RNC Chairman Whatley plans U.S. Senate run with Trump’s backing
Michael Whatley, chairman of the Republican National Committee, plans to run for an open Senate seat in North Carolina in 2026 with the blessing of President Donald Trump, after Trump’s daughter-in-law, Lara, passed on the opportunity to run.
Democrats see the race as their top chance to ip a seat as they try to regain control of the Senate. Republican Sen. Thom Tillis announced last month that he wouldn’t run for a third term, a decision that came after clashes with Trump. Whatley’s decision was con rmed by two people familiar with his thinking.
Columbia University agrees to pay more than $220M to restore federal funding
Columbia University has reached a deal with the Trump administration to pay more than $220 million to the federal government. The agreement was made to restore federal research money that was canceled in the name of combating antisemitism on campus. The Ivy League school announced the agreement Wednesday. It will pay a $200 million settlement over three years to the federal government. The White House says it will also pay $21 million to resolve alleged civil rights violations against Jewish employees that occurred following the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The school had been threatened with the potential loss of billions of dollars in government support.
House subcommittee votes to subpoena DOJ les on Epstein
A House subcommittee has voted to subpoena the Department of Justice for les in the sex tra cking investigation into Je rey Epstein. Democrats successfully goaded GOP lawmakers to defy Trump and Republican leadership to support the action. Democrats on a subcommittee of the powerful House Committee on Oversight made a motion for the subpoena Wednesday afternoon, just hours before the House was scheduled to end its July work session and depart Washington for a monthlong break. Three Republicans on the panel voted with Democrats for the subpoena, sending it through on an 8-2 vote tally.
Stanly County Schools dedicates new Endy Elementary building
SCS sta and elected o cials took part in the ceremony
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Many of the fourth and fth graders scheduled to go attend Endy Elementary will return to school next month in a newly constructed building. Stanly County Schools (SCS), along with district sta , members of the school board, county commissioners and more, gath-
ered Wednesday morning to celebrate the building’s opening with a ribbon cutting.
The new extension at Endy has 10 classrooms along with a professional learning community room for teachers. According to sta , the PLC room may eventually become an 11th classroom.
The new 14,331 square-foot classroom building was contracted at $3.982 million and the built price was $3.931 million.
At the dedication ceremony, SCS Superintendent Jarrod Dennis welcomed public ocials, sta and members of the community to the ceremony.
The Rev. Warren Brown from West Stanly Baptist Church delivered the invocation, noting his church’s dedication to youth and community outreach.
Robin Whittaker, Stanly County School Board chair, spoke about her experiences with Endy Elementary. She said when her granddaughter, Kennedy Whitley, attends school next month, four generations of her family, including herself, will have gone to Endy. “That’s something you don’t see every day, and it’s something
Rich eld Town Commission discusses law enforcement with full board in attendance
Mike Beaver attended his rst council meeting since April
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
RICHFIELD — The town commission this week updated citizens on the law enforcement situation while welcoming back one board member who had missed a couple of regular meetings. Coupled with the resignation of its elected mayor, one town commissioner missed two consecutive months of regular meetings before at-
Robin Whittaker,
tending Monday’s regularly scheduled meeting.
Mike Beaver, the commissioner in charge of the town’s maintenance department, said he informed the town commission about a change in his job, which would temporarily mean he would have to work nights.
“What I’m doing now is just temporary,” Beaver said after Monday’s meeting. “I have been a manager all my years, so (the manager) needed somebody to run second shift.”
Beaver added, “Come May of next year, (the job) will be
Carolina Wildlife Classic to return to Albemarle
The event is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 2
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Stanly County’s Farm Bureau Livestock Arena will once again host the annual event that was held prior to the arena’s grand opening last summer.
Outdoor enthusiasts can check out the Carolina Wildlife Classic on Aug. 2 between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m at 26130 Newt Road in Albemarle; tickets are $5 and free for children under 10.
Promoted by 704 Outdoors, the CWC is a one-day event that will host recreational vendors, door prizes and outdoor-themed activities.
“We are excited to announce the fth-annual event is returning to the Farm Bureau Livestock Arena,” 704 Outdoors owner John MacPherson said in an event announcement. “Come check out all of the great hunting and shing vendors, food trucks and more. We will be holding another archery shoot in the are -
na as well as expanding the ipping competition.”
Previously held at the Stanly County Fairgrounds before coming to Stanly’s new livestock arena, the latest installment of the CWC will host vendors such as Jackson Outdoors, Nailed It Bait and Tackle, Gold Digger Wild Game Attractant, Don’s Rod and Reel, and Southern Outdoors, among others.
“Make a weekend of it and explore our county,” MacPherson added. “Go try out the shing gear from the event at Badin, Tillery or Tuckertown. Bring the family for dinner and a movie at the Badin Road Drive-In. So much to do while you’re in town!”
The event will also hold an archery shoot with registra-
tion at 9 a.m. and the competition beginning at 10 a.m. Entry is $20 and winners will receive prizes from CWC’s sponsors and partners. Giveaways will include a four-burner grill and griddle combo from Cabela’s, a camping tent with a screened porch, a cornhole set, a Wise Eye data cam, a Porta Climb tree stand, Bass Pro Shops gift cards, shing poles and more.
“Don’t miss this amazing show brought to us from 704 Outdoors,” the Stanly Convention and Visitors Bureau said. “Lots of great vendors with all sorts of hunting, shing and outdoor gear. Some really great prizes as well. Come to Stanly County and enjoy all we have to o er, especially in the great outdoors!”
Based in Albemarle, 704 Outdoors also hosts the Carolina Coyote Classic hunting tournament, the AQUAFest shing and watersports showcase, along with guided wild hog hunts and other hunting experiences throughout the year. Additional information about the outdoor lifestyle brand and hunting-focused TV series is available at 704outdoors.tv.
July 28
July 31
Shake, Rattle & Roll 10:45-11:15 a.m.
Music and movement class for children ages 0-4 and their caregivers. These classes are designed to promote emotional, cognitive and social development, improve social skills, and encourage caregiver/child bonding! Albemarle Main Library 133 E. Main St. Albemarle
July 28 to Aug. 3
The Duke’s Feast: Albemarle Downtown Restaurant Week 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily
From July 28 through Aug. 3, two downtown Albemarle restaurants will o er exclusive dine-in dinner specials. Enjoy a unique three-course meal at two restaurants in Albemarle’s historic downtown, Five Points Public House and The Courthouse Tavern & Table, will o er a special multicourse meal. Tickets range from $25 to $35 each. Call ahead to reserve your spot at the restaurant of your choice.
Aug. 1
Food Truck
THE CONVERSATION
Neal Robbins, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
Playing with fire: In defense of controlled burns
Forest res are natural. There are two primary ways to respond to this uncomfortable reality.
THE DEVASTATING loss of Grand Canyon Lodge isn’t a reason to put new restrictions on good re.
The North Rim of Grand Canyon National Park is a marvel. A few summers ago, a friend and I took our sons there and drank in the remarkable views. Personally, I found it more breathtaking than the heavily tra cked South Rim. The historic Grand Canyon Lodge was also impressive.
Earlier this month, the National Park Service announced that the Dragon Bravo Fire had destroyed the lodge and dozens of other structures. Fortunately, all guests and sta had been evacuated, and there were no fatalities. The North Rim will remain closed for the rest of the year.
The political fallout from this re will likely last longer than that. Lightning started the Dragon Bravo Fire on July 4. Federal o cials initially decided to manage the re. In hindsight, that was a mistake. Unexpected wind gusts spread the re rapidly. Leaking chlorine gas from the water treatment plant also forced re ghters to retreat. The result was a devastating loss of this landmark.
Arizona politicians are already attacking the federal government’s actions. Arizona’s Democrat senators, Ruben Gallego and Mark Kelly, penned a letter to Interior Secretary Doug Burgum questioning why the re was allowed to continue burning, especially given how hot the Arizona summer has been. It will be productive to seek answers about this speci c re. But it’d be destructive to use this tragedy as a reason to limit controlled burns in the future.
Forest res are natural. There are two primary ways to respond to this uncomfortable reality. The rst is to proactively use good re — prescribed burns — to eliminate the buildup of dead vegetation and obtain other ecological bene ts. Intentionally setting res is especially common in the Southeast. As of mid-July, more than 1.3 million acres have burned in Georgia from more than 61,000 controlled burns. It’s had less than 23,000 acres burn from wild res, according to federal data. It had similar numbers last year. The downside is what happened in Arizona.
In contrast, forest res in the West are
usually suppressed as soon as possible, the second response. The bene ts of this policy are obvious: Stop re as soon as possible and avoid high-pro le failures like the one at the North Rim. But there’s a long-term cost. The fuel that controlled burns would have eliminated builds up over years or decades.
“That’s a de facto policy for the hottest possible res, where the only large res that burn are those too hot to stop,” Taylor McKinnon, Southwest director for the Center for Biological Diversity, told The Arizona Republic.
Think of the 2018 Camp Fire in California, which killed 85 people and destroyed more than 18,000 structures, or California’s 2020 August Complex re, which burned more than 1 million acres.
The original Grand Canyon Lodge opened in 1928 but burned down in a 1932 kitchen re. It was rebuilt, as this one should be. Once it reopens, o cials should proactively use controlled burns to protect it.
Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and host of the “Sharpening Arrows” podcast.
What will AI do for our happiness?
“We believe we are poised for an intelligence takeo that will expand our capabilities to unimagined heights. We believe Arti cial Intelligence is our alchemy, our Philosopher’s Stone — we are literally making sand think.”
THE WEST FACES a series of serious economic challenges: a demographic collapse that undermines growth; a welfare state that sucks money from the future and dispenses it in the present; a regulatory structure that focuses more on redistributionism and topdown control than on innovation. But, we are told, there is one enormous hope for the future of the global economy: arti cial intelligence. AI will skyrocket economic productivity; it will provide us both information and innovation; it will solve insoluble problems and shrink timeframes to the in nitesimal. Marc Andreessen, investor extraordinaire, sums up the vision: “We believe we are poised for an intelligence takeo that will expand our capabilities to unimagined heights. We believe Arti cial Intelligence is our alchemy, our Philosopher’s Stone — we are literally making sand think.” By the available evidence, Andreessen is right: AI will be extraordinary. Already, AI can write better than most writers, think better than most professors and innovate better than most businesspeople. The question is: What comes next? For Andreessen, the answer is simple: whatever we want. “Material abundance from markets and technology,” he says, “opens the space for religion, for politics, and for choices of how to live, socially and individually.”
This is indeed an inspiring vision. And yet an antagonistic strain has emerged amid this generalized optimism. That
strain takes two forms — one economic, the other spiritual.
The economic strain suggests that AI will rob us of our jobs, reducing us to dependence on the welfare state. Historically speaking, this is unlikely: There will always be things that humans can do that AI can’t. The computer revolution didn’t destroy American jobs, and neither did the automotive revolution. And if AI becomes all- encompassing in its capacity, as Andreessen explains, that would imply such an unprecedented level of prosperity that scarcity itself would become a thing of the past.
The spiritual strain of the anti-AI argument is di erent: It suggests that better technology will not solve our spiritual problems. If AI is better than we are at everything — if we suddenly nd ourselves with hours more of free time and nothing to occupy it; if our skills are so diminished next to those of AI that any e ort seems enervating; if AI makes it so easy to answer our questions that we never have to expend e ort at all — then what do we do with our lives?
The reality is that this line of argumentation isn’t wrong, so far as it goes. It just doesn’t go very far. AI, like any other technological development, shouldn’t bring us happiness; it should reduce misery. These aren’t the same thing. It’s obviously far more di cult to be happy when we’re experiencing misery — if you have cancer, that’s a serious
challenge to happiness — but alleviation of misery doesn’t guarantee happiness. In other words, the spiritual criticism of AI is misguided: AI is designed to alleviate pain and su ering, not to maximize our happiness. And asking it to maximize our happiness is like trying to dry one’s hair with a hammer: We’re using the wrong tool.
None of which is to say that AI won’t increase misery in the short term for many people. AI certainly raises challenges in every eld from parenting to business to art. But our true societal challenges aren’t with AI; they’re with us. And they’re the same problems that have always been with us: the problem of individualism and community; the problem of purpose and meaning. And those problems are solvable. In an increasingly atomized age, it’s easy to blame the machines for our spiritual failures. But we are responsible for our own ful llment and happiness. We could start by encouraging more people to ll their lives with the nonmaterial things that matter: church and family, predominantly. The alternative — stopping technological progress in its tracks — risks increasing misery without increasing happiness.
Ben Shapiro is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of “The Ben Shapiro Show” and co-founder of Daily Wire+. He is a three-time New York Times bestselling author.
COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS
COLUMN | BEN SHAPIRO
obituaries
Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye
April 17, 1936 ~ January 14, 2023
Barbara Jean Taylor Drye, 86, of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 14, 2023 at her home.
Brenda Gail Hopkins Poplin
Sept. 1, 1943 – July 19, 2025
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.
Brenda Gail Hopkins Poplin, 81, of Locust, passed away peacefully at her home on Saturday, July 19, 2025. Brenda was born on September 1, 1943, in Stanly
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.
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.
Dwight Farmer
January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, 2023
Dwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes.
County, North Carolina. She was the daughter of Floyd and Zelma Lineberry Hopkins. She was preceded in death by her sister Delores Chandler and her brother Tommy Hopkins. Brenda is survived by her husband of 59 years, William Lee Poplin; son, Phillip Poplin (JoEllen Pederson); daughter, Beth Usery (Steve); grandchildren, Joshua (Molly), and Bethany (Shannon), and great grandchildren, Caleb and Landon. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 2:00pm, at the Salvation Army, 216 Patterson Ave SE, Concord, NC. A meet and greet will follow the service in the fellowship hall. Carolina Cremation is honored to serve the Poplin family of Locust. Online condolences may be made at www.carolinacremation.com.
Dwight was born January 24, 1939 in Stanly County to the late Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins Farmer. He was a 1957 graduate of Norwood High School and was a United States Army Veteran. He was a member of Cedar Grove United Methodist Church where he had served as church treasurer and choir member. He began his career with the Stanly County Sheri ’s Department moving to the Norwood Police Department and retiring as Chief of Police with the Town of Norwood after many years of service.
Ozzy Osbourne, godfather of heavy metal, dead at 76
The Black Sabbath frontman got a new audience with reality TV
By Mark Kennedy The Associated Press
OZZY OSBOURNE, the gloomy, demon-invoking lead singer of the pioneering band Black Sabbath who became the throaty, growling voice — and drug-and-alcohol ravaged id — of heavy metal, died Tuesday, just weeks after his farewell show. He was 76.
Either clad in black or bare-chested, the singer was often the target of parents’ groups for his imagery and once caused an uproar for biting the head o a bat. Later, he would reveal himself to be a doddering and sweet father on the reality TV show “The Osbournes.”
“Black Sabbath are the Beatles of heavy metal. Anybody who’s serious about metal will tell you it all comes down to Sabbath,” Dave Navarro of the band Jane’s Addiction wrote in a 2010 tribute in Rolling Stone. Sabbath red Osbourne in 1979 for his legendary excesses, like showing up late for rehearsals and missing gigs. He reemerged the next year as a solo artist with “Blizzard of Ozz” and the following year’s “Diary of a Madman,” both hard rock classics that went multi-platinum and spawned enduring favorites such as “Crazy Train,” “Goodbye to Romance,” “Flying High Again” and “You Can’t Kill Rock and Roll.” Osbourne was twice inducted to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame — once with Sabbath and as a solo artist.
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.
SIDNEY LEE SMITH
JUNE 16, 1948 – JULY 21, 2025
Sidney Lee Smith, 77, of Rich eld, passed away peacefully on July 21, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.
The family will receive friends on Friday, July 25, 2025, from 1-2:45 p.m. at New Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church. A funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., o ciated by Rev. Katie Lineberger. Interment will take place in the church cemetery.
James Roseboro
June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023
John B. Kluttz
Doris Jones
Coleman
Born on June 16, 1948, to the late Lawrence and Lillian Thompson Smith. Sid was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and friend. He is survived by his loving wife, Debra Smith; his children, Sarah Smith, Titus (Nicole) Russell, Brooke (Shayne) Brown, and Amie (Garrett) Hooks; and his cherished grandchildren, Gunnar Hooks, Alayna Russell, and Jaxton Hooks. He is also survived by his mother-in-law, Ruby Fraley, and his beloved canine companion, Benji.
March 23, 1935 - January 9, 2023
James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health and Rehab.
October 11, 1944 - January 10, 2023
The original Sabbath lineup reunited for the rst time in 20 years in July 2025 in the U.K. for what Osbourne said was his nal concert. “Let
his son Alex, brothers, Tommy and 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
Rock
Ozzy Osbourne poses for a photo in Los Angeles in 1981.
the madness begin!” he told 42,000 fans.
Osbourne embodied the excesses of metal. His outlandish exploits included relieving himself on the Alamo, snorting a line of ants o a sidewalk and, most memorably, biting the head o a live bat that a fan threw onstage during a 1981 concert. (He said he thought it was rubber.)
Audiences at Osbourne shows could be mooned or spit on by the singer, but the Satan-invoking Osbourne would usually send the crowds home with their ears ringing and a hearty “God bless!”
At the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction ceremony in 2024, Jack Black called him “greatest frontman in the history of rock ‘n’ roll” and “the Jack Nicholson of rock.”
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com
Much later, a wholesome Osbourne would be revealed when “The Osbournes,” which ran on MTV from 2002-2005, showed this one-time self-proclaimed madman drinking Diet Cokes as he struggled to nd the History Channel on his new satellite television. John Michael Osbourne was raised in the gritty city of Birmingham, England. Kids in school nicknamed him Ozzy, short for his surname. He is survived by Sharon, and his children.
Sid graduated from Albemarle High School in 1966, earned his associate degree from Wingate in May 1968, and completed his bachelor’s degree in medical technology from East Carolina University in May 1971. He enjoyed a long and meaningful career, retiring from McKesson in 2014.
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.
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.
Sid had a lifelong passion for music. A talented saxophonist, he was a proud founding member of the Stanly County Concert Band. Sid was also a member of the Elvis Band in Stanly County. He also found joy in woodworking and spending time outdoors. Whether building with his hands or enjoying the peace of nature, Sid embraced life with creativity, care, and gratitude.
In lieu of owers, the family welcomes donations to New Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church, 40237 Millingport Road, Rich eld, NC 28137, in honor of Sid’s passion for music and the church. He will be remembered for his quiet strength, generous spirit, and the deep love he shared with those around him.
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.
Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Smith family.
HAROLD MACK DRAKE
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.
JUNE 9, 1944 – JULY 22, 2025
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.
Harold Mack “Mack” Drake, 81, of Stan eld, passed away peacefully at his home on July 22, 2025. A memorial service to honor his life will be held at noon on Saturday, July 26, 2025, at Philadelphia Baptist Church, with Rev. Tab Whitley o ciating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the church.
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.
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!
Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted Coleman in 1966 and had two daughters Amy and Laura. Doris raised Amy and Laura in North Augusta, SC.
Born on June 9, 1944, in Cabarrus County, NC, Mack was the son of the late Brice Drake and Margie Hathcock Drake. He proudly served in the United States Army and carried that same spirit of commitment and service throughout his life. He later retired from Koch Industries and focused on cattle farming.
Mack was a longtime member of Philadelphia Baptist Church. In his younger years, he was active in local sports, both playing and coaching softball. This interest continued into later years as he became a devoted fan of his grandchildren in their sporting events, always cheering them on from the sidelines.
Mack had a lifelong love for animals and was a passionate advocate for their well-being. He built barns so elaborate they looked like hotels— rst for his cows and later for his horses—and had a special fondness for donkeys. Farming became a true passion in his retirement, o ering him joy, purpose, and a connection to the land he loved.
He is survived by his loving wife, Flavella Almond Drake; his daughter, April Drake Carpenter and husband Joey of Oakboro; two beloved grandchildren, Haley Brooke Munn (Landon) of Oakboro and Samuel Carpenter of Oakboro; and two great-grandsons, Drake and John Luke Munn.
He was preceded in death by his daughter, Jessica Drake, and his sister, Carolyn Drake Hinson.
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.
Mack’s legacy is one of devotion—to his country, his family and his animals. He will be remembered for his grit, heart and how he showed up for the people and causes he cared about most.
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.
JANET CAUDLE
AUG. 1, 1937 – JULY 22, 2025
Janet Flythe Stogner Caudle, 87, of Oakboro passed away on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, surrounded by her family and loved ones.
Darrick Baldwin
A graveside funeral service will be held on Friday, July 25, 2025, at 1 p.m. at Green Memorial Methodist Church Cemetery. Rev. Ron Dry will o ciate. The family will receive friends in the fellowship hall following the service.
January 7, 1973 ~ January 8, 2023
Janet was born on August 1, 1937, to the late Bainuel Jerome and Mattie Honey Stogner. She was a member of Green Memorial Methodist Church. At the age of 16, Janet began working at Collins and Aikman. While working there, she began her journey through cosmetology school. After nishing school, Janet opened her own salon: Caudle’s Beauty Salon.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her siblings: Mary Furr, Sylvia Deal, Henry Stogner, and BJ Stogner.
John restored many cars of his own and had the crowning achievement of winning the most prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered top points. He was also presented with the Ken Brady Service Awardthe highest award given to members at the national level. This is what John’s Model A Community had to say upon learning of his death: He was an active member of Wesley Chapel Methodist Church where he loved serving as greeter on Sunday mornings. He also belonged to the United Methodist Men.
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 is survived by her daughters: Renee Huneycutt (Mark), and Catrina Smith (Todd), four grandchildren: Bobby (Sharon), Ti any (Nick), Holly (Justin), and Justin (Kristy), six great grandchildren: Brooklyn, Easton, Cole, Aiden, Sawyer, and Scarlett, siblings: Harry Stogner, and Rilla Furr, and sister-in-law: Marie Stogner.
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.
He was educated in the Stanly County public schools and attended Albemarle Senior High School, Albemarle.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt and sincere thank you to Janet’s special caregivers: Dakota (Rick), Damiya, Amelia, Kara, Kristen, Chloe, Charlene, Madison, Madeline, Adriana and Makiyah.
In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to the Butter y House.
He was a great conversationalist and loved meeting people. Darrick never met a stranger and always showed love and compassion for his fellowman. He also loved his dog, Rocky.
He is survived by his father, Eddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra (Stoney) Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Baldwin, and Lamont Baldwin; a host of other relatives and friends. A limb has fallen from our family tree. We will not grieve Darrick’s death; we will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.
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.
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.
Proverbs 3:15 “She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.”
Doris was preceded in death by her father Arthur Raymond Jones, her mother Mary Ellen Cameron Jones, and her sister Maryanne Jones Brantley.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@northstatejournal.com
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.
DOUGLAS PIZAC / AP PHOTO
singer
that I am truly proud of,” Whittaker said.
Whittaker not only attended Endy but later worked on the sta of the school in 1985. When she was 22 years old, she interviewed for the job with longtime principal Steve Hopkins when the school was in the two-story building across from its current location.
“When I came in to interview with him, the rst thing he asked me was, ‘Can you type?,’” Whittaker said. “I said, ‘Yes, sir, I can.’”
Hopkins then asked her to take a typing test with a manual typewriter, which he set on top of a radiator, pulling a chair up to it.
“That was sort of my o cial welcome to this school,” Whittaker said.
The next year, the school moved across the street and later added a new building in 2000, the rst time Whittaker was on the school board.
“I feel like I’ve kind of gone full circle here,” she added.
Along with Dennis, Whittaker thanked various people in attendance, including SCS maintenance director Keith Benton, county commissioners and North Carolina state Sen. Carl Ford (R-Rowan). Commissioners in attendance included Scott E rd, Trent Hatley, Bill Lawhon and Billy Mills.
Whittaker thanked commissioners for “seeing the importance of this addition and for supporting us with the funding you did for the citizens of Stanly County.”
She also thanked her fellow school board members “for standing strong and making some tough decisions because we had to make some tough decisions that went along with this addition, but we’re going to continue to push forward.”
Glenda Gibson, who represents District 3 on the school board, where Endy is located, also went to Endy, and noted when her grandchildren attend Endy, it will make ve generations of her family at the school.
Gibson thanked many of the same attendees, including Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael and city council member Chris Bramlett.
She shared some of the history of the Endy community, noting how Endy got its name. According to Gibson, it was Arch Eudy who petitioned the government for a post o ce in 1899. When the paperwork came back after it was approved, the name was misspelled Endy instead of Eudy.
A wooden building rst housed Endy Elementary before moving to a two-story brick building in 1922.
“My love of learning and teaching began in that old two-story brick building that sat right across the street from our maintenance building. I played in that gym,” Gibson said. Gibson shared a humorous story of opening the cabinets of her sixth grade classroom in the basement of the brick building where she was going to teach her rst class.
“Oh no, is this a dungeon?” she quipped.
When they opened the cabinets, they found two snakeskins, which Gibson said made her “squeal and jump around.”
Hopkins said to her, “Don’t worry. We’ll get those snakeskins out of there. You won’t see any snakeskins down here, and if you do, they’re just going to be black snakes. They won’t bother anybody.”
Endy principal Jodi Autry spoke of her appreciation for the new building, her sta and her own child, who goes to the school.
“I just take so much pride in the school,” Autry said, having been its principal for the last six academic years.
“In the last ve years after COVID, I’ve seen the students, parents and community truly come together and be an even more vital part of the school.”
Autry talked about the past year having students so curious to watch the heavy equipment moving dirt and rocks to construct the new building.
“Most kids at this age want to be YouTubers, famous athletes, or TikTokers. Not our Endy kids. They want to drive a bulldozer.”
The building will house 10 fourth and fth grade classes starting Aug. 11.
Albemarle introduces new public utilities director
Tom Johnson brings 35 years of experience to the city
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Tom Johnson, the new director of the Albemarle public utilities department, has o cially begun his new job after being hired last month.
The former water resources director for Lexington was formally introduced to the public at the Albemarle City Council’s recent meeting at City Hall on Monday night.
“We’re very pleased to have Tom with us on board — today is his rst day,” Albemarle City Manager Todd Clark said. “He has previously led the full development of an advanced metering infrastructure system which we are currently under -
taking, so he’s got tremendous experience coming to us.”
Clark explained that Johnson previously oversaw the management of drinking water treatment, wastewater treatment, sewer collection and wa-
ter distribution in Lexington, leading a crew of four department managers and a sta of 45 people.
With 35 years of experience heading into his new job in Albemarle, Johnson also has also
worked in High Point, Winston-Salem and Thomasville, as well as with stints in the private sector. He earned a bachelor’s degree in business management from Brookstone College and holds certi cations in water treatment and wastewater treatment.
“For a new hire experiencing the rst day, it’s been an amazing journey,” Johnson said to the Albemarle City Council. “Your sta is amazing, and they’ve very welcoming and warm. It’s been really great with the whole onboarding process — a lot of municipalities could learn from what’s going on here. I’m excited to be a part of the team and jump right in there.”
“Thank you, and we’ll get to know you as we move forward,” Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael responded.
As Albemarle’s new public utilities director, Johnson will oversee the management of the city’s essential services and be responsible for ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations. The role also involves responding to service issues, working with regulatory agencies and implement-
“I’m excited to be a part of the team and jump right in there.”
Tom Johnson, public utilities director for Albemarle
ing policies to promote reliable utility services for residents and businesses. Under his new job title, he will also help to maintain local infrastructure, develop budgets, manage sta and coordinate utility projects to support the community’s needs.
As of late June, Albemarle began rolling out a comprehensive advanced metering infrastructure system that will replace all water and electric meters across homes and businesses. The new smart meters o er two -way, real-time communication of usage data, enabling the city to pinpoint outages, accelerate service restoration and improve billing accuracy.
Under the new system, customers will gain access to detailed daily or hourly usage information, helping them to better manage utility costs.
Smoking or oxygen machine may have caused deadly re at Massachusetts assisted-living
The presence of medical oxygen accelerated the
By Kimberlee Kruesi and Patrick Whittle
The Associated Press
FALL RIVER, Mass. — A re that killed 10 people at a Massachusetts assisted-living facility was unintentionally caused by either someone smoking or an electrical issue with an oxygen machine, investigators said Tuesday.
The state’s deadliest blaze in more than four decades has highlighted the lack of regulations governing assisted-living facilities that often care for low-income or disabled residents. So far, investigators have remained mum on the possibility of criminal charges related to the re at Gabriel House in Fall River, and declined to answer when asked during a Tuesday press conference.
The Massachusetts re marshal, Jon Davine, said the presence of medical oxygen contributed to the re’s spread on the night of July 13. The blaze left some residents of the three-story building hanging out windows and screaming for help.
“Please, there’s truly no safe way to smoke. But smoking is especially dangerous when
home oxygen is in use,” Davine told reporters on Tuesday. Investigators are still collecting evidence on numerous aspects of the case, including whether the facility’s sprinkler system worked as it should, said Thomas Quinn, the district attorney for Bristol County. He told reporters there was no sign that electrical outlets, lights, heaters or cooking appliances sparked the re.
The blaze began in a studio apartment on the second oor of the facility, where investigators found the remains of smoking materials, a battery-powered scooter and an oxygen concentrator. It’s hard to know
exactly what happened, Davine said, because the person who lived in the room was among the victims of the re.
Members of the local reghter’s union have said understa ng made it harder to respond to the blaze, and made the re deadlier.
Earlier Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Maura Healey said the state was releasing $1.2 million to hire more emergency response personnel for blue-collar city about 50 miles south of Boston. She said additional funds will be fast-tracked for the state’s municipal public safety sta ng program.
“We are here today to listen,”
“Please, there’s truly no safe way to smoke. But smoking is especially dangerous when home oxygen is in use.”
Jon Davine, Massachusetts re marshal
Healey said at a news conference, “to make sure that we understand what this community needs now and moving forward in the wake of this tragedy.”
The district attorney’s o ce identi ed the 10th victim as Halina Lawler, 70, on Monday.
The victims of the re ranged in age from 61 to 86.
A state agency is doing a monthlong investigation into the 273 assisted-living facilities in Massachusetts to make sure they’re ready to protect residents during emergencies, the governor said.
Meanwhile, legal wrangling over who bears responsibility for the Gabriel House re has already begun.
A resident of Gabriel House led a lawsuit Monday alleging the facility was not properly managed, sta ed or maintained and that “emergency response procedures were not put in place.”
home
Trapped in his room during the re, Steven Oldrid was in an “already compromised physical condition” when he su ered smoke inhalation and lost consciousness, according to the complaint. As a result, Oldrid says he has increased mobility restrictions and has racked up medical bills.
George K. Regan Jr., a spokesperson for the facility owned by Dennis Etzkorn, did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment on the lawsuit. A phone message was also left with Oldrid’s attorney. Public injury law rm Morgan & Morgan also said last week it was hired to investigate the re by the family of a resident who died, spokesperson Emily Walsh said, including possible issues with sta ng, training and safety equipment. Etzkorn says he is cooperating with investigations. Gabriel House issued a statement Monday emphasizing the importance of nding out “exactly what caused this catastrophe, and if there were factors that made it worse.”
“Maintaining compliance with all safety and building codes has always been our priority, and there were quarterly inspections of the re suppression system – the latest as recently as ve days prior to the re,” the facility’s spokesperson said.
KIMBERLEE KRUESI / AP PHOTO
Boards cover the windows of the Gabriel House assisted living facility on July 15 in Fall River, Massachusetts.
COURTESY CITY OF ALBEMARLE
Tom Johnson, left, is introduced as Albemarle’s new public utilities director by City Manager Todd Clark (right).
Appeals court nds Trump’s e ort to end birthright citizenship unconstitutional
The 9th Circuit decision pushes it one step closer to the Supreme Court
By Lindsay Whitehurst and Hallie Golden The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A federal appeals court in San Francisco ruled Wednesday that President Donald Trump’s order seeking to end birthright citizenship is unconstitutional, a rming a lower-court decision that blocked its enforcement nationwide.
The ruling from a threejudge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals comes after Trump’s plan was also blocked by a federal judge in New Hampshire. It marks the rst time an appeals court has weighed in and brings the issue one step closer to coming back quickly before the Supreme Court.
The 9th Circuit decision keeps a block on the Trump administration enforcing the order that would deny citizenship to children born to people who are in the United States illegally or temporarily.
“The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Order’s proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree,” the majority wrote.
The James R. Browning United States Courthouse building in San Francisco is the headquarters of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
“Denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional.”
Court of Appeals ruling
versal relief with good faith skepticism, mindful that the invocation of ‘complete relief’ isn’t a backdoor to universal injunctions,” he wrote.
Bumatay did not weigh in on whether ending birthright citizenship would be constitutional.
The Citizenship Clause of the 14th Amendment says that all people born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to U.S. jurisdiction, are citizens.
Justice Department attorneys argue that the phrase “subject to United States jurisdiction” in the amendment means that citizenship isn’t automatically conferred to children based on their birth location alone.
The White House and Justice Department did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.
The Supreme Court has since restricted the power of lower court judges to issue orders that a ect the whole country, known as nationwide injunctions.
The 2-1 ruling keeps in place a decision from U.S. District Judge John C. Coughenour in Seattle, who blocked Trump’s e ort to end birthright citizenship and decried what he described as the administration’s attempt to ignore the Constitution for political gain. Coughenour was the rst to block the order.
But the 9th Circuit majority found that the case fell under one of the exceptions left open by the justices. The case was led by a group of states who argued that they need a nationwide order to prevent the problems that would be caused by birthright citizenship only being the law in half of the country.
“We conclude that the district court did not abuse its dis-
cretion in issuing a universal injunction in order to give the States complete relief,” Judge Michael Hawkins and Ronald Gould, both appointed by President Bill Clinton, wrote. Judge Patrick Bumatay, who was appointed by Trump, dissented. He found that the states don’t have the legal right, or standing, to sue. “We should approach any request for uni-
The states — Washington, Arizona, Illinois and Oregon — argue that ignores the plain language of the Citizenship Clause as well as a landmark birthright citizenship case in 1898 where the Supreme Court found a child born in San Francisco to Chinese parents was a citizen by virtue of his birth on American soil.
Trump’s order asserts that a child born in the U.S. is not a citizen if the mother does not have legal immigration status or is in the country legally but temporarily, and the father is not a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. At least nine lawsuits challenging the order have been led around the U.S.
gone unless it ends sooner.”
He added he may miss meetings in the future but would try to be there for any important town decisions.
Law enforcement coverage
In the meeting, the topic of law enforcement coverage by the Stanly County Sheri ’s ofce came up.
Carolyn Capps, town administrator, said the new car for the town of Rich eld has been ordered but “it is not here yet.”
Capps said the town has two zone o cers covering the area currently, meaning neither work full-time in the city limits.
Commissioner Kevin Almond said he was told the previous o cer’s car has been seen in the western part of the county, still having a Rich eld sticker on it.
In a phone interview Monday night, Sheri Je Crisco said the car and the former Rich eld o cer, Danny Belcher, were working in the western part of the county. Crisco said Belcher is still driving the former Rich eld car until the shipment of new car for the sheri ’s o ce is delivered.
Regarding Rich eld, Crisco said there was always coverage in the town.
“It just isn’t someone assigned to Rich eld speci cally,” he said.
Crisco con rmed the words of Commissioner Christy NeCaise, who said the town has not been billed yet because the sheri ’s o ce has not lled the position yet.
The sheri con rmed via phone that o cers in his department were o ered the position in Rich eld, but those o cers “were happy where they were working.”
Sgt. Tristan Furr was asked by the mayor pro tem about the coverage. He said the area is covered by one zone car and two split-shift cars, and at any time, there could be up to three cars in the area.
When asked by the board, Furr added the response time for a car would “generally be within 10 minutes.”
Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@stanlynewsjournal.com | Weekly deadline is Monday at noon
What is hospice care?
Hospice care aims to ease pain in patients who are not expected to recover from their condition; life expectancy is 6 months or less and treatment is no longer being pursued.
What is palliative care?
Palliative care aims to ease pain and help with symptoms caused by a chronic or serious illness but is not considered to be life-limiting at this time. This service adds an extra layer of support working in conjunction with an individual’s medical team and life-prolonging medications or treatments.
STANLY SPORTS
All-time girls’ basketball scorer in Stanly County plays in East-West All-Star Game
Albemarle’s Amari Baldwin started for the West team in Monday’s NCCA All-Star Game in Greensboro
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
GREENSBORO — The Novant Health Fieldhouse in Greensboro hosted the North Carolina Coaches Association’s annual East-West All-Star basketball games Monday night.
Amari Baldwin, the all-time leading scorer in the history of high school basketball in Stanly County, represented Albemarle High School by starting in the women’s game.
She is the rst Albemarle women’s basketball player to play in the All-Star game since Akela Branch played in 2014. Branch is second all time in Albemarle women’s basketball history in career points and third behind Baldwin and South Stanly’s Latoya Wilson.
Baldwin played 20 minutes for the West team and nished with seven points, four rebounds, three steals and two assists in a 97-85 loss to the East All-Stars. She shot 3 of 12 from the eld and missed a pair of free throws.
“Playing in the East-West All Star Game was truly a blessing,” Baldwin said.
“Being surrounded by so much talent and support reminded me why I love this game. I’m so grateful for the opportunity and for everyone who’s been part of my journey. This was the perfect ending to my high school career as it felt like a true celebration of everything I’ve worked for and the people who believed in me along the way.”
Baldwin added she enjoyed playing against a future teammate at Winston-Salem State University, the East’s Taniyah Simms.
“High school basketball taught me more than just how to win games,” Baldwin said.
“It showed me the values of discipline, teamwork and pushing through when things get tough. The memories I made on that court will stay with me for life.”
See BALDWIN, page B2
Former North Stanly Comet earns professional bodybuilding certi cation
Bart Gramling, a 2009 North Stanly grad, earned his pro card at a recent national event in New Jersey
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
HE WAS A powerhouse student-athlete while playing three di erent sports at North Stanly. Now, one former Comet has found a new forum in which to shine.
Bart Gramling, who was a three-sport standout for the Comets, reently earned honors at a national bodybuilding competition.
The National Physique Committee Team Universe national show in Teaneck, New Jersey, was a three-day competition with di erent divisions each day. The national shows are where amateur bodybuilders compete in order to reach pro status, which is what Gramling earned from his e orts at the event.
He said he and four other teammates competed in the men’s physique competition on Thursday of the event, going up against close to 200 competitors. He added he is coached by Tom Cox, who coaches di erent bodybuilding athletes on the Unchained Physiques team.
Gramling said he started preparing for his rst show 11 years ago in early 2014, when he was approached to take up the sport.
“I actually had someone come up
“That’s all it took.”
and ask if I thought about competing, which at the time I didn’t,” Gramling said.
“I just enjoyed working out, but being in competitive sports all my life, it piqued my interest.”
As part of that conversation, he added, his friends made a bet with Gramling that he could not win a bodybuilding competition.
“That’s all it took,” Gramling said. “Being the competitive person I am, I had to prove them wrong.”
Gramling said he has been working out and lifting weights for 15 years in total, spending a minimum of two hours in the gym ve to six days a week.
He said his plans are to take a year o from active competition “to add more size and max out the pro weight cap for my height. A life goal would be to compete at the Olympia. I believe I have what takes to make a name for myself in the pro leagues.”
Gramling, who graduated from North in 2009, participated in a sport in each season for the Comets, playing football in the fall, basketball in the winter and track in the spring.
Bart Gramling, on being bet he could not win in bodybuilding
KEVIN DORSEY
Amari Baldwin goes up against two defenders in the 2025 NCCA East-West All-Star game Monday in Greensboro.
COURTESY
Bart Gramling poses at the 2025 NPC event in Teaneck, New Jersey, where he won his pro card.
Pfei er Joe Ferebee Field will be the home of the university’s upcoming summer baseball camp for children.
Pfei er to host summer baseball camp for kids
The camp is scheduled for Monday to Thursday
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
MISENHEIMER — This coming week, Pfei er University is o ering a four-day summer baseball camp for children ages 5 to 13 at Joe Ferebee Field in Misenheimer.
Sessions are scheduled from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m on Monday through Thursday.
“Looking for one last summer camp before the kids head
BALDWIN from page A1
back to school? There’s still time to sign up your kids for camp at The Joe,” Pfei er Athletics said in a statement.
The camp will be led by members of the Falcons coaching sta and current players, with instruction tailored by age and skill level to ensure a safe and productive experience for all participants.
Check-in is set to take place each morning from 8:30-9 a.m.
— space is limited to 40 campers on a rst-come, rst-served basis.
Camp tuition is $150, payable by cash or check on the rst day.
Participants should bring a bat, glove, batting gloves, helmet,
“There’s still time to sign up your kids for camp at The Joe.” Pfei er Athletics
cleats and sneakers. Parents or guardians must bring a completed waiver form on the rst day.
In case of inclement weather, activities will move to Pfei er’s indoor or covered facilities.
To reserve a spot, email coach Craig Bolton at craig.bolton@
pfei er.edu with the child’s name and age; a con rmation email will be sent once the registration is accepted. For more information, contact Pfei er University’s athletics department.
Bolton has served as Pfei er’s coach since 2020, following a ve-year tenure as an assistant coach.
As of the 2025 season, he has compiled an overall record of 81–91 as head coach, with the Falcons achieving notable success in the 2018 and 2019 seasons via records of 31-7 and 30 -8, respectively. In 2022 and 2023, the team secured win-
terms of career points for women’s basketball. The Bulldogs won the Yadkin Valley Conference regular-season and tournament titles, making it three straight conference
overall in the state in
ning conference records, nishing third and fth in the USA South Conference.
Pfei er’s upcoming baseball camp for children is one of multiple camps the university is still o ering this summer for younger athletes — each led by the university’s coaching sta and held at various campus facilities — to help develop kills across multiple sports.
The Falcons will soon host its Volleyball Elite Camp (July 24 -25), Women’s Lacrosse Future Falcons Lax Day (July 26) and the Women’s Basketball Elite ID Camp (August 16).
championships for the program since the 1988-89 season with Baldwin on the team. In the past three seasons, Albemarle has a combined won-loss record of 72-14.
COURTESY
Reds provide update on Rhett Lowder’s status
The former North Stanly pitcher has started throwing again in his rehab process
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — The Cincinnati Reds are hoping that pitching prospect and former North Stanly ace Rhett Lowder will be available to play in the MLB’s developmental Arizona Fall League in October.
Casting doubts at the 23-year-old right-hander’s chances of returning for the current MLB season, Reds manager Terry Francona told team media members Monday that Lowder still has a long road ahead of him as he recovers from a right forearm strain and a left oblique strain.
“He’s been doing his rotational stu , and he’s going to start throwing this week,” Francona said of the Albemarle native, who has nally been cleared to start playing catch. “He’s going to have a pretty big buildup.”
The manager indicated he would rather save Lowder for the 2026 season than rush him back too early in his injury recovery process.
“It’s one of the things we don’t want to do,” Francona said. “Even if he doesn’t pitch for us, we want him to prepare because, one, maybe he pitches for us, but, two, if he doesn’t and goes home, he can have a seminormal winter.”
“He’s going to have a pretty big buildup.”
Cincinnati manager Terry Francona
Cincinnati placed Lowder — the team’s No. 2 prospect and seventh overall selection in the 2023 MLB draft — on the 60-day injured list back on June 4 after he su ered a severe oblique injury during a May 22 rehab appearance at Triple-A Louisville. While he had a strong six-start debut (1.17 ERA) last year in his rst big-league appearances with the Reds, he’s now been on the team’s injured list since the start of the 2025 season with a right forearm strain. It was originally reported in February that Lowder had been handled with caution in spring training due to a right elbow injury and wouldn’t be available
for the Reds’ rotation by Opening Day; he was making his rehabilitation process through the minor leagues before his secondary injury occurred in May.
The former Wake Forest star reported to the Reds’ complex in Goodyear, Arizona, on June 11 to begin the rehab program that he is currently in the process of climbing through.
The next few months will determine if he can play in the Arizona Fall League, which runs for about six weeks from October to mid-November each year and features top prospects from all 30 MLB organizations.
Since 1992, the league has given the MLB’s top prospects extra playing time against strong competition after the regular minor league season ends.
Oliver’s Erie Moon Mammoths debut in front of record crowd
The HBO host unveiled his rebrand of a minor league team
By Joe Reedy
The Associated Press
ERIE, Pa. — Besides being a fan, John Oliver has had a certain a nity for minor league baseball.
On Saturday, the comedian and host of HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” saw his latest crazy creation set out into the world as the Erie Moon Mammoths made their debut in front of a record crowd of 7,070 at UPMC Park.
“We’re sending our furry child out into the world and you are the custodian of it. Now, please be careful with our child,” Oliver said a couple hours before the Moon Mammoths took the eld against the Chesapeake Oyster Catchers.
Oliver spotlighted Minor League Baseball promotions and alternate nicknames during “Last Week Tonight” on May 4. At the end of the segment, Oliver invited teams to send in pro -
posals why they should get rebranded by the show’s sta . Forty-seven teams sent in pitches, including the Erie SeaWolves, the Double-A a liate of the Detroit Tigers.
Erie president Greg Coleman sent a list of 11 reasons why they were the perfect candidate, including: “The SeaWolves play baseball nowhere near the sea.”
“To have so many teams expressing interest was really edifying,” Oliver said. “I think it kind of validates the fact that we thought there was something special about minor league baseball. We thought this would be a group of people that would respond to the ludicrous idea that we had.”
Erie was announced as the winner May 18. After six weeks of research by Oliver and his sta , the Moon Mammoths were unveiled on June 29. That included the mascot named Fuzz, a purple woolly mammoth wearing a space helmet.
“Erie did stand out to us as being, you know, uniquely eccentric,” Oliver said. “And I say that as both a compliment and an insult, which is the big-
Ashelyn Tucker
South Stanly, softball
Ashelyn Tucker is a rising senior for the South Stanly softball team. She also plays volleyball and basketball for the Rowdy Rebel Bulls. She was among the team leaders in batting average and stolen bases last season.
Tucker is playing for the Mojo Tucker/Helms team this summer, and she helped lead an epic comeback at the Triple Crown southeast nationals in Georgia. She went 2 for 3 with a walk and three runs scored as Mojo stormed back from a 13-2 de cit to win 14-13, earning a spot in the tournament’s nal four.
gest compliment there is. There was something about the Moon Mammoth that spoke to us for being particularly odd. It felt like it could make a baseball team’s theme. You could almost see the logo in your head, and it felt like something to be extra surprising.”
The fact this came together in less than three months is a minor miracle. It usually takes 16 months for a team to have an alternate identity approved and then take the eld.
“I thought we had a good chance when I sent it in. And then when we were selected, it was a little surreal,” Coleman said. “And since then working with the “Last Week Tonight” team, they’ve been wonderful and detail oriented.”
Coleman said since the Moon Mammoths were unveiled, the team has done the equivalent of four years of online sales in three weeks. The line of people waiting to get into the team store, which was located in left eld, stretched out to near home plate in the concourse area.
In addition to throwing out the rst pitch, Oliver was a bat-
boy during one inning and also led the crowd in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh inning stretch. The cap and jersey that Oliver wore for the rst pitch are going to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
The Moon Mammoths will be back on Aug. 19 as well as Sept. 12 and 13. There will be at least four Moon Mammoths games next season.
“I love minor league baseball. There is a special eccen-
tricity to it,” Oliver said. “It felt like a nice t with our show because minor league baseball, as you know, is willing to try anything. That was proven by the fact that over half the league was willing to sight unseen, rebrand and put their trust in the hands of a group of people who are objectively untrustworthy. That’s a bad decision, and it’s that kind of bad decision making that I love about minor league baseball.”
Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Rhett Lowder throws during a 2024 game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
JOE REEDY / AP PHOTO
John Oliver prepares to throw the rst pitch at the debut game for the rebranded Erie Moon Mammoths.
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NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 25-SP-77 DONALD L. GALLOWAY, Executor for the
of JOHN W. GALLOWAY Deceased, Petitioner, vs. DONALD L. GALLOWAY, Trustee of the JOHN W. GALLOWAY Testamentary Trust Respondent.
NOTICE OF SALE
Under
Superior Court of Stanly County, North Carolina, entered on the 18th day of June, 2025, made in the above captioned Estate, the undersigned, was by said Order appointed Commissioner to sell the land described in the Petition, and will on the 31st day of July, 2025, at 12:00 Noon at the Stanly County Courthouse, Albemarle, North Carolina, o er for sale to the highest bidder for cash, that certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the Town of Stan eld, Stanly County, North Carolina and being more particularly described as follows: BEING 0.62 acre lot being bounded on the north by the margin of the southern margin of the southern right of way of NC Hwy 731, on the east by a 0.54 acre parcel, on the west by a proposed 50-ft. access right of way and being more particularly described as follows: The point of Beginning being a set ½” rebar with a plastic cap in the margin of the southern right of way of NC Hwy 731 and being in the eastern line of the proposed 50-ft. right of way, that said point is located the following four (4) bearings from NCGS Monument “Bubbles” (Nonhing=162015.487 meters; Easting = 510336.521 meters; Scale Factor = 0.9996729; NAD 1983 Datum) as follows: (1) Beginning at Grid Monument “Bubbles” and running S 51-50-09 W 594.25 feet to Grid Tie Corner “A”, being a found ½” rebar with a plastic cap, being the southwest corner of the 0.54 acre tract; (2) with the southern line of S 87-56-34 E 105.24 feet to a set ½” rebar with a plastic cap, being the southeast corner of said tract in the western line of the proposed right of way easement; (3) thence with the line of said right of way easement N 05-13-57 W 231.54 feet to a set ½” rebar with a plastic cap: (4) crossing the right of way easement and running N 89-23-50 E 50.16 feet to a set ½” rebar with a plastic cap, being the point of Beginning; thence from said point of Beginning and running with the southern right of way of NC Hwy 731, being a chord bearing S 89-41-39 E 127.68 feet (R=5654.58; A=127.68; D=1-17-37) to a set ½” rebar with a plastic cap; thence with a line of another 0.54 acre tract S 00-52-27 W 253.95 feet to a set railroad spike, being a common corner with said 0.54 acre tract; thence N 87-56-34 W 102.81 feet to a set ½” rebar with a plastic cap in the eastern margin of the 50ft. right of way; thence running with the eastern margin of said right of way N 0513-57 W 233.89 feet to the Point of Beginning and containing 0.62 acre as shown on a new lot survey for Rodney B. Foreman and Nathaniel M. Hammer dated April 3, 1997 prepared by SurveyTech, Jimmy R. Ellison, certifying RLS.
The above described tract is subject to a 50-ft. front setback line, a 25-ft. setback line on the western side of said tract, a 15-ft. setback line on the eastern side and a 40-ft. setback line on the southern side of said tract.
For reference, see Deed Book 1813, Page 1396, Stanly County Registry. For further reference see Deed Book 1755, Page 996, Stanly County Registry.
The Address of the property is: 48340 NC 731 Hwy., Norwood, Stanly County, North Carolina
The above-described real property will be sold subject to any and all liens or encumbrances, superior mortgages, deeds of trust liens, including, without limitation, easements, conditions, restrictions and matters of record, and any unpaid county and city ad valorem taxes, including those for the year 2025, and city assessments, if any. Subject to any encroachments.
An earnest money deposit equal to ve percent (5%) of the bid price, or $750.00, whichever is greater, will be required from the highest bidder at the time of sale as evidence of good faith.
This sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids. This the 19th day of June, 2025.
MARK T. LOWDER
Commissioner
M.T. Lowder & Associates Attorneys at Law P.O. Box 1284 Albemarle, NC 28002 Telephone: 704-982-8558 Fax: 704-986-4808 PUBLISH: July 20 and 27, 2025
NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Clerk Before the Clerk 25-E-375
Having quali ed as Executor of the Estate of Dorothy Waters Elliott, 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
ACL knee injuries have become an unstoppable epidemic
Even with medical advancements, the most common sports injury is still damaging
By Michael Jaenicke North State Journal
THE DETROIT Lions ruled
defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike out for the season with a torn ACL, a tough break for a team expected to compete for a Super Bowl berth before training camp even started. That caused an alarm bell to go o . Didn’t Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs have that same injury, as well as NBA all-pros and Olympians Kyrie Irving and Damien Lillard?
A similar ring came in locker rooms at high schools across North Carolina, where multiple players are slammed with knee injuries each year, and of course they play more than one sport to the impact of missing time is key.
One N.C. soccer coach saw “his best female scorer” forced o the pitch just before the state playo s. Basketball, softball and football players around North Carolina have all missed signi cant time.
Every year more than 200,000 people in the U.S. go under the surgeon’s knife for ACL reconstruction. And while recovery time is from nine to 12 months before athletes return to the eld, many are not the same as before their injury.
Unpreventable tears
One of ve athletes will have an ACL tear during their career and one of six from that group will have a second tear.
The risk during a competition is seven times greater than in practice and 75% will have a tear without direct contact.
Soccer, basketball, volleyball and football have the most ACL injuries as the knee is stressed by quick stops, change of direction, jumping, planting, landing and through direct contact. The ligaments separate into two pieces or is torn o the bone in ACL injuries. Often other parts of the knee is damaged, such as in meniscus tears and damage to other cartilage and ligaments.
“It’s the most common serious injury aside from ankle sprains,” said Heather Houston, the trainer at East Duplin. “You can’t prevent them from happening, even given the best training.”
Females more at risk than males
Females are up to nine times more likely to su er an ACL tear.
They tend to use the muscle in front of the thigh (quadriceps) when cutting and jumping, as opposed to using the hamstrings, putting too much pressure on the lower leg bone (tibia). Hamstrings actually work to pull the tibia backwards. So females overuse the ACL and underuse the hamstrings.
Immediate openings at Triangle Brick Company in Wadesboro, NC.
GENERAL SUMMARY:
EDWARDO PUAC / NORTH STATE JOURNAL
The knee takes the biggest beating in sports such as soccer, basketball, volleyball and football. An ACL joint is damaged by jumping, landing, changing directions quickly or sudden stops. ACL surgery will keep an athlete o the eld for eight to 12 months — and when they return they will need time to adjust. NOW HIRING!
While it’s a health issue, an ACL surgery also carries a $17,000 and $25,000 price tag.
Recovery time is a bummer
Here’s the problem: many athletes, will never be the same after an ACL surgery. ACL repair is becoming more com-
mon, and that surgery may produce a better range of motion and faster than a complete tear down and rebuild of the joint.
“The medical and sports communities are working hard on ACL treatment and prevention,” said Dr. Jon Kornegay, a physician for ECU Health and coach of a high school girls bas-
ketball team. “A good deal of it is bio mechanical and workload management. But we don’t have a clear medical answer for all the causes of it.”
Anthony Phillips, a UNC physician at UNC, said plyometric training, strength training and neuromuscular training will reduce the risk of having an ACL problem.
Females develop lower body power through plyometric training and help with proper jumping and landing techniques.
Strength training focuses on strength imbalances between the quads and hamstrings.
Neuromuscular training focuses on increasing the stability of the knee joint. It deals “muscle ring patterns” that increase the knee’s stability.
Less severe ACL injuries can heal on their own with the proper rest and rehabilitation, but when the injury crosses the bridge to where surgery is required there is seemingly no return.
“They’ve come a long way in regard to the surgery itself,” said Kornegay. “It used to be the end for a lot of people.”
Currently the injury is followed by dark cloud of recovery.
Most need a year. Some can do it in eight months. Others fail completely. And yes, some do fully recover.
Research says preventative measures can be very effective. Not many coaches address the problem until it is a problem.
Therein lies the real problem.
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NOTICES
NOTICE OF LEGISLATIVE HEARING
STANLY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
STANLY COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA
Notice is hereby given that the Stanly County Board of Commissioners will, on Monday, August 4, 2025 at 6:00 p.m., hold one legislative hearing at the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room located at 1000 North First Street, Albemarle, NC to consider the following:
Item 1 -CR 25-04 - A request by Daniel Gri n for the Conditional Rezoning of an approximately four acre portion of a 34.2 acre tract located on Gri n Greene Boulevard (PIN #558404704428) in order to accommodate for a landscape and hardscape contracting business (Tax Record #9308).
Item 2 - A request for an ordinance adoption to declare the dwelling located at 49122 Willie Road, Rich eld, NC 28137 un t for human habitation and an order for demolition. Persons interested in speaking for or against this item will be heard.
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Having quali ed as Co-Executors of the Estate of Margaret A. Tyndall, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against said estate to present them, duly veri ed, to the undersigned at 344 West John Street, Matthews, NC 28105, on or before October 27, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned.
This the 27th day of July, 2025. Debra P. Hinson, f/k/a Debra D. Martin and Amy L. Clark, Co-Executors of the Estate of Margaret A. Tyndall, Stanly County File No. 25E000419-830, c/o Garrity & Gossage, LLP, 344 West John Street, Matthews, NC 28105.
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
The undersigned, having quali ed as the Executrix of the Estate of Charlie Hartsell, Jr. (a/k/a Charlie Junior Hartsell), 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 Executrix on or before the 14th day of November, 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 2nd day of July, 2025.
Jewell R. Smith Executrix of the Estate of Charlie Hartsell, Jr. (a/k/a Charlie Junior Hartsell)
35419 Dry Road Lot 81 Albemarle, NC 28001 David A. Beaver Attorney for the Administrator 160 N. First Street (P.O. Box 1338) Albemarle, NC 28001 (28002) 704-982-4915
• Maintain cleanliness and organization in work areas
• Team player with a positive attitude
• Regular and reliable attendance is required
• Work in all weather conditions
• Must be able to stand, stoop, bend, climb and lift 50 lbs.
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA, IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK
25E000389-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having duly quali ed as Executrix of the Estate of Juanita Thompson Hatley, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, are 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 6th day of October, 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 2nd day of July, 2025. Susan Hatley Furr Executrix of the Estate of Juanita Thompson Hatley 36452 Millingport Road New London, NC 28127 PUBLISH: July 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025.
James A. Phillips, Jr. Attorney for the Estate P.O. Box 1162 117 W. North Street Albemarle, NC 28002-1162
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000268-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as administrator of the estate of Judith Ann Carter, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the estate of said Judith Ann Carter to present them to the undersigned or before Oct 24, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. Wendell Scott Carter 12897 Maranatha Dr. Norwood, NC, 28128 wscottcarter@msn.com This 22nd day of June, 2025
NOTICE OF ADMINISTRATION
Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Ruth McAulay Caldwell, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, companies and other entities having claims against said estate to present them, duly veri ed, to the undersigned, care of Thomas J. Falish, Atty., 525 N. Tryon St., Suite 210, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202, on or before the 14th day of October, 2025, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate settlement with the undersigned. This the 13th day of July, 2025. Jacob B. Taylor, Administrator
NORTH CAROLINA
NOTICE
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STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO.
25E000403-830 Having quali ed as Co-Administrators of the estate of Larry Joe Almond Jr deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Larry Joe Almond Jr. to present them to the undersigned on or before October 27, 2025, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 27th day of July, 2025 Derek Lane Almond 1242 Magnolina Street Albemarle, NC 28001 Co-Administrator McKinley Brooke Almond 319 Kephart Way Holly Springs, NC 27540 Co-Administrator
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000146-830 Having quali ed as Administratrix of the estate of Minnie Annette Jones a/k/a Annette Bailey Jones, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Minnie Annette Jones a/k/a Annette Bailey Jones to present them to the undersigned on or
famous birthdays this week
“Gar eld “creator Jim Davis is 80, blues legend
Buddy guy celebrates 89, actor and Kinston native Jaime Pressly is 48
The Associated Press
THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week.
JULY 27
Olympic gold medal gure skater Peggy Fleming is 77. Comedian-actor-writer Carol Leifer is 69. Comedian Maya Rudolph is 53.
JULY 28
“Gar eld” creator Jim Davis is 80. TV producer Dick Ebersol is 78. Actor Sally Struthers is 78. Architect Santiago Calatrava is 74. Actor Lori Loughlin is 61.
JULY 29
Documentary lmmaker Ken Burns is 72. Style guru Tim Gunn is 72. Rock singer-musician Geddy Lee (Rush) is 72. Country singer Martina McBride is 59.
JULY 30
Actor and former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is 78. Singer-songwriter Kate Bush is 67. Film director Richard Linklater is 65. Actor Laurence Fishburne is 64. Film director Christopher Nolan is 55.
JULY 31
Jazz composer-musician Kenny Burrell is 94. Actor Geraldine Chaplin is 81. Entrepreneur Mark Cuban is 67. Rock musician Bill Berry (R.E.M.) is 67. Jazz guitarist Stanley Jordan is 66. Actor Wesley Snipes is 63. Musician Fatboy Slim is 62. Author J.K. Rowling is 60.
AUG. 1
Actor Giancarlo Giannini is 83. Basketball Hall of Fame coach Roy Williams is 75. Blues musician Robert Cray is 72. Rock singer Joe Elliott (Def Leppard) is 66. Rapper Chuck D (Public Enemy) is 65. Rock singer Adam Duritz (Counting Crows) is 61.
AUG. 2
Author Isabel Allende is 83.
AMY HARRIS / INVISION / AP PHOTO
Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones, pictured performing in 2024, turns 82 on Saturday.
RICHARD SHOTWELL / INVISION / AP PHOTO
Arnold Schwarzenegger, pictured at the season two premiere of “Fubar” in June, turns 78 on Wednesday.
RICHARD SHOTWELL / INVISION / AP PHOTO Jaime Pressly attends the 35th Annual Paleyfest at the Dolby Theatre in 2018 in Los Angeles. The actor and Kinston native turns 48 on Wednesday.
Actor Butch Patrick (TV: “The Munsters”) is 72. Rock music producer/drummer Butch Vig is 70. Actor Mary-Louise Parker is 61. Filmmaker Kevin Smith is 55. Actor Sam Worthington is 49. Actor Edward Furlong is 48.
Colbert, Stewart sharp critics of ‘60 Minutes’ deal
The cancellation of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” was announced last Thursday
By David Bauder The Associated Press
NEW YORK — This isn’t a joke. They’ve made that clear.
CBS “Late Show” host Stephen Colbert condemned parent company Paramount Global’s settlement of President Donald Trump’s lawsuit over a “60 Minutes” story as a “big fat bribe” during his rst show back from a vacation.
Colbert followed “The Daily Show” host Jon Stewart’s attack of the deal one week earlier. Stewart works for Comedy Central, also owned by Paramount, making the two comics the most visible internal critics of the $16 million settlement that was announced on July 1.
Colbert’s “bribe” reference was to the pending sale of Paramount to Skydance Media, which needs Trump administration approval. Critics of the deal that ended Trump’s lawsuit over the newsmagazine’s editing of its interview last fall with Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris suggested it was primarily to clear a hurdle to that sale.
“I am o ended,” Colbert said in his monologue last Monday night. “I don’t know if anything — anything — will repair my trust in this company. But,
just taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would help.”
He said the technical name in legal circles for the deal was “big fat bribe.”
Jon Stewart terms it ‘shameful’
Stewart began discussing the “shameful settlement” on his show a week earlier when he was “interrupted” by a fake Arby’s ad on the screen. “That’s why it was so wrong,” he said upon his “return.”
He discussed the deal in greater detail with the show’s guest, retired “60 Minutes” correspondent Steve Kroft, making his views clear through a series of leading questions.
“I would assume internally, this is devastating to the people who work in a place that pride themselves on contextual, good journalism?” Stewart asked.
“Devastating is a good word,” Kroft replied. A handful of media reports in the past two weeks have speculated that Skydance boss David Ellison might try to curry favor with Trump by eliminating the comics’ jobs if the sale is approved.
It would be easier to get rid of Stewart, since he works one night a week at a network that no longer produces much original content. Colbert is the ratings leader in late-night broadcast television, however, and is a relentless Trump critic.
The antipathy is mutual.
“I don’t know if anything — anything — will repair my trust in this company. But, just taking a stab at it, I’d say $16 million would help.”
Stephen Colbert
Trump called Colbert “a complete and total loser” in a Truth Social post last fall, suggesting CBS was wasting its money on him.”
Colbert slips in a quip Colbert alluded to reports about his job security in his monologue, pointing to the mustache he grew during his vacation. “OK, OK, but how are they going to put pressure on Stephen Colbert, if they can’t nd him?” he joked.
Colbert and Stewart both earned Emmy nominations this week for outstanding talk series. Together with ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel, all three nominees are tough on Trump.
CBS News journalists have largely been quiet publicly since the settlement’s announcement. Two top executives, CBS News CEO Wendy McMahon and “60 Minutes” executive producer Bill Owens, both quit or were forced out prior to the settlement for making their dissatisfaction about the idea known internally.
Steve Miller Band canceling tour over extreme weather
The 81-year-old wrote hit songs including “The Joker” and “Take the Money and Run”
By Isabella O’Malley The Associated Press
CLASSIC ROCKER
Steve Miller canceled his U.S. tour because he said severe weather including extreme heat and unpredictable ooding poses a danger to his band, its fans and crew.
The tour was set to kick o in August and run through early November, with nearly three dozen stops across the U.S. including cities in New York, Tennessee, Florida and California.
“The combination of extreme heat, unpredictable ooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and massive forest res make these risks for you our audience, the band and the crew unacceptable,” Miller, 81, said in a statement posted on the band’s social media accounts last Wednesday. “You can blame it on the weather. ... The tour is cancelled.”
The Steve Miller Band, formed in California in the 1960s, has hits including “The Joker” (1973) and “Abracadabra” (1982).
A band spokesperson declined to provide additional details about the cancellation.
Miller’s decision comes as a stretch of extreme weather in the U.S. has made headlines. A sweltering heat dome that baked much of the eastern half of the nation in June and deadly ash ooding in Texas are some of
“The combination of extreme heat, unpredictable ooding, tornadoes, hurricanes and massive forest res make these risks for you our audience, the band and the crew unacceptable.”
Steve Miller
the recent rounds of extreme weather.
Scientists say climate change is fueling extreme weather, causing storms to unleash more rain and sending temperatures soaring to dangerous heights, making it harder to plan outdoor summer events. The atmosphere can hold higher amounts of moisture as it warms, resulting in storms dumping heavier amounts of rain compared with storms of the past.
“Everyone wants to see their favorite artist, and that’s still possible. You just have to best mitigate weather risks,” said Jonathan Porter, chief meteorologist at AccuWeather, a private weather company. “For example, the doors may open an hour late in order to ensure thunderstorms have moved su ciently away from the venue so the show can go on safely.” Music festivals have recently encountered extreme weath-
er, resulting in cancellations or causing concertgoers to become ill. In June, the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Tennessee was canceled partway through due to heavy rainfall. Last week, hundreds of people were treated for heat-related illnesses at the Rock the Country music festival in Kentucky, according to local o
and
A
In 2023, tens of thousands of
cials.
Burning Man event attendees were stranded after heavy rain created thick mud in the Neva-
da desert
roads were temporarily closed.
study published in 2020 reported climate change will increase the likelihood of extreme heat stress during the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival in California.
CHARLES SYKES / INVISION /AP PHOTO
Steve Miller, pictured performing in 2023, canceled his U.S. tour, citing dangerous conditions from extreme weather.
YUKI IWAMURA / AP PHOTO
The nal episode of “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” is set to air in May 2026.
this week in history
WWI begins, Prince Charles marries Lady Diana, MTV debuts, “Wild Bill” Hickok shot
The Associated Press
JULY 27
1789: President George Washington signed a measure establishing the Department of Foreign A airs, forerunner of the Department of State.
1909: During the rst ocial test of the U.S. Army’s rst airplane, Orville Wright ew himself and a passenger, Lt. Frank Lahm, above Fort Myer, Virginia, for one hour and 12 minutes.
1940: Billboard magazine published its rst “music popularity chart” listing best-selling retail records.
1953: The Korean Armistice Agreement was signed at Panmunjom, ending three years of ghting on the Korean peninsula that killed an estimated 4 million people.
JULY 28
1794: Maximilien Robespierre and Louis Antoine de Saint-Just were executed by guillotine during the French Revolution.
1914: World War I began as Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.
1965: President Lyndon B. Johnson announced he was increasing the number of American troops in South Vietnam from 75,000 to 125,000.
JULY 29
1890: Artist Vincent van Gogh, 37, died of an apparent self-in icted gunshot wound in Auvers-sur-Oise, France.
1921: Adolf Hitler became the leader of the National Socialist German Workers’ (Nazi) Party.
1954: The rst volume of JRR Tolkien’s novel “The Lord of the Rings” (“The Fellowship of the Ring”) was published.
1981: Britain’s Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer at St. Paul’s Cathedral in London.
JULY 30
1619: The rst representative assembly in Colonial America convened in Jamestown in the Virginia Colony.
1916: German saboteurs blew up a munitions plant on Black Tom, an island near Jersey City, New Jersey, killing about a dozen people.
1956: President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed a measure making “In God We Trust” the national motto, replacing “E Pluribus Unum.”
AUG. 1
1876: Colorado was admitted as the 38th state in the Union, less than a month after the U.S. Centennial (earning it the nickname “the Centennial State”).
1936: Adolf Hitler presided over the opening ceremo -
nies of the Summer Olympics in Berlin.
1966: Charles Whitman, 25, killed 14 people in a shooting spree from the University of Texas clock tower in Austin.
1971: The Concert for Bangladesh, an all-star bene t organized by George Harrison of The Beatles and sitar player Ravi Shankar, was held at Madison Square Garden in New York.
1981: MTV launched its U.S. broadcast, debuting with “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles.
AUG. 2
1921: A jury in Chicago acquitted seven former members of the Chicago White Sox baseball team and two others of conspiring to defraud the public in the notorious “Black Sox” scandal.
1790: The rst United States Census began under the supervision of Thomas Je erson.
1876: Frontiersman “Wild Bill” Hickok was shot and killed while playing poker at a saloon in Deadwood, Dakota Territory, by Jack McCall.
Maximilien Robespierre and Louis Antoine de Saint-Just, key gures of the French
Terror, were executed by guillotine on July 28, 1794.
AP PHOTO
Prince Charles and his rst wife Diana, Princess of Wales, wave from the balcony of Buckingham Palace after their marriage July 29, 1981, at St. Paul’s Cathedral.
MARCEL AUBERT ET MARCEL ROUX / COLLECTION DE VINCK VIA WIKIPEDIA
