sr. and Margaret Virginia Bowers. He attended Charity Baptist Church and was formerly employed with C.K. Earnhardt and Son and Fred Smith.
He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheri ’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.
Dwight was an avid gardener, bird watcher and Carolina fan.
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.
David will be remembered as a hardworking man with a big heart and a strong spirit. Known for his sense of humor, downto-earth nature, and incredible cooking, he was a true friend to many. His family describes him as their hero—loyal, loving, and deeply devoted. He found great joy in being outdoors, especially working in his yard or spending time in his building or tinkering with his trucks. He loved his dogs dearly and took pride in his work and his ability to bring people together with a good meal. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren. Above all, he was a beloved father, husband, and friend who never met a stranger.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary Ann Morton Vanhoy; three children, Mitchell Vanhoy and wife Heather, Timmy Vanhoy and wife Celena, and Jessica French and husband Tyler, all of Albemarle; two cherished grandchildren, Gabriel David Vanhoy and Elijah Gray Vanhoy; two brothers, Randy Vanhoy and Curtis Vanhoy Jr., both of Albemarle; and three sisters, Cathy Locklear and Pam Locklear of Albemarle, and Pat Kittredge of Mount Pleasant. David’s warmth, humor, and strength will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.
Janice Eury Jordan
June 30, 1937 –May 20, 2025
Janice Jordan, 87, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at Woodhaven Court in Albemarle. Janice was born June 30, 1937 in North Carolina to the late Je erson Spurgeon Eury and the late Lucretia Cranford.
Sheryl Osborne Brooks
June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023
July 15, 1948 –May 25, 2025
James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.
Sheryl Osborne Brooks, 76, of Locust, NC, passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, May 25, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.
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.
A time of visitation for family and friends was held on Thursday, May 29 at United Love Baptist Church in Midland, NC. A memorial service honoring Sheryl’s life followed at 2:00 p.m., o ciated by Rev. Marvin Tyson.
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.
Sheryl was born on July 15, 1948, in Lee County to the late Pete and Margaret Osborne. She devoted her life to caring for others, retiring from the healthcare industry as a Licensed Practical Nurse. Sheryl had a warm heart, a nurturing spirit, and a deep love for her family. She found her greatest joy in spending time with her grandchildren and curling up with a good book.
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.
Sheryl is lovingly survived by her husband of 42 years, Ken Brooks; her daughter Kimberly VonCannon (Chad) of Locust, NC; her son Brian Judson (Vickie) of Apex, NC; and grandchildren Tucker and Parker VonCannon. She is also survived by her step-daughters Melissa Brooks and Fran Sholar (Darren), step-grandchildren Delani Sholar, Kati Sholar, Molli Sholar, and Erin Lo in; her sister Cindy Cummings (Jimmy); sistersin-law June Osborne and Carol Brooks; several cousins, nieces, and a nephew.
She was preceded in death by her brother David Osborne, her sister Sue Johnson, and her brother-in-law Tommy Brooks.
Sheryl’s life was one of compassion, kindness, and unwavering love for her family. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who knew her.
Darrick Baldwin
January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023
Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Locust is serving the Brooks family.
She was also preceded in death by son Andrew “Andy” Jordan; brothers, Je , Pete, Jurl, and Bill Eury; sisters, Virginia Lewis, Louise Johnson, and Betty Pegram.
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.
The family received friends Friday, May 23 at Hartsell Funeral Home Albemarle. The funeral service followed in the Le er Memorial Chapel o ciated by Reverend Don Burleyson. Burial will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory in Albemarle.
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.
Janice was a devoted wife and a loving mother and grandmother. She absolutely loved the Lord and His people. Janice enjoyed listening shag and jazz music, or anything that had a catchy beat. Janice was known to light up any room she walked into with her infectious personality and would freely pour out her Godly love to all she met. She could prepare delicious meals which she was known for throughout the community and was sought out for her recipes. Some of her
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.
Opal Smith Dennis
John B. Kluttz
March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023
May 2, 1927 – May 16, 2025
Opal Smith Dennis, 98, of Albemarle, passed away Friday, May 16, 2025 at Woodhaven Court in Albemarle.
Opal was born May 2, 1927, in North Carolina to the late King David Smith and the late Lillie Lauretta Forte Smith.
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.
She was also preceded in death by husband, William Thomas Dennis; son, Denver “Denny” Dennis; brothers, Spence Nelson Smith, Howard King Smith, Harold Boone Smith, Jack Vann Smith, and infant brother; and sisters, Evelyn Hall Morgan, Carrie Lee Burleson, and Allean Helene Smith.
When John purchased his rst Model A Ford at the age of 17, he said that he took the car to the community mechanic when he had a small problem.The mechanic told him that if he was going to keep the car, he needed to learn to work on it. This is when John’s passion for Model A Fords began and how he spent his happiest days with his best friends from around the globe for the rest of his life!
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.
The family received friends Monday, May 19, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The graveside service was held on Tuesday, May 20 at Anderson Grove Baptist Church Cemetery in Albemarle o ciated by Rev. Don Burleyson. Survivors include grandson, Scotty Dennis; granddaughter, Kim Graves (Dwight); greatgranddaughter, Ashlen Linkous (Will); sisters, Dorothy “Dot” Howell of Albemarle, NC and Harvey Ann Laton of Sanford, NC. Opal will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend. She was a great cook and God blessed her with the gift of hospitality. She loved preparing meals for family and friends. Opal was a lifelong member of Poplin’s Grove Baptist Church. She found deep ful llment in being a homemaker. She was a people person and never met a stranger - every person she encountered became her friend.
The family would like to thank the sta of Woodhaven Court and VIA Hospice.
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.
Memorials may be made to Poplin’s Grove Baptist Church, 2020 Poplin Grove Church road, Albemarle, NC 28001. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Dennis family.
favorite pastimes were spent being outdoors, shing, and watching birds, but her most cherished moments were all the times that she got to be with her family.
Survivors include husband of 61 years, Charles Eddie Jordan; son, Dino “Dean” Jordan and wife, Gail of Raleigh NC., daughters, Tracy Taylor of Albemarle NC., Rebecca Clark and husband Michael of Oakboro, NC.; grandchildren, Alex Hunter (Bobbi), Daniel Clark (Courtney), Eric Clark, Caroline “Carley” Jordan, Adam Jordan, Jacob Jordan, and Alexa Jordan; and ve wonderful greatgrandchildren, and many beloved nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends. In lieu of owers, donations may be made to the Stanly County Humane Society and/or the Race To Remember - Alzheimer’s Charity Race. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Jordan family.
This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men. John is survived by his wife Julie Ussery Kluttz, for 66 years of the home. He is also survived by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Sally Simerson of Denver, CO and Betsy Tusa (John) of Lafayette, CO; three grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz Sammons (Ben) of Rich eld, NC John Alexander McKinnon (Sarah) of Asheville, NC and Seth William McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; ve great-grandchildren, Charlotte, Meredith, Grant, Victoria and Ronan. John is also preceded in death by his parents, J.S. Kluttz and Mary Wyatt Clayton Kluttz; a large and loving group of brothers and sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie Lou Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Kluttz, Julius Kluttz, Mary Patricia Phillips and a grandson, Kevin Fowler Kluttz.
Merle William Britt
Doris Jones Coleman
April 27, 1944 –May 20, 2025
October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023
Merle William Britt, 81, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, May 20, 2025, at home surrounded by his family.
Merle was born April 27, 1944. He was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Jacqueline “Jackie” Britt; parents Hazel Gilbert Britt and Fred Shelby Britt; and sisters, Mary Eudy Paul and Diane Hartley.
Merle was a district manager for Frito Lay and Krispy Kreme, and later in his life, he returned to his hometown to help manage the family business. He enjoyed shing and loved vacationing to the beach.
Doris Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, went home into God’s presence on January 10 after a sudden illness and a valiant week-long ght in ICU. Doris was born on October 11, 1944, in the mountains of Marion, NC while her father was away ghting in the US Navy during World War II. Raymond Jones was so proud to return after the war and meet his little girl! Doris grew up in Durham, NC and graduated from Durham High School. She furthered her studies at Watts Hospital School of Nursing in Durham and graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1966.
Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC.
Survivors include daughters, Monica (Michael) Huneycutt of Albemarle, NC and Suzie Ehmann of North Myrtle Beach, SC; grandchildren, Britt, Dalton (and wife, Sydney), Spencer, Emma, Zachary; and greatgrandchildren, Carly and Gwendolyn.
The family received friends on Tuesday, May 27 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The graveside service was held on Wednesday, May 28 at Fairview Memorial Park in Albemarle. In lieu of owers, memorials can be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital and Tillery Compassionate Care.
Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Britt family.
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 sel ess, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her lifetime she was an active member of First Baptist Church of Durham, First Baptist Church of Augusta, Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Augusta, and Palestine United Methodist Church in Albemarle. She especially loved helping at church with older adults, youth, and children.
She was especially talented at sewing from a young age and made gifts for friends, Christmas ornaments, Halloween Costumes, doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, out ts for Amy and Laura, and Christening gowns for each of her grandchildren.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in NSJ at obits@
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.
Craig William Huneycutt Jr.
Sept. 4, 1947 –May 14, 2025
Craig William Huneycutt Jr., 77, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at Atrium Health Cabarrus.
The family received friends on Monday, May 19 at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle. A memorial service, o ciated by Pastor Reggie Hinson, followed in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel.
Born in Stanly County on September 4, 1947, Craig was the son of the late Craig and Ruby Huneycutt. He proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War and was awarded the Purple Heart for his valor. Following his military service, Craig dedicated his career to working as a correctional o cer, retiring in 2005.
Craig is lovingly survived by his devoted wife of 48 years, Joy Huneycutt; his daughter, Beth Huneycutt of Albemarle; grandchildren Rylan Huneycutt, Kaylee Villa (Leonardo), Nathen Almond Jr., and Adelyn Almond; greatgrandson, Saylor; brothers David C. Huneycutt (Soonie) and Je rey Lynn Huneycutt; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his cherished grandchild, Lillian Almond.
Craig was a strong, tough man with a caring heart and a great sense of humor. He was known for his love of classic country music, particularly Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and Alan Jackson, and above all, for being a loving husband, father, grandfather, and friend.
Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is honored to serve the Huneycutt family.
Jeannie
Michelle Vang
Dec. 17, 1980 –May 11, 2025
Jeannie Michelle Vang, 44, of Mt. Gilead, NC, passed away on May 11, 2025, at Atrium Health Union.
A funeral service to honor her life will be held on Saturday, May 31, 2025, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Albemarle. The service will begin at 8:00 AM and conclude at 12:00 Noon. Born on December 17, 1980, in Minneapolis, MN, Jeannie was the beloved daughter of the late Chai Yee Vang and Nalee Lee Vang. She was known by all who loved her as kind, generous, funny, and deeply caring—a truly special soul whose warmth touched everyone around her.
Jeannie found joy in the simple moments of life. She enjoyed watching dramas, sightseeing, creating art, and especially spending time with her family. She had a passion for good food and a gift
Tate brothers charged with rape, human tra cking in United Kingdom
The in uencers have faced extensive legal troubles
By Brian Melley The Associated Press
LONDON — In uencer
brothers Andrew and Tristan Tate have been charged in Britain with rape and other crimes, prosecutors said Wednesday.
The charges were authorized in January last year but not publicized, though news media at the time reported on a U.K. arrest warrant issued against the Tates, dual U.S. and British citizens who moved to Romania in 2016. The Crown Prosecution Service said this was the rst time it con rmed the two had been criminally charged in Britain.
Andrew Tate, 38, faces 10 charges related to three wom-
en that include rape, actual bodily harm, human tra cking and controlling prostitution for gain. Tristan Tate, 36, faces 11 charges related to one woman that include rape, human tra cking and actual bodily harm.
The brothers are both former professional kickboxers who have millions of followers on social media. Andrew is more wellknown, having drawn a larger following with his unapologetic misogyny that has drawn boys and young men to the luxurious lifestyle he projects.
A spokesperson for the two had no immediate comment when reached by The Associated Press. But Andrew Tate commented on the BBC’s story on the charges on the X social media platform.
“They do this to any man who ghts against them,” Tate said,
referring to the government.
“Never give up men. Never give in. Do not be scared.”
The Tates were arrested in Romania in late 2022 and formally indicted last year on charges that they participated in a criminal ring that lured women there, where they were allegedly sexually exploited.
Andrew Tate was also charged with rape.
They have denied all the allegations in Romania.
Romanian courts have issued an order to extradite the two to the U.K. once their court case is concluded in there, British prosecutors said.
The warrant issued by Bed-
fordshire Police last year for the siblings dates back to allegations between 2012 and 2015. The whereabouts of the brothers was not immediately clear. They were photographed a week ago outside a police station in Voluntari, Romania, where they have to report regularly while facing charges there.
Federal court blocks Trump from imposing sweeping tari s under emergency powers law
The ruling throws a wrench into the president’s trade negotiations
By Lindsay Whitehurst and Josh Boak The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal court on Wednesday blocked President Donald Trump from imposing sweeping tari s on imports under an emergency-powers law, swiftly throwing into doubt Trump’s signature set of economic policies that have rattled global nancial markets, frustrated trade partners and raised broader fears about in ation intensifying and the economy slumping.
The ruling from a threejudge panel at the New Yorkbased U.S. Court of International Trade came after several lawsuits arguing Trump’s “Liberation Day” tari s exceeded his authority and left the country’s trade policy dependent on his whims.
Trump has repeatedly said the tari s would force manufacturers to bring back factory jobs to the U.S. and generate enough revenue to reduce federal budget de cits. He used the tari s as a negotiating cudgel in hopes of forcing other nations
to negotiate agreements that favored the U.S., suggesting he would simply set the rates himself if the terms were unsatisfactory.
White House spokesperson Kush Desai said that trade de cits amount to a national emergency “that has decimated American communities, left our workers behind, and weakened our defense industrial base — facts that the court did not dispute.”
The administration, he said, remains “committed to using every lever of executive power to address this crisis and restore American Greatness.”
But for now, Trump might not have the threat of import taxes to exact his will on the world economy as he had intended, since doing so would require congressional approval. What remains unclear is whether the White House will respond to the ruling by pausing all of its emergency power tari s in the interim.
Trump might still be able to temporarily launch import taxes of 15% for 150 days on nations with which the U.S. runs a substantial trade de cit. The ruling notes that a president has this authority under Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974.
The ruling amounted to a categorical rejection of the le -
“The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tari Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tari s.”
U.S. Court of International Trade ruling
gal underpinnings of some of Trump’s signature and most controversial actions of his four-month-old second term. The administration swiftly led notice of appeal — and the Supreme Court will almost certainly be called upon to lend a nal answer — but it casts a sharp blow.
The case was heard by three judges: Timothy Reif, who was appointed by Trump, Jane Restani, named to the bench by President Ronald Reagan and Gary Katzmann, an appointee of President Barack Obama.
“The Worldwide and Retaliatory Tari Orders exceed any authority granted to the President by IEEPA to regulate importation by means of tari s,”
the court wrote, referring to the 1977 International Emergency Economic Powers Act.
The ruling left in place any tari s that Trump put in place using his Section 232 powers from the Trade Expansion Act of 1962. He put a 25% tax on most imported autos and parts, as well as on all foreign-made steel and aluminum. Those tari s depend on a Commerce Department investigation that reveals national security risks from imported products.
It was led in the U.S. Court of International Trade, a federal court that deals speci cally with civil lawsuits involving international trade law.
While tari s must typically be approved by Congress, Trump has said he has the power to act to address the trade de cits he calls a national emergency.
He is facing at least seven lawsuits challenging the levies.
The plainti s argued that the emergency powers law does not authorize the use of tari s, and even if it did, the trade de cit is not an emergency because the U.S. has run a trade de cit with the rest of the world for 49 consecutive years.
Trump imposed tari s on most of the countries in the world in an e ort to reverse America’s massive and
President Donald Trump speaks during an event to announce new tari s in the Rose Garden at the
on April 2 in Washington, D.C.
long-standing trade de cits. He earlier plastered levies on imports from Canada, China and Mexico to combat the illegal ow of immigrants and the synthetic opioids across the U.S. border.
His administration argues that courts approved then-President Richard Nixon’s emergency use of tari s in 1971, and that only Congress, and not the courts, can determine the “political” question of whether the president’s rationale for declaring an emergency complies with the law.
Trump’s Liberation Day tari s shook global nancial markets and led many economists to downgrade the outlook for U.S. economic growth. So far, though, the tari s appear to have had little impact on the world’s largest economy.
The lawsuit was led by a group of small businesses, including a wine importer, V.O.S. Selections, whose owner has said the tari s are having a major impact and his company may not survive.
A dozen states also led suit, led by Oregon. “This ruling rea rms that our laws matter, and that trade decisions can’t be made on the president’s whim,” Attorney General Dan Ray eld said.
Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said the tari s had “jacked up prices on groceries and cars, threatened shortages of essential goods and wrecked supply chains for American businesses large and small.″
VADIM GHIRDA / AP PHOTO
Andrew Tate, right, and his brother Tristan, top left, arrive at a Romanian police station on May 21.
White House
MARK SCHIEFELBEIN / AP PHOTO
STANLY SPORTS
Uwharrie Wampus Cats open season with pair of home wins
The Cats outscored teams 25-2 to begin the 2025 season
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
THE UWHARRIE Wampus Cats baseball team in Albemarle opened its third season of play this week with two home wins.
Uwharrie’s wins came as part of a stretch of ve home games in a six days. Tuesday’s road game at the High Point Thomasville HiToms was postponed.
The Wampus Cats were scheduled to open a six-game home stand starting with games Thursday and Friday.
The Cats host the Greensboro Yard Goats on Saturday at
4 p.m. and take on the Marion Hungry Mothers Sunday at 5.
Uwharrie then hosts the rival Carolina Disco Turkeys for an 11 a.m. game Wednesday, June 4, then take on the SCBL’s Mooresville Spinners June 5 at 7 p.m.
Saturday’s game
Uwharrie 12, Carolina Ducks 2
The Wampus Cats needed just eight innings on Opening Day to earn the team’s rst win of the season.
Leading 3-2 after seven innings, the Cats scored nine runs in the nal two frames to win via the 10-run rule.
Jett Thomas earned the win in relief on the mound for Uwharrie, allowing no earned runs on two hits with two
walks and two strikeouts. Rylan Furr started for the Wampus Cats and pitched two scoreless innings. Nathan Hayworth pitched three innings of relief and gave up one earned run on two hits with ve strikeouts.
Rhett Barker drove in four runs for Uwharrie, going 2 for 5 at the plate with a double. Carter DeVore added a double and two RBIs for the Cats.
Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth, two singles and a walk loaded the bases with no outs. Barker then drove in two of his RBIs with his double to left eld. Connor Lindsey then drew a bases-loaded walk to put Uwharrie up 3-1.
After the Ducks made it 3-2 with an RBI single in the top of the sixth, Uwharrie added two more runs in the seventh.
Devore’s double to left scored both runs to put Uwharrie up by three.
In the bottom of the eighth, three hits, two walks and two Ducks errors allowed Uwharrie to score seven runs and earn the victory.
Monday’s game
Uwharrie 13, Columbia Bombers 0
The Cats pitching sta dominated the visiting Bombers from South Carolina, an adult men’s league team, allowing just two hits in the nine-inning victory.
Brooks Farrell from Blue eld State College, picked up the win for Uwharrie (2-0) by not allowing a hit or run with three walks and three strikeouts. Drew Hol-
5
Home games for the Wampus Cats in a six-day stretch
combe, Drew Burton and Freeman Wallace combined for six innings of scoreless relief. Uwharrie had 15 hits in the game led by Jesse Osborne who was 3 for 6 with two RBIs. Anderson Moreno and Nathan Hayworth drove in two runs each for the Cats.
After three scoreless innings, the Wampus Cats scored two runs each in the fourth and fth innings. A bases-loaded walk drawn by Blake McKinney and a run on an error put the Cats up 2-0 after four. Devore drove in a run in the fth with a single, and Osbourne scored on a passed ball to make it 4-0.
In the bottom of the sixth, 13 batters came to the plate and eight of them scored runs to put the game out of reach.
Rhett Lowder faces new setback with oblique injury
The former North Stanly star had to cut short his minor league start
By Jesse Dea l Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — The rst third of the 2025 MLB campaign hasn’t gone as planned for Cincinnati pitching prospect and former North Stanly ace Rhett Lowder, who now faces a new injury after previously being sidelined since spring training due to strained right forearm.
While making his fourth minor league rehab start of the season (and his second for Triple-A Louisville) on May 22, Lowder su ered a left oblique strain and was pulled from the game in the second inning.
After just one pitch in the second inning, and only 12 overall, the former Wake Forest standout was seen grabbing at his side, and his night on the mound soon came to a close.
An MRI later con rmed the diagnosis, and while the timetable is still to be determined for his return to the big leagues, Lowder is now expected to be
out for an extended period, according to Cincinnati manager Terry Francona. “He explained that he had been feeling it for a while,” Francona said of the Reds’ No. 2 prospect (per MLB Pipeline) to Reds’ media members on
May 24. “Not terrible, but like guys do, he kind of manipulated his delivery where he could (pitch). Then, I think he got a little frustrated. Then, he went after it and he really blew it out. He’s gonna be awhile.”
As the seventh overall selec-
Rhett Lowder throws a pitch for North Stanly back in 2019. The former Comets standout is now a major leaguer, but it’ll be awhile before fans see him back on the mound after an injury setback.
“He’s gonna be a while.” Cincinnati Reds manager Terry Francona
In addition to not allowing a home run in more than 30 innings pitched, Lowder did not allow a run in four of his six starts.
However, his arm soreness had clearly a ected his pitching in his three recent rehab assignment starts heading into his last one. He totaled an 0-3 record with a 14.21 ERA and 13 hits allowed in 61⁄3 innings at three levels.
tion in the 2023 MLB draft, the 23-year-old right-handed pitcher had a promising showing in his rookie season last year, pitching his way to a 1.17 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 2-2 record in his six starts on the mound for the Reds.
He managed to record just one out in 29 pitches during a previous rehab start against Triple-A Indianapolis, departing after giving up four runs on four hits and a walk; opposing batters have recorded a .394 batting average against him during his four starts this year. Lowder will now be on the mend for both of his injuries, healing up as he looks to restart the rehab process through the minor leagues once again.
CHARLES CURCIO / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
Brooks Farrell throws a pitch for the Wampus Cats during a game last week.
Wagner dedicated 40 years to West Stanly sports
The
Stanly County Hall of Famer coached Colts football for 40 years
Stanly News Journal sta
EVEN THOUGH he’s no longer coaching at West Stanly High, Larry Wagner’s legacy remains strong and secure in Colt Country. The school’s football stadium is named after the veteran coach. Every year, the Colts’ top athlete receives the Larry Wagner Award. And even at age 87, the longtime teacher and mentor can often be found in attendance at school events.
To several generations of WSHS students, Wagner is well-known, but not so much to graduates of the remaining county schools … until now.
Along with two others, Wagner will be honored next month as a member of the Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame’s Class of 2025.
“It was a big surprise but also a great honor,” Wagner said over lunch recently when asked his thoughts on being selected. “I’m honored to represent the Colt nation.”
Growing up in Spencer, Wagner developed a love for all sports.
“All the kids in our neighborhood played whatever was in season,” he recalled. “There were a few recreation level sports, but we also played a lot just among ourselves.”
Wagner played his high school ball for the old Spencer High School “Railroaders,” the forerunner of present-day North Rowan, where he was a three-sport athlete, excelling in football and becoming the school’s only Shrine Bowler and
East-West All-Star selection during his senior year in the fall of 1955.
“We were a small school, but we played big,” Wagner said, remembering games against South Piedmont Conference foes Lexington, Asheboro, Statesville and Albemarle.
“We were usually around .500 record-wise,” he said.
During his senior year, Wagner caught the notice of several major colleges, in particular Wake Forest and Clemson.
“Spencer was full of Wake Forest fans,” said Wagner, and Spencer athletes usually were “strongly encouraged” by the Demon Deacons’ supporters to head up U.S. 52 to Winston-Salem. But Wagner’s stellar play and strong academics had caught the eye of Clemson head football coach Frank Howard.
“I wanted to go into textile engineering,” Wagner said, for which Clemson had an outstanding curriculum. “So, I signed with Clemson … and that made some of the home folks unhappy.”
Recalling his playing days at Clemson, Wagner particularly remembered the annual South Carolina State Fair games against the University of South Carolina, played in Columbia every year on the Thursday of State Fair week.
“Coach Howard hated USC and Columbia,” he remembered. “He once said he wouldn’t even let his watch stop in Columbia.”
Another key moment was the 1959 Sugar Bowl, in which Clemson’s “Hungry Tigers” matched LSU’s “Fat Tigers” (who had already been declared national champions before the game) blow-for-blow for most of the contest. After a bad snap
“I’m honored to represent the Colt nation.”
Larry Wagner
on a punt late in the third quarter of a scoreless game, LSU got the ball on the Clemson 12. On third-and-8 from the 10, Clemson had LSU All-American Billy Ray Cannon bottled up on a toss sweep, but he surprised everyone by throwing a touchdown pass which proved to be the only score in a 7-0 loss.
After his time at Clemson, Wagner decided to change career paths and earned a master’s degree at Appalachian State, and he then took his rst teaching and coaching job at Rohanen High School in Richmond County. In 1963, he came back home to Rowan County where he ascended to the head coaching position at East Rowan, winning the county championship in 1965 and 1966. He left East Rowan for a four-year stint as an assistant principal in Guilford County, after which he came to West Stanly in 1971 and remained for 40 football seasons.
While Wagner’s time in college sports was a “great experience,” his view of the current state of intercollegiate athletics isn’t quite as positive.
“I don’t like what’s happening now,” he said. “The transfer portal and NIL has ruined college sports. It might as well be another pro league. … There’s no loyalty to a school any more.”
Before becoming a Hall of Fame coach with West Stanly, Wagner helped lead Clemson to the Sugar Bowl.
Nevertheless, the coach still extols the bene ts youngsters get from the sports experience, at least at the youth and high school levels.
“(Sports) teaches discipline, it teaches how to get along with people, and it teaches them how to work through the good times and the bad times,” he observed. Wagner lives in Albemarle, and was married to the late Amelia Stockton Wagner. They
raised two daughters — Karen McCray and Elizabeth Standafer. He will be honored along with fellow 2025 inductees Teresa Davis and Joe Viscomi at the annual Hall of Fame induction event at Pfei er University on Monday, June 9 at 6 p.m. Tickets are available for purchase at Albemarle Parks and Recreation, Locust City Hall, Oakboro City Hall and at Starnes-Bramlett Jewelers in Albemarle.
COURTESY PHOTO
Panthers knock Hurricanes from Stanley Cup playo s in Game 5
“We truly believe that we have what it takes, but obviously, we fell short yet again.”
Sebastian Aho
Sebastian Aho had two rst period goals in the 5-3 loss
By Cory Lavalette North State Journal
RALEIGH — The Hurricanes built a two-goal lead, lost it and clawed back to tie the game in the third period.
It wasn’t enough.
Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov wriggled free from Carolina defensemen Dmitry Orlov to set up Carter Verhaeghe’s go-ahead goal with 7:39 left to give Florida a 5-3 win in Game 5 of the Eastern Conferencenal and end Carolina’s season.
“Their best player made an elite play,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said.
Hurricanes right wing Seth Jarvis ignited the Lenovo Center crowd when he turned a Carolina forecheck into a tying goal by ipping the puck over Florida goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (20 saves) at 8:30 of the third period.
But Barkov quieted the building with an unreal individual e ort, shaking o Orlov below the goal line and dishing the puck across to Verhaeghe, who roofed a shot over a sprawling Frederik Andersen (17 saves) for his 12th game-winning playo goal of the past four seasons and third career series-clinching goal to restore Florida’s lead at 4-3.
The Hurricanes had an opportunity to tie the game with a late power play, but Andrei Svechnikov’s chance in the slot was high, and Sebastian Aho’s bid on the rebound slid behind Bobrovsky but wide. Carolina nished the night 0 for 6 on the power play.
“You’d like to see a power play go tonight there, and they got one and we didn’t get any,” Aho said.
Florida’s power play goal in the second period started a three-goals-in-4½-minutes burst for the Panthers that erased the Hurricanes’ 2-0 lead — both Aho goals — and put the defending champions back in the driver’s seat.
First, with Jesperi Kotkaniemi in the box for taking a holding penalty at the tail end of a Carolina power play. Florida winger Matthew Tkachuk redirected an Aaron Ekblad shot past Andersen to cut the lead in half at 7:23 of the second period.
“The game was going, I thought, we couldn’t have done much better,” Brind’Amour said. “And then we take an O zone penalty, and they score on that — little oater, nice tip. But it’s all of a sudden, that just kind of got them going — momentum.”
Thirty seconds later, Tkachuk was able to fend o a Jordan Martinook hit near the Panthers’ bench to get a pass to Evan Rodrigues entering the Carolina zone. Rodrigues passed to Sam Bennett and then beat Alexander Nikishin to the front of the net to direct in the return pass to tie the game. Then at 11:59 of the second, Anton Lundell beat Aho to the front of the net o a faceo win and tipped in a Brad Marchand pass to give Florida a 3-2 lead.
“You never want that to happen,” Jarvis said. “It was a tough four-minute stretch. I thought we responded well, but giving up three goals that quickly, it’s tough for any team to kind of come back from that.”
But the Hurricanes did, with Jarvis scoring his sixth goal of the season after Shayne Gostisbehere held the puck in at the blue line and Svechnikov forked the puck to him in front.
Then Barkov — who had been on the ice for all three of Carolina’s goals — put the Panthers on his back with the series-de ning play.
In the rst period, however, it looked like Aho would be the Finnish center leading his team to a win.
First, Aho stole Florida de-
fenseman Gustav Forsling’s pass in the neutral zone and raced past him for a breakaway. Aho shot over the pad and under the glove of Bobrovsky to make it 1-0 at 4:39 of the game. Aho then doubled the lead late in the opening period o another neutral zone steal.
Florida defenseman Niko Mikkola tried to pass the puck up the boards, but Jarvis deected it. Aho again collected it, came up the right wing and snapped a shot between Mikkola’s legs and past Bobrovsky for a 2-0 lead with 66 seconds left in the rst period.
The Panthers, however, still found a way to reach their third straight Stanley Cup nal and will have a chance to defend their title against either Dallas or Edmonton.
“That’s a great hockey team,” Aho said. “One team has beat them the past three seasons, right? So we knew it was going to be a big task to try to beat him. And we truly believe that we have what it takes, but obviously we fell short yet again. So, yeah, really pissed o .” Jarvis added, “It’s the hardest trophy to win. And when you’re feeling like this, you wish you could go back in time, but you can’t. Now you’ve got to sit on it for a whole summer.
Notes: Florida center Eetu Luostarinen was injured in the rst period and did not play the nal 40 minutes. … The Hurricanes outhit Florida 48-31, led by six each from Staal and Eric Robinson. … William Carrier was called for two penalties for the rst time this season.
Play ball! Things to know entering the NCAA baseball regionals
By Eric Olson The Associated Press
OMAHA, Neb. — The NCAA baseball tournament opened Friday with play in 16 double-elimination regionals. Regional winners advance to best-of-three super regionals next week, and the nal eight go to the College World Series in Omaha, Nebraska, beginning June 13.
Who’s hot
Northeastern’s 27-game win streak is the longest in Division I since Fair eld rolled o 28 straight in 2021. The Huskies are the No. 2 regional seed in Tallahassee, Florida.
No. 13 national seed Coastal Carolina (48-11) brings an 18 -game streak into its home regional.
Columbia (29-17) has won nine in a row and 16 of 17. The Ivy League champions are a No. 4 regional seed.
Who’s not
Arizona State (35-22) and Kentucky (29-24) each have lost four straight.
Still waiting
East Carolina (33-25), which received the American Athlet-
ic’s automatic bid by winning the conference tournament as a No. 6 seed, has never reached the College World Series in 34 previous NCAA Tournament appearances, the longest streak of its kind. The Pirates are in the eld for the ninth time in 10 years.
Clemson (44-16) has never won a national championship, or nished as runner-up, in 46 previous appearances.
Welcome to the party
Big South Tournament champion USC Upstate, a full Division I member since 2011,
is making its tournament debut. The Spartans are second in the nation in scoring at 9.7 runs per game, and Johnny Sweeney is third in RBIs (81) and Scott Campbell is 17th in batting average (.400).
Toughest regional
The Oxford Regional, hosted by Mississippi, gets the nod. The Rebels earned the No. 10 national seed after winning three games in the SEC Tournament to reach the nal, where it lost 3-2 to Vanderbilt. They expect to get back No. 3 starter Mason Nichols and
West Stanly, track and eld
Owen Grismer is a senior for the West Stanly track and eld team. He also played football for the Colts.
West Stanly nished sixth in the NCHSAA track and eld state class 2A championships earlier this month, and Grismer was the leading scorer for the team.
Grismer won the state 2A boys’ discus title with a throw of 168 feet, 8 inches, beating the second-place nisher by nearly 23 feet. He then added a silver in the shot put, with his throw of 54 feet, 3 inches missing the state title by 41⁄2 inches.
right elder Ryan Moerman from injury.
Murray State (39-13), is in the tournament for the rst time since 2003 after winning the Missouri Valley Tournament. The Racers had a threerun lead against the Rebels in Oxford on March 5 before losing 8-7 in 10 innings.
Georgia Tech (40-17), the No. 2 regional seed, is the rst ACC regular-season champion since 1999 to not host.
Western Kentucky (46-12) set a school record for wins and has the Conference USA player and newcomer of the year in Ryan Wideman and pitcher of the year in Drew Whalen.
No guarantees
Regional hosts have advanced to super regionals 66.8% of the time (267 of 400) since the tournament went to its current format in 1999. Last year, 10 hosts won regionals. The fewest hosts to advance were seven in 2007 and 2014, eight in 2018 and nine in 2017 and 2023.
Feeling a draft
Eleven projected rst-round picks in the Major League Baseball amateur draft are in the tournament, including four of the top six, according to MLB. com analyst Jim Callis. Heading the group are three left-handed pitchers: Tennessee’s Liam Doyle (2), LSU’s Kade Anderson (3) and Florida State’s Jamie Arnold (5).
Next are Oregon State SS Aiva Arquette (6), Oklahoma
RHP Kyson Witherspoon (11), North Carolina C Luke Stevenson (16), Tennessee 2B Gavin Kilen (18), Wake Forest SS Marek Houston (19), Arizona OF Brendan Summerhill (20), Auburn OF-C Ike Irish (21) and Southern Mississippi RHP J.B. Middleton (22).
Who is this guy?
The best player you’ve probably never heard of is Northeastern left-handed pitcher Will Jones. The 6-foot-5, 215-pound graduate student is second in the nation with a 1.82 ERA and third in wins with an 11-0 record. He has been part of ve of the Huskies’ nation-leading 17 shutouts. Jones had Tommy John surgery when he was in high school in Southampton, Massachusetts, and didn’t throw a pitch his rst two seasons with the Huskies. He threw in 48 innings over 21 appearances, including two starts, in 2023 and ‘24. He has pitched 691⁄3 innings this season with 72 strikeouts, and his 11 wins are a school record.
Geography lesson
California has six teams in regionals, most among the 25 states represented in the tournament.
Cal Poly, Fresno State, Southern California, UC Irvine, UCLA and Saint Mary’s are the Golden State schools that earned bids. Florida, North Carolina and Texas each has ve teams in the tournament and Kentucky has four.
KARL DEBLAKER / AP PHOTO
Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho reacts following Carolina’s 5-3 loss to the Panthers in Game 5 of the Eastern Conference nal in Raleigh on Wednesday. Florida advanced to its third straight Stanley Cup nal.
BEN MCKEOWN / AP PHOTO
East Carolina’s Alex Bouche (8) runs to rst base during game earlier this season. The Pirates hope to reach the school’s rst College World Series.
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
Notice is hereby given per NCGS 15912 that the Board of Commissioners for the Town of Stan eld will hold a Public Hearing on Thursday, june 5, 2025, at 7:00pm at the Town Hall to hear comments for or against the proposed 2025-2026 Budget for the Town of Stan eld. Copies are available at Town Hall. Wanda Yow Town Clerk Town of Stan eld Publish: May 25 and June 1, 2025
ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS
Pursuant to Section 143-129 of the General Statutes of North Carolina, Sealed Proposals for furnishing the City of Albemarle, North Carolina, with Chemicals in accordance with speci cations, conditions, and instructions will be received by the Purchasing Coordinator at the City of Albemarle, 144 North Second Street, Albemarle NC 28001; or by Mail at P. O. Box 190, Albemarle NC 28002-0190; until 11:00 O’clock a.m., Local Time, Monday, June 9, 2025. Bids will be opened and read in the Uwharrie Room #145, at 144 North Second Street, Albemarle NC 28001, at the above stated time. Instructions for submitting bids and complete speci cations may be obtained at the O ce of the Purchasing Coordinator during regular o ce hours, or from Bryan Hinson, Interim Director, Public Utilities Department, 704-9616149, blhinson@albemarlenc.gov. The City of Albemarle, North Carolina, reserves the right to reject any or all proposals for any reason determined to be in the best interests of the City of Albemarle, and further reserves the right to waive irregularities and informalities in any bid submitted. CITY OF ALBEMARLE
Jacob W. Weavil
Finance Director
BID NUMBER: 2025-05
NOTICE
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO.
25-E-000276-830
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Bobby Wayne Tucker aka Bob Wayne Tucker, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Bobby Wayne Tucker aka Bob Wayne Tucker to present them to the undersigned on or before August 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 18th day of May, 2025.
Executor: Angela T. Pistole 102 Green Meadow Court Pittsboro, NC 27312 Publish for 4 consecutive weeks
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO: 25E000263-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF CECIL EUGENE SMITH
Deceased
The undersigned, having quali ed as Administratrix of the Estate of CECIL EUGENE SMITH, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, is hereby notifying all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said decedent or his estate to present the same duly itemized and veri ed to the undersigned Administratrix or her Attorney on or before the 18th day of August 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the decedent or to his estate are hereby requested to pay the said indebtedness to the undersigned Administratrix or her attorney. This the 13th day of May 2025. RENAE SMITH SEABOLT Administratrix ESTATE OF CECIL EUGENE SMITH 20400 Claude Drive Albemarle, North Carolina 28001 CHARLES P. BROWN BROWN & SENTER, P.L.L.C. PO Box 400 Albemarle, North Carolina 28002-0400 Telephone: (704) 982-2141 PUBLISH: May 18, 25, June 1, 8, 2025
INOTICE
N THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000245-830 NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The undersigned, having duly quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Amie Lanell Baucom, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, is hereby notifying all persons, rms or corporations having claims against said decedent, or her estate, to present the same to the undersigned Administrator, duly itemized and veri ed on or before the 11th day of August, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said decedent are hereby requested to pay the said indebtedness to the undersigned Administrator.
This the 11th day of May, 2025. Judie M. DeMuth Administrator of the Estate of Amie Lanell Baucom 705 Impala Dr. Albemarle, NC 28001 James A. Phillips, Jr. Attorney for the Estate P.O. Box 1162 117 W. North St. Albemarle, NC 28002-1162
Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025.
NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000178-830 NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Administrator of the estate of Barry Michael Barbee, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Barry Michael Barbee to present them to the undersigned on or before August 11, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 11th day of May, 2025 Administrator: Barry Aaron Barbee 165 Secretarial Lane Mooresville, NC 28117 Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Estate File No.: 25E000170-830 The undersigned, having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Brenda Little Munday late of Stanly County, North Carolina, hereby noti es to all persons, rms and corporations having claims against said Estate to present them to the undersigned on or before August 11, 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. This 11th day of May, 2025. Name: Charles Abrams Muniz Address: 521 Ashley Drive Oakboro, NC 28129 Amanda M Reed, Esq. Attorney for Administrator, Charles Abram Muniz Reed & Thompson, PLLC 204 Branchview Dr SE Concord, NC 28025 Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 25E000267-830
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The undersigned, having duly quali ed as Executrix of the estate of Joyce H.Higham, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, is hereby notifying all persons, rms, or corporations having claims against said decedent, or his estate, to present the same to the undersigned Executrix, duly itemized and veri ed on or before the 11th day of August, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said decedent are hereby requested to pay the said indebtedness to the undersigned Executrix. This the 5th day of May, 2025. Anna L. Thompson Executrix of the Estate of Joyce H. Higham 2422 Stoney Run Drive Oakboro, NC 28129 James A. Phillips, Jr. Attorney for the Estate P.O. Box 1162 117 W. North Street Albemarle, NC 28002-1162 Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025
NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000242-830 NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Jimmy Williams, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Jimmy Williams to present them to the undersigned on or before August 11, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 11th day of May, 2025 Executor: Danielle Pace Aka Melissa Danielle Pace 194 Dan Lane Cheraw SC 29520 Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The undersigned, having quali ed as the Administrator of the Estate of Je rey C. Hatley, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the Estate to present such claims to the undersigned Administrator on or before August 11, 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 11th day of May, 2025 David W. Hatley Administrator for the Estate of Je rey C. Hatley 105 Hilltop Road Oakboro, NC 28129 David A. Beaver Attorney for the Administrator 160 N. First Street (PO Box 1338) Albemarle, NC 28001 (28002) 704-982-4915 Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025.
NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000225-830 NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of James Farrington Morgan, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said James Farrington Morgan to present them to the undersigned on or before August 11, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. T This the 11th day of August, 2025 Executor: Mark Wayne Morgan 1063 Ocean Ridge Drive Wilmington, NC 28405 Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025.
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK
25E000267-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The undersigned, having duly quali ed as Executrix of the estate of Donald G. Higham, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, is hereby notifying all persons, rms, or corporations having claims against said decedent, or his estate, to present the same to the undersigned Executrix, duly itemized and veri ed on or before the 11th day of August, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said decedent are hereby requested to pay the said indebtedness to the undersigned Executrix. This the 5th day of May, 2025. Anna L. Thompson Executrix of the Estate of Donald G. Higham 2422 Stoney Run Drive Oakboro, NC 28129 James A. Phillips, Jr.
Attorney for the Estate P.O. Box 1162 117 W. North Street Albemarle, NC 28002-1162
Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK
25E000264-830
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The undersigned, having duly quali ed as Co-Executors of the estate of Claudine C. Carter, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, is hereby notifying all persons, rms, or corporations having claims against said decedent, or her estate, to present the same to the undersigned Co-Executors, duly itemized and veri ed on or before the 11th day of August, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said decedent are hereby requested to pay the said indebtedness to the undersigned CoExecutors.
This the 6th day of May, 2025.
Ronald L. Carter
Co-Executor of the Estate of Claudine C. Carter
38721-A Airport Rd. New London, NC 28127
Michael A. Carter
Co-Executor of the Estate of Claudine C. Carter 38173 Sawmill Rd. New London, NC 28127
James A. Phillips
Attorney for the Estate P.O. Box 1162 117 W. North St. Albemarle, NC 28002-1162
Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025
NOTICE
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE
SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000224-830
NORTH CAROLINA
STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having quali
ed as Administrator of the estate of Kirk Douglas Michael, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Kirk Douglas Michael to present them to the undersigned on or before August 11, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 11th day of May, 2025.
Administrator: Phyllis J. Huneycutt 1717 Wildwood Drive Albemarle, NC 28001 Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025.
NOTICE
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE
SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000060-830
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Nell Marie Andrews, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Nell Marie Andrews to present them to the undersigned on or before August 11, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 11th day of May, 2025
Executor: Ricky Joe Andrews 33880 Old Herlocker Road Albemarle, NC 28001
Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025.
NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE
SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000250-830
NORTH CAROLINA
STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having quali ed as Administrator of the estate of Paula Lynette Huneycutt, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Paula Lynette Huneycutt to present them to the undersigned on or before August 11, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 11th day of May, 2025
Administrator: Randall Allen Huneycutt 39274 Duck Road Albemarle, NC 28001
Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The undersigned, having quali ed as the Administrator of the Estate of Rebecca Ward Bolick, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the Estate to present such claims to the undersigned Administrator on or before August 11, 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 11th day of May, 2025
Charles David Ward Administrator of the Estate of Rebecca Ward Bolick 96 Valley Drive Badin, NC 28009 David A. Beaver Attorney for the Administrator 160 N. First Street (PO Box 1338) Albemarle, NC 28001 (28002) 704-982-4915 Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025.
NOTICE
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25-E-208 NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Co-Administrators of the Estate of Sharon Denise Covey, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned or his attorney on or before August 11, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.
This the 11th day of May, 2025. MELVIN POPE TONY HINSON CO-ADMINISTRATORS FOR THE ESTATE OF SHARON DENISE COVEY MARK T. LOWDER ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 1284
Albemarle, NC 28002
Telephone (704) 982-8558
Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025
NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000221-830 NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The undersigned, having duly quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Sylvia Jean Freeman, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, is hereby notifying all persons, rms, or corporations having claims against said decedent, or her estate, to present the same to the undersigned Administrator, duly itemized and veri ed on or before the 11th day of August, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said decedent are hereby requested to pay the said indebtedness to the undersigned Administrator. This the 11th day of May, 2025.
Cathy Freeman Perry Administrator of the Estate of Sylvia Jean Freeman 1360 Liberty Road Gold Hill, NC 28071
James A. Phillips, Jr. Attorney for the Estate P.O. Box 1162 117 W. North Street Albemarle, NC 28002-1162
Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION STANLY COUNTY BEFORE THE CLERK OF COURT FILE NO. 25E000312-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Samuel Hunter Blakely, III, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said deceased to present them to the undersigned on or before September 1st, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 28th day of May 2025. Tonya Denise Blakely 300 Church Street Locust, NC 28097 Executor
NOTICE
The proposed 2025/2026 Locust ABC Board Budget has been submitted to the Locust ABC Board. Copy of the proposed budget is available for inspection at the o ce of the General Manager and Budget O cer of the ABC board. A public hearing concerning the budget will take place during the Locust ABC Board meeting at 5:30pm at the O ce of the Locust ABC Board on Monday, June 2, 2025.
NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000260-830
NORTH CAROLINA
STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Tamara Lynn MorganVarner aka Tamera Burleson Morgan, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, having claims against the Estate of said Tamara Lynn Morgan-Varner aka Tamera Burleson Morgan to present them to the undersigned on or before August 11, 2025 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 11th day of May, 2025.
Administrator: William F. Varner, Jr. 44682 Ledbetter Road New London, NC 28127 Publish: May 11, 18, 25 and June 1, 2025
NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000226-830
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Shirley McCoig Morgan, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Shirley McCoig Morgan to present them to the undersigned on or before August 11, 2025, or the
make immediate payment. This 22nd day of May 2025. Executor: J. David Rollins 12 Old American Blvd. Pendleton, SC 29670 (GS 28A-14-1)
NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned has quali ed as Executor of the Estate of JOHNNY
ed as Executrix of the Estate of Bealus Alonzo Smith, Jr., deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned or her attorney on or before August 25, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 21st day of May, 2025.
PHYLLIS RUTH SMITH EXECUTRIX FOR THE ESTATE OF BEALUS ALONZO SMITH, JR. MARK T. LOWDER ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 1284 206 E. North Street Albemarle, NC 28002 Telephone (704) 982-8558 Publish: May 25 and June 1, 8, and 15, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Clerk Before the Clerk
25-E-294 Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Walter Kevin Ayers, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned or her attorney on or before August 25, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 20th day of May, 2025.
DREW M. DENNIS
EXECUTOR FOR THE ESTATE OF WALTER KEVIN AYERS MARK T. LOWDER
ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 1284
206 E. North Street Albemarle, NC 28002 Telephone (704) 982-8558
Publish: May 25 and June 1, 8, and 15, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Clerk Before the Clerk 25-E-266 Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Larry L. Eudy, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned or his attorney on or before August 18th, 2025, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 12th day of May, 2025.
JAMES E. NANCE
EXECUTOR FOR THE ESTATE OF LARRY L. EUDY MARK T. LOWDER
ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 1284 Albemarle, NC
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Co-executors of the estate of Peggy Love Long, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Peggy Love Long, deceased, to present them to the undersigned on or
‘Mountainhead’, Bono doc, Banks, Biel as sisters
Sheléa celebrates the immortal Aretha Franklin in a PBS special
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — “Succession” creator Jesse Armstrong’s satirical drama “Mountainhead” and Elizabeth Banks and Jessica Biel playing dysfunctional siblings in the murder thriller series “The Better Sister” 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: a new concert special featuring Aretha Franklin, U2’s frontman reveals all in the documentary “Bono: Stories of Surrender,” and multiplayer gamers get Elden Ring: Nightreign, sending teams of three warriors to battle the amboyant monsters of a haunted land.
MOVIES TO STREAM
Armstrong makes his feature debut with the satirical drama “Mountainhead,” streaming on HBO Max on Saturday. The lm stars Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Ramy Youssef and Cory Michael Smith as tech titans on a boys’ trip whose billionaire shenanigans are interrupted by an international crisis that may have been in amed by their platforms. The movie was shot earlier this year, in March.
The story of hostage crisis at the 1972 Munich Olympics has been told in many lms, but “September 5” takes audiences inside the ABC newsroom as it all unfolded. The lm, from Tim Fehlbaum and starring Peter Sarsgaard, John Magaro and Ben Chaplin, is a semi- ctionalized telling of those tense 22 hours, where a group of sports reporters including Peter Jennings managed to broadcast this international incident live to the world for the rst time. AP lm writer Jake Coyle said that news junkies will nd much to enjoy in the spirited debates over journalistic ethics and the vintage technologies. It’s also just a riveting tick-tock. “September 5” is available to watch on Prime Video.
The directing team (and real-life partners) behind “Saint Frances” made one of AP Film Writer Jake Coyle’s favorite movies of 2024 in “Ghostlight,” streaming Friday on Kanopy. The movie centers on a construction worker who joins a community theater production of “Romeo & Juliet” after the death of his teenage son. Coyle called it “a sublime little gem of a movie about a Chicago family struggling to process tragedy.”
MUSIC TO STREAM
Celebrate the late, great, eter-
nal Aretha Franklin with a glorious new concert special, “Aretha! With Sheléa and the Paci c Symphony” airing on PBS. The title is a giveaway: Sheléa and the Paci c Symphony team up to perform the Queen of Soul’s larger-than-life hits: “Respect,” “Natural Woman,” and “Chain of Fools” among them. On Friday, it will become available to stream on PBS: Public Broadcasting Service and the PBS App.
“These are the tall tales of a short rock star,” U2 frontman Bono introduces “Bono: Sto -
ries of Surrender,” a documentary lm based on his memoir, “Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story.” The project will become available to stream globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, and for the tech heads among us, it is also the rst full-length lm to be available in Apple Immersive on Vision Pro. That’s 180-degree video!
For lm fans, Yeule may be best known for their contribution to the critically acclaimed “I Saw The TV Glow,” which featured their dreamy cover of Broken Social Scene’s “Anthems for a Seventeen-Year-Old Girl” as a kind of theme song. On Friday, the singer-songwriter-producer will release their latest album, “Evangelic Girl Is a Gun” via Ninja Tune Records — an ambitious collection of electronic pop from a not-to-distant future.
TELEVISION TO STREAM
Sheri Papini, a woman who pleaded guilty and served jail time for lying to law enforcement about being kidnapped, is sharing her story for the rst time. A new docuseries features interviews with Papi-
ni, her family, attorneys and psychiatrist. She also takes a lie-detector test on camera and participates in reenactments. Papini maintains she was kidnapped by an ex-boyfriend but says they were having an emotional a air at the time. She claims he held her against her will, sexually and physically abusing her, before letting her go. “Sheri Papini: Caught in the Lie” is a four -part series streaming on Max.
Banks and Biel are Nicky and Chloe, dysfunctional sisters in the new Prime Video series “The Better Sister.”
It’s based on a novel by Alafair Burke. The two are estranged, and Chloe is raising Nicky’s son as her own — and also married to her ex. When a murder occurs, the sisters must become a united front. It premieres Thursday on Prime Video. In “Downton Abbey” and “The Crown,” Matthew Goode plays a charming English gentleman. In his new series “Dept. Q” for Net ix, he’s ... English. Goode plays Carl, a gru detective who is banished to the police station basement and assigned to cold cases. He forms a rag tag group to solve a crime that no one, not even himself, thinks can be cracked. “Dept. Q” is from the writer and director of “The Queen’s Gambit.” It premieres Thursday.
A new PBS documentary looks at the life and impact of artist George Rodrigue. He’s known for paintings of a big blue dog with yellow eyes (called Blue Dog) but also is credited for art that depicted Cajun life in his home state of Louisiana. Rodrigue’s paintings helped to preserve Cajun culture. What people may not realize is how the Blue Dog is connected to Cajun folklore. “Blue: The Art and Life of George Rodrigue” debuts Thursday and will also stream on PBS.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
Tokyo-based From Software is best known for morbid adventures like Dark Souls and Elden Ring — games that most players tackle solo, though they do have some co-op options. Elden Ring: Nightreign is built for multiplayer, sending teams of three warriors to battle the amboyant monsters of a haunted land called Limveld. Your goal is to survive three days and three nights before you confront an overwhelming Nightlord. This isn’t the sprawling, character-building epic fans would expect from the studio, but those who are hungry for more of its brutal, nearly sadistic action will
swords
this week in history
Queen Elizabeth II crowned at age 27, bloodshed in Tiananmen Square, Elizabeth Smart abducted
JUNE 1
1813: Capt. James Lawrence, mortally wounded commanding the USS Chesapeake, ordered, “Don’t give up the ship,” during a losing battle with the British HMS Shannon in the War of 1812.
1962: Former Nazi o cial Adolf Eichmann was executed after being found guilty of war crimes and crimes against humanity for his actions during World War II.
1980: Cable News Network, the rst 24-hour television news channel, made its debut.
JUNE 2
1924: Congress passed, and President Calvin Coolidge signed, the Indian Citizenship Act, a measure guaranteeing full American citizenship for all Native Americans born within U.S. territorial limits.
1941: Baseball’s “Iron Horse,” Lou Gehrig, died in New York at 37 from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also called Lou Gehrig’s disease.
1953: Queen Elizabeth II was crowned at age 27 at a ceremony in London’s Westminster Abbey.
JUNE 3
1888: The poem “Casey at the Bat” by Ernest Lawrence Thayer was rst published in the San Francisco Daily Examiner.
1935: The French liner SS
Beijing University students rallied in Tiananmen Square, where on June 4, 1989, Chinese troops killed thousands of prodemocracy protesters and dozens of soldiers.
JUNE 5
1794: Congress passed the Neutrality Act, which prohibited Americans from taking part in any military action against a country that was at peace with the United States.
1968: Sen. Robert F. Kennedy was shot and mortally wounded at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles; assassin Sirhan Bishara Sirhan was arrested at the scene.
2002: Fourteen-year-old Elizabeth Smart was abducted from her Salt Lake City home.
JUNE 6
1844: The Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) was founded in London.
Normandie set a record on its maiden voyage, arriving in New York after crossing the Atlantic in just four days.
1943: A clash between U.S. Navy sailors and Mexican American youth in Los Angeles sparked the Zoot Suit Riots, with white mobs injuring more than 150 people citywide.
JUNE 4
1812: The U.S. House of Representatives passed its rst war declaration, approving by a vote of 79-49 a declaration of war against Britain.
1940: British Prime Minister Winston Churchill declared to the House of Commons: “We shall ght on the beaches, in the elds, streets, and hills; we shall never surrender.”
1942: The World War II naval Battle of Midway began. 1989: Thousands of pro-democracy protesters and dozens of soldiers were killed when Chinese troops crushed a seven-week protest in Beijing’s Tiananmen Square.
1939: The rst Little League Baseball game was played in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
1944: During World War II, nearly 160,000 Allied troops landed in Normandy, France, on D-Day as they launched Operation Overlord to liberate German-occupied Western Europe. More than 4,400 Allied troops were killed on D-Day, including 2,501 Americans.
JUNE 7
1776: Richard Henry Lee of Virginia o ered a resolution to the Continental Congress stating “that these united colonies are and of right ought to be free and independent States.”
1929: The sovereign state of Vatican City formally came into existence as the Italian Parliament rati ed the Lateran Treaty in Rome.
1942: The Battle of Midway ended in a decisive victory for American naval forces over Imperial Japan, marking a turning point in the Paci c War.
Chris
The rapper is accused of attacking producer Abe Diaw
By Brian Melley
The Associated Press
LONDON — Grammy-winning singer Chris Brown was released on $6.7 million bail last Wednesday while facing allegations he beat and seriously injured a music producer with a bottle in a London nightclub in 2023.
The decision by a London judge to grant bail will allow Brown to launch a world tour next month that had been thrown into doubt last week when a district judge in Manchester ordered him into custody after he was charged with causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
Judge Tony Baumgartner in Southwark Crown Court said that Brown could go on tour, including several stops in the U.K.,
but would have to pay the bail to guarantee his court appearance.
Brown, who was not in court for the hearing, was released in the late afternoon from a jail in Salford, outside Manchester, where he had been arrested at a hotel last week.
Brown was initially scheduled to return to court on June 13. Had he remained in custody, he would have missed the rst two nights of his upcoming European tour, which starts next month. Brown, 36, is accused of an
der the name Hoody Baby and is a friend of Brown, was also charged in the assault.
unprovoked attack on producer Abe Diaw at a bar in the Tape nightclub in the swanky Mayfair neighborhood in February 2023 while he was on his last tour.
Prosecutor Hannah Nicholls said last week in Manchester Magistrates’ Court that Brown struck Diaw several times with a bottle and then punched and kicked him in an attack caught on surveillance camera in front of a club full of people.
American musician Omololu Akinlolu, 38, who performs un-
Neither Brown nor Akinlolu have entered a plea yet. Both men were ordered to appear in court again on June 20.
Brown, who burst onto the music scene as a teen in 2005, won his rst Grammy for best R&B album in 2011 for “F.A.M.E.” and then earned his second in the same category for “11:11 (Deluxe)” earlier this year. His hits include songs such as “Run It,” “Kiss Kiss” and “Without You.”
His tour is due to kick o June 8 in Amsterdam before starting North America shows in July.
AP PHOTO
Queen Elizabeth II is seated on the throne at her coronation on June 2, 1953, aided by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Bath and Wells.
