Supreme Court questions limits on political party spending in federal elections
Washington, D.C.
Conservative Supreme Court justices appeared to back a Republican-led drive, supported by President Donald Trump’s administration, to overturn a quarter-century- old decision and erase limits on how much political parties can spend in coordination with candidates for Congress and president. A day after the justices indicated they would overturn a 90-year- old decision limiting the president’s power to re independent agency heads, the court on Tuesday took up a 2001 decision that upheld a provision of federal election law that is more than 50 years old. The Republican committees for House and Senate candidates led the lawsuit in Ohio in 2022. Democrats are calling on the court to uphold the law.
Supreme Court seems likely to back Trump’s power to re independent agency board members
Washington, D.C.
The Supreme Court seems likely to expand presidential control over independent federal agencies, signaling support for President Donald Trump’s ring of board members. The court’s conservative majority suggested in arguments Monday it would overturn a 90-year-old decision that has limited when presidents can re agencies’ board members, or leave it with only its shell intact. Lawyers for the administration are defending Trump’s decision to re Federal Trade Commission member Rebecca Slaughter without cause and calling on the court to jettison the unanimous 1935 decision. The court already has allowed Slaughter and the board members of other agencies to be ousted from jobs even as their legal challenges continue.
U.S. job openings barely budged in October, coming in around 7.7M Washington, D.C.
U.S. job openings barely budged in October, coming in at 7.7 million amid uncertainty over the direction of the American economy. The Labor Department reported Tuesday that employers posted 7.67 million vacancies in October, close to September’s 7.66 million.
State turns down Stanly Schools on needs-based capital fund grant
The school district will reapply in 2026
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Stanly County Schools has released an update regarding an application it submitted in September for the state’s Needs-Based Public School Capital Fund grant.
After a competitive review process, SCS was not selected as a recipient for this year’s grant cycle.
“While this news is disappointing, we remain proud of the strong application we sub -
mitted and grateful for the tremendous support shown by our Board of Education, county partners, school leaders and community stakeholders throughout the process,” SCS
said in a statement on Dec. 4.
“Although we did not receive funding this year, our commitment to improving school facilities and providing safe, modern learning en-
Albemarle PD chief shares October crime report
Overall crime was down 17% compared to 2024
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Albemarle Police Chief Ryan Manley recently reported a drop in citywide crime for the month of October alongside an uptick in o cer patrols aimed at prevention and community safety.
Ryan Manley, Albemarle police chief
In a public report from Dec. 3, Manley said the Albemarle Police Department responded to 2,800 calls for service in October, a 22% rise from 2,300 calls in September.
“The increased call volume is due in large part to an em-
phasis on o cers conducting preventive patrols,” Manley said. “We’re continuing to see encouraging trends in public safety.”
According to department statistics, overall crime declined by 17% — with violent crime down 14% — compared to October 2024. There were no homicides reported during the month; the city has recorded one homicide in 2025 in a case where an arrest was made.
In October, o cers responded to one robbery, which Manley emphasized was not a random act. The report also listed six cases of aggravated assault,
vironments for our students has not changed. We will continue exploring every available opportunity and funding source to support these important projects, including preparing to reapply for future grant cycles.”
According to Robin Whittaker, vice chair of the Stanly school board, the state received 92 applications from 48 counties for this round of funding. The total value of those requests exceeded $2 billion, while the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction had only $399 million available to award.
COURTESY EMELIA IRELAND
Pee Dee Health Clinic will o er primary and urgent care
Stanly News Journal sta
THE CITY of Albemarle has been awarded a $350,000 grant to support the reuse of a 17,000-square-foot building that has been vacant for more than ve years. The grant, announced last week by Gov. Josh Stein, was one of 15 approved by the Rural Infrastructure Authority totaling more than $5 million. In all, the grants are expected to create 316 new jobs and attract more than $104 million in private investment statewide.
Pee Dee Health Clinic, a new family medical facili-
LOG
Dec. 2
ty through Atrium Health, will occupy the Albemarle building. The clinic will provide primary and urgent care and train family physicians to meet community needs.
The project is expected to create 28 jobs with a private investment of more than $1.2 million.
“Every investment we make in rural North Carolina enhances our state’s eco
nomic competitiveness and people’s lives,” Stein said in a press release.
• Mindy Kathleen McGhee, 40, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny.
Dec. 3
• David Brian Houck, 47, was arrested for domestic criminal trespass, domestic violence protective order violation, assault on a female, and misdemeanor domestic violence.
Dec. 4
• Amanda Rose Davis, 67, was arrested for felony larceny, possession of methamphetamine, larceny after breaking and entering, breaking and entering, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting a public o cer, and possession of controlled substance on prison/jail premises.
Dec. 5
• Kurtis Steven Barber, 40, was arrested for felony possession of schedule II controlled substance, shoplifting/concealment of goods, rst degree trespass, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
The Albemarle grant was approved under the Building Reuse Program’s rural health building category. Other counties receiving similar grants included Rowan, where Complete Well-Care Source will establish its headquarters and new clinical space in Salisbury.
The Building Reuse Program provides grants to local governments to renovate vacant buildings, renovate and expand buildings occupied by existing North Carolina companies, and renovate, expand or construct health care facilities in Tier 1 and Tier 2 counties, as well as in rural census tracts of Tier 3 counties.
The RIA is supported by the rural economic development team at the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
• Tracy Warren Brigham, 35, was arrested for felony possession of schedule II controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and driving while license revoked.
Dec. 6
• Jeremy Ryan Ramsey, 33, was arrested for driving while impaired, reckless driving to endanger, driving while license revoked, and failure to maintain lane control.
Dec. 7
• Julius J Borden, 48, was arrested for eeing or eluding arrest with a motor vehicle, driving while license revoked impaired, possession with intent to sell and deliver marijuana, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia, resisting a public o cer, and driving while license revoked.
• Joshua Tilton Chabot, 35, was arrested for resisting a public o cer and misdemeanor larceny.
Dec. 11
CRIME
THE CONVERSATION
Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
Financial
health boils down to good habits being the central theme
“If you don’t know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else.”
Yogi Berra
THERE AREN’T MANY situations in life to which a good Yogi Berra quote doesn’t apply. As we head into the holiday season and 2026, it’s a great time to check in on where you are and where you are going.
Financial health boils down to good habits being the central theme. One other habit that is relevant to nancial literacy and health is the annual checkup. Just like going to the doctor each year, there are sources of potential dread in a nancial checkup — do I really want to know? Can it have gotten better with another year of age? It sure is easier to ignore problems! So just like your annual physical, if you don’t already take an annual snapshot of your nancial picture, nd some time over the holidays to do that. What that entails is up to you, but at a basic level I would suggest building your own “balance sheet” and potentially a cash ow plan for next year.
When my wife and I were planning our wedding, one of the traditions in the Catholic Church is pre-cana classes. These classes go through many of the logical issues that you would imagine the church would focus on, but they also covered the basics of a nancial plan. As we went through the session on this, it was amazing to me how many other engaged couples had no clue that their future spouse had massive credit card debts, or, in one case, that they were the bene ciary of a large trust fund. Knowing these things is really important to having any kind of a plan together, or even on your own.
Making your balance sheet is straightforward — you are looking to comprehensively total up your assets and your liabilities (or debts). Making a simple spreadsheet that lists the things you own and the amounts you owe will not only give you a good snapshot of where you are, but it also makes planning much easier in the future. You’ll start next year’s check-in from last year’s balance sheet, and the updates can be incremental that way. Moreover, your balance sheet will greatly simplify things for your heirs in the event tragedy strikes.
Starting with this snapshot, I would then suggest building a plan for next year. It can be simple — what are the big sources of funds that will come in next year, and what are the big uses of funds next year? I like to project mine monthly — I know what my paycheck should be, and what my mortgage payment and other monthly recurring expenses will be. Then I can see what I’ll have left over after the basics for more optional expenses.
As you do these over time, you will get a good picture of the progress you are making toward whatever goals you have. Progress won’t be linear — you’ll have some good years and some less good years — but by knowing where you are, you’ll have a much better chance of knowing where you are going …
Happy Holidays to everyone!
Brad Briner is the treasurer of North Carolina.
The melting pot is boiling over
Our society’s foundation isn’t the government.
IN ONE SENSE, the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution are the foundation of the country’s government. The Declaration laid out the principles we aspire toward. The Constitution established the three branches of government. It contains many brilliant mechanisms to check the government’s power. The Bill of Rights o ers another layer of protection.
But mere words — even some of the most brilliant and in uential words ever written — didn’t create America’s greatness. Americans did.
Imagine you could magically impose America’s system of government in Somalia, Afghanistan or the Gaza Strip. Same Declaration of Independence. Same Constitution. Same Bill of Rights. Would it turn those Third World nations into First World successes?
Of course not. Just look at the 260,000 people of Somali descent living in America. More than 100,000 of them live in Minnesota. In recent weeks, there have been numerous stories about how Somalis in Minnesota stole billions of dollars from the government. That led to millions of dollars going to Al-Shabaab, an Al Qaeda-linked terrorist group.
In one scheme, Asha Farhan Hassan created Smart Therapy, which supposedly o ered services for children with autism. She and her partners recruited Somali parents and worked to get their children fake autism diagnoses. They used that to secure Medicaid funding. Hassan then cut the parents in on the scheme.
“Several larger families left Smart Therapy after being o ered larger kickbacks by other autism centers,” the U.S. Attorney’s O ce in Minnesota wrote in a release.
Importing Somalis to America didn’t give them American values. They brought their preexisting values to America and ripped o taxpayers for billions. They brought clan rivalries from Somalia along with them as well.
Afghanistan provides another example of this. After 9/11, the United States took over the country. We spent more than $130 billion there. That’s more than America spent rebuilding Western Europe with the Marshall Plan, according to The Washington Post. The United States
even held elections in Afghanistan. But as soon as former President Joe Biden decided to surrender, the country fell to the Taliban. Despite all the money and lives lost, we couldn’t export democracy to a society with a vastly di erent history and heritage.
These di erences were punctuated by an Afghan national allegedly murdering a National Guardsman in Washington, D.C., recently.
Even democracy isn’t a cure-all. In 2006, Gaza Strip residents elected Hamas to run the region. Hamas’ Oct. 7 massacre initially boosted Hamas’ favorability ratings among Palestinians.
What the Founding Fathers understood — but many modern Americans don’t — is that our society’s foundation isn’t the government. It’s the shared values, culture and history that bind individuals into citizens of a nation. Those are the pillars that uphold the government.
This is why importing millions of people who have fundamentally di erent worldviews is a terrible idea — and not just in America. Look at England. Grooming gangs raped thousands of girls over decades. Most o cials ignored the problem because the rapists were largely from Pakistan. They feared being accused of racism.
Even immigrants who support Western civilization and have Judeo-Christian values need time to assimilate. People aren’t interchangeable units of economic activity. They have religious values, customs and worldviews. Our country has an interest in making sure new arrivals learn ours. Learning English should be nonnegotiable. Those living in the same country need to be able to communicate with each other. This makes it easier to build trust and cohesion.
As of June 2025, America had more than 50 million immigrants. More than 15% of the country’s population was born elsewhere. That includes a staggering 19% of the workforce.
It’s too much. At this point, the melting pot is boiling over.
Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and host of the “Sharpening Arrows” podcast.
COLUMN | BRAD BRINER
Pfei er University institutes tuition, fee freeze for 2026-27 academic year
New program o erings and community support received credit
By Melinda Burris Stanly News Journal
MISENHEIMER — Pfei er
University has announced plans to begin the next academic school year without any increases in tuition and other standard student fees for 2026-27.
Like other liberal arts colleges and universities across the state and nation, Pfei er has faced challenging questions over the last few years. The school’s leadership has a goal of providing students a quality education without graduating with mounds of debt as higher education costs soar. The uncertainty surrounding the economy and the ongoing debate over the a ordability of student loan repayment options are signi cant factors in the decision to leave full-time tuition (12-19 semester hours) rates at $36,230 per academic year with a $25.62 book fee per credit hour at $674.38.
Room rates will range from $3,100 to $4,500 per semester or $6,200 to $9,000 per academic year, based on the number of roommates, building age and amenities. Meal plans will be held at $3,200-$3,490 per semester or $6,400-$6,980 annually.
“While we’re rural, we share a lot of the challenges that so many other institutions in the Carolinas are facing right now; we thought what was most important for our students is stability and predictability.”
Scott Bullard, Pfei er University president
In contrast, UNC Chapel Hill has already announced plans to raise student tuition and other general fees up to 3% for in- state students, and
out- of- state residents will face increases of up to 10%. NC State and UNC Greensboro have indicated they intend to follow suit. Since Pfei er is a small, private, liberal arts university that does not receive state funding, tuition and fees will remain the same for its
European Union moves ahead with toughening its migration system
Countries would be able to reject asylum requests for migrants from “safe countries”
By Sam McNeil The Associated Press
BRUSSELS — European Union o cials on Monday were nalizing a major overhaul of its migration system, including streamlined deportations and increased detentions, after years of erce debate on the issue has seen the rise of far-right political parties.
Since a surge in asylum-seekers and other migrants to Europe a decade ago, public views on the issue have shifted. EU migration policies have hardened, and the number of asylum-seekers is down from record levels. Still, U.S. President Donald Trump in recent days issued sharp criticism of the 27-nation bloc’s migration policies as part of a national security strategy painting European allies as weak.
Ministers meeting in Brussels agreed to a “safe third country” concept and a list of safe countries of origin, Danish minister Rasmus Stoklund
said. That means EU nations can deny residency and deport migrants because they either hail from a safe country or could apply for asylum in one outside the EU.
“We will be able to reject people that have no reason for asylum in Europe, and then it will be possible for us to make mechanisms and procedures that enable us to return them faster,” Stoklund said. “It should not be human smugglers that control the access to Europe.”
Ministers also agreed to
students across the board. The four UNC System schools that participate through NC Promise — Elizabeth City State, Fayetteville State, the UNC Pembroke, and Western Carolina — will continue to o er resident students tuition at a rate of $500 per semester. However, beginning in the fall of 2026, out-of-state rising freshmen will pay an additional $1,000 per semester in tuition.
Pfei er University President Scott Bullard credits forward thinking and innovation, targeted to the speci c needs and concerns of the student body, for enabling the school to avoid rising costs.
“Our freshman classes have grown in size for four consecutive years, and we are a bit unlike a lot of our peers in that regard,” said Bullard. “More than half of our students in our undergraduate program are rst-generation college students. More than half of our students on our undergraduate campus are eligible for the Pell Grant, which tells you a lot about their familial incomes.”
The key, according to Bullard, has been being in tune with the community’s needs.
“We have added a couple of high-margin graduate programs at the downtown Albemarle campus in physician assistant studies and in occupational therapy studies. And so that kind of forward thinking of having a couple of higher-margin graduate programs
happening,” said Magnus Brunner, the EU’s commissioner for migration.
The European Council will now negotiate with the 720 lawmakers at the European Parliament to accept or modify the migration policy changes. Right and far-right parties are largely uni ed in supporting the changes.
Amnesty International EU advocate on migration Olivia Sundberg Diez likened the EU’s migration changes to the Trump administration’s crackdown. She called on European lawmakers to block the new measures that “will in ict deep harm on migrants and the communities that welcome them.”
French Green lawmaker Mélissa Camara called the changes “a renunciation of our fundamental values and human rights.”
the formation of a “solidarity pool” to share costs of hosting refugees among member nations. The pool is meant to collect 430 million euros to disburse to countries facing greater migratory pressure, including Cyprus, Greece, Italy and Spain in southern Europe. Hungary and Poland have long opposed any obligation for countries to host migrants or pay for their upkeep.
“It is important to give the people also the feeling back that we have control over what is
In May, EU nations endorsed sweeping reforms to the bloc’s asylum system, with the European Commission issuing the new Pact on Migration and Asylum. The pact, among other things, called for increasing deportations and setting up “ return hubs,” a euphemism for deportation centers for rejected asylum-seekers.
The EU wouldn’t set up or manage such “return hubs,” which could be in Europe or elsewhere, but would create the legal framework to allow states to negotiate with non-EU countries willing to take rejected asylum-seekers.
has allowed us to focus on stability for our undergraduate students in terms of pricing.”
Student retention is a central focus for the university administration, evidenced by the Wick Sharp Student Success Center, located at the Misenheimer campus, which o ers academic and support services to help students succeed in college.
“We’re currently looking at and applying for grants related to a software addition here that would allow our student life sta , our professors and our athletic coaches to talk with one another more easily about students who look like they are at some risks related to retention,” said Bullard.
New academic programs in computer science have been made possible in large part by a grant the university was awarded from Google, which has helped innovation and new program o erings continue despite the commitment not to increase the cost of pursuing higher education.
Bullard also credited vendors who provide services such as dining and maintenance for working with the school to help keep costs low.
Local businesses have also shown their support. Bullard speci cally mentioned the $1 million scholarship the university has been awarded through the Dowd Foundation, the charitable branch of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry. The funds are set aside for students who are dependents of CP & F employees who reside in Stanly and Union counties.
According to Bullard, community support remains instrumental in enabling Pfei er to o er a ordable education without compromising quality.
“It is important to give the people also the feeling back that we have control over what is happening.”
Magnus Brunner, EU commissioner for migration
Nations like Austria and Denmark likely will seek partners to host such costly and legally murky centers, said Camille Le Coz, director of the Migration Policy Institute Europe think tank, pointing to the deal the Netherlands struck in September with Uganda to host refugees.
Such centers di er from the existing but so far ine ective deal signed by Italy with Albania to o shore the asylum processing of migrants rescued at sea. At the time, the contentious plan was applauded by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen as an “out-of-the-box” solution to manage irregular migration, but courts in Italy have repeatedly blocked it.
Mainstream political parties hope the pact on migration resolves the issues that have divided EU nations since well over 1 million migrants swept into Europe in 2015, most of them eeing war in Syria and Iraq.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF PFEIFFER UNIVERSITY Pfei er University is freezing tuition and fees for next year.
Scott Bullard
PETROS GIANNAKOURIS / AP PHOTO
Migrants rescued south of Crete wait to be registered on their arrival at the the port of Lavrio, Greece in July.
Man who says religious group beat him wants prosecutor removed after long wait for retrial
The Rutherford County case has been ongoing for nearly a decade
By Je rey Collins
The Associated Press
A MAN WHO SAYS mem-
bers of a secretive North Carolina religious group held him down and beat him wants the prosecutor kicked o his case, accusing the district attorney of siding with a church that dozens of former congregants have said abused them.
Matthew Fenner said in court documents that he has waited more than eight years for a retrial in the kidnapping and assault case involving Word of Faith Fellowship only for McDowell and Rutherford County District Attorney Ted Bell to schedule the second trial for a church leader during the week Fenner had interviews for a medical residency. Fenner said Bell has refused to delay it.
In a sworn statement, Fenner said Bell wants to stay on Word of Faith’s good side because he supports the locally in uential church and its hundreds of members in the small county who could stay in his favor for his reelection bid in 2026.
Bell said the allegations about how he has handled the case are all false and that he will respond to all of Fenner’s allegations in court.
“I remain committed to fullling my duties with integrity,
professionalism, and an unwavering dedication to justice,” Bell said in a written statement.
Fenner alleges Bell stopped talking to him, refused to interview new witnesses and investigate new evidence, and asked him to drop the case.
“If the Court does not intervene and remove Bell from this case, the trial will be lost before it begins,” Fenner’s lawyer wrote in court papers. “And it will be lost not because of a fair adjudication of the merits; rather, it will be lost due to DA Bell’s actions that manufactured that result.”
A leader of Word of Faith, Brooke Covington, was sched-
uled to stand trial this week on second-degree kidnapping and simple assault charges, but that has been delayed to consider Fenner’s request. Covington’s previous trial on the same charges ended in a mistrial after the jury foreman brought his own research into deliberations. Covington has maintained she is innocent.
Fenner joined Word of Faith as a teenager in 2010 with his mother. He was at a service at the church’s compound in Spindale when members, including Covington, started what the church called a “blasting” session on him, according to Fenner. Members held him down
“I remain committed to ful lling my duties with integrity, professionalism, and an unwavering dedication to justice.”
Ted Bell, district attorney
and choked and beat him for two hours while others prayed to expel “homosexual demons,” Fenner said.
The judge at the 2017 trial wanted to retry the case in months. Initial delays were because a lawyer had health problems. The court record does not provide information about other delays. Other documents in the court le are related to e orts to move the case from small, rural Rutherford County, where the Word of Faith is headquartered, to Buncombe County and more populous and urban Asheville.
A judge placed a gag order on Fenner, Covington, the lawyers and potential witnesses.
Fenner alleges in his sworn statement that the district attorney did not oppose the gag order because he wanted to weaken the case and put pressure on Fenner to give up.
An attorney for Covington had no comment on the delay or Fenner’s allegations.
Word of Faith is a nondenominational Protestant church that was founded in 1979 by Sam and Jane Whaley in the foothills
of Blue Ridge Mountains between Charlotte and Asheville. Members consider Jane Whaley a prophet.
In 2017, The Associated Press published a series of stories about Word of Faith that detailed former church members’ allegations of abuse. The AP spoke to dozens of former congregants around the world, listened to hours secretly recorded conversations with church leaders, and reviewed hundreds of pages of law enforcement, court and child welfare documents.
The AP reported that the church controlled almost every aspect of their members’ lives, including who they married, what subjects they studied in school and whether they could go to college. Members were regularly slapped, choked and thrown to the oor during high-decibel group prayer.
The AP investigation found that the church and its hundreds of followers controlled law enforcement and social services, preventing fair investigations.
Whaley has denied that she or other church leaders ever abused Word of Faith members. She has also said that any discipline would be protected by the Constitution’s freedom of religion tenet.
The church said the allegations made to the AP were false and made by “certain former members” out to target the church and that it does not condone abuse.
“Our county was not fortunate enough to be awarded any of the grants,” Whittaker said. “We were very disappointed, but we’ll go back to the drawing board and we’ll apply for those grants again next year. We’re just going to continue to pray that our numbers will come up.”
On Sept. 29, the school board unanimously voted to move forward with a $54.6 million grant plan that consisted of $52 million in state funding and $2.6 million from the county.
CRIME from page A1
SCHOOLS from page A1 four of which have resulted in arrests.
Drug enforcement e orts continued to play a major role in APD’s work. O cers made 14 felony arrests and 12 misdemeanor arrests related to narcotics, seizing 952 grams of marijuana, 21 grams of cocaine, 13 grams of crack cocaine, 42 grams of fentanyl, one gram of methamphetamine and $9,000 in currency connected to drug activity.
Additionally, the department collected 12,828 grams of unused medication through its Operation Medicine Drop initiative
The proposed funding would have supported two major facility improvement projects: the construction of a new elementary school to replace Oakboro Choice STEM School and an expansion of West Stanly Middle School to increase capacity. Under the proposal, Oakboro would have been rebuilt as a 600-student campus, while West Stanly Middle would have expanded to accommodate 950 students.
At last week’s meeting, Board Member Meghan Almond voiced concerns about
as part of an ongoing e ort to prevent prescription drugs from being misused.
With tra c enforcement remaining a focus, APD o cers issued 89 speeding citations, investigated two cases of reckless driving and made six DWI arrests as part of e orts to keep the city’s roads safe.
The police chief noted that community engagement and professional development remain priorities for the department. In October, APD o cers participated in several community events, including the city’s fall Trunk or Treat, Community Night Out and Food Truck Friday. O cers also attended addi-
“Our county was not fortunate enough to be awarded any of the
chair
Robin Whittaker, vice
the county’s changing economic classi cation and how that could a ect future eligibility for state assistance. “In 2026, 18 North Carolina counties change places, so
tional training programs, including speed radar certi cation and defensive tactics courses.
Manley closed his report by recognizing three department members for their career advancements.
“I would like to say congratulations to O cers Hartsell, Bunce and Edwards on their promotion to the rank of sergeant,” Manley said. “We are proud of the progress that we are making, and we are grateful for your continued support. As always, if you need the Albemarle Police Department, contact us on our nonemergency number at 704-984-9500. If it’s an emergency, call 911.”
Stanly County is getting ready to be Tier 3,” Almond said. “That’s concerning because, if I remember correctly from the architect, not many Tier 3 counties get grants. I hope as a board we can make sound decisions when we’re in that position, and we’re not throwing money into something that we don’t know what the future looks like.” Almond added that the district must remain strategic in its nancial planning.
“If we’re truly going to be a Tier 3 county, we’re going to have to really buckle down and make
sure that we’re spending money properly to be able to x our facilities. I would love to x our facilities and to get everybody the pay raises that they do deserve in an amount of time that is good for them, but also to where we are not throwing ourselves under the bus by spending so much money in one spot.”
Despite the setback, SCS ocials emphasized they will continue to pursue additional funding opportunities and keep the community informed as they prepare to reapply in the next grant cycle.
KATHY KMONICEK / AP PHOTO
Matthew Fenner stands outside Rutherford County Courthouse after a hearing on his case against Word of Faith Fellowship church in May 2017.
Matthew Harry Mabry
Feb. 11, 1944 – Dec. 4, 2025
Matthew Harry Mabry, 81, of New London, peacefully passed away on Thursday, December 4, 2025, at Novant Medical Center in Huntersville, surrounded by his loving family.
A memorial service to honor his life will be held at 2 PM on Monday, December 15, 2025, at Bethel Methodist Church in New London, NC, o ciated by Rev. Kevin McCormac. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6–8 PM on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care in Albemarle.
Born on February 11, 1944, in Stanly County, Matthew was the son of the late Q.C. and Helen Mabry. He is survived by his devoted wife of 39 years, Peggy Maners Mabry.
Matthew is also lovingly survived by his children, Deanna Mabry (Heather) of Ann Arbor, MI, Mandi Rogers (Steve) of New London, NC, and Tony Mabry (Wendy) of Charlotte, NC; grandchildren Olivia Phillips (Adam), Merrick Rogers, Jake Rogers, Ari Mabry, Hunter
OBITUARIES
Mabry, and Eliana Mabry. He was preceded in death by all of his siblings and by his son, Grover Harold “Rick” Rogers.
Raised on a dairy farm in Porter, NC, Matthew learned early the value of hard work; a quality that carried him throughout his life. A standout high school athlete, he excelled in both football and baseball. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1962–1966, completing three tours in Vietnam aboard the USS Walke, USS Berkley, and USS Kyes. Stationed in Long Beach, California, he loved sharing stories from his service and the friendships he formed along the way.
Matthew later owned and operated a successful residential construction company, building homes across Myrtle Beach as well as Stanly and surrounding counties. His craftsmanship and integrity left a lasting mark on the communities he served.
Matthew was a longtime member of Bethel Methodist Church and First Baptist Church of Albemarle. He believed in giving back and was a committed advocate for blood donation and enjoyed helping with handicap entrance ramp construction.
Matthew will be remembered as a good man, a devoted husband, a proud father, and a loyal friend. Those who knew him will long remember his gentle nature, his strong work ethic, and the a ection with which he lovingly called Peggy “Peg”. In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Project Paws (https:// projectpawzrescuenc.org/) or Stanly County Habitat for Humanity (https://stanlyhabitat. org/ ) Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is serving the Mabry family.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@stanlynewsjournal.com
BONNIE JEAN BUCK
JULY 1, 1941 – NOV. 13, 2025
On November 13, 2025, Bonnie Jean Buck of Mt Pleasant, NC, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It was a day of angels rejoicing and a grand welcoming on the streets of gold. Our minds cannot fathom how glorious that day really was for Bonnie. Those of us left here nd comfort in this heavenly celebration. Even with saddened hearts, we re ect on God’s faithfulness and His love for us and our love for Bonnie. We will miss Bonnie dearly.
Bonnie was a believer and a follower of the Lord Jesus. He was the focus of her life and her best friend. She made her love for the Lord a testimony of her life. She always wanted to grow in her faith and learn more, especially in the last 5-6 years of her life. She had an increasing faith even throughout her illness. She declared healing and wholeness and knew the Lord had answered her prayers.
Bonnie had a very deep love for her family, too. She bragged about her three boys and was so proud of each of them. As a young mother, she was very involved in their lives. She was a little league coach and was quite pleased that her team won the local World Series in 1975.
Bonnie started working in the Clintondale Public Schools as a crossing guard when the boys were young. With great giftedness, professionalism and dedication, Bonnie worked her way up in the school system and retired as the Executive Secretary to the Superintendent of Schools.
She was a great teacher in life and had a way of doing things that brought out the best in people. She was a loyal friend and was also very generous, thoughtful and loving. She had a very keen sense of when others needed a word of encouragement and she was excellent at meeting that need. She loved to make others smile.
She loved her small size, although she joked about “someday” being tall enough to do ‘whatever’. Her petite frame was not a hindrance to her con dence nor her boldness. She was not timid to share her thoughts, sometimes with a little sass and spunk. This was part of her charm.
Bonnie had many interests, including reading, doing crossword puzzles, yard work, gardening, bike riding, camping, shing and traveling. She loved horses and watched horse jumping competitions on TV almost every day. Another of her favorite things to do was to play cards. Euchre was her favorite, and she was a bit ruthless in her playing. She liked to win and had a competitive nature. If you had the honor of knowing Bonnie, you did win! She was a blessing as a treasured mom, friend and family member. She was dearly loved by her family and others. Her greatest desires were to be with her family and with Jesus. She had both and now is forever in His glorious presence. What a blessing!
Psalm 23
“The Lord is my Shepherd; I have all that I need. He lets me rest in green meadows; He leads me beside peaceful streams…My cup over ows with blessings. Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.”
Bonnie was born July 1, 1941, in Chester eld Township, Michigan. Her husband of 31 years, Bruce Buck, preceded her in death in 1991. She was the daughter of the late Frank Jolly and Mildred Pipe Jolly.
Bonnie leaves a legacy of love and faith that continues in the lives of her family. Her three sons, Je Buck and Janna of Livonia, MI; Kevin Buck and Julie of Mt Pleasant; and Joseph Buck and Dennae of Zionsville, IN. She is survived by her brother Dennis Jolly (Donna) of Gilbert, AZ, and her sister Marlene of Huntersville, NC. She also had 11 beloved grandchildren: Haley, Adam, April, Dustin, Aaron, Austin, Maria, Cameron, Peniel, Jayden, Isabella and Luke.
A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held on Monday, December 8, at 6 p.m. at Boomerang Church, 28594 Hwy 73, Albemarle, NC 28001.
“While owers are beautiful, living plants o er a lasting reminder of your love and are deeply appreciated. Because Bonnie’s heart was for others to know the love of Jesus, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to Nothing Missing, Nothing Broken Ministries or the Boomerang Church Missions Fund. One of Bonnie’s greatest desires was to help build the Kingdom of God. Thank you, most of all, for your love, prayers, and support for the family during this time. It is a true blessing.”
JOYCE EUDY BEATTY
NOV. 4, 1939 – DEC. 1, 2025
Joyce Ann Eudy Beatty, 86, of Midland, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, December 1, 2025, at her home in Midland.
Ms. Beatty was born on November 4, 1939, in North Carolina to the late Thermon Eli Eudy and the late Grace Elizabeth Eudy. She was also preceded in death by her husband, John Rufus Beatty, and her brother, Donald Ray Eudy.
Joyce and her husband, John, owned Beatty Fruit Company in Midland for many years.
Family is honoring Joyce’s wishes, and no formal services will be held.
Left to cherish her memory are her sister, Janice Mans eld, and brother, Ronald Eudy, many nieces and nephews, and a host of friends.
Memorial donations may be shared with a charity of your choice in memory of Joyce.
DENNIS MICHAEL UNDERWOOD
NOV. 17, 1945 – DEC. 7, 2025
Dennis Michael Underwood, 80, of Oakboro, peacefully passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2025, at Stanly Manor Nursing Facility.
A funeral service to honor his life will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 13, 2025, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, o ciated by Pastor Shad Hicks. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6–8 p.m. on Friday evening, December 12, 2025, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle.
Born on November 17, 1945, in Stanly County, Dennis was the son of the late Marvin and Puah Underwood. He was devoted to his wife, Helen Yugonda Underwood, with whom he shared 58 wonderful years of marriage.
Dennis is lovingly survived by his children, Chuck Underwood (Tonya), Chad Underwood (Rebecca), Chay Underwood (Jamie), and Chera Maske (John); his grandchildren, Jessi Kiker (Ashley), Colton Underwood (McKinley), Nate Underwood (Miyah), Lauren Maske, Cameron Underwood, and Mason Maske; and his great-grandchild, Eli Smith. He is also survived by his brother, David Underwood (Teresa).
Dennis was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose quiet nature held deep wisdom. When he chose to speak, his words carried meaning, and those around him listened. He loved the outdoors, farming, hunting, and tending to the land, and he especially enjoyed his John Deere tractors. He also had a passion for watching NASCAR racing and cherished every moment spent with his family.
Michael Annett, who made 436 combined starts in NASCAR’s 3 national touring series, dead at 39
He won an X nity Series race at Daytona in 2019
The Associated Press
MOORESVILLE — Michael Annett, a former race car driver who made 436 combined starts in NASCAR’s three national touring series, has died. He was 39. JR Motorsports, one of Annett’s former teams, posted the news on social media last
Friday. No cause of death was announced.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett,” the team wrote. “Michael was a key member of JRM from 2017 until he retired in 2021 and was an important part in turning us into the four-car organization we remain today.” According to NASCAR, Annett made 321 starts in the
X nity Series, 158 of which came with JRM. In 2019, Annett won the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 1 JRM Chevrolet for his only win at the national level. Annett, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, was also a two -time winner in the ARCA Menards Series. He won at Talladega Superspeedway in 2007 and then took the series opener at Daytona in 2008.
“NASCAR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett,” the racing body said in a statement. “Michael was a respected competitor whose determination, professionalism, and positive spirit were felt by everyone in the garage. Throughout his career, he represented our sport with integrity and the passion of a true racer. NASCAR extends its condolences to Michael’s family and many friends.”
JOHN AMIS / AP PHOTO
Driver Michael Annett watches the board during qualifying for the NASCAR X nity Series race in Lebanon, Tennessee, in 2021.
STANLY SPORTS
North Stanly girls stay unbeaten with 5-0 start
The Comets had a .500 record last season
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
NEW LONDON — Nearly three weeks into the 2025-26 campaign, the North Stanly girls’ basketball team remains undefeated after continuing its strong start to the season.
The Comets (5-0) captured their rst road win of the year with a 48-31 victory over Bradford Prep (2-1) on Dec. 3 in Charlotte.
North Stanly broke open the game in the second quarter, turning a narrow one-point lead into a 25-13 halftime advantage. Bradford Prep matched the Comets’ pace in the third quarter, but North Stanly extended its margin again in the fourth to seal the win and stay perfect.
Senior Lexie Brown led the Comets with 14 points, while sophomore Sammie Lowder added 12. Freshman Hope Quesenberry contributed eight points, and senior Shy’Mani Baskins scored seven to help round out the balanced e ort.
Finishing 13-13 last season to end a streak of three straight 20-win campaigns, North Stanly has already earned more than a third of that total in just ve games. The Comets have outscored opponents by a combined 79 points, showing strength on both ends of the court.
After playing at West Stanly on Tuesday, North Stanly heads to West Davidson on Wednesday before returning home to take on The Math and Science Academy of Charlotte on Friday.
North Stanly’s Lexie Brown prepares to take a free throw in the fourth quarter of the Comets’ game at Bradford Prep.
West Stanly 52, South Stanly 32
In an intracounty matchup in Norwood, the West Stanly Colts (3-2) earned their third straight win with a 20-point victory over the South Stanly Rowdy Rebel Bulls (2-2) on Dec. 5. The Colts built a 10-point lead early and stretched it to 30-15 by halftime.
West Stanly is coming o a 14-12 season where the team nished fourth in the Rocky Riv-
er Conference standings, while South Stanly has already surpassed its win total from their past two one-win campaigns.
Albemarle 41, Anson 5
Playing in Wadesboro, the Albemarle Bulldogs (3-4) snapped a three-game skid with a decisive 41-5 road victory over the Anson Bearcats (0 - 8) on Dec. 5. The win marked Albemarle’s second
triumph over the Bearcats this season, following a 59-21 home win on Nov. 21. Last year, the Bulldogs tallied their third consecutive campaign with at least 22 victories, nishing 25-5 overall and advancing to the fourth round of the NCHSAA 1A state playo s.
Gray Stone 45, CATA 33
Led by a 22-point performance from senior Anna Mor -
Pfei er men look to regroup after four-game slide entering
The Falcons have fallen to 4-5 on the season
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
MISENHEIMER — Just a few weeks after sitting at 4-1, the Pfei er men’s basketball team has hit a rough patch heading into its holiday break.
The Falcons (4-5) have dropped four straight contests as they prepare for a pair of
late-December games before resuming USA South Athletic Conference play in the new year. Led by ninth-year head coach Pete Schoch, Pfei er is aiming to repeat as both the USA South regular-season and conference tournament champion.
Last season, the Falcons went 18-8 overall and 12-2 in conference play, nearly matching their win total from the previous two seasons combined.
To return to that level, the
holiday break
Falcons will need to regain their early-season rhythm.
Pfei er’s recent skid began with an 84-71 road loss to Hampden-Sydney on Nov. 23, followed by a 121-85 defeat at Guilford two days later. The struggles continued in the CNU Holiday INNvitational, where Pfei er fell 83-67 to Virginia Wesleyan and 80-66 to Christopher Newport.
In an exhibition matchup at Division I Longwood on Dec. 3, the Falcons were overpowered in
a 101-55 loss. The Lancers shot 65.6% from the eld, poured in 72 points in the paint and built a commanding 54-25 halftime lead. Pfei er committed 20 turnovers and shot just 34.8% overall while struggling to establish o ensive consistency. Senior forward Justin Gaten led Pfei er with 15 points on 3-of-9 shooting from beyond the arc, while former North Stanly standout Doug Smith contributed 13 points and four rebounds. Smith has
gan, the Gray Stone Knights (2-3) pulled out a 12-point victory over the CATA Cougars (0-5) in Monroe on Dec. 3. The Knights have now won back-to-back games after a 0-3 start to the season.
Gray Stone is aiming for its first winning season since the 2019-20 campaign. Last season’s team managed just two wins overall and one win in Yadkin Valley Conference play.
been a steady force this season, averaging 16.2 points and 8.1 rebounds after posting 10.8 points and nine rebounds per game last year.
Senior guard Sean Sucarichi has also emerged as a key contributor, averaging 13.1 points and 4.1 rebounds. Senior guard Clayton Robinson (9.2 points), junior forward DeJaun Sidney (8.6) and sophomore guard Drake Stewart (8.2) have rounded out Pfei er’s o ensive core.
The Falcons will next play an exhibition at High Point on Dec. 28 before hosting Averett on Dec. 30. USA South play begins the rst week of January with a challenging ve-game stretch against N.C. Wesleyan, Methodist, Southern Virginia, Mary Baldwin and Brevard.
COURTESY NFHS NETWORK
Jordan provides another must-watch moment as NBA great testi es at NASCAR trial
“Someone had to step forward and challenge the entity.”
By Jenna Fryer
The Associated Press
CHARLOTTE — Michael Jordan has had a lifetime of big moments. His latest came on the witness stand in a federal courthouse.
The retired NBA great testi ed against NASCAR in an antitrust case he is pursuing against the stock car series on behalf of his race team, 23XI Racing, along with Front Row Motorsports. Both want to force NASCAR to change the way it does business with its teams, accusing it of monopolistic behavior.
“Someone had to step forward and challenge the entity,” the soft-spoken Jordan told the jury. “I felt I could challenge NASCAR as a whole.”
It was a di erent role for the 62-year-old Jordan, known best for the six NBA titles he won with the Chicago Bulls and his business interests in retirement, including his still relatively new role as a NASCAR team co-owner with three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.
Dressed in a dark blue suit, Jordan slowly headed to the stand for the afternoon session, adjusted the seat for his 6-foot- 6 frame and settled in. Those in the packed courtroom hung on every word.
Jordan said he grew up a NASCAR fan, attending races at 11 or 12 with his family at tracks in Charlotte and Rockingham in his home state but also at Darlington in South Carolina and the Talladega superspeedway in Alabama.
“We called it a weekend vacation,” he said.
There were moments of levity on a dramatic day of testimony that also included Heather Gibbs, the daughter-in-law of team owner and NFL Hall of Fame coach Joe Gibbs. People were turned away from the courtroom and U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell couldn’t help but notice the high attendance in front of him as well as an over ow room nearby.
“I take it Mr. Jordan is the next witness,” Bell quipped.
Outside the courthouse in downtown Charlotte, a crowd gathered for the rst time this week for a chance to see Jordan. One woman screamed “Oh my God, Mike! You are an icon, you the best, you the best to do it in the NBA!” An-
Michael Jordan
other claimed to have played golf and cards with Jordan acquaintances while asking Jordan to pose for a photo with his daughters.
Jordan said, “Man, it’s cold out here for you guys” before complimenting the two girls on their Nike-branded hoodies.
A spectator held a sign that read “NASCAR Your Fans Deserve Better” and Hamlin turned to him and said, “You’re right” as they tried to make their way through the throng to a caravan of waiting SUVs.
On the witness stand, Jordan noted he was an early fan of Richard Petty, like his dad. He later gravitated to Cale Yarborough, “the original No. 11. Sorry, Denny,” Jordan testi ed as Hamlin watched from the gallery.
Jordan was asked to outline his career, noting his time with the Bulls and adding he remains a minority owner of the Charlotte Hornets. Did he play anywhere else?
“I try to forget it but I did,” said Jordan, who played for the Washington Wizards in a mostly forgettable return to the NBA after his championship runs with the Bulls.
But Jordan spent most of his time making clear why he was in court suing the series he loves over the charters that guarantee teams revenue and access to Cup Series races. Among other things, the plainti s want the charters made permanent, which NASCAR has balked at.
“Look, we saw the economics wasn’t really bene cial to the teams,” Jordan testi ed, adding: “The thing I see in NASCAR that I think is absent is a shared responsibility of growth as well as loss.”
As the session wound down, defense attorney Lawrence Buterman noted the novelty of cross-examining an icon like Jordan, closing with the comment: “Thank you for making my 9-year-old think I’m cool today.”
“You’re not wearing any Jordans today,” Jordan replied. When he was dismissed from the stand, he said “whew” and made his way back to the seat in the front row he’s occupied all week.
Grey Stone girls win three straight
0-4, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley
2A/3A (17-9 last year)
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 74-67 vs. CentralAcademy
• Lost 69-63 vs. Anson
• Lost 58-54 vs. West Stanly
This week’s schedule:
• Dec. 9 at Mount Pleasant
• Dec. 11 at South Davidson
SOUTH STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
2-2, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley
2A/3A (1-20 last year)
Last week’s scores:
• Won 51-39 vs. Central Academy
• Won 45-29 vs. Anson
• Lost 52-32 vs. West Stanly
This week’s schedule:
• Dec. 9 at Mount Pleasant
• Dec. 11 at South Davidson
WEST STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL
3-2, 0-0 in Rocky River
4A/5A (10-15 last year)
Last week’s scores:
• Won 48-31 at Bradford Prep
This week’s schedule:
• Dec. 9 at West Stanly
• Dec. 10 at West Davidson
• Dec. 12 vs. Math and Science of Charlotte
ALBEMARLE
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
2-5, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley (2-21 last year)
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 67-59 at West Stanly
• Lost 68-37 vs. Bishop McGuinness
• Lost 78-63 at Anson
This week’s schedule:
• Dec. 12 vs. Sun Valley
• Dec. 16 vs. Uwharrie Charter
ALBEMARLE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
3-4, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley (25-5 last year)
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 56-50 at West Stanly
• Lost 54-17 vs. Bishop McGuinness
The tournament draw includes multiple groups of death
By Howard Fendrich
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON — If you listened to the words spoken after the World Cup draw by the various coaches who were at the Kennedy Center, it would seem impossible for any of them to win next year’s tournament.
Everyone got thrown into the toughest group — or the “Group of Death,” in soccer parlance.
Everyone was burdened with talented foes for their rst three matches — even if a half-dozen participants are yet to be determined and the expanded eld means some lesser-quality teams will get in.
And everyone needs to avoid overlooking any other team and be ready for whatever is to come during the tournament from June 11 to July 19 in the United States, Canada and Mexico during the largest World Cup yet, the rst with 48 countries participating (there were 32 last time).
“We need to respect all of the opponents. It’s always going to be di cult,” said U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, whose squad is in Group D and starts o against Paraguay on June 12, then also will face Australia and a still-undetermined playo quali er.
“My message to the players is:
“We need to respect all of the opponents. It’s always going to be di cult.” U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino
We need to compete better than Paraguay; that is going to be difcult. Australia is going to be di cult,” Pochettino said. “And the team that is going to join us is going to be di cult.”
Hmmm. Sense a theme?
There is some version of what is often referred to as “coach speak” under nearly every circumstance and in nearly every sport. Just pay attention to what the men in charge of NFL clubs say day after day during that sport’s season.
It’s the classic playbook: Build up opponents. Don’t let your players get complacent. Don’t let your fans — or the people who hired you and can re you — think success is guaranteed.
Didier Deschamps, a player on France’s championship team in 1998 and the coach of its title winners in 2018 and runners-up to Argentina in 2022, sounded as worried as anyone else.
Doesn’t matter that the French are considered one of the favorites — not merely to get out of the round-robin stage but also to once more appear in the nal.
“We know this is a very tough group,” Deschamps said Friday. “We cannot rest.”
His country was dropped into
Group I alongside Senegal, Norway and a playo team (those won’t all be set until March).
A little later, Norway’s coach, Ståle Solbakken, for his part, praised the French team as “maybe the strongest in Europe,” and in the next breath — as though perhaps worried someone from another nation might take o ense — pointed out: “But there’s two other teams in the group.”
One of which won’t even be known for another three months.
Luis de la Fuente, who led Spain to the 2024 European Championship, nds his team among the World Cup favorites but insisted there is parity in the sport these days.
Spain’s Group H includes Uruguay, Saudi Arabia and Cape Verde.
“People think there are easy groups, but it is a very similar level,” the coach said. “This will be a historic World Cup because there’s an exceptional level all-round. These games force you to play at your best.”
Players can be just as liable to these sorts of pronouncements.
U.S. mid elder Tyler Adams, speaking to reporters on a video call Friday, said it plainly: “There’s no easy game in the World Cup.”
And then he pointed out that during the last World Cup, when the Americans were eliminated in the round of 16, their two hardest games came “against two of the lesser opponents.”
Last week’s scores:
• Won 67-59 vs. Albemarle
• Won 58-54 at South Stanly
This week’s schedule:
• Dec. 9 vs. North Stanly
• Dec. 12 vs. Central Academy
WEST STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
3-2, 0-0 in Rocky River
4A/5A (14-12 last year)
Last week’s scores:
• Won 56-50 vs. Albemarle
• Won 52-32 at South Stanly
This week’s schedule:
• Dec. 9 vs. North Stanly
• Dec. 12 vs. Central Academy
NORTH STANLY
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
3-0, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley (22-7 last year)
Last week’s scores:
• Won 62-27 at Montgomery Central
• Won 58-44 at Bradford Prep
This week’s schedule:
• Dec. 9 at West Stanly
• Dec. 10 at West Davidson
• Dec. 12 vs. Math and Science of Charlotte
NORTH STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
5-0, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley (13-13 last year)
• Won 41-5 at Anson
This week’s schedule:
• Dec. 12 vs. Sun Valley • Dec. 16 vs. Uwharrie Charter
GRAY STONE DAY BOYS’ BASKETBALL
0-6, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley (3-17 last year)
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 52-32 vs. Anson
• Lost 62-51 at Central Academy
• Lost 80-40 vs. Elevation Prep Academy
This week’s schedule:
• Dec. 9 vs. Central Academy
• Dec. 12 at Christ the King
• Dec. 15 vs. Bethany Community
GRAY STONE DAY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
3-3, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley (2-17 last year)
Last week’s scores:
• Won 47-32 vs. Anson
• Won 45-33 at Central Academy
• Won 51-33 vs. Elevation Prep Academy
This week’s schedule:
• Dec. 9 vs. Central Academy
• Dec. 15 vs. Bethany Community
CHRIS CARLSON / AP PHOTO
From left, FIFA Chief Tournament O cer Manolo Zubiri, Alexi Lalas, Ronaldo, FIFA
President Gianni Infantino, host Andrés Cantor, Francesco Totti and Hristo Stoichkov discuss the match schedule reveal for the 2026 soccer World Cup in Washington.
NOTICES
Let’s Work Together
Full-Time
• Administrator, Network Infrastructure
• Instructor, Business Administration (9-month)ACI - REVISED
We are eager to welcome individuals who are dedicated to our mission and committed to enhancing our community. Interested candidates are invited to browse our open full and part time positions via the website below to nd out how to apply for one of our job openings at SCC.
NOTICE
NOTICE OF ALBEMARLE CITY COUNCIL
PUBLIC HEARINGS
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the general public that the City of Albemarle City Council will conduct public hearing(s) concerning the item(s) listed below at the dates, times, and location provided herein:
Annexation (AX 25-01) and Initial Zoning (ZMA 25-05). Annexation requested by petition, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 160A-31, and a request for Initial Zoning, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 160D-602, of approximately +/- 42.14 acres along Sweet Home Church Road (Tax Records 1496, 19922, 19945) from Stanly County RA, and G-B, and City of Albemarle R-8 (Neighborhood Residential) to City of Albemarle R-15 Cluster (Conservation Residential). The amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Albemarle, North Carolina, by transfer from Stanly County, changes the city’s boundaries through voluntary annexation of the aforementioned parcel.
Annexation (AX 25-02) and Initial Zoning (ZMA 25-06). Annexation requested by petition, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 160A-31, and a request for Initial Zoning, pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes 160D-602, of approximately +/-26.16 acres located nearest NC 24-27 Bypass W and Judy Street (Tax Records 4245) from Stanly County RA to City of Albemarle R-10 (General Residential). The amendment to the Zoning Ordinance of the City of Albemarle, North Carolina, by transfer from Stanly County, changes the city’s boundaries through voluntary annexation of the aforementioned parcel.
Rezoning (ZMA 25-04). Request for a Zoning Map Amendment for one parcel totaling +/- 10.03 acres located at the end of Sta ord Drive (Tax Record 20000) to change the existing split zoning of HID (Heavy Industrial District) and R-10 (General Residential) to R-10 (General Residential).
Rezoning (ZMA 25-07). Request for a Zoning Map Amendment for one parcel totaling +/- 0.5 acre located at the corner of Ash Street and Moose Street (Tax Record 21833) to change the existing zoning of LID (Light Industrial District) to R-8 (Neighborhood Residential).
Envision Albemarle 2045Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Request for adoption of the Albemarle 2045 Comprehensive Land Use Plan represents the goals, policies, and recommendations for guiding the city’s future land use and physical development. It is the key policy document that helps make the City livable and prosperous by aligning physical development with environmental, social, and economic issues. The document enhances the coordination of services and improves decision-making functions.
The hearing(s) will be conducted in the City Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 144 N Second St., Albemarle, N.C. 28001 at the following time(s): Monday, December 15th, 2025, at 6:30 p.m.
All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing. Anyone wishing to speak for or against this action shall adhere to applicable City policies and statutes regarding open meetings. The City Council’s approved agenda can be found on the city’s website, www.albemarlenc. gov
Dated: November 24, 2025
Publish: Wednesday, December 3, 2025, & Wednesday, December 10, 2025
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000584-830
Having quali ed as Co-Executors of the estate of Sherrill Edwin Clark deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Sherrill Edwin Clark to present them to the undersigned on or before February 20, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.
All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.
This 19th day of November, 2025 Brenda Shoe 16217 HWY 73 E Mt. Pleasant, NC 28124 Co-Executor Annette Harkey 28410 NC 73 HWY Albemarle, NC 28001 Co-Executor
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000599-830
Having quali ed as Administratrix of the estate of Rebecca Lee Thorne deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Rebecca Lee Thorne to present them to the undersigned on or before March 11, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery.
All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.
This 10th day of December, 2025 Shirley Horvath Garrett 49403 Deer Run Road Norwood, NC 28128
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000598-830
Having quali ed as Co-Executors of the estate of Reba H. Watkins a/k/a Reba Hill Watkins deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to
Brad Pitt, ‘Spinal Tap II,’ lots of Taylor Swift
“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” returns for season 2
The Associated Press
A SIX-EPISODE, behindthe-scenes Disney+ docuseries about Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour and Rian Johnson’s third “Knives Out” movie, “Wake Up Dead Man,” are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time this week: Chip and Joanna Gaines take on a big job revamping a small home in the mountains of Colorado, video gamers can skateboard through hell in Sam Eng’s Skate Story, and Rob Reiner gets the band back together for “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.”
MOVIES TO STREAM
Johnson’s third “Knives Out” movie, “Wake Up Dead Man” arrives on Net ix on Friday. Religion is at the heart of this installment, which nds Daniel Craig’s dapper detective Benoit Blanc trying to solve the “locked room” murder of Josh Brolin’s Monsignor Je erson Wicks, a charismatic and terrifying church leader with a devoted set of followers. The large ensemble cast includes Josh O’Connor, Glenn Close, Andrew Scott, Jeremy Renner and Kerry Washington. Some were less than delighted by this outing, however. In his review for The Associated Press, Mark Kennedy called it, “a gloomy and clunky outing that may test fans’ faith in the lmmaker.”
Brad Pitt plays a washed-up driver looking for glory on the racetrack in the Formula One movie “F1,” streaming on Apple TV Friday. Filmmaker Joseph Kosinski wanted to make it feel as exciting and authentic as possible: In many scenes, it really is Pitt and Damson Idris driving those cars at 180 mph. Film Writer Jake Coyle wrote in his review that it’s “a ne-tuned machine of a movie that, in its most riveting racing scenes, approaches a kind of high-speed splendor.”
Reiner got the band back together for “Spinal Tap II: The End Continues,” which begins streaming on HBO Max on Friday. Was it a mistake to revisit the great 1984 mockumen-
His lm “F1”
“‘F1’ is a ne-tuned machine of a movie that, in its most riveting racing scenes, approaches a kind of high-speed splendor.”
Jake Coyle, AP Film Writer
tary, though? Mark Kennedy wrote in his review that, “Despite some great starry cameos — Paul McCartney’s is easily the best — ‘Spinal Tap II’ leans into the old favorite bits too needily and is su ocated by the constantly looming presence of death, a downer. The improv-based comedy is forced, and the laughs barely register. This is a movie only for die-hard Tappers.”
MUSIC TO STREAM
It is Swift’s world, and we’re just living in it. Prepare yourself for two new projects at Disney+. That’s a six-episode, behind-the-scenes docuseries about her landmark “Eras Tour” titled “Taylor Swift ‘The Eras Tour’ The End of an Era” — the rst two episodes will premiere Friday. And that is not to be confused with the second, titled “Taylor Swift ‘The Eras Tour’ The Final Show,” a concert lm now with the inclusion of
RICHARD SHOTWELL / INVISION / AP PHOTO
“Simon Cowell: The Next Act,” a new docuseries about the “America’s Got Talent” creator, is now streaming on Net ix.
“The Tortured Poets Department” section. The 2024 album was incorporated into her three-and-a-half-hour performance following its release. It was lmed in Vancouver. (That di ers from 2023’s “Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour” lm, which was compiled from several Swift shows at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, a suburb of Los Angeles, and arrived ahead of “The Tortured Poets Department.”) Swifties, rise! It has been a big year for col-
laborative rap records (looking at you, Clipse) and that continues into 2025’s 11th hour with “Light-Years,” a new release from rapper Nas and record producer DJ Premier. They’re greats for a reason. The Grammy-award winning producer, DJ and electronic musician Fred Again will release the next iteration of his USB series, the 16-track “USB002,” on Friday. Expect the unexpected: The rst song released from the collection is “you’re a
star,” which features Australian punky-pop band Amyl and The Sni ers. The club sounds a little di erent this time around.
SERIES TO STREAM
Chip and Joanna Gaines have long said they would not do any xer uppers outside of central Texas. Until now. The couple has taken on a big job revamping a small 1960s home in the mountains of Colorado. “Fixer Upper: Colorado Mountain House” is now streaming on HBO Max and Discovery+.
Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon, returns to TV with Season 2 of “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.” The series, starring Walker Scobell in the title role, adapts “The Sea of Monsters,” the second novel in a book series by Rick Riordan. The two-hour season premiere is streaming on Disney+ and Hulu.
He helped to launch “American Idol” and created “America’s Got Talent” and the group One Direction. Now, cameras follow Simon Cowell as he seeks to form a new boy band in “Simon Cowell: The Next Act.” The docuseries, out now, is about both his search and Cowell himself. He prides himself on discovering an “it” factor. “When you’re putting a band together, it’s like mining for diamonds,” he said in the trailer. “If this goes wrong, it will be ‘Simon Cowell has lost it.’”
Diane Kruger stars in a new drama for Paramount+ called “Little Disasters” as Jess, a mother who takes her son to the hospital for a head injury. The doctor, who is also a friend, becomes suspicious of Jess’ description of what happened and calls the authorities. It’s based on a novel of the same name. All six-episodes drop Thursday.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
I’ve skateboarded all over the world in various video games, but one location remains untouched by my deck: hell. Solo designer Sam Eng aims to correct that omission with Skate Story. You are a skateboarder made of glass in an underworld lled with demons who can only be defeated by unleashing your gnarliest tricks. The only way to escape is to swallow the moon. If you love classics like Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater but wish they were more hallucinatory, this might be the ride for you. Kick o now on PlayStation 5, Switch 2 or PC.
JOHN WILSON / NETFLIX VIA AP
LUCA BRUNO / AP PHOTO
Brad Pitt walks in the paddock at the Silverstone racetrack in Silverstone, England, in 2024.
