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VOLUME 146 ISSUE 2 | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 7, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM

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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

WHAT’S HAPPENING Trump tells Republicans to be ‘flexible’ on abortion restrictions to get health care deal President Donald Trump wants Republicans to get a deal on health care insurance assistance by being flexible on a long-standing budget policy that bars federal money from being spent on abortion services. Trump made his request during a speech to House Republicans on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. Trump says Republicans can “own health care” as an issue if they get a deal to replace expired subsidies for Affordable Care Act insurance customers. But Trump is essentially asking House Republicans to set aside decades of GOP policy insisting on the Hyde Amendment as part of any health care spending. Some Democrats want to end Hyde restrictions as part of any new agreements on health care subsidies, and anti-abortion rights advocates want Republicans to hold the line.

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The wolf watches over The first full moon in January is known as the wolf moon, and it looked stunning both day and night shining over Albemarle on Sunday.

Security forces clash with protesters in Iran’s main market as dozens killed in demonstrations Protesters angry over Iran’s ailing economy have conducted a sit-in at Tehran’s Grand Bazaar. Security forces fired tear gas and dispersed demonstrators as the market shut down. The protests Tuesday come as Iran’s rial currency fell to a record low. Activists say violence surrounding the protests has killed at least 36 people, with authorities detaining more than 1,200 others. Iran’s Central Bank recently reduced subsidized exchange rates for dollars, likely leading to price hikes. Reformist President Masoud Pezeshkian warned the crisis might be moving beyond government control. The situation is likely to worsen as inflation and sanctions continue to impact the economy.

Georgia sets March 10 election to replace Greene in Congress Voters in northwest Georgia will head to the polls March 10 to choose a successor to U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, who resigned from her seat in Congress on Monday. Gov. Brian Kemp set the date on Tuesday following Greene’s resignation after five tumultuous years in Congress. Candidates will run on a single all-party ballot on March 10.

Local America 250 committee maps out plans for county The event package includes a drone show at City Lake Park By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Plans for Stanly County’s America 250 commemoration of the nation’s

overview of a yearlong celebration that will include public art, educational programs, live music and large-scale community events across the county. The local America 250 committee is an 18-member volunteer board made up of representatives from municipal governments, nonprofits and other organiza-

Stanly commissioners table funding decision for 911 center “Unfortunately, we haven’t found a better way.” Kyle Griffin, Stanly County E-911 director

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250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence were unveiled this week. At Monday night’s Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting, Bain Jones, chair of the America 250 N.C. Stanly County Committee and president of the Stanly County Historical Society, presented an

The project’s radio connectivity plans have changed By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — While construction of the Stanly County 911 and Emergency Operations Center continues to move forward, county officials say additional funding is needed to ensure reliable microwave radio network connectivity for the facility. Stanly County E-911 Director Kyle Griffin present-

ed the request Monday night to the Stanly County Board of Commissioners, asking the board to approve lease financing totaling just under $500,000 with Motorola. The funds would cover the remaining balance of the bundled microwave radio network and Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) project. “They have held this price since the June timeframe,” Griffin said of Motorola. “We’re standing here now in January because I refused to accept their initial proposals See CENTER, page A4

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tions throughout Stanly County. “I am very fortunate to lead individuals from municipal governments, nonprofits and other organizations across the county,” Jones said. “Together, we have planned what we believe is a very joyous and also memorable birthday celebrtion See AMERICA 250, page A5

inside Former North Stanly pitcher Rhett Lowder, a first-round pick of the Reds in 2023, will have his number retired before the Comets’ boys’ basketball game on Friday. See more in Sports.

CAROLYN KASTER / AP PHOTO

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

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Bluefin tuna sells for record $3.2M STANLY at first 2026 Tokyo fish market auction happening

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TOKYO — A massive 535-pound bluefin tuna sold for a record 510 million yen ($3.2 million) at the first auction of 2026 at Tokyo’s Toyosu fish market. The top bidder for the prized tuna at the predawn auction on Monday was Kiyomura Corp., whose owner Kiyoshi Kimura runs the popular Sushi Zanmai chain. Kimura, who has won the annual action many times in the past, broke the previous record of 334 million yen ($2.1 million) he set in 2019. Kimura later told reporters he was hoping to pay a bit less for it, but “the price shot up before you knew it.” The auction started when the bell rang, and the floor was filled with torpedo-shaped fish with their tails cut off so bidders could examine meat details such as color, texture and fattiness while walking around the rows of tuna. The pricey fish was caught off the coast of Oma in northern Japan, a region widely regarded for producing some of

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County:

Now Through Jan. 31 The Art of Kenly and Jubal Strube Monday – Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Exhibit of fine arts on display

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A bluefin tuna that won the highest bid at the annual New Year auction is carried to a Sushi Zanmai restaurant in Tokyo on Monday. the country’s finest tuna, and cost $6,060 per pound. “It’s in part for good luck,” Kimura said. “But when I see a good looking tuna, I cannot resist. ... I haven’t sampled it yet, but it’s got to be delicious.” Hundreds of tuna are sold daily at the early morning auction, but prices are significantly higher than usual for

the Oma tuna, especially at the celebratory New Year auction. Due to the popularity of tuna for sushi and sashimi, Pacific bluefin tuna was previously a threatened species due to climate change and overfishing, but its stock is recovering following conservation efforts.

SEARCH. SEE. LOVE

Jan. 13-Feb. 7 Stanly Arts Guild Members’ Show This annual exhibition features the work of Stanly Arts Guild members working in a variety of media and genres. The show awards a first-, second- and third-place prize, along with honorable mention ribbons given at the judge’s discretion. Admission to the exhibit is free. Stanly Arts Guild & Gallery 330 N. 2nd St. Albemarle

Jan. 14

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Stanly County Farm Bureau Livestock Arena 26130 Newt Road Albemarle

Jan. 26 – March 9, 2026 Every Monday for 7 weeks 6:30 - 9 p.m. Cost: $35 plus book Farm Bureau Livestock Arena (next to the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center) 26130 Newt Rd, Albemarle, NC

Sponsored and taught by the Stanly County Beekeeper’s Association This seven-week class includes basic and advanced training on how to prepare for, acquire, and manage honeybee colonies. A field day will be held after the final day of class. To register or for more information Call Mark Little 704-985-3383

Chair Yoga 3-3:30 p.m. A gentle, adult yoga class geared toward those with coordination issues or difficulties standing for long periods without support. No experience or mat needed for this free class. Main Library 133 E. Main St. Albemarle

Jan. 20 Stanly County Commissioners’ Meeting 6-7 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend this regular meeting. It will take place in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room of the Stanly Commons. 1000 N. 1st St. Albemarle

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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES

COLUMN | DANIEL MCCARTHY

Harvard says yes to discrimination, no to Western civilization Mongol hordes aren’t the only protagonists of the new history.

AT HARVARD UNIVERSITY today, professors who teach Western history are history. James Hankins, a specialist in Renaissance thought, was one of the last holdouts. Now Hankins, who has just published a hefty book that teaches what Harvard doesn’t — “The Golden Thread: A History of the Western Tradition. Vol. 1” — has decamped for the University of Florida’s Hamilton School of Classical and Civic Education. It’s not the warmer weather that’s drawn him away from Cambridge, Massachusetts. It’s the contrast in intellectual climates: frozen and dead, where Western history is concerned, at Harvard; full of green shoots at the University of Florida. “We have not hired with tenure a historian in a Western field — ancient, medieval, early modern, or modern — in a decade,” Hankins said about his Harvard department, which in that time “lost eight senior historians in Western fields — all major figures — through death, retirement or departure for other universities. I will be the ninth, and I am not expecting to be replaced.” The loss isn’t just Harvard’s: “The replacement of Western history by global history” has done “serious harm ... to the socialization of young Americans,” the historian warned in Compact magazine. “When you don’t teach the young what civilization is, it turns out, people become uncivilized.” In the 40 years Hankins taught at Harvard, he saw his profession shift its focus from European civilization to cultures once considered barbarian. “In this absurdist rendering of world history, Central Asian peoples,” for example, “are presented as the drivers of cultural innovation, spreading their benign influence east and west via the Silk Road,” he said. This is marketed as “‘de-centering the West,’

where Western countries are literally put in their place as an ugly growth on the back side of Eurasia.” Mongol hordes aren’t the only protagonists of the new history, however: Anyone who isn’t white qualifies. A similar standard applies to elite graduate school admissions, in Hankins’ experience. “I was told informally by a member of the admissions committee” in 2021, he recalled, that “admitting a white male ... was ‘not happening this year.’” As for Harvard’s white male undergraduates, their skin color and sex are obstacles to academic advancement: “The best student at Harvard — he won the prize for the graduating senior with the best overall academic record — was rejected from all the graduate programs to which he applied. He too was a white male,” the historian recounted. “I called around to friends at several universities to find out why on earth he had been rejected. Everywhere it was the same story: Graduate admissions committees around the country had been following the same unspoken protocol as ours.” Could anyone get past this illegal discrimination? “The one exception I found to the general exclusion of white males had begun life as a female,” Hankins wrote. Hankins was one of the mere 3% of Harvard faculty who identify as conservative. Yet even progressive scholars admit there’s a problem. Theda Skocpol, Harvard’s Victor S. Thomas Professor of Government and Sociology, is nobody’s idea of a conservative. In a recent interview published with the journal “Sociologica,” however, Skocpol acknowledged, “We in the universities ... went overboard with trying to boost some groups over others.” That came in the midst of lowering standards

— the average GPA at Harvard is now, notoriously, around 3.8: an A-. “We went too far in academia for a decade before (Donald) Trump in giving the impression that students’ feelings matter more than what they learn. ... We’re at the point at Harvard where everybody thinks they should get an A, and they don’t think they should do much to get it.” But how seriously should taxpayers, who foot the bill for much of higher ed’s mischief, take a professor like Skocpol when she says, “I believe in actual equality, applying the same standards to everyone, not using special quotas or excuses for particular groups”? Not very seriously, when in the same interview she said Trump administration officials cracking down on the academy’s follies “all resent some woman — particularly some black woman —who told them what to do or who got what they think they deserved.” Harvard’s last president, Claudine Gay, was a black woman whose scholarship was infected with plagiarism. She’s still employed by Harvard, with a compensation package said to be in the neighborhood of $900,000. The contrast between Gay’s treatment as a black woman and the white male students with exemplary records who have been discriminated against the way Hankins describes should make even a Theda Skocpol question her premises about why conservatives criticize higher ed. Harvard and its peers have replaced Western history with global history — and merit with identity politics. If scholars of Hankins’ caliber keep migrating to the freer and fairer setting of places like Florida, Harvard will at last find itself replaced, too. Daniel McCarthy is the editor of “Modern Age: A Conservative Review.”

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

America needs more masculinity Men working with their hands literally built the country.

SOCIETY HAS SPENT decades telling boys that masculinity is toxic, and now there’s a shortage of skilled tradesmen. The connection should be obvious. Through his on-again, off-again tariff dance, President Donald Trump has made one thing clear: He wants more things built in America. He’s bragged about already securing more investment dollar commitments than former President Joe Biden did during his entire term. And he wants more. Trump has long championed the rural communities devastated by factory shutdowns. It’s one reason that he has enjoyed such strong support in Middle America. In his speech at the Republican National Convention last year, now-Vice President JD Vance detailed the importance of remembering that America is both a “nation” and “our homeland.” The hardworking people I grew up with “love this country, not only because it’s a good idea, but because in their bones they know that this is their home,” he said. He continued, “This is the source of America’s greatness.” This is why Trump and Vance are so determined to rejuvenate American industry. But there’s a major obstacle to accomplishing this — a shortage of skilled workers. “For every five tradespeople that retire, two enter the workforce,” Mike Rowe, host of “Dirty Jobs,” wrote in 2024. “That’s a 5:2 ratio, and the math is simply not sustainable.”

It’s not for lack of opportunity. For instance, the Navy Industrial Submarine Base needs to hire 100,000 skilled tradesmen within the next decade. But the companies working there are struggling to find enough qualified employees. One reason is that society has relentlessly pushed students toward college. Former President Ronald Reagan once said, “If you want more of something, subsidize it.” And the government has, dumping trillions of dollars into higher education over the decades. Sure enough, college enrollment more than doubled from 1972 to 2022, growing from 9.2 million to 18.6 million. In 1972, around a quarter of 18- to 24-year-olds were enrolled in college. In 2022, it was 39%. This hasn’t just limited the potential pool of future welders and plumbers. It’s sent the message that those careers are second-rate. That they’re only for people who aren’t smart enough for college. It’s a terrible and false message. It may not earn you a high SAT score, but understanding how wiring, pipes and parts work in the real world is a much-needed type of intelligence. Men working with their hands literally built the country. There’s a more fundamental issue here, too. The skilled trades continue to be dominated by men. This isn’t the result of a patriarchal society but innate differences between men

and women. Men are stronger than women. They’re more mechanically minded. They’re more interested in working with their hands. They’re more willing to do dangerous and dirty jobs, like building the Hoover Dam. This doesn’t make men superior to women. It makes men and women different. Women have their own set of strengths, including better language and social skills. Modern feminists rarely praise pregnancy, but growing a baby inside of you is the closest thing human beings have to a superpower. But society doesn’t nurture the unique strengths of boys. Most schools want little boys to act like little girls. Doctors prescribe Ritalin to boys who can’t sit still. Male students see their success in areas like mathematics and engineering dismissed as the result of systemic sexism, not their achievements. Compounding this problem is the growing number of boys living in homes without their fathers. Little wonder so many men — and potential skilled tradesmen — have disengaged. The labor force participation rate for men 25-54 hit 98% in 1954. In November, it was under 90%. Masculinity isn’t toxic. It’s what built this country. And rebuilding American industry requires celebrating masculinity, not attacking it. Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Hegseth censures Kelly after Democrats’ video urging troops to resist unlawful orders Kelly is a retired Navy captain and still subject to some military rules By Konstantin Toropin, Ben Finley and Meg Kinnard The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Monday that he censured Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona over the former Navy pilot’s participation in a video that called on troops to resist unlawful orders. Hegseth said the censure — by itself simply a formal letter with little practical consequence — was “a necessary process step” to proceedings that could result in a demotion from Kelly’s retired rank of captain and subsequent reduction in retirement pay. Investigating and now punishing a sitting U.S. senator is an extraordinary move for the Pentagon, which until President Donald Trump’s second term had usually gone out of its way to act and appear apolitical. A legal expert says the choice to go after a lawmaker will complicate an already unique case. In a lengthy post on social media, Kelly said he “never expected” what he called an “attack” from Trump and Hegseth, recounting his 25 years of Navy service as well as combat and space missions. Calling Hegseth’s move “outrageous” and “un-American,” Kelly said he would fight the censure “with everything I’ve got — not for myself, but to send a message back that Pete Hegseth and Donald Trump don’t get to decide what Americans in this country get to say about their government.” Hegseth’s action follows video about illegal orders The censure comes after Kelly participated in a video in November with five other Democratic lawmakers — all veterans of the armed services and intelligence community — in which they called on troops to uphold the Constitution and defy “illegal orders.”

ALEX BRANDON / AP PHOTO

Left, Sen. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) refutes efforts by President Donald Trump and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to intimidate him and other lawmakers last month. Right, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens during a news conference with President Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago on Saturday in Palm Beach, Florida. Trump, a Republican, accused the lawmakers of sedition “punishable by DEATH” in a social media post days later. The 90-second video was first posted from Sen. Elissa Slotkin’s X account. In it, the six lawmakers — Slotkin, Kelly and Reps. Jason Crow, Chris Deluzio, Maggie Goodlander and Chrissy Houlahan — speak directly to U.S. service members, whom Slotkin acknowledges are “under enormous stress and pressure right now.” The lawmakers didn’t mention specific circumstances. But their message was released amid a series of military attacks on boats accused of smuggling drugs in the Caribbean Sea and the eastern Pacific Ocean and Trump’s attempts to deploy National Guard troops to American cities. The Pentagon announced that it began an investigation of Kelly in late November, citing a federal law that allows retired service members to be recalled to active duty on orders of the defense secretary for possible court-martial or other measures. While all six lawmakers served in the military or the intelligence community, Hegseth previously said Kelly was the only one facing investigation

“Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action.” Pete Hegseth, secretary of War because he is the only one of the lawmakers who formally retired from the military and is still under the Pentagon’s jurisdiction. Kelly said last month that the investigation was part of an effort to silence dissent: “This is just about sending a message to retired service members, active duty service members, government employees — do not speak out against this president or there will be consequences.” Kelly, along with some of the other Democrats in the initial video, have sent out fundraising messages based off Trump’s reaction to their comments, efforts that have gone toward filling their own campaign coffers and further elevating their national-level profiles.

CENTER from page A1

COURTESY STANLYTV

Stanly County E-911 Director Kyle Griffin requested additional funding for the Stanly County 911 and Emergency Operations Center at the county commissioners meeting on Monday night.

and plans, because I said there had to be a better way. Unfortunately, we haven’t found a better way.” After discussion, commissioners unanimously voted to table the item until their next regular meeting on Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. The delay will allow the board to hear directly from a Motorola representative, who is expected to present technical details and answer questions related to the proposal. County staff bundled the microwave project with the MPLS project already approved in the FY26 budget in an effort to mitigate rising costs and reduce duplication. The project is being supported by two primary funding sources: $444,000 in budgeted FY26 funds for the MPLS sys-

In his post Monday, Hegseth charged that Kelly’s remarks in the video and afterward violated Uniform Code of Military Justice provisions against conduct unbecoming an officer and violating good order and discipline. “Captain Kelly’s status as a sitting United States Senator does not exempt him from accountability, and further violations could result in further action,” Hegseth said. Todd Huntley, a retired Navy captain and judge advocate general, called this is a “novel” situation that raises legal questions. One issue, Huntley said, is whether Kelly’s comments fall under the constitutional protections of the speech or debate clause, which is intended to protect members of Congress from questioning about official legislative acts. A 1968 Supreme Court decision said the provision’s intent was “to prevent legislative intimidation by and accountability to the other branches of government.” “You can’t punish him for making statements that are consistent with the office he is holding,” said Colby Vokey, a promi-

nent civilian military lawyer and former military prosecutor, citing the Constitution’s speech and debate clause. Huntley said that while the type of process Hegseth is using — known as a retirement grade determination — is fairly routine, “as far as I know, they’ve always been based on conduct during the individual’s active duty service, even if it only came to light after retirement.” “So, I don’t know if conduct totally after retirement would fit the requirement for such a determination,” he added. Vokey also expressed skepticism, saying that while the Navy secretary can reduce a retired officer’s rank and pay grade if it’s determined that good cause exists, “I have no idea what the good cause would be. I think that’s pretty questionable.” According to Hegseth, Kelly now has 30 days to submit a response to the proceedings that will decide if he is demoted. The decision will be made within 45 days, Hegseth’s post added. Huntley noted that Kelly also will have options to appeal the finding both within the military and in federal court. Vokey said a lawsuit in federal court would likely be the more effective course of action for Kelly.

tem and $350,000 in funding from the North Carolina General Assembly earmarked for the microwave component. After applying those funds, the remaining project balance totals $499,833.16. Motorola has proposed a twoyear lease financing option with annual payments in arrears, a structure that would avoid additional fiscal impact in the current fiscal year and spread costs across FY27 and FY28. The new 911 and Emergency Operations Center requires reliable and redundant radio connectivity to the county’s public safety radio system, which will be provided through a series of microwave radio hops. Early engineering reviews suggested a single microwave path from either the Stanly Community College tower or the Stanly County Courthouse

to the 100-foot tower at the Stanly County Airport would be sufficient. However, more detailed engineering analysis later determined that terrain, vegetation growth and reliability standards prevented either direct path from meeting required performance criteria. “My radio tech personally looked at it, and he can tell you the heights of every single tower,” Griffin said. “He can tell you at what heights the microwaves are mounted. He did a lot of work on that because he understands that technology a lot more than I do. We did a lot of research and unfortunately we could not find another solution.” Following Griffin’s presentation, commissioners opted to postpone a decision until additional technical information can be reviewed later this month.

What accusations Hegseth is leveling against Kelly

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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

New report shows 25% drop in deaths of on-duty law enforcement officers In 2025, 111 officers were killed, down from 148

Bill Alexander, the Fund chief executive officer

By Claudia Lauer The Associated Press DEATHS OF ON-DUTY law enforcement officers in the U.S. decreased by nearly 25% in 2025, according to an annual report. The report from the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund, shared with The Associated Press ahead of its release Tuesday, shows a drop in all categories of fatalities, from 148 total deaths in 2024 to 111 last year. Officer firearm fatalities dropped to 44, a 15% decrease from 52 in 2024 and the lowest number in at least a decade, according to the Fund’s previous annual officer fatality reports. “I always like to see that firearms deaths are down. They are the tip of the spear for egregious acts,” said Bill Alexander, the chief executive officer of the Fund, a Washington, D.C.based nonprofit that works to memorialize fallen officers, educate the public about the profession and improve officer safety. Traffic-related deaths also decreased nearly 23% between 2024 and 2025, including both fatal traffic accidents and officers killed after being struck by a vehicle — usually during traffic stops. “Even one officer fatality is too many, and our ultimate goal is to have none. But we’re heartened by any decrease in those numbers,” Alexander said. Alexander said the reduction in traffic-related officer deaths likely can be attributed to an increase in the national conver-

MATT ROURKE / AP PHOTO

Officers wait for slain West York Borough Police Officer Andrew Duarte’s funeral procession from Living Word Community Church, in Red Lion, Pennsylvania, last February. sation around officer safety on the road. More states around the country have passed “moveover” laws requiring drivers to move out of the lane closest to traffic stops or accidents while passing them. There have been increased efforts to direct officers to approach the passenger side of cars during traffic stops, removing them from travel lanes, Alexander said. The reason behind the decrease in firearm fatalities is harder to define. While many departments have offered increased safety training and have

better equipment for firearm injuries, Alexander said luck and other unquantifiable factors also play a role. “Some of it could come down to an officer being shot close to a hospital or maybe the officers had a tactical emergency kit or better blood stopping equipment,” he said. Fewer fatalities also doesn’t mean fewer instances of officers being shot or being shot at, he said. The National Fraternal Order of Police tracks the number of officer shootings, both fatal

and non-fatal. That report does not include incidents where officers were shot at and not struck by gunfire. The 2025 FOP report, released this week, showed there was a small increase in officers shot while on-duty last year — increasing from 342 in 2024 to 347 in 2025. Among the high-profile shooting deaths in 2025 was Andrew Duarte, a West York Borough Police Department officer who was shot and killed in February while responding to a man who had taken several

AMERICA 250 from page A1 for our country. With funds from the state and the Stanly County Historical Society, a number of major projects are coming.” One of the signature events will be a drone show combined with electronic projections and music, scheduled for June 5 at City Lake Park in Albemarle. The presentation will use visual storytelling and music to commemorate the nation’s founding. “We are grateful to Uwharrie Bank for funding this memorable event, and we certainly hope that you will join us at that particular event,” Jones said. “This will be something that has really never been seen in our state.” School-age children from across the county have been invited to design artwork for streetlight pole banners that will be displayed in municipalities countywide; all winners will be announced publicly at the Stanly County Arts Council’s annual Celebration of the Arts event on March 21. Along with each selected

“I always like to see that firearms deaths are down. ... “Even one officer fatality is too many, and our ultimate goal is to have none.”

“Together, we have planned what we believe is a very joyous and also memorable birthday celebration for our country.” Bain Jones, chair of the America 250 N.C. Stanly County Committee COURTESY STANLYTV

student receiving a $100 savings bond and recognition at the event, every municipality in Stanly County will receive a full set of the 14 banners to display during the yearlong celebration. In addition, the state-level America 250 celebration committee is sponsoring a competition for all fourth graders in North Carolina to design a county flag for their respective counties as part of the anniversary observance. Environmental and historical themes will also be incorporated into the local celebration. The America 250 N.C.

Bain Jones, chair of the America 250 N.C. Stanly County Committee, gave a presentation at the county commissioners meeting on Monday night. Stanly County Committee plans to host a Beyond the Liberty Tree Project, which will involve planting a white oak tree in Liberty Gardens Memorial Park in Albemarle through community donations. Jones said the project will extend beyond Stanly County as well, with additional trees to be planted in western North Carolina to aid recovery efforts in areas damaged

by Hurricane Helene in 2024. Historical recognition will be highlighted during Norwood’s annual Arbor Day Festival on April 25, when a new mural commemorating the Battle of Colson’s Mill will be unveiled as part of a countywide celebration. The Revolutionary War battle, fought on July 21, 1780, resulted in a Patriot victory in what is now Norwood. The mural will be installed at

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the outdoor art gallery near the farmers market area between Main and Campbell streets, with the unveiling featuring special music by the Stanly County Chorale and the Stanly County Concert Band. Those two musical groups will also debut a commissioned patriotic composition during a performance at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center on April 30. Jones concluded his presentation by asking county commissioners to allocate $10,000 to support the drone show and other countywide events. The state of North Carolina has already awarded the county a $10,000 grant for the celebration. A full guide to America 250 events in Stanly County is currently being finalized and will be published online on the Stanly County Historical Society’s website. The Stanly County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting on Jan. 20 at 6 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

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people hostage in a York, Pennsylvania hospital. And law enforcement officers from around the country attended funeral services Monday for Delaware State Trooper Matthew “Ty” Snook, who was shot and killed while he was working an overtime shift at a DMV office on Dec. 23, after pushing a DMV employee out of the way of the gunman. The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund’s fatality report also showed no on-duty officer fatalities in 17 states and Washington D.C., and none at the nation’s federal and tribal law enforcement agencies last year. It also showed a 37% drop in the “other” fatalities category that includes physical or medical issues from on-duty incidents and most other fatalities like stabbings, drownings or plane crashes. The number dropped from 52 in 2024 to 33 in 2025, and includes 14 officers who died last year from illnesses related to responding to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. Previous annual reports included COVID-19 deaths, which increased fatality numbers significantly in 2020 and 2021, but Alexander said COVID deaths have not been included as on-duty fatalities in the last two years. The report also does not include officers who committed suicide, though Alexander said the group is having conversations about how to honor and include those officers.

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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

OBITUARIES

Jonah Richard Turner June 21, 1940 – Jan. 2, 2026 Jonah Richard Turner, 85, of Norwood, passed away Friday, January 2, 2026 at home, surrounded by his loving family. He is now reunited with his oldest daughter, Kendra, his baby son, Jeff, his sister, Shelvia, and his parents, Henry and Louise Turner. He is survived by his loving wife of 64 years, Mary Emily Turner of the home. His daughter, Melissa Jo Huneycutt and husband Scottie; grandchildren: Megan and Phil DePasquale, Seth and Alicia Todd, and Wesley Huneycutt. His greatgrandchildren: Matthew Todd and Turner DePasquale; and one sister, Dolly Turner. He was a special ‘Pa’ to his whole family! A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel, with full Military Honors to follow. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. A burial will be held at a later date. SGM-Sergeant Major Jonah Richard Turner was a 30-year Army Soldier. He finished boot camp at Ft. Bening, GA. Then he went to jump school at Ft. Bragg, NC. He then continued as a paratrooper with the 82nd Airborne Division. He went to Okinawa and jumped all over Asia. After that, he went to US Army Special Forces, serving in all groups and traveled the world to help problems wherever the special forces were needed. He served 3 years in the Vietnam War and was wounded 2 times with purple hearts. He has 5 Bronze star Medals from Vietnam and 2 Silver Star nominations.

Lewis Douglas Davis Nov. 16, 1933 – Dec. 22, 2025 Lewis Douglas Davis, 92, of Albemarle, peacefully passed on Monday, December 22, 2025 at Atrium Health Stanly Manor in Albemarle. Doug was born November 16, 1933, to the late Lewis Theodore Davis and Annie Maude Davis. He is preceded in death by sisters, Nancy Joyce Thompson, and Sylvia Eudy, as well as brother, Kenneth Davis. Survivors include wife of 72 years, Peggy Chandler Davis of Albemarle, two sons

After the war, he was a HALO instructor at Ft. Bragg, NC. He loved that job because he loved to jump. He had over 4,000 parachute jumps in a log. He also did sport parachute jumps. Later, he went to Germany to be a First Sergeant of A Co. 1st 30th Infantry that he named Apace Co. and his company excelled. He did so well, he was picked by General Dyke to be SGM of Cummer Exercise for all European Training at Geofravear, Germany. He made SGm with 17 years in. His next assignment was Con Barracks DIC where he ran it all. Next homeward bound, Appalachian State, the SGTM for ROTC there. Transferred to Davidson College, Davidson, NC to be the instructor of ROTC there. He retired with 30 years on April 30, 1988. During his term, he earned 4 more Bronze Star Medals, parachute Badge, Distinguished Service Cross, 2 purple hearts, Vietnam Service Cross, all kinds of ‘I was there’ badges. His chest was full! He was truly a proud American who loved his country and fought to keep us free, as well as other peoples, too! ‘God Bless the USA’ was one of his favorite songs by Lee Greenwood. He formed many friendships around the world and treasured them all. He was a quiet religious man, but he knew who his God and savior was and was ready to meet his maker. Before his decline, he was an avid coastal fisherman. He loved sharing with friends, his boat trips out on the Ocean to fish and our place at Cape Lookout. We would have 4th of July fish fry’s for family and friends. He loved sharing his fish! A special thank you to Connie Green and Franklin Boyles for helping take care of Jonah Richard during his last years. The family would also like to extend a sincere appreciation and thank you to the veteran’s administration of Salisbury, NC; for their care and support of the SGM. If you wish to send a donation, they made to Tillery Compassionate Care, 960 N. 1st Street, Albemarle NC, 28001 OR Stanly County Humane Society, 2049 Badin Road, Albemarle NC 28001, or the charity of your choice!

of New London, Mike Davis (Tanya), Barry Davis (Teresa), and daughter, Ranee Hewett (Alan) of Fountain Inn, South Carolina. He is also survived by six grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, and gardening and was known for the beautiful German Johnson tomatoes he grew and shared for many years. He worked in textiles and enjoyed telling “mill” stories and describing life as he then knew it. A Celebration of Life, officiated by Pastor James Valk of Albemarle Wesleyan Church will be held Saturday, January 3, 2026. Visitation will be held from 1:00 1:45 pm, followed by a brief service at the church. The family would like to thank the staff at Atrium Health Stanly Manor for their kindness and care while there. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital at www.stjude. org Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Davis family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@ stanlynewsjournal.com

IN MEMORY

DENNIS RAY “COUNTRY” ALDRIDGE

ONNIE HOLT BEEKER

NOV. 11, 1958 – DEC. 26, 2025

NOV. 30, 1935 – DEC. 29, 2025

Dennis Ray “Country” Aldridge, of Albemarle, North Carolina, went to be with the Lord shortly before noon on Saturday, December 26, 2025. His funeral service will be at 3 p.m. on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Coyle Baptist Church with Pastor David Sanders officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 1-2:30 p.m. prior to the service. Born November 11, 1958, in Clifton Forge, Virginia, Dennis was the son of the late James Lawrence Aldridge and Mable Laura Nicely Aldridge. He proudly served his country in the United States Navy, retiring after 20 years of service in Naval Aviation as a Boatswain’s Mate and military firefighter. Dennis attained the rank of ABH2 (E-5), a testament to his dedication, courage and strong work ethic. Dennis was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Darrell Aldridge, Alvin Aldridge, and Carl R. Aldridge, Allen Aldridge (Tammy), and Clayton Aldridge; and his sisters, Bonnie Aldridge, Nancy Aldridge (David), and Libby Aldridge. He is survived by his loving wife, Annette Aldridge; his sisters, Donna (Shannon) Brandvold and Peggy (Mel) Brady; his brother, Charles (Doreen) Aldridge; his sons, Michael (Amanda) Temmermand and Kevin (Patience) Temmermand; and his cherished grandchildren, Izach, Charisma, Avah, Alanah, and Celeste. Affectionately known as “Country,” Dennis was a wonderful and devoted husband, father, brother, and Pop Pop. He was a man full of life, laughter, and warmth; someone who never met a stranger and who had a natural way of making people laugh. He enjoyed riding his motorcycle, watching westerns, and living life with humor and heart. Dennis lived generously, loved deeply, and brought joy to those around him. His legacy of service, kindness, and laughter will forever remain in the hearts of his family and friends. As Dennis himself liked to say, “How ya like me now?”

Onnie Holt Beeker, 90, of Gold Hill, North Carolina, peacefully passed away on Monday, December 29, 2025, at Trinity Place in Albemarle. Born November 30, 1935, in Stanly County, she was the daughter of the late Enos Holt and Talitha Holt. Onnie was a graduate of Richfield High School and dedicated many years of service to Arrowood Mills in Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina, where she worked in Packing and Shipping before her retirement. A woman of quiet strength and faith, Onnie was a longtime member of Matton’s Grove United Methodist Church. She found great joy in her family and will be remembered for her kind heart, strong work ethic and devotion to those she loved. Onnie was married to her beloved husband, Claude Carr Beeker, who preceded her in death in 2009. She is survived by her sons, Todd Beeker and wife Kelley, and Kevin Beeker and wife Wendy; her grandchildren, Wesley Beeker (Kalyn) of Gold Hill, NC, and Tabitha Beeker and husband Garrett Austin; and great-grandchildren, Stacie Jean Beeker, Levi Austin and Sarah Austin. A funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle. The family will receive friends from noon to 1:30 p.m. prior to the service. Onnie’s family is grateful for the care and compassion shown to her during her time at Trinity Place.

MARY (MORRISON) HEARNE JAN. 6, 1951 – DEC. 27, 2025 In the midst of loss, our family is thankful to have shared a blessed life with Mary Etter Morrison Hearne, who transitioned to eternal rest on Saturday, December 27, 2025, at her residence in Albemarle, North Carolina. Mary was born January 6, 1951, in Stanly County, North Carolina, and was the daughter of John Henry and Mary Katherine Tillman Morrison. Gone from our home and our presence, but not from our hearts, Mary will be lovingly remembered for her beautiful smile, warmth, and kindness she imparted to family and friends. May she soar with the angels. Mary was educated in the Stanly County Public Schools and attended Kingville High School, Albemarle. Never idle, always busy, she was employed in the textile industry for over twenty years and retired after many years of service with the Lutheran Home, Albemarle. A woman of faith, Mary was a student of the Jehovah’s Witness teachings. In her pastime, she enjoyed cooking, fishing, and dancing. Most of all, she loved her family and friends and enjoyed the shared time together. She also loved solving word search and crossword puzzles. Mary was preceded in death by her parents: John Henry Morrison and Mary K. Tillman Morrison; husband, Robert “Tico” Hearne; son, Jeffrey Morrison; and siblings: Joyce Ann Morrison, Albert Knight, David Morrison, Roger Morrison, Ernest Morrison, and John Morrison. Her loving grace, compassion, and kindness will forever be remembered by her daughters: Pamela Morrison, Marsha Hearne, and Tyishia Hearne (Melvin Hall); grandchildren: Jayden Hearne, Tiyana Hall, and Teyana Hall; sisters: Betty M. (Levander) Edwards and Catherine Elaine Morrison; brother, Henry Morrison; godsons: Tyron McDonald, Larry Waddell, and Lester Currie; sisters-in-law: Carolyn Townsend, Judith Rush, Mary H. Snuggs, and Dorinda (James) Alston; a host of nieces, nephews, other relatives, and friends.

DELORES BURLESON KIMMER JAN. 23, 1953 – JAN. 1, 2026 Delores Burleson Kimmer, 72, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Atrium Health Stanly. A memorial service will be held at a later date. Born January 23, 1953, in Stanly County, Delores was the daughter of the late James and Sarah Burleson. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her first husband, Charles Lee Misenheimer, in 1998, and her second husband, James Kimmer, in 2016. Delores is lovingly survived by her children, Lisa Kimmer of Marshville, NC, Charles Misenheimer of Albemarle, James Misenheimer (Jennifer) of Albemarle, and Crystal Eudy of Albemarle; her grandchildren, Camden Misenheimer, Kayla Dowd (Spencer), Morgan Snyder, and Brooklinn Snyder; and her greatgrandchild, Rhett Misenheimer. She is also survived by her sisters, Terry Hopson (George) and Roxie Howard. Delores was a devoted mother, a cherished grandmother, and a great-grandmother. She lived a simple life rooted in strong faith, kindness and generosity. She found joy in flowers and good food and was known for always putting others before herself. Her gentle spirit and loving heart will be deeply missed by all who knew her. The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the staff of Atrium Health Stanly for the compassionate care and support shown to Delores during her declining health. Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care is serving the Kimmer family.

GINGER SMITH GULLEDGE FEB. 12, 1968 – JAN. 1, 2026 Ginger Smith Gulledge, 57, of Midland, passed away Thursday, January 1, 2026, at Iredell Memorial Hospital in Statesville. Ginger was born February 12, 1968, in South Carolina to Pat Ratliff Smith and the late Jewel Elree Gulledge. The family will receive friends from 1:452:15 p.m., Monday, January 5, 2026, at Locust Presbyterian Church. The funeral service will follow in the sanctuary, officiated by Reverend Ardy Skidmore. Burial will follow at the Locust Presbyterian Church Cemetery at 607 W. Main Street, Locust. Everybody who attends is welcome to join the family in the fellowship hall for a reception after the burial. Ginger graduated from Chesterfield High School and then went on to graduate from Chesterfield Technical Community College in nursing with highest marks. After graduation, she worked in numerous areas applying her skills in nursing, such as working with children with special needs and with the elderly. She was family-oriented and had a heart of gold. She loved to sing while her mother, Pat, would play the piano; they were a wonderful duet. Ginger was also very proud of her brother, Channing, and was often his mother figure. Survivors include mother, Pat Smith; father, Lamar Smith; son, Thomas Cory Adams; daughter, Carly Jewel Morgan; brother, Channing Lamar Smith II; and granddaughters, McKinley Jewel Morgan and Merritt Drew Morgan. Donations may be made to Locust Presbyterian Church of Locust, NC.

STANLY SPORTS

BAILEY HILLESHEIM / AP PHOTO

Cincinnati’s Rhett Lowder delivers a pitch in the first inning of a baseball game against the Minnesota Twins on Sept. 15, 2024, in Minneapolis.

North Stanly to host Rhett Lowder jersey retirement ceremony The former Comets pithcer graduated from North Stanly in 2020 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal NEW LONDON — North Stanly High School is set to honor one of its most accomplished former athletes Friday night with a jersey retirement ceremony for Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder. The ceremony is scheduled for 7 p.m. inside North Stanly’s

gymnasium prior to the Comets’ varsity boys’ basketball game against Gray Stone Day. Lowder, a 2020 North Stanly graduate, rose from a standout prep career with the Comets to national prominence at Wake Forest before becoming the seventh overall selection in the 2023 Major League Baseball draft by Cincinnati. The 23-year-old right-hander from Albemarle is now healthy and preparing for the 2026 MLB season after missing the entire 2025 season. Lowder made his big-league

“I really just want to take pride in my process and do the right thing every single day.” Rhett Lowder debut in 2024 and impressed immediately, posting a 1.17 ERA across six starts during his rookie campaign with the Reds. This past February, Lowder experienced elbow soreness,

prompting the Reds to proceed cautiously. While rehabbing with Triple-A Louisville in May, he suffered an oblique injury that ultimately ended his season. He returned to game action later in the year in the Arizona Fall League, appearing in four games and allowing five runs on nine hits. “I think the biggest thing I’ve learned from this past year is that every single day can feel different,” Lowder said in an interview with Cincinnati Reds Daily on Dec. 11. “Your body might be doing something different,

but as long as you stay consistent with your work, something good will happen in the long run. I’m taking that mentality into this year.” Lowder is entering 2026 hoping to earn a spot in Cincinnati’s starting rotation, leaning on preparation as spring training approaches. “I want to stay consistent with my work and my process, no matter what’s going on and what the results are,” he added. “I want to be as neutral as possible, stick my head down, grind away and just do what I need to do to give myself and the team the best chance to win games. I really just want to take pride in my process and do the right thing every single day.” Cincinnati will open its 2026 Cactus League schedule on Feb. 21 against the Cleveland Guardians in Goodyear, Arizona.

Pfeiffer women suffer first USA South loss of season The Falcons are 4-1 against their conference opponents

Pfeiffer’s Miya Horton drives to the basket during a game against Warren Wilson earlier this season.

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal MISENHEIMER — The Pfeiffer women’s basketball team came up short in its first game of 2026 following a three-week holiday break, falling 53-52 to Methodist on Saturday afternoon in Fayetteville. The loss marked the first USA South Athletic Conference setback of the season for the Falcons (6-4, 4-1 USA South), who let a 10-point second-half lead slip away against the Monarchs (4-8, 3-2 USA South). Methodist rallied from a double-digit deficit to hand Pfeiffer a narrow road loss and tighten the race near the top of the conference standings. Pfeiffer’s defeat dropped the Falcons into a tie for second place in the USA South with Brevard, both sitting one game behind Southern Virginia, who is now 5-0 in league play. The Falcons had opened conference play with four straight victories, building early momentum in their bid to surpass last season’s 11-13 overall finish and fifth-place 8-8 conference mark. Against the Monarchs, Miya Horton delivered a standout performance, finishing with a game-high 20 points, eight steals and seven rebounds. The

COURTESY PFEIFFER ATHLETICS

junior guard anchored a disruptive defensive effort that forced 26 Methodist turnovers, which Pfeiffer converted into 18 points. Sophomore guard Ava Hairston added 13 points for the Falcons. Pfeiffer appeared in control midway through the second half, leading 37-27 with 3:58 left in the third quarter. However, Methodist responded with an 11-1 run to close the period, cutting the margin to two entering the fourth.

Pfeiffer players averaging double-digit scoring

The Falcons briefly regained momentum late, building a six-point lead with 2:47 remaining, but the Monarchs surged again with a decisive 7-0 run.

Jada Richardson led Methodist with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Taylor Watford scored 10 points off the bench. Watford sealed the comeback by knocking down two free throws with 10 seconds left to give Methodist the lead for good. Under third-year head coach Vontreece Hayes, Pfeiffer is seeking the program’s first winning season since the 2017-18 campaign. The Falcons’ offense has been fueled by a balanced trio of double-figure scorers, with Hairston averaging 13.7 points per

game, Horton at 12.4 and junior guard Lettie Michael at 10.4. On the glass, junior guard Lola Cabaniss-Ali and graduate forward Nyree Bell have led the Falcons, each averaging at least six rebounds per contest. Pfeiffer will look to bounce back by hosting Christopher Newport on Thursday in a nonconference matchup, marking the Falcons’ first home game of 2026. The Falcons will then return to conference play Saturday with a home contest against Mary Baldwin.

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

Mensah throws for 4 TDs, leads Blue Devils to 42-39 win over Arizona State in Sun Bowl Duke won its fourth straight bowl game

Duke coach Manny Diaz, left, celebrates with defensive tackle Aaron Hall (99) after Virginia missed a field goal in the ACC championship game.

By John Erfort The Associated Press ELPASO, Texas — Darian Mensah threw for 327 yards and four touchdowns to lead Duke to a 42-39 victory over Arizona State in the Sun Bowl. Mensah, the game’s MVP, was 29 of 51 passing with an interception. He helped Duke to its fourth straight win and tied a Sun Bowl record for touchdown passes in a game. That included a 17-yard scoring pass to Que’Sean Brown with 2:10 to play that lifted the Blue Devils to victory. “I was pretty defeated after the fourth down where we didn’t convert,” Mensah said of a late turnover on downs with Duke trailing 39-35. “My teammates did an exceptional job of lifting me up. It’s my teammates. All I have to do is get it to my playmakers.” And although the ACC champion Blue Devils (9-5) would’ve liked to have been in the College Football Playoff, no one was thinking about that after winning this shootout. “That was an instant classic,” Duke head coach Manny Diaz said. “There’s cynicism around bowls, who wants to play, crowds … that was a big-time atmosphere, that was a big-time game, both teams gave it all, back and forth, momentum swings. “We got in a position where it was all going against us in the fourth quarter, but our guys have shown time and time again when the easiest thing to do is sit

JACOB KUPFERMAN / AP PHOTO

there and say, ‘It’s not our day,’ they find a way to win and make winning plays.” Nate Sheppard led Duke in rushing with 22 carries for 170 yards and a touchdown, while Brown was the top receiver with 10 catches for 178 yards and two scores. “It was a roller coaster,” Brown said of the game. “Coming off that last drive, we didn’t convert on fourth down. Then we saw that fumble, we got on offense. I looked at Darren when we went to the field. If there’s one guy in front of me, no one is stopping me.”

The Blue Devils also won nine games for a second consecutive season — only the second time in program history they accomplished the feat. The game, which set Sun Bowl records for combined total offense (1,158 yards), individual team offense (ASU, 619 yards), and most points in a half (52 in the first half), was tied three times and had two lead changes. ASU had three turnovers to one for Duke. The Blue Devils were driving for a go-ahead score and looked to have it on an 8-yard pass from Mensah to Cooper Barkate, but

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Arizona State got one more crack with just over two minutes to play, but a Sims’ pass over the middle was intercepted by Duke’s Luke Mergott, sealing the win. Duke was a small favorite going into the game, not only because it was the ACC champ, but also because it only had two players who were unavailable. Arizona State was without 22. Duke defensive lineman Aaron Hall was the game’s most valuable lineman, and Blue Devils punter Kade Reynoldson was the most valuable special teams player.

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ASU’s Nyland Green knocked the ball out of Barkate’s hands in the end zone. The Sun Devils took over with 2:51 remaining and seemingly in control, but Jason Brown Jr. fumbled at the end of a 14-yard carry on the next play. Kendall Johnson forced the fumble and Ma’Khi Jones recovered for the Blue Devils on the ASU 22-yard line. Two players later, Mensah connected with Brown on a receiver screen to the left side and Brown broke a tackle en route to a 17-yard score that regained the lead for Duke at 42-39.

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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

SIDELINE REPORT

NCAA BASKETBALL

Notre Dame coach Shrewsberry apologizes for actions after Cal loss South Bend, Ind. Notre Dame coach Micah Shrewsberry apologized after charging at an official following a controversial loss to Cal. The incident occurred after a four-point play in the final seconds of the game. Shrewsberry expressed regret for his actions in a statement, acknowledging they were inappropriate and not reflective of the leader he aims to be. He apologized to his team, the university, the ACC, and Cal’s coach. Shrewsberry was held back by assistants but later composed himself for postgame handshakes

BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

NFL

HORSE RACING

Garrett breaks NFL single-season sack record with 23

Crump, first female jockey to ride in Kentucky Derby, dead at 77

Cincinnati The Cleveland Browns’ Myles Garrett set the NFL’s single-season sack record with his 23rd. He reached the milestone during the fourth quarter of the season finale against Cincinnati. Garrett sacked Joe Burrow for a 6-yard loss, surpassing the previous record of 221⁄2 sacks shared by Michael Strahan and T.J. Watt. Garrett has sacked 51 players over his nine-year NFL career. Burrow is at the top of the list at 12 in 10 meetings.

Washington Diane Crump, who in 1969 became the first woman to ride professionally in a horse race and a year later became the first female jockey in the Kentucky Derby, died at 77, in hospice care in Winchester, Virginia, three months after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. After Crump made history in 1970, it would be 14 more years before another female jockey would ride in the Derby.

Winter break roundup Stanly News Journal staff

This week’s schedule:

SOUTH STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL

• Jan. 6 vs. Union Academy • Jan. 7 at Maiden • Jan. 9 vs. Gray Stone Day

3-7, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A

NORTH STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Winter break scores: • Won 64-49 vs. South Rowan • Lost 64-53 vs. GCAA • Lost 76-47 vs. Lexington • Won 78-46 vs. Langtree Charter This week’s schedule: • Jan. 6 at Albemarle • Jan. 7 at CATA • Jan. 9 at North Rowan SOUTH STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

• Lost 57-25 vs. South Rowan

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This week’s schedule:

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Winter break scores:

• Jan. 6 at Albemarle • Jan. 7 at CATA • Jan. 9 at North Rowan

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• Lost 45-28 vs GCAA • Lost 57-36 vs. Uwharrie Charter This week’s schedule: Jan. 6 vs. Union Academy Jan. 7 at Maiden Jan. 9 vs. Gray Stone Day

Winter break scores: • Lost 75-32 vs. Cox Mill • Lost 63-57 at Mount Pleasant This week’s schedule: • Jan. 6 vs. South Stanly • Jan. 9 at Union Academy • Jan. 12 vs. Uwharrie Charter ALBEMARLE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

6-6, 1-2 in Rocky River 4A/5A

6-5, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley

• Lost 78-31 at Parkwood • Lost 75-60 vs. Lexington • Won 77-73 at Langtree Charter • Won 51-50 vs. GCAA • Lost 64-46 vs. Monroe

Winter break scores:

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 6 vs. Forest Hills • Jan. 9 vs. Anson

• Jan. 6 vs. South Stanly • Jan. 9 at Union Academy • Jan. 12 vs. Uwharrie Charter

• Won 48-40 vs. Parkwood • Lost 54-50 at Mount Pleasant • Won 54-35 at Jay M. Robinson

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5-6, 2-1 in Rocky River 4A/5A

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WEST STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL

WEST STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

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Winter break scores:

2-8, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley

Winter break scores:

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7-2, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley

ALBEMARLE BOYS’ BASKETBALL

3-4, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A

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• Lost 52-36 vs. Lexington

1-11, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley

Winter break scores:

• Won 45-35 at Parkwood • Lost 54-36 at Central Cabarrus • Lost 69-38 at Christ the King • Lost 68-37 vs. Monroe

• Lost 61-42 vs. Bethany Community • Lost 61-27 at Central • Lost 71-37 vs. Buford • Won 47-44 vs. TMASACCC

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 6 vs. Forest Hills • Jan. 9 vs. Anson

• Jan. 6 vs. North Rowan • Jan. 9 at North Stanly

NORTH STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL

GRAY STONE DAY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

10-1, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley

2-6, 0-0 in Yadkin Valley

Winter break scores:

• Won 65-51 vs GCAA • Won 48-39 vs. Uwharrie Charter • Won 77-50 vs. Langtree Charter • Won 72-68 vs. GCAA

• Lost 31-19 vs. Bethany Community This week’s schedule: • Jan. 6 vs. North Rowan • Jan. 9 at North Stanly

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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

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XLE 4CLY WHITE $19,995 LOW MILES “39K”CRV ONETOURING OF KIND.................18,995 2016 HONDA 2015 MAZDA CX-977K TOURING LEATHER V6 WHITE DIAMOND 3RD SEATSUNROOF ONE OWNER WHITE .....TOO$19,995 LATE! LEATHER ..................... 2015 HONDA ACCORD LX 4 CLY DIAMOND 2016 HONDA MED GRAY 4CLY WHITE “87K”ACCORD HARD TOEX FIND ........TOO LATE! 71K 1 OWNER HARD TORED FIND ......... $18,995 2015 HONDA CRV EXL PEARL LEATHER SUNROOF ONE OWNER ........................13,995 2016 HONDA CRV SE AWD SILVER 107K 2014AND BUICK LACROSSE V6 CXL LEATHER NICE CLEAN JUST ................. $16,995 SEATS CHAMPANGE COLOR “66K”...16,995 2016 FORD MUSTANG V6 SILVER 86K 2014 HONDA CRV LX DIAMOND WHITE NEW LOW MILES TOO LATE! 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NOTICES Public Hearing Notice

NOTICE

The Richfield Board of Commissioners have called for a public hearing to be held on January 26, 2026, at 5:30pm at Town Hall located at 137 Highway 49 North, Richfield, NC 28137. The purpose of the hearing is to hear comments on proposed zoning ordinance amendments: Article 3-6, Dimensional Requirements: change R-A districts in the ETJ to 2-acre minimum lot requirement and R-A districts inside the town limits to 1-acre minimum lot requirement. The purpose of the hearing is to also hear comments on proposed Subdivision Ordinance amendments: Article IV: Page 22, Section 6, remove the word “Town” before public sewer facilities. There are no Town sewer facilities. Page 23, Section 6, Remove sentence: “Public water is available in the extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ)”. Page 23, Section 6 – Add bold: “If public water and sewer are available, then subdivisions within the extra-territorial jurisdiction must utilize public water. Page 24, Section 8.d.4(c) – Remove “Town of Richfield” and update to “Stanly County”: “Public sewer is provided by Stanly County” Page 25, Section 8.d.4(c) – Change “A minimum lot size of 10,000 square feet is required” to “A minimum lot size shall comply with zoning ordinance Article III”. Article V: Page 27, Section 2.3: Add bold: Sidewalks, curb and gutter and storm sewers. Refer to Article IV Section 4 and 5 of this ordinance. Page 27, Section 2.4: Add bold: “…set forth by the Town of Richfield, Stanly County, and the Pfeiffer-North Stanly Water Association, Inc.” Page 29, Section 8: Add sentence to end: “All materials described in this section shall be removed withing 1 year of start of clearing lot.” Any questions prior to the hearing, please contact Carolyn Capps, 704-463-1308.

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000538-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executrix of the estate of Clarence Edward Mayo, deceased of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Clarence Edward Mayo to present them to the undersigned on or before March 25, 2026, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 24th day of December 2025 Amanda Hopson Mayo 8294 C Renee Ford Road Stanfield, North Carolina 28163 Executrix

NOTICE The Town of Stanfield is accepting applications for a full-time entry-level position in the Maintenance Department. Landscaping and mechanical experience are a plus. Applications are available at www.stanfieldnc.com or at Town Hall. Call 704-888-2386 for more information. Town Clerk Wanda Yow Town of Stanfield

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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Having qualified as Executor of the ESTATE OF TERRY H. BURLESON (aka TERRY HUNSUCKER BURLESON), deceased of 28908 Kendalls Church Road, Richfield, NC 28137 (Stanly County Clerk of Court Case No. 25E000666830), the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said Decedent TERRY H. BURLESON (aka TERRY HUNSUCKER BURLESON) to present them to the undersigned ANDREW W. BURLESON, Executor, 28198-A Rogers Road, New London, NC 28127, in care of Tanya N. Oesterreich, Oesterreich Law PLLC, at PO Box 2067, Concord, North Carolina 28026, on or before the 25th day of March, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said TERRY H. BURLESON (aka TERRY HUNSUCKER BURLESON) will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 24th day of December, 2025. ANDREW W. BURLESON, Executor ESTATE OF TERRY H. BURLESON (aka TERRY HUNSUCKER BURLESON) 28198-A Rogers Road New London, NC 28127

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000674-830 Having qualified as Executor of the estate of Gary Edward Dick deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Gary Edward Dick to present them to the undersigned on or before March 25, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 24th day of December, 2025 Brett Speight 1024 Austin Road New London, NC 28127 Executor

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 24E0000435-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the estate of Bruce C. Nance, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said to present them to the undersigned on or before April 13,2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 7th day of January 2026. Kheknoy Sisavath, Executor 250 Nance Rd Stanfield NC 28163

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000640-830 Having qualified as Administrator of the estate of Laceta Faye Smith deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, This is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Laceta Faye Smith to present them to the undersigned on or before March 18, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This 17th day of December, 2025 Jeffrey Allan Smith 365 Montego Lane Salisbury, NC 28144 Administrator

NOTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000498-830 NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administator Of the estate of Kathleen Mary Francis, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Kathleen Mary Francis to present them to the undersigned on or before March 17, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 17th day of December, 2025. Charles W. Parnell, Jr. P.O. Box 2300 Albemarle, NC 28002 Publish: December 17, 2025, December 24, 2025, December 31, 2025, and January 7, 2026.

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY Special Proceedings No. 25 SP000143830 Trustee: Philip A. Glass NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Date of Sale: January 14, 2026 Time of Sale: 10:30 a.m. Place of Sale: Stanly County Courthouse Description of Property: See Attached Description Record Owners: Heirs of Jaunelle D. Jennings Address of Property: 1221 Freeman View Drive Albemarle, NC 28001 Deed of Trust: Book : 1854 Page: 922 Dated: June 3, 2024 Grantors: Jaunelle D. Jennings, an unmarried person Original Beneficiary: State Employees’ Credit Union CONDITIONS OF SALE: This sale is made subject to all unpaid taxes and superior liens or encumbrances of record and assessments, if any, against the said property, and any recorded leases. This sale is also subject to any applicable county land transfer tax, and the successful third party bidder shall be required to make payment for any such county land transfer tax. It is the intent of the holder of the above Deed of Trust that the execution, delivery and recordation of a Trustee Deed to the holder as high bidder shall not merge with any superior Deeds of Trust held by the holder of the above Deed of Trust, and that the holder of said superior Deed of Trust shall continue to enjoy all rights and remedies set forth in said superior Deed of Trust, including the right to foreclose either by judicial action or under power of sale contained in the superior Deed of Trust. The property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS.” THERE ARE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES relating to the title or to any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. A cash deposit of 5% of the purchase price will be required at the time of the sale. Remote bidding will not be accepted pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.25 (a). Credit bids on behalf of the Noteholder will be accepted. Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price so bid in cash or certified check at the time the Substitute Trustee tenders to him a deed for the property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price so bid at that time, he shall remain liable on his bid as provided for in North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.30 (d) and (e). This sale will be held open ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law. Residential real property with less than 15 rental units, including single-family residential real property: an order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Dated: 12/09/2025 ______________________________ Philip A. Glass, Trustee Nodell, Glass & Haskell, L.L.P. Posted on 12/09/2025 Exhibit A BEING all of Lot 125 Morgan Hills Map 2 as shown on that plat recorded in Plat Book 30, Pages 104-111 Stanly County Registry Being the same property conveyed to the Borrower(s) herein by Deed recorded contemporaneously herewith. Subject to easements, restrictions and rights of way of record, and utility lines and rights of way in existence over, under or upon the above-described property. PIN: 654701076732 Property Address: 1221 Freeman View Dr. Albemarle, NC 28001

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

the stream Tom Hiddleston, from left, Camila Morrone and Diego Calva pose for photographers upon arrival at the UK premiere of the second season of ‘The Night Manager’ on Dec. 10 in London.

MILLIE TURNER / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Kid Laroi, ‘The Pitt,’ ‘Tron: Ares’ “The Night Manager” returns for a second season

praised Leto and Lee’s performances and said despite being a movie that “bites off too much,” it was worth a watch. A bonus for music fans? The film’s Nine Inch Nails soundtrack with some throwbacks to the original film’s score.

The Associated Press RETURNS TO “The Pitt,” the Grid and music of Kid Laroi are some of the new television, films and music headed to a device near you. The first week of January brings a pair of sophomore efforts: Laroi’s album “Before I Forget” and the second season of the Emmy-winning hospital drama “The Pitt.” This week’s streaming offerings, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists, also include the return of “The Night Manager” after nearly a decade.

MUSIC TO STREAM

CHRIS PIZZELLO / AP PHOTO

MOVIES TO STREAM

Noah Wyle accepts the award for outstanding lead actor in a drama series for “The Pitt” during the 77th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2025. The medical drama returns to HBO Max for its second season on Thursday.

Audiences can reenter the Grid with “Tron: Ares” on Disney+. The franchise’s third film stars Jared Leto, Greta Lee and Jodie Turner-Smith and fea-

tures a return of Jeff Bridges. The 1982 original starred Bridges as a hacker who’s transported into a dangerous digital world

and kicked off the cult franchise with then-state-of-the-art computer graphics and special effects. AP critic Mark Kennedy

Grammy-nominated artist the Kid Laroi — a direct inheritor of Justin Bieber’s glossy R&B-informed pop — will release his sophomore album, “Before I Forget,” on Friday. Judging by the previously released singles, listeners can expect slow-burn breakup reflections (“A Perfect World”) and high-hat heavy tracks with lovelorn lyrics (“A Cold Play”). It’s frictionless listening to start the new year. SERIES TO STREAM In what counts as a quick turnaround these days in the world of prestige TV, “The Pitt”

returns for its second season, and second day in the life of a frenetic Pittsburgh emergency room run by Noah Wyle’s beleaguered and beloved Dr. Robby. The first episode of Season 2 premieres Thursday on HBO Max. Expectations will be a lot higher this time. In the 10 months since Season 1 ended, “The Pitt” won the best drama Emmy along with four others, including best actor for Wyle and supporting actress for Katherine LaNasa, who will be returning despite her character vowing to quit after taking a punch. Ten months have also passed in the world of the show, which will again follow a single ER shift, this time on a July Fourth weekend. After a much, much longer absence, “The Night Manager” will return for a second season. It’s been nearly a decade since Tom Hiddleston’s hotel worker-turned-spy stalked a dirty arms dealer on the show based on a novel by John le Carré. It was meant to be a limited series for the BBC and AMC, but its creators are now bringing it back with a new and original story. This time, its airing on Prime Video in the U.S.

2026 starts with ‘Avatar: Fire and Ash’ at No. 1 “Zootopia 2” landed in second place By Jake Coyle The Associated Press NEW YORK — Hollywood kicked off 2026 with “Avatar: Fire and Ash” atop the box office for the third straight week and with hopes for a blockbuster-filled year after a disappointing 2025. In three weeks of release, “Fire and Ash” has cleared $1 billion worldwide. The third chapter in James Cameron’s Pandora epic collected $40 million over its third weekend in North American theaters, according to studio estimates Sunday. “Fire and Ash” is doing its biggest business overseas; it’s grossed $777.1 million internationally thus far. The Walt Disney Co. on Sunday trumped the $1 billion milestone as “cementing another monumental achievement for James Cameron’s groundbreaking franchise.” But over the holidays, it wasn’t just about the weekend ticket sales. The whole week was a lucrative one for Hollywood, with most schools still out. What drove ticket sales, beyond “Avatar”? Sydney Sweeney, Timothée Chalamet and “Zootopia 2.” The most sustained success

JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Amanda Seyfried, left, and Sydney Sweeney arrive at the premiere of “The Housemaid” on Dec. 15 at TCL Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles. over the holiday collider in theaters belonged to a movie that opened all the way back in November. Yet Disney’s “Zootopia 2” has had remarkable staying power. The animated sequel has amassed $1.59 billion in six weeks. That makes “Zootopia 2” Disney’s second highest grossing animated movie ever, trailing only 2019’s photorealistic “The Lion King” ($1.66 billion). “The Housemaid,” the twisty thriller starring Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried, also emerged as a holiday-season hit for Li-

onsgate. It collected $14.9 million over the weekend, giving it $75.7 million domestically over three weeks. It dipped only 3% from last weekend. Internationally, “The Housemaid,” which cost a modest $35 million to make, has added $57.3 million. Just as Sweeney’s star power is propelling “The Housemaid,” so is Chalamet’s with “Marty Supreme.” The A24 release also held well in its third weekend, grossing an estimated $12.6 million. After two weeks of wide release, Josh Safdie’s frenetic table tennis tale has grossed

$56 million in North America, passing the director’s previous film, “Uncut Gems” ($50 million worldwide). Just about everything playing in theaters saw small drops from the previous weekend. Sony’s action comedy “Anaconda,” starring Jack Black and Paul Rudd, dipped 31% to collect $10 million in second weekend. Focus Features’ “Song Sung Blue” dropped only 17% in its second weekend with $5.9 million. The Hugh Jackman-Kate Hudson Neil Diamond cover band movie has earned $25 million domestically. With “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and a wide variety of smaller hits, Hollywood started 2026 strongly. Overall sales were up 26.5% from the same weekend in 2025, according to data firm Comscore. The movie industry is coming off a poor 2025, where domestic moviegoing continued to slide. U.S. and Canada ticket sales in 2025 amounted to $8.9 billion, a 2% increase from the year earlier, according to Comscore, but about 20% below pre-pandemic levels. That slight improvement was notably less than anticipated and was also boosted by higher ticket prices. Actual tickets sold declined from more than 800 million in 2024 to around 780 million in 2025. The industry is now awaiting a potentially seismic shift

with Warner Bros., one of the most theatrical-friendly studios, agreeing to sell to Netflix. That $83 billion deal awaits regulatory approval. Top 10 movies by domestic box office With domestic figures released Monday, this list factors in the estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Comscore: 1. “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” $40 million 2. “Zootopia 2,” $19 million 3. “The Housemaid,” $14.9 million 4. “Marty Supreme,” $12.6 million 5. “Anaconda,” $10 million 6. “The SpongeBob Movie: Search for SquarePants,” $8.2 million 7. “David,” $8 million 8. “Song Sung Blue,” $5.9 million 9. “Wicked: For Good,” $3.3 million 10. “Five Nights at Freddy’s 2,” $2.7 million

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, January 7, 2026

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