Stanly News Journal Vol. 146, Issue 63

VOLUME 146 ISSUE 63 | WEEKEND EDITION, AUGUST 8-9, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM

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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

CHUCK BURTON / AP PHOTO

Hall-worthy Longtime Carolina Panthers middle linebacker Luke Kuechly capped his football career Saturday when he joined 386 of his fellow players to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Above, one of the bigger highlights of his career was when he picked off Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson on the second play of a 2016 NFC divisional playoff game, running it back for a touchdown. Carolina won that game 31-24 and continued on to play the Broncos in Super Bowl 50.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Investigators look at why a plane was allowed to take off as Trump’s helicopter approached Washington, D.C. It’s not clear why a plane was allowed to take off as President Donald Trump’s helicopter was approaching Reagan National Airport in an apparent violation of safety procedures put in place after last year’s midair collision between an airliner and an Army helicopter near that busy Washington D.C. airport. Both the National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating the incident that happened Tuesday as Marine One left the White House for Andrews Air Force Base with the president aboard. A commercial jet took off at the same time. The FAA decided after 67 people died on Jan. 29, 2025 that all takeoffs and landings at Reagan would be halted anytime a helicopter passes by the airport.

FDA approves Moderna’s mRNA-based flu shot The FDA approved a new flu vaccine for older people on Wednesday, the first made with the same mRNA technology used in the COVID-19 shot. Moderna says it expects some supply to be available in certain stores soon. The shot is called mFlusiva and is for adults age 50 or older. It offers an additional option among the multiple flu vaccines available, including three specifically recommended for people age 65 or older who are especially vulnerable to influenza.

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Commissioners consider censure after allegations against Hatley The board will seek an outside ethics investigation By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — A Norwood resident accused Commissioner Trent Hatley on Monday night of improperly contacting a District Court judge about her pending civil case, prompting commissioners to consider censuring Hatley and seeking an outside ethics investigation. During the public comment period, Erin Beth Pinkston told the Stanly County Board of Commissioners that Hatley called District Court Judge Thai Vang at his home July 15

COURTESY STANLYTV

The Stanly County Board of Commissioners considered censuring Commissioner Trent Hatley during Monday night’s meeting. and discussed a case involving her and her former husband. Vang serves Judicial District 28, which includes Stanly and Montgomery counties. Pinkston said Vang notified the attorneys shortly after the

call and told them the following morning that he would recuse himself because he believed Hatley was attempting to influence him in favor of another party. “This is a pretty serious

Stanly schools chief technology officer earns statewide honor Elliot Brooks was named NCLGISA’s 2026 IT Person of the Year By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Board of Education recognized Chief Technology Officer Elliot Brooks on Tuesday night for being named the 2026 IT Person of the Year by the North Carolina Local Government Information Systems Association. Brooks has worked in public education for 18 years, helping

guide Stanly County Schools through technology upgrades, staff support and classroom innovation. The statewide award honors information technology professionals who demonstrate leadership, integrity and service while upholding the legacy of former NCLGISA member Gray Cassell. “It involves community colleges, local governments, municipalities and universities, so not just K-12,” Brooks said of the association. “It’s a great group of people, and I’ve learned See HONOR, page A8

“It’s a great group of people, and I’ve learned a lot from the organization.” Elliot Brooks, Stanly County Schools chief technology officer

charge,” Commissioner Billy Mills said while questioning Pinkston about Vang’s stated reason for leaving the case. Court records reviewed by See BOARD, page A5

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

SUNDAY

SENIOR NUTRITION MEALS | WEEK OF AUG. 10

8.9.26

Stanly County residents 60 and older can enjoy nutritionally balanced lunches at five locations Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to noon. First-time participants must register by calling 704-986-3773. Meals must be eaten on-site — no takeout is available. Donations are welcomed but not required. Sites also offer social activities including bingo, Bible study, crafts and music. Locations are the Niven Center in Albemarle, community centers in New London and Norwood, the Old Boy Scout Hut in Oakboro and the Locust Community Building.

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North State Journal (USPS 518620) (ISSN 2471-1365) Trip Hoffend Publisher Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers Cory Lavalette Senior Editor Jordan Golson Local News Editor Shawn Krest Sports Editor Dan Reeves Features Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor Jesse Deal Reporter PJ Ward-Brown Photographer ADVERTISING Kateland Treece Advertising Representative Published Wednesday and Sunday as part of North State Journal 1548 NC 24-27 BYP W Albemarle NC 28001 TO SUBSCRIBE OR PLACE LEGAL NOTICE: 704-982-2121 STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Albemarle N.C. and at additional mailing offices

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• Baked chicken breast with gravy • Mixed greens • Vinegar • Potatoes au gratin • Banana pudding with bananas and wafers • Cornbread

• Turkey and cheese on wheat bread • Sliced tomatoes (3) and lettuce • Melon cubes • Potato salad with green pepper • Fig bar • Mayonnaise and mustard

• Salisbury steak with gravy • Peas and carrots • Bowtie noodles • Biscuit • Cherry cobbler

• Hot sliced ham in pineapple juice • Green beans • Sweet potatoes • Whole wheat roll • Carrot-raisin salad

• Chicken salad • Sliced tomatoes (3) and lettuce • Veggie pasta salad • Whole wheat bread • Fruit cocktail

Badin selects former Albemarle city manager for interim role Michael Ferris will hold the position as the council searches for a permanent manager By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal BADIN — The town of Badin announced Wednesday that former Albemarle City Manager Michael Ferris has been appointed interim town manager. Ferris will begin the role Aug. 10 and serve until the Badin Town Council appoints a permanent manager. “Michael’s experience will be a valuable asset to Badin as we continue to work through a series of projects aimed at driving additional revenue to our business district and improving our community with additional park amenities and services,” the town said in a statement.

COURTESY TOWN OF BADIN

Michael Ferris Ferris began his career with internships and part-time positions in Alamance County and Aberdeen before entering full-time local government service with the town of Troy in 1994. He joined Albemarle as assistant to the city manager

in 1995, was promoted to assistant city manager in 1997 and became city manager in 2014. In February 2024, Ferris retired from the city after nearly 30 years in local government. During his tenure, Ferris helped guide Albemarle’s downtown revitalization and residential growth. He led efforts to bring Pfeiffer University’s Center for Health Sciences, a satellite campus of the university, to downtown Albemarle and helped lay the groundwork for further redevelopment scape master through a street­ plan. Ferris also led the development of the Albemarle Business Center, an initiative intended to attract employers and create new career opportunities. Under his leadership, the city adopted its first strategic plan to align the priorities of residents and city officials.

His administration also placed greater emphasis on long-term planning, financial management and organizational goals. Ferris has been a member of the International City/ County Management Association since 1992 and became an ICMA-credentialed manager in his first year of eligibility. The organization recognized him in 2022 for 30 years of service to local government. His appointment follows Badin’s July 23 announcement that Jay Almond was no longer employed as town manager. The council thanked Almond for his years of service and wished him well. Town officials said a search committee is working to identify a permanent manager. Municipal operations will continue as normal, with council members remaining involved in daily matters as needed during the transition.

• Randall Kenneth Clayton, 63, was arrested for breaking and entering to terrorize or injure, communicating threats and violation of a domestic violence protective order, and other charges.

dwelling or place for a controlled substance, and other charges.

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• Jeremey Rashad Reaves, 34, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, first-degree kidnapping and conspiracy to commit robbery with a dangerous weapon, and other charges.

• Travis James Vanhoy, 26, was arrested for cruelty to animals.

• Leo Thomas Liles, 42, was arrested for second-degree trespass. July 28

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• Bradley Matthew Olsen, 41, was arrested for larceny of a firearm.

July 31 • Amanda Sue Carlton, 47, was arrested for possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance; and maintaining a vehicle, dwelling or place for a controlled substance, and other charges. • Lamont West Hicks, 32, was arrested for cruelty to animals.

• Bobby Hernandez, 37, was arrested for driving on a revoked license. • Quadrie Jackson, 32, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine. • Jimmy Mitchell Locklear, 59, was arrested for possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance; and maintaining a vehicle,

Aug. 1 • Tito Fernando Harris, 32, was arrested for misdemeanor larceny. • Melissa Rae Lucier, 43, was arrested for assault and battery and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence. Aug. 2 • Whitney Nichole Hathcock, 37, was arrested for felony possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia.

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor COLUMN | CLIFF MALONEY

Why winning your state house matters more than winning the White House Build a bench, not a savior.

EVERY FOUR YEARS, patriots lose their minds over the presidential race. We spend millions of dollars, thousands of hours and all our emotional energy on one election. Then the day after, we go quiet. We wait for the next presidential cycle to care again. That’s the bad news. Here’s the good news — there is a simple solution. It’s going to take a lot of work, but the model works and it’s the key to changing course to put America First policies back at the forefront of our legislative agenda. I picked a lot of the strategy from the Democrats, who, unfortunately, have mastered it and have been using it to win where it matters for decades. If there’s one lesson I want every patriot to walk away with, it’s this: The local races matter more than the national ones. Not just a little more — a lot more! Here’s something the left figured out a long time ago. They don’t build their movement every four years. They build it consistently every single day — especially in the quiet times when no one is paying attention. While we’re arguing on social media about the next presidential primary, the left is working to take control of offices at all levels of government in hometowns all across America. School boards and city councils decide what your kids learn and how your town spends its money. County offices control law enforcement funding and local rules. State legislatures write the election laws, draw the district maps, and set your taxes. Congress sits on top of all of it, but it’s downstream of everything below it. If we only show up for the big elections, we’re always playing defense somewhere else. On top of that, without control of the various levers in local government,

Republicans in Congress, Senate and the presidency have far less power than most people realize. Let’s be honest about something — most people will never talk to their senator. They’ll never get a call back from their representatives in Congress. But your city council member might live three streets over. Your school board member might shop at the same grocery store you do. That’s what makes local government different. It’s close. It’s accountable. If a city council votes for a bad zoning change or a school board pushes a curriculum parents hate, people show up and let them hear about it. Try doing that with a senator in Washington, D.C. Local officials can’t hide behind layers of staff and press releases. They answer to you directly because you might be sitting three rows behind them at the next meeting. That kind of accountability is rare in politics today, and patriots need to use it to our advantage. Here’s the part nobody tells first-time candidates — national races take millions of dollars and years of name recognition. Most regular people will never run for Congress, and that’s fine. But a city council seat, a school board seat, a county commission seat or a state House? Those are within reach for a normal person with grit and a plan. Smaller districts mean fewer voters to talk to. That means you don’t need a massive war chest to compete. You need a good message, a list of doors to knock, and the willingness to actually knock them and engage with voters. Start by looking at how your district voted in the last few elections. Did Republicans ever win here? By how much? That tells you if the race is realistic. Figure out your why.

Why do you want this seat, and what will you actually do with it? Keep that message simple and local. Nobody wants a national talking point at a school board meeting. Find a handful of people who’ll help you before you even file to run. You don’t need a huge team. You need a few people who care as much as you do. This gives you the support you’ll need, but it also creates social proof, which is critical. And then knock on doors. This is the one tactic that wins small races every time. National campaigns can hide behind TV ads. Local candidates win because they show up at the door and talk to real people. Build a bench, not a savior

Local candidates today become state candidates tomorrow and national leaders down the road. That’s how the left built its power, one quiet year at a time, all while we were busy arguing online. So here’s my ask: Stop waiting for the next big national race to get involved. Look at your own school board, your own city council, your own county commission and your own state House. Find the seat that’s winnable. Recruit the candidate, or better yet, be the candidate. That’s how we win 2026. And it’s how we keep winning long after that. Cliff Maloney is the CEO of Citizens Alliance and the author of “Run Right: A Complete Election Playbook to Win.” (Copyright Daily Caller Foundation 2026)

COLUMN | ZALENA ZITO

Inside Meta’s bet on the dignity of work “Shouldn’t dignified work really come down to work that blesses someone else?” Mike Rowe

UNTIL RECENTLY, Lanyia Brooks worked as a custodian in a data center in Indianapolis where she spent her days maintaining the facility while watching tech professionals build the infrastructure around her. Brooks said that perspective changed completely when a data center technician noticed her work ethic and remarked that she “worked too hard to be just working as a custodian” and sent her a link to a specialized career training program. Despite waiting two anxious months to hear back, Brooks was accepted, conquering her fears to take her very first airplane flight to Indianapolis for the opportunity. One week into the intensive program, Brooks says she is thriving in a high-energy environment alongside a deeply positive and ambitious cohort of classmates. “My immediate goal is to master my training and learning the ins and outs of physical servers and networking — with long‑term plans to transition into an advanced technician role within a year,” she said. Backed by supportive instructors and employer-provided accommodations, Brooks said, “This opportunity is my direct path to achieving the American dream.” Mike Rowe, the “Dirty Jobs” host and mikeroweWORKS Foundation CEO, has spent 15 years pushing this exact vision. “Who was it? Hemingway? I forget who said it, but things happen very slowly and then suddenly,” he said of the shift in how Americans think about vocational work and the success of Meta’s launch of America’s Workforce Academy. Rowe doesn’t take credit for launching AWA, a skilled trades initiative Meta unveiled in June under President and Vice Chairwoman Dina Powell McCormick. He frames his role as more of a witness than an architect — but the 15 years his foundation has spent quietly awarding work-ethic

scholarships laid the groundwork for exactly this kind of large‑scale, private-sector intervention. For Rowe, dignified work isn’t about pay or perks. “Shouldn’t dignified work really come down to work that blesses someone else?” he said. “There has to be something about effort that’s more noble when it builds up the community.” The program is cost-free and supports students while they learn. It also guarantees them a job at the end of the four-week training bootcamp. There is an overwhelming sense of gratitude coming from the first wave of participants. Most of them had worked in jobs in the service industry with no real path toward moving up or prosperity. And it captures the life-changing potential that this program has on them and their communities. Those who have been accepted receive a guaranteed job offer from a Meta contractor partner. And after completion, they are immediately employed and assigned to work on-site at Meta’s data center construction sites. Meta funds training, tuition, airfare and lodging, and even offers a stipend while in training. No degree or prior work experience is needed — only a willingness to learn. What changed with Meta is both speed and scale. The company launched AWA on June 8 and backed it with an initial $115 million first-year investment, described as the largest private-sector commitment to skilled trades with a job guarantee in American history. Powell McCormick put the stakes in historic terms, tying AWA to the country’s earlier industrial mobilizations. “Skilled workers electrified rural America one pole at a time,” she said. “They manned the factories that built the arsenal that won

World War II. Now a new generation will pour the foundations and lay the fiber that secures American strength in this new age.” The math behind that urgency is stark: The United States will need roughly 500,000 new electricians over the next two years just to support AI infrastructure buildout, according to Powell McCormick’s own estimates. Sam Rathert of the Stoner Electric Group, a hiring partner for AWA, said they are proud to provide opportunities for workers who are interested in the skilled trades. “Over the past couple of months, alongside our local (International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers) representatives, we have held three hiring events to place workers on our union‑operated job sites, and we look forward to continuing to support AWA in connecting talent with skilled trade careers,” he said. On-site trainers Kenny Johnson of Kentucky and Johnston Wilson of Virginia said the AWA program serves as a critical engine for the modern American economy by bridging the massive labor gap in hightech infrastructure development. “The fast-paced nature of data center construction leaves little room for on‑the‑job training, making the foundational skills taught in this academy essential,” said Johnson. Both Johnson and Wilson said that by turning raw aptitude into specialized technical expertise, the program successfully democratizes access to the tech boom and injects sustainable wealth back into local communities, strengthening the domestic economy and national security from the ground up. Salena Zito is a staff reporter and columnist for the Washington Examiner. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

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Stanly County Journal for Wednesday, January 18, 2023

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

obituaries Edwards quits reelection bid after

committee finds inappropriate conduct The congressman denied romantic intent, but the ethics panel said his behavior suggested otherwise By Gary Fields and Lisa Mascaro The Associated Press

Barbara Jean (Taylor) Drye

Dwight Farmer

James Roseboro

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Embattled North Carolina Republican congressman Chuck January 24, 1939 ~ January 15, June 23, 1967 ~ January 10, 2023 Edwards withdrew from his re2023 April 17, 1936 ~ JanuaryWednesday, 14, 2023 election campaign James Arthur Roseboro, 55, of two days after the House EthDwight Britten Farmer Sr., 83, Albemarle, passed away Tuesday, Barbara Jean Taylor recommended Drye, 86, of Norwood died Sunday morning, January 10, 2023 at Anson Health ics Committee of Oakboro, passed away Saturday, January 15, 2023 at Forrest Oakes. and Rehab. he be censured for unprofessionNELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO January 14,inappropriate 2023 at her home. Dwight was born January 24, Mr. Roseboro was born on al and conduct toBarbara was born April 17, 1936 in Chuck Stanly County to the(R-N.C.) late June 23, 1967 to the late Robert ward two young female aides in 1939 Rep. Edwards listens to testimony as the in North Carolina to the late Robert Walter Virgil and Martha Adkins andOversight Delena Shipp Roseboro. his office. House Judiciary Subcommittee on holds a fieldHe Lee Taylor and the late Eva Belle Heon wasviolent a 1957 graduate graduated from South Stanly The 65-year-old Edwards, Farmer. hearing crime in Charlotte on Sept. 29, 2025. Watts Taylor. of Norwood High School and was High School and was employed by who is serving his second term, She was also preceded in death Triangle Brick. He enjoyed watching said that heyears, madeKeith the Furr decision a United States Army Veteran. by husband of 61 Heior was a member ofaCedar Grove ob- football and basketball, remainder of his timeespecially in D.C.” the would “lead reasonable to drop his reelection bid afDrye, and brothers, Robert Lee United Methodist Church where he Carolina TarHeels and Miami. Budd’s spokesman, Christer Jr. “much prayerKenneth and reflection” server to interpret it as such.” Taylor, and George as church treasurer In addition to his parents he issenMcMullen, said the “Serving Western Northand Car- tian and that he would complete the had served Taylor. choir member. He began his career preceded in death by his brothers olina has been the honor of my ator found the House Ethics current term. Survivors include children, with the Stanly County Sheriff’s and sisters: Barbara Lee Roseboro, Ethics Committee rec- life,” Edwards said in a post on Committee’s report on Edwards DebbieThe (Mike) Williams of Department moving to the Norwood Dorothy Brown, Verna Roseboro, “deeply concerning” and beX. “Thank you for your trust, ommended the censure, an act Albemarle, Teresa (Tom) Curry Police Department and retiring as Henrietta Ingram, and Harold lieved the congressman already prayers, and support. God bless registering its deep disapprov- Chief of Oakboro, Douglas (Tammy) of Police with the Town of Roseboro. faced significant WNC and America.” al ofofOakboro; a lawmaker’s conduct that Norwood Drye grandchildren, after many years of service. He isasurvived by hisuphill sisters:battle trailing in the polls even before does(Don) not meet the Melissa Parrish of threshold Albemarle, for Dwight was an avid gardener, Helen (James) Roseboro Edwards the report’s publication. He GOP colleague says it’s expulsion, on Monday. Samantha (Destiny) Smith ofThe panel bird watcher and Carolina fan. of Albemarle, Mary Roseboro declined to say whether the senator Edwards quit the race highlighted examples good Oakboro, Bradleynumerous Smith of Oakboro, He is survived by his wife Hilda of Washington DC, and Marion Jonathan Stover Peachland,impropand asked his colleague to step aside, of actions it of considered Whitley Farmer; one son D. Britten Morrison of Albemarle; brothers: Jessie of Lylesville; sister-provid- Farmer saying the senator of does not disNorth Carolina Republican Thomas er, Stover including Edwards Jr. (Mary) of McLeansville, D. Roseboro Charlotte, in-law, Goodman; cuss private conversations. Sen. Budd saidFarmer Edwards Robert ing Beatrice the young womenmany with lav- NC; one Ted daughter Sharon Roseboro (Patricia) of nieces andgifts, her beloved “did(David) the right thing one by with- Norwood, and Van Horne; a special ish and andnephews; recurrent making Lowe of Norwood; cats, Bo and Garfield. Edwards’ drawing fromDennis the race.” comments regarding their ap- sister Geraldine of Troy; two friend of overattorneys 40 years, Michelle Barbara was and a member of inviting grandchildren, call censure In a statement, the “Dee” sena- McLendon pearance dress, Dwight Britten of the“harsh” home; special Oakboro Church for over and Farmer tor said theWhitley congressman them Baptist to intimate dinners III and Rose Hui has nieces: Nybrea Montague, Knya 60 years. She worked over 30 notes years re- Lowe. The Committee debeen “a fighter for the people of Little, vacations, and sending andEthics Laquanza Crump; special at Stanly Knitting Mills. After just He was preceded in death by Robert Jr.,actions Desmond scribed Edwards’ as “beWestern North Carolina as they nephews: garding his affection. two years of retirement, began son Alex, brothers, from Tommythe andim- Roseboro, and Marcus Lilly; yond inappropriate” but and said it to recover Edwards deniedshe that any of hiswork managing the Oakboro Senior Nancy, Cornelia daughter, Daphne Johnson; found no evidence that he and expactssisters, of Hurricane Helene, and God his conduct was intended as a Jimmy, Center andor didromantic that for 18advance, years Mae, andto Betty. Vetrella Johnson and plicitlyfriends, propositioned any peoI knowGlennie he’ll continue advo- special sexual but Annabell, until this past week. Barbara was Memorials may befunding made to Cedar McLendon. ple under his employ or engaged for disaster for the Ben the committee said his behav- cate known for her good cooking and Grove United Methodist Church, always taking care of others. She also Cemetery or Choir Fund c/o Pam loved going on day long shopping Smith 36071 Rocky River Springs trips - she could out walk and out Road, Norwood, NC 28128. shop people half her age. She kept her mind and body active through gardening, word searches, and various other hobbies.

House Democrats add 12 solidly Trump districts to midterm election target list

The expansion reflects Trump’s declining support among voters nationwide By Bill Barrow The Associated Press ATLANTA — House Democrats are adding a dozen Republican-held seats to their list of targets for the November midterms, expanding the national campaign map to districts Donald Trump won easily less than two years ago. The move brings the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s list of targets to 58, an ambitious list that reflects Trump’s diminished standing with the electorate and Democrats’ belief that they can capitalize on voters’ frustrations over the economy, the war in Iran and the chaotic nature of the Republican president’s second administration. “MAGA Republicans who historically have considered themselves ‘safe’ have let down the people they were elected to represent, passing disastrous policies that are crushing working families and our communi-

ties,” DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene said in a statement. The expansion spans from GOP-held districts in swing states like Nevada to those in Republican strongholds Indiana, Arkansas and Tennessee and Democratic-dominated New York. The list includes DelBene’s counterpart at the National Republican Congressional Committee, Rep. Richard Hudson of North Carolina. The targets include other incumbents and some open seats. Democrats need just a handful of seats to erase Republicans’ narrow majority and control the chamber for the final two years of Trump’s tenure. Republicans lost a net of 40 House seats in the 2018 midterms during Trump’s first presidency. Here’s a look at some notable new Democratic targets: North Carolina 9th: It’s notable for Democrats to target House Republicans’ campaign chairman. Trump won the district by 15 percentage points in 2024 against the Democrats’ presidential candidate, Vice President Kamala Harris. But Democratic Attorney General Josh Stein carried it in the same

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in SCJ at obits@stanlyjournal.com

Darrick Baldwin

election cycle in his successful campaign for governor. DemJanuary 7, 1973 8, ocrats note that~ January since 2020, 2023 the district has gained 15,000 black voters, who tend to vote Vashon The Baldwin, age 50, forDarrick Democrats. Democratentered eternal rest, Sunday, ic nominee is Richard January Ojeda, 8, 2023, Albemarle, North Carolina. who ran for Congress in West Born January 1973, in Stanly Virginia in 7,2018. He lost but County, North Carolina, was got 44% of the vote inDarrick a district the son ofDemocrat Eddie James BaldwinClinSr. where Hillary and Phyllis BlueinBaldwin. tonthe gotlate only 24% the 2016 Darrick enjoyed life, always kept presidential election against things lively and enjoyed making Trump. others smile. His presence is no Arkansas 2nd: Democrat longer in our midst, but his memory Chris Jones, will forever live inthe our party’s hearts. 2022 governor’s race nominee, is tryHe was educated in the Stanly ing topublic unseat six-term Rep. County schools and attended French Hill in a district Albemarle Senior High School, that once elected moderate DemoAlbemarle. crats. Trump won the district by He was a great conversationalist 16 percentage elecand loved meetingpoints. people. The Darrick torate is aabout 20% black and never met stranger and always has a growing Asian andforLatishowed love and compassion his no population. Democrats point fellowman. He also loved his dog, to the March primary turnout, Rocky. when He is Democratic survived by hisballots father, outEddie J. Baldwin Sr.; sisters: Crystal numbered Republican ballots (Eric) Jackson, LaFondra for the first time since(Stoney) the 2018 Medley, and Morgan Baldwin; primaries. brothers: Eddie Baldwin Jr., Anton Florida 12th: Held by ReBaldwin, Lamont Baldwin; a publicanandRep. Gus Bilirakis, host relatives and friends. A thisof isother one of the districts affectlimb hasRepublicans’ fallen from our gerrymanfamily tree. ed by We will not grieve Darrick’ death; dering efforts after thesU.S. Suwe will celebrate his life. We give thanksgiving for the many shared memories.

“The people of Western North Carolina deserve a strong conservative voice on the ballot this November, and our Party is prepared to move through this process quickly and efficiently.”

House GOP majority at stake in midterms

The political upheaval in North Carolina adds to the difficulty Republicans face as they work to keep their slim majority control of the House this fall. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is already juggling other disruptions, including in Ohio, where Republican Rep. Max Miller faces his own ethics investigation in a district that Jason Simmons, typically has been favorable to March 23, 1935 January 9, NCGOP chairman the GOP. 2023 October 11, 1944 - Januaryup10, Johnson has remained 2023 John grew up in the Millingport beat about his party’s chancin any sexual activity withathem. community where he drove school es of keeping House control, Elaine Jones Coleman, 78, he can only afford to lose Inand a response to local the gas Ethics but Doris bus worked at the went home into God’ s presence on a few seats that will make the Committee’s report, Edwards’ station during his High School years. January 10between after a sudden illness and which parattorneys argued the com- difference He graduated fromthat Millingport a valiant week-long fight in ICU. High in 1954 and entered into the ty holds the powerful speaker’s mittee’s findings “exonerate” Doris was born on October 11, service with theHis US attorneys Airforce said gavel. congressman. 1944, in the mountains of Marion, immediately afterward.of Upon The seat Edwards will be vathe recommendation censure NC while her father was away return from the service, he and his encompasses much of was an “extraordinarily harsh cating fighting in the US Navy during high school sweetheart Julie were the rural western partJones of the and infrequent punishment” World War II. Raymond was married 1956. He graduated“not from state but also progressive Ashebased oninvague standards, so proud to return after the war and Nashville Diesel violation College later it girl! has Doris beengrew oneuptoin based on Auto a direct ofin ville, meetand his little 1959 and began his career as a diesel as NC a bellwether infrom the House rules addressing sexual watch Durham, and graduated mechanic at Mitchell Distributing race for the House, asShe Republimisconduct.” Durham High School. furthered Company, moving his growing and Democrats battle for State law requires Edwards cans her studies at Watts Hospital family to Charlotte they lived party control. to put his intentwhere to withdraw School of Nursing in Durham and until their retirement. Even before the decision byin in writing and submit it to the graduated as a Registered Nurse When John purchased his first to step aside, election state Board of Elections before Edwards 1966. Model A Ford at the age of 17, he had shifted their ballots are mailed to overseas analysts Doris married Rev. Dr. Ted assaid that he took the car to the sessment of the and racehad from voters and the military. The ReColeman in 1966 twoone community mechanic when he had that was more favorable to Redaughters Amy and Laura. Doris publican executive committee a small problem.The mechanic told raised Amy and Laura in North publicans to more competitive. in Edwards’ 11th Congressiohim that if he was going to keep the Augusta, SC. who have nomDemocrats, nal will meettonext car,District he needed to learn workweek on Doris was an incredible neonatal inated farmer Jamie Ager as to select a nominee for the midit. This is when John’s passion for intensive care nursehave for most of her their candidate, poured term election. Model A Fords began and how he career, and her passion. onthis thewas district as one “The of Western spent hispeople happiest days with North his best attention flipAugusta to theirChronicle column.did a feature Carolina deserve strong friends from aroundathe globe confor the toThe on her in 1985. Shehad was a clinical Republicans wanted servative rest of hisvoice life! on the ballot this nurse manager in Augusta, Georgia to step aside and beNovember, our Party pre- Edwards At age 50,and after years as ais Detroit at University Hospital NICU and pared move through this pro- lieve the seat is still winnable Dieselto Mechanic he and Julie worked there for 20 years. for the GOP, hoping to During mount cess quickly and efficiently,” decided to take the plunge and this time, Doris mentored a new NCGOP Jason Sim- a fresh campaign with young open a fullChairman Model A Restoration nurses and assisted in saving the Shop.said Theyin thrived at their shop in candidate. mons a statement. lives of so many babies. She also Cornelius, NC until their retirement worked for Pediatrician Dr. William in 1998 when they moved back to A. Wilkes in Augusta for several Cabarrus County. John once again years prior to her NICU career. Doris set up shop in his back yard garage retired from the mother/baby area at where he attracted a loyal group of Atrium Stanly in 2007 after over 40 friends who visited almost daily. years of nursing. While on the farm in Gold Hill, Doris was a gentle and sweet John also began a lifelong love with spirit and loved her Lord. She never Alis Chalmers tractors after he met a stranger, and she always left restored his Dad’s tractor and began you feeling uplifted after talking amassing his collection of tractors with her. She would often claim that as well. she had “adopted” friends into her John restored many cars of immediate family, and honestly, she his own and had the crowning never made a distinction between achievement of winning the most the two. Positivity radiated from her prestigious award from MARC, The Henry for a restoration that garnered like sunlight. She was selfless, funny, smart, and sentimental. During her top points. He was also presented lifetime she was an active member with the Ken Brady Service Award of First Baptist Church of Durham, the highest award given to members First Baptist Church of Augusta, at the national level. Most Holy Trinity Catholic Church This is what John’s Model A in Augusta, and Palestine United Community had to say upon Methodist Church in Albemarle. learning of his death: She especially loved helping at He was an active member of church with older adults, youth, and Wesley Chapel Methodist Church children. where he loved serving as greeter on She was especially talented Sunday mornings. He also belonged MARK SCHIEFELBEIN / APand PHOTO at sewing from a young age to the United Methodist Men. made gifts for friends, Christmas John is survived by his wife President Donald Trump arrives on Air Force One at Harry Halloween Costumes, Julie Ussery Kluttz, forAirport 66 years in Las ornaments, Reid International Vegas on Tuesday. doll clothes, pageant dresses, prom of the home. He is also survived dresses, coats, tote bags, scarves, by a son John David Kluttz (Kim) outfits for Amy and Laura, and of Oakboro, NC; two daughters, Christening gowns for each of her Sally Simerson Denver, CO and tion for U.N. ambassador bepreme Court’sofdecision gutting grandchildren. TusaRights (John) ofAct Lafayette, CO; cause Republicans didinnot want aBetsy Voting provision Doris was preceded death by three protected grandchildren, Bonnie Kluttz risk the seat with their narthat minority vot- toher father Arthur Raymond Jones, Sammons (Ben) of Richfield, NCthe row House majority. Stefaning strength. But as part of mother Mary Ellen Cameron John Alexander McKinnonTampa (Sarah) ik,her whoand launched 2026 camGOP redraw, Bilirakis’ Jones, her sisteraMaryanne of Asheville, NC and Seth William for New York governor Bay area district became more paign Jones Brantley. McKinnon (Amanda) of Germany; dropped include out of her thattwo race, is Democratic and about 14% less but Survivors five great-grandchildren, Charlotte, seeking reelection Conwhite, according to the and DCCC’s not precious daughters: Amy to Cameron Meredith, Grant, Victoria Coleman (partner Dr. Edward Neal gress. Now it’s an open-seat analysis. Democrats will choose Ronan. John is also preceded in Chernault) of Albemarle, NC, and between Republican Anadeath nominee this month, by his parents, J.S. Kluttzbut and battle LauraConstantino, Lindahl Coleman a Oliverio TrumpWashington party Kluttz; leaders are thony Mary Wyatt Clayton a large (husbandbusinessman David) of Cincinnati, who Ohio; is looking togroup Darren McAuley, and loving of brothers and a aligned seven grandchildren: Cameron self-funding his campaign, and former Air Force surgeon, as sisters, Jack Methias Kluttz, Annie David Oliverio, Stephanie Jae Dejak, Gendebien, a Blake the challenger. Loupotential Kluttz Honeycutt, Jake Nelson Democrat Luca Beatty Oliverio, Coleman John NewJulius YorkKluttz, 21st: Mary Trump won dairy farmer. The district has Kluttz, Patricia Dejak, Carson Joseph Ryan represented byOliverio, a Repubthis district by aboutKevin 21 per- been Phillips and a grandson, Nicholas Dejak, and Jadon Richard centage points in 2024, but lican since 2015, but Democrat Fowler Kluttz. Oliverio; and numerous Obama won it in-laws, twice in not long after that he pulled Barack nieces, nephews, cousins, and loved contests. Rep. Elise Stefanik’s nomina- presidential ones.

John B. Kluttz

Doris Jones Coleman

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

BOARD from page A1 SNJ show that Vang recused himself from all matters in Pinkston’s pending equitable-distribution case in an order signed July 21. The order does not state the reason for his recusal and directs that future hearings be scheduled before District Court Judge John Nance. The records show Pinkston and her former husband were granted a divorce in October 2025, while issues involving the division of their property remain unresolved. “Our courts are expected to be independent,” Pinkston said. “Every person who enters a courtroom deserves to know that their case will be decided based solely on the facts, the law and the judge’s impartial judgment, not because someone with political influence attempted to intervene behind the scenes.” Pinkston said legal disputes involving her former husband date to 2019, adding that Vang’s recusal has caused another delay. “This issue is bigger than my

“This issue is bigger than my civil case or any civil case.” Erin Beth Pinkston civil case or any civil case,” she said. “It is about protecting the independence of our courts and preserving the public’s confidence that justice is administered fairly and without political interference.” Hatley did not address the allegations during the meeting and did not respond to SNJ’s request for a statement about the matter. After a five-minute recess, Hatley asked to be recused from a vote on whether to add a censure item to Monday’s agenda. With Vice Chairman Bill Lawhon absent, Mills and Commissioners Patty Crump, Brandon King and Mike Barbee voted to approve the recusal. Chairman Scott Efird voted against it, and the motion passed 4-1.

County Manager Andy Lucas told the board that a censure is a formal public statement condemning conduct considered inappropriate, unethical or illegal. He said it would not remove Hatley from office, limit his voting rights or otherwise affect his ability to serve. Because the proposed censure was not listed on the original agenda, adding it Monday required unanimous approval. Mills, Crump, King and Barbee voted in favor, while Efird opposed the motion, preventing the item from being added. “Commissioner Lawhon is not here, and I think we just need more time to look at this rather than it just being brought in and added to this,” Efird said. King asked county staff to place the proposed censure on the board’s September agenda and obtain quotes from an outside agency to conduct an ethics investigation. The commissioners will hold their next regular meeting Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

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Senate committee votes to hold Fauci in contempt for refusing to answer COVID questions Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment rights despite receiving a presidential pardon

By Eric Tucker The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Senate committee voted along party lines Thursday to hold Dr. Anthony Fauci in contempt of Congress over his refusal to answer questions at a hearing on his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, setting up a referral to the Department of Justice for potential investigation over whether the country’s longtime top infectious disease official properly exercised his constitutional rights. The vote approving the contempt resolution came a week after Fauci invoked his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination more than 100 times when he appeared before the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, an episode that raised fresh legal questions about the ability of Congress to compel testimony from a previously pardoned witness. Republican Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, the committee chairman who pressed for the contempt finding, said that constitutional protection did not apply because Fauci last year received a pardon from Democratic President Joe Biden and thus did not have to worry about the threat of prosecution. He has said he intends to send the referral directly to the Justice Department, rather than first to the full Senate, despite Democratic questions over the legal validity of such a maneuver. “Dr. Fauci faced no risk of federal prosecution,” Paul said at the outset of Thursday’s hearing. “All he had to do was tell the truth.” Fauci, in a statement last week explaining his decision to invoke his Fifth Amendment rights, said he had good reason to fear the possibility of criminal charges given what he said was Paul’s determination “to get me to say something, anything, that could vindicate his repeated public pledges that I end up, in his words, quote, behind bars, unquote.” Fauci’s lawyer, David Schertler, said in a statement that the contempt resolution was “a continuation of Senator Paul’s personal vendetta against Dr. Fauci, who spent 50 years in public health and has saved countless lives.” Schertler accused Paul of abusing his power by trying to “weaponize the Justice Department.” “Today’s partisan committee vote is a crude political stunt intended to punish Dr. Fauci for exercising his constitutional rights,” Schertler said. “The Senate should reject Senator Paul’s meritless and politically-motivated contempt resolution. For years, Senator

“Dr. Fauci has committed no crime — and Senator Paul knows it.” David Schertler, Anthony Fauci’s lawyer Paul has proclaimed to anyone who would listen that Dr. Fauci should be prosecuted and put in prison. Dr. Fauci has committed no crime — and Senator Paul knows it.” The pardon from Biden covered acts from 2014 through the January 2025 day it was issued but does not shield him from state-level prosecutions or for federal investigations into any testimony he did give that lawmakers deemed false. Democrats who unanimously opposed the contempt resolution agreed with Fauci that he had a well-founded fear of self-incrimination given a publicly stated desire by Republicans to see him prosecuted in connection with COVID. The Trump administration has also raised questions about whether the Biden pardons were valid given Biden’s frequent use of an autopen to conduct official business. “The goal was to wait for Dr. Fauci to make any kind of misstatement and then have a weaponized Department of Justice file criminal charges for that new statement that would not have been covered by the pardon, leaving Dr. Fauci little choice but to invoke his constitutional right to not walk directly into a trap,” said Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) before the vote. Paul intending to send the referral directly to the Justice Department, which would leave it up to the U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., to decide whether to investigate or potentially attempt to prosecute Fauci for contempt. A referral from Congress does not compel prosecutors to act. The committee’s top Democrat, Sen. Gary Peters of Michigan, questioned whether the referral would be legally valid if Paul transmitted it to the Justice Department without the approval of the entire Senate, where the 60 votes needed to pass the resolution are seen as unlikely. He said punishing a witness for exercising a constitutional right against self-incrimination would complicate future efforts by Congress to conduct oversight and compel appearances and testimony. “If this committee now seeks to punish a witness for asserting their (constitutionally) protected Fifth Amendment rights, future witnesses will argue that appearing before Congress exposes them to punishment regardless of whether they comply with a subpoena and invoke a constitutional protection,” he said. “They will point directly to this vote — this vote — as a justification for refusing to appear at all.”

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Dr. Anthony Fauci appears before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on July 29 in Washington, D.C.

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

15 states now linked to iceberg lettuce cyclospora outbreak, CDC says The outbreak has surpassed 2019’s record year with more than 25,000 cases nationwide By Mike Stobbe The Associated Press NEW YORK — Parasitic illness cases in 15 states have been linked to iceberg lettuce, U.S. health officials said Wednesday. Cyclospora cases have been reported in at least 47 states this year, and investigators have continued to probe how many could be linked to a common contaminated source. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the number of states tied to the deadly outbreak had grown from nine to 15. Arkansas, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire and North Carolina were added to a list that previously included Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. Investigators initially narrowed in on lettuce served at Taco Bell. Federal officials subsequently said they are focused on Taylor Farms as the source of the lettuce in the outbreak, and the company has recalled iceberg lettuce grown in central Mexico. There are several reasons cyclospora outbreaks can be hard to investigate and contain, said Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, med-

ical director of the Washtenaw County and Livingston County health departments in Michigan. It can take weeks between when someone is exposed to the parasite and when they come down with symptoms; it’s harder to analyze the parasite in laboratories; and it’s a lot of work to interview everyone who is sick and clearly identify common exposures, said Marquez, an adjunct public health professor at the University of Michigan. Also, “there have been staffing cuts at all levels of public health — federal, local, state — so there are less resources and capacity generally available,” Marquez said in a statement. Cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements,” according to the CDC. Outbreaks tend to occur most often in the late spring and summer. The heat-loving parasite infects the bowels and spreads through feces. The illness, called cyclosporiasis, is less common than foodborne illnesses caused by other germs, including salmonella and E. coli. Many cyclospora cases are never linked to a specific food or other source. The worst year in the U.S. for infections was 2019, when about 4,700 illnesses were reported nationally. This year has far surpassed that. Michigan alone has reported more than 12,000

CDC VIA AP

Cyclospora cayetanensis oocysts is identified in a fresh stool sample which had been prepared with a formalin solution and stained with safranin.

— including two deaths. Adding in the other states that have reported cases, the national total stands at more than 25,000. The FDA says it is tracking five separate ongoing cyclospora outbreaks. The 15-state outbreak is by far the largest. No products have been linked to the other outbreaks, including one that has sickened 115 people.

“There have been staffing cuts at all levels of public health — federal, local, state — so there are less resources and capacity generally available.” Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, Washtenaw and Livingston County health departments medical director

4 stabbed in central London in what police believe was mental health incident

“I didn’t see any scissors, but I heard it was with small scissors.”

Two victims were discharged; the other two suffered injuries that were not life-threatening The Associated Press

JAMES MANNING / PA VIA AP

Police officers stand at the scene on Endell Street in Covent Garden after four men were stabbed in central London on Wednesday.

LONDON — London police said Wednesday that a woman was arrested after four people were stabbed in Covent Garden, a central area of the capital that is popular with visitors. The Metropolitan Police said early indications suggest it was a mental health-related incident and that scissors were recovered at the scene. Police said four men aged 34, 39, 42 and 52 were found with stab wounds, and a 47-year-old woman was arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon and assault.

Arjan Gjorga, fish and chip shop manager The injured were taken to a trauma center following the incident Wednesday afternoon on Endell Street. Two were discharged and two remained with injuries that were not believed to be life-threatening. “While still at an early stage of the investigation, we would like to reassure the community that we currently believe this to be an isolated, mental health-related incident,” Chief Superintendent Jason Stewart said. A manager of a fish and chip shop near the scene said random people were stabbed. “I didn’t see any scissors, but I heard it was with small scissors,” Arjan Gjorga said, adding that “the police responded immediately.”

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

Man arrested at Trump’s California golf course faces illegal weapons charges The suspect posed as a federal security agent with a cache of illegal weapons and body armor The Associated Press LOS ANGELES — A California man who was arrested at President Donald Trump’s Los Angeles-area golf course was pretending to be part of the security detail preparing for Trump’s visit and had a stash of illegal weapons in his car and home, authorities said. Jeanine John Taele, 38, was due in court Wednesday on a federal weapons charge but the hearing was canceled. He is being held at a downtown LA jail on state charges, according to booking records and not yet in federal custody, said a spokesperson for the U.S. attorney’s office. Taele was arrested Sunday at Trump National Golf Club in Rancho Palos Verdes, two days before Trump visited for a fundraising dinner. Taele was first seen on the property Friday, walking throughout the course wearing an earpiece and taking photos and videos of federal agents’ activities as they conducted a security assessment, according to a federal criminal complaint.

Taele drove away but then returned to the course Sunday. He approached federal agents and said he was employed by the State Department and was there for a security detail. Taele said he had a loaded weapon in his vehicle and was arrested after it was searched, according to federal officials. Authorities also found a 16-round magazine with ammunition in his pocket. He already appeared in court on state weapons charges and a second-degree robbery charge for an unrelated incident. Taele is charged federally with possession of an unregistered short-barreled rifle that was found at this home, authorities said. The complaint alleges the firearm is an illegally modified AR-style rifle with a barrel that was cut down to 10 inches (25 centimeters) from 14 inches (35 centimeters). The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department said a search of his pickup truck in the club parking lot turned up a loaded 9mm pistol, binoculars and a badge that read “security protection agent,” according to federal prosecutors. Law enforcement searched his home in the nearby city of Downey on Monday and found a rifle and other firearms, magazines and ammunition, body armor and notebooks with “con-

“There is no room for error, particularly in light of previous attempts on President Trump’s life.” Patrick Grandy, FBI assistant director in charge, Los Angeles

JAE C. HONG / AP PHOTO

A man was arrested at Trump National Golf Club Los Angeles in Rancho Palos Verdes, California, olast Sunday. cerning statements,” federal authorities said. No details about the statements were released. “Mr. Taele’s troubling behavior at the President’s public golf course merely days before the President was expected to arrive raised serious red flags for law enforcement,” Patrick Grandy, the assistant director in charge of the FBI’s Los Angeles office, said in a statement. “There is no room for error, particularly in light of previous attempts on President Trump’s life.” In brief remarks about Taele’s

arrest to Fox News on Tuesday, Trump said “only consequential presidents” are targeted, “and I am definitely consequential,” which he said brought him “a little solace.” Taele was a corporal in the U.S. Marines who was deployed to Iraq in 2008 and Afghanistan in 2010 and worked as a warehouse clerk, according to the U.S. Marine Corps. He earned numerous commendations, including an award for good conduct, during his service from 2008 to 2016.

State records show Taele is a licensed security guard, with his most recent license issued in February of this year and expiring in 2028. Records also show several cancelled or suspended permits to carry a firearm as a security guard. State officials did not immediately respond to a request for more details about those permits. The Los Angeles County public defender’s office, which is representing Taele in the state criminal case, did not immediately return an email seeking comment Wednesday. Family members could not immediately be reached for comment. Last year a jury found a man guilty of trying to assassinate Trump at the president’s Florida country club. And while a candidate in 2024, Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt by a shooter on a roof at a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

How El-Sayed went from political oblivion to progressive breakthrough in Michigan Senate race His one-point victory signals progressives can win in key battlegrounds

“Abdul’s victory was, in my opinion, the most extraordinary victory that I can think of in modern American politics.”

By Joey Cappelletti The Associated Press DETROIT — Abdul ElSayed, a former public health official who harnessed Democratic frustration with the party establishment, narrowly defeated Rep. Haley Stevens in Michigan’s U.S. Senate primary, setting up a crucial test for progressives in a key battleground state. El-Sayed will face Republican Mike Rogers, a former congressman, in November in a race that will help determine control of the Senate. His first challenge will be unifying Democratic factions after a bitter primary that offered divergent visions for a party desperate for a path back to power. The margin was extraordinarily close. El-Sayed walked off the stage at his Tuesday night election party without declaring victory, and the race was not called until early Wednesday, after nearly all ballots statewide had been counted. At the time The Associated Press declared him the winner, El-Sayed led Stevens by 14,893 votes — just under 1 percentage point — out of more than 1.5 million ballots counted, the most in recent state history. The political significance of the result, however, extends well beyond the slim margin. “Abdul’s victory was, in my opinion, the most extraordinary victory that I can think of in modern American politics,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), a leader of the progressive movement who was an early supporter of El-Sayed’s candidacy. El-Sayed, 41, has never held elected office and entered the race seven years after losing Michigan’s Democratic gubernatorial primary by more than 20 percentage points. This time, running on an unapologetically progressive agenda, he overcame more than $60 million in outside spending and an opponent backed by many of Michigan’s top Democrats, including Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and outgoing Sen. Gary Peters, and Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). “In the words of Muhammad Ali, we shook up the world,” El‑Sayed said early Wednesday,

JULIA DEMAREE NIKHINSON / AP PHOTO

Abdul El-Sayed departs following a news conference at the Spirit of Detroit shortly after defeating Rep. Haley Stevens to win the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in Michigan on Wednesday. standing before The Spirit of Detroit, a landmark bronze statue in the city’s downtown. El-Sayed went from political wilderness to progressive breakthrough El-Sayed was joined Wednesday by state Sen. Mallory McMorrow, a former opponent in the Senate primary, and Curtis Hertel, chair of the Michigan Democratic Party. It was an initial step toward a unified front after a bitter primary, and it reflected El-Sayed’s extraordinary political trajectory in less than a decade. After losing the 2018 Democratic primary for governor to Whitmer, El-Sayed retreated into the political wilderness. He started a podcast, wrote a book and became a regular presence on YouTube and television, slowly building a following while waiting for a political opening he did not know would come. It arrived when Peters made the surprise announcement that he would not seek reelection, creating an open Senate seat in one of the country’s most competitive states. El-Sayed launched his campaign in April 2025 with a staff of four. In his victory speech Wednesday, he recalled the small rooms that defined its early months. “Back in April, I remember talking to a room of five people,” he said. “It was an opportunity for us to share a honest conversation about pain and about purpose. And I’ve been able to have 500 more of those discus-

sions over the past 15 months.” El-Sayed said he visited 110 cities and hosted more than 500 events. His volunteer network grew alongside the campaign, eventually reaching 12,000 people, according to his campaign. Julie Brink, a 29-year-old volunteer from the Detroit area, said the campaign still felt like an “underdog” when she joined in February. From there, she said, it was “gaining momentum really consistently.” “It was a lot of little things along the way,” Brink said. The campaign also embraced a media strategy that reflected El-Sayed’s years outside elected office, aggressively pursuing attention across traditional outlets, podcasts and online platforms. Some appearances, including multiple interviews with controversial streamer Hasan Piker, drew swift backlash. Turning point came when opponent dropped out On July 5, McMorrow ended her campaign, leaving a two-person race between El-Sayed and Stevens. Soon after, El-Sayed stood before door-knocking volunteers in a Grand Rapids park and declared, “We have a chance of winning this election.” “More importantly, we have a chance at winning our politics,” El-Sayed said. “What we’re doing is building a movement of the many against the money.” In the final days, El-Sayed leaned even further into the strategy that had helped build his campaign. He marched

“We took on a machine,” El‑Sayed said Wednesday. Sen. Chris Van Hollen, another progressive leader who endorsed El-Sayed, said the victory “should be a wake-up call to the Washington Democratic establishment.”

Sen. Bernie Sanders

Harder test comes in November

through downtown Detroit alongside social media influencers, then attended a private pool party with content creators, including Piker. On Election Day, El-Sayed did three interviews with content creators at Detroit’s Eastern Market before doing three more with traditional news organizations, including The Associated Press and MS NOW. Hours later, the campaign that had once struggled to fill small rooms packed Detroit’s Majestic Theatre for an election night party.

El-Sayed now has three months to prove the movement that carried him through the primary can win a general election. Failure could be a dramatic setback for progressives, who have insisted for years that their approach could be more successful in a political era defined by President Donald Trump. The Senate Republican campaign arm has already reserved $45 million in Michigan advertising to support Rogers, a number likely to grow as Republicans make clear they prefer their chances against El-Sayed. AIPAC, which spent more money on Michigan’s primary than any other race, also signaled Wednesday that its involvement would not end, saying it would oppose El-Sayed and “his radical anti-Israel agenda” in November. The narrowness of El-Sayed’s victory also complicates any sweeping conclusions about what the result says about the Democratic Party. Nearly half of Tuesday’s primary voters backed Stevens, who argued throughout the campaign that her more moderate approach and history of winning competitive races made her better positioned to defeat Rogers. Stevens called El-Sayed early Wednesday to concede the race, with El-Sayed describing it as a “great conversation.” She pledged her support for him, and Michigan Democrats gathered for a unity breakfast Thursday and a public rally Friday. Hertel, the state Democratic chair, said the primary’s ideological fight was not itself a problem, arguing that voters — rather than party leaders — should determine their direction. “I don’t think that having a robust discussion is a bad thing,” Hertel said Wednesday. “What I think is important is that we are united afterwards.” “We will unite together, and we will win this race,” Hertel added, “because we have to.”

Progressives see test of movement El-Sayed’s victory gave progressives something they have been seeking — evidence that their politics could prevail not just in deep-blue cities and congressional districts, but in a Democratic primary in one of the nation’s premier swing states. “Abdul El-Sayed is now the tip of the spear for the theory that shake-up-the-system economic fighters can win in swing states,” said Adam Green, co-founder of the Progressive Change Campaign Committee, who campaigned alongside El-Sayed in the final days. The November race against Rogers, Green added, is “put up or shut up time” for the movement. El-Sayed campaigned on “Medicare for All,” ending military aid to Israel and campaign finance reform. He had support from progressive leaders including Sanders and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who framed the race as both a grassroots movement and a broader fight against the establishment and big-money spending. Outside groups backing Stevens ultimately spent more than $60 million, including more than $30 million from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee and its affiliates.

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

Eagle Scout project hoists colors to honor veterans in Albemarle The pole is on the grounds of the Stanly Agri-Civic Center

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By Melinda Burris Stanly News Journal LOCUST — For his Eagle Scout project, a capstone on his journey, Cayden Osborne chose to honor Stanly County veterans by erecting a flagpole surrounded by bricks engraved with their names. He also created a walkway leading visitors to the memorial, located on the grounds of the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center in Albemarle. The project, which seemed relatively simple on the surface, took 10 months to complete due to city ordinances and permit requirements. Osborne was there every step of the way to ensure the project was completed properly. To enable him to get past the obstacles and see the flagpole and surrounding area as he had envisioned, Osborne relied on the leadership skills he had learned and honed as a senior patrol leader, a position his fellow scouts elected him to hold. “I know how not to control people but to make people do the tasks that need to be done to get a project accomplished even faster,” he said, crediting the expertise he has acquired in organizing and motivating a team with the successful completion of his final Eagle Project. He also observed that dealing with unexpected paperwork and bureaucracy taught him another valuable lesson. “You learn patience as well,” he said. Osborne had to think back to recall exactly when he joined the scouts before saying he had been a member since he was in the third grade. “It basically shaped my life to be a better person,” Osborne replied when asked what scouting has meant to him personally. He credits the lessons he has learned with instilling

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Cayden Osborne poses with the flagpole he erected for his final Eagle Scout project.

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“You learn patience as well.” Cayden Osborne, on dealing with paperwork and bureaucracy while working on his Eagle Scout project in him a desire to “make the world a better place.” Osborne emphasized the importance of the relationships he has built over the past decade with the young men he grew up with, fostering a sense of community and friendship. As he begins thinking and planning for his future, Osborne credited scouting with teaching him valuable lessons in everyday things, including “how to represent yourself in a good way.” He remains strongly involved in the scouting orga-

nization, volunteering much of his time as a scout to work with young Cub Scouts in grades K-5. In doing so, he is again taking on a leadership role, teaching a new generation the Scout Oath and Scout Law. It’s important to Osborne. “If you can even have those things, you’ll be an extraordinary man,” he said. He called scouting “one of the best programs out there that helps shape kids’ lives” and believes the experience “makes them a whole lot better person in general.”

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Stanly County Schools Chief Technology Officer Elliot Brooks, left, greets board member Dustin Lisk during the school board meeting Tuesday night. HONOR from page A1 a lot from the organization.” Brooks said NCLGISA plays an important role in helping public agencies across North Carolina obtain the technology and resources they need. SCS Superintendent Jarrod Dennis told the school board that the award was originally presented May 28 by NCLGISA Chairman Mike McKinney in front of the district’s Technology Department. “There is truly no better match for it than Mr. Brooks,” Dennis said. “With 18 years in public education, Mr. Brooks doesn’t just manage technology — he leads with profound integrity, work ethic and heart.”

Dennis described Brooks as a team player who works alongside his staff, supports their professional growth and continually raises expectations across the district. “Any time I’ve needed anything, you’ve always gotten it or you’ve found a solution,” Dennis told Brooks. “We just couldn’t ask for a better CTO or better person in our district.” Board chair Glenda Gibson recalled working beside Brooks when the two taught at Mount Pleasant Middle School. Brooks taught seventh grade, while Gibson taught eighth grade in the neighboring classroom. “There were times that I needed to hook things up,” Gibson said. “I was so fortunate because my students would usu-

ally say, ‘Do you need to go get Mr. Brooks next door to help you?’” Board member Carla Poplin also congratulated Brooks and noted the demands facing the Technology Department as employees return for the new school year. “I know how hard the next couple of weeks are about to be for you in your department with staff being back and staff devices and classroom devices,” Poplin said. “We really do appreciate all the work you and your department put in.” The Stanly County Board of Education’s next regular meeting is scheduled for Sept. 1 at 6:15 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

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STANLY SPORTS

CAROLYN KASTER / AP PHOTO

Cincinnati Reds pitcher Rhett Lowder throws during a home game against the Athletics in Cincinnati on Wednesday.

Lowder earns first win since April, tossing 6 innings for Reds The former Comets pitcher allowed two runs against the Athletics By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Former North Stanly pitcher Rhett Lowder delivered one of his strongest outings of the season Wednesday night, helping the Cincinnati Reds earn a 3-2 home win over the Athletics at Great American Ball Park. Lowder allowed two earned runs on four hits over six in-

nings as Cincinnati won for the seventh time in 10 games. The Reds improved to 55-58 and have won five of their six series since the All-Star break. Through 95 pitches, the 24-year-old right-hander struck out three and walked two before Cincinnati turned the game over to its bullpen. Lowder surrendered a leadoff solo home run to Lawrence Butler in the first inning and an RBI double to Jonah Heim in the sixth but kept the Athletics scoreless in the four innings between those hits and left with Cincinnati in position to win.

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Earned runs allowed by Rhett Lowder in each of his past three starts

The victory was Lowder’s first since April 20 and ended a personal six-game losing streak. He had made 14 appearances, including 11 starts and three relief outings, since record-

ing his third win of the season. Lowder improved to 4-7 with a 5.26 ERA through 89 innings. The Albemarle native has shown progress over his past three starts, covering 17 innings with six earned runs allowed and 12 strikeouts. His 3.18 ERA during that span has helped him lower his season mark in three consecutive starts. Wednesday marked Lowder’s 17th start of the year and his fourth since returning to the rotation following a three-appearance stint in the bullpen. His first start back came July 18 at Colorado, where he

allowed 11 hits and eight earned runs in 21/3 innings. He responded by allowing one hit and two earned runs in five innings July 24 at St. Louis, then gave up five hits and two earned runs over six innings July 30 against Pittsburgh. The former Wake Forest standout and No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 Major League Baseball Draft locked up a spot in Cincinnati’s rotation during spring training after missing the entire 2025 season with oblique and forearm injuries. Lowder opened this season 3-1 with a 3.18 ERA through six starts before struggling in May. He later missed a month with discomfort in his right shoulder. Cincinnati will look for Lowder to continue providing quality starts after placing pitcher Hunter Greene on the 15-day injured list because of elbow soreness.

Pfeiffer golf duo earns All-America Scholar honors Tyler Kepley and Aidan Hollar were recognized for academic and athletic success

Pfeiffer’s Tyler Kepley is one of two Falcons who were announced as 2025-26 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars.

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal MISENHEIMER — Two members of the Pfeiffer men’s golf team have earned national recognition for their achievements both on the course and in the classroom. Rising juniors Tyler Kepley and Aidan Hollar were named 2025-26 Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars by the Golf Coaches Association of America (GCAA) on Monday. The award recognizes collegiate golfers who meet academic, athletic and character standards. To be eligible in NCAA Division III, a player must be a sophomore, junior or senior academically and athletically, compete in at least half of his team’s rounds, maintain a stroke average below 79 and hold a cumulative grade-point average of at least 3.2. Recipients must also be in good standing at their college or university and demonstrate high moral character. Founded in 1958, the GCAA is the professional organization for men’s collegiate golf coaches that recognizes achievements by coaches and student athletes

COURTESY PFEIFFER ATHLETICS

in academics, athletics and civic involvement. Kepley and Hollar were among 261 Division III golfers from 95 schools to receive the honor. The USA South Athletic Conference had six honorees representing Methodist, Pfeiffer and Southern Virginia. The academic recognition follows a 2025-26 season in which Pfeiffer recorded four top-five finishes. The Falcons’ best result came in March, when they tied for first among 10 teams at the Marlins Invitational at Cy-

press Point Country Club in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Pfeiffer also finished third in the 14-team Glory Days/SU Invitational, fifth in the 10‑team Pfeiffer Spring Invitational and fourth at the six-team USA South Championships. The Falcons placed seventh at the Glenn Heath Memorial and 10th in the 24-team Camp Lejeune Intercollegiate. Next month, Pfeiffer will enter its second season under coach Drew MacBean with five tournaments on its 2026

fall schedule. The Falcons open Sept. 13-15 at the Kinder Williams Invitational in Harrisonburg, Virginia, before competing Sept. 20-21 at the Don Scalf Memorial in Rocky Mount. The team is scheduled to play in two events Oct. 4-6: the West Pines Collegiate in Douglasville, Georgia, and the Rendleman Invitational in Salisbury. Pfeiffer will close the fall season Oct. 11-13 by hosting the Jack Ingram/Pfeiffer Fall Invitational at Tillery Tradition Country Club in Mount Gilead.

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USA South players named Cobalt Golf All-America Scholars

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Darnold uninterested in narratives about him, but ready to help Seahawks defend crown The former Panthers’ quarterback is coming off a Super Bowl win By Andrew Destin The Associated Press SEATTLE — Less than six months removed from his first NFL title, Sam Darnold briefly chuckled to himself. Darnold was asked if he feels the narratives about him have gone by the wayside. For years, the discourse on Darnold centered around him being a bust, considering his pedigree as a former No. 3 overall pick, and a transient quarterback who hopped from team to team. Darnold’s first year under center for the Seahawks, after all, marked his fifth team in eight seasons. Despite the scrutiny, Darnold said his confidence in himself has never wavered. “I don’t allow myself to really pay attention to anything like that,” Darnold said five days into training camp. “If I do catch wind of it, I have my process on how to handle that. Like I said, it’s just about handling my process and doing it my way, so that when I get out there, it’s not about what I’ve done or what I’m going to do, it’s about what I’m doing right now. “I think if I just continue to have that mindset as we go on, we’ll be just fine.” What Darnold is more interested in is getting up to speed with the Seahawks’ new offensive scheme. First-year offensive coordinator Brian Fleury and Darnold have some familiarity with one another, though. Fleury spent the last four years as the 49ers’ tight ends coach, and Darnold was San Francisco’s backup for the 2023 season. Darnold has enjoyed getting to reconnect with the stoic Fleury, who has been tasked with replacing current Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak. “Whether it’s a good play or bad play, his mentality never

LINDSEY WASSON / AP PHOTO

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold signs autographs during training camp. changes out there on the field, which I already knew about, being in San Francisco with him,” Darnold said. “But he was always very even keel. Now getting to spend a lot more time with him as the offensive coordinator, it’s fun to be able to watch him work every single day and see his mentality out there.” Darnold would also like to keep working on his rapport with wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, who signed a $51 million, three-year contract in March. Shaheed, who had 59 catches for 687 yards and two touchdowns last season for Seattle and New Orleans, spent a good chunk of the offseason training with Darnold. The two South-

“It’s not about what I’ve done or what I’m going to do, it’s about what I’m doing right now.” Sam Darnold ern California natives teamed up at Saddleback College in Orange County, which Darnold imagines will only help Shaheed further get up to speed with the Seahawks ahead of his first full season in Seattle. “He’s a friendly receiver to throw to,” Darnold said. “... I’m looking forward to him con-

tinuing to get more reps and build that chemistry so that we can see him more often getting catches and doing his thing at the receiver position.” Fans will have plenty of chances to get sneak peeks of Darnold’s and Shaheed’s progress on the HBO show “Hard Knocks.” As the quarterback of the reigning Super Bowl champions, Darnold understands he very well may be one of the focal points of the show. It’s an impending experience Darnold is prepared for ahead of his ninth NFL season. After a second straight Pro Bowl season, Darnold has proven he belongs among the NFL’s elite quarterbacks after a much-crit-

icized beginning to his professional career. While Darnold isn’t one to reflect on how far he’s come, coach Mike Macdonald is more than willing to shower praise on his even-keeled quarterback as the Seahawks seek to defend their Super Bowl title. “The thing I appreciate about Sam — and you can’t speak for everybody — but just every rep is a rep,” Macdonald said. “If it’s in the quarterback room and they’re going over the script, he treats that rep the same as he does here, if it’s practiced online or we’re in a game. It’s all the same. That’s the mental approach that we want all of our guys to take.”

Mayfield feels ‘disrespected’ by Buccaneers ownership after failing to agree on new contract The former Panthers quarterback will play out the final season of his contract

“Money should never be the motivation in football. It’s how do I help this team win?”

By Rob Maaddi The Associated Press TAMPA, Fla. — Baker Mayfield feels “disrespected” by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and is focused on playing his best football. The two-time Pro Bowl quarterback didn’t get the contract extension he sought and plans to play out the final season of his three-year, $100 million deal. “I’ve been pretty up front and honest about my feelings about Tampa, it being home for our family, raising kids here,” Mayfield said. “We love it here. I wanted a deal done and set the deadline and told them it was going to be all ball after that, and I did mean that. I don’t know if they thought I was gonna take some of the offers that they gave. “I’m at the point in my career, understanding what I’ve brought to this franchise. One, I’m very thankful for the chance they gave me — do not get me wrong on that. But I also know, I really know what I’ve brought to this franchise, leadership-wise and even play-wise. It’s been some of the best years of my career, and I think it’s only going to trend upwards.” Mayfield, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft by Cleveland, revived his career in Tampa Bay after replacing Tom Brady in 2023. He made the Pro Bowl in each of his first two seasons while leading the Bucs to consecutive NFC South titles. He was an MVP candidate through the first half

Baker Mayfield

CHRIS O’MEARA / AP PHOTO

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield takes a snap during training camp practice. of last season when the team started 6-2 but struggled with injuries and tailed off. “It’s disappointing in that regard, to feel disrespected a little bit,” he said. “That’s really the disappointing part, to feel undervalued after thinking you’ve earned it. This is not a ‘poor me’ thing. There’s a lot of other people who have it way worse off. But I can sit here and look at other quarterbacks and peers and evaluate myself based on that and put myself in certain categories that I deserved to be compensated for that.

“I think I’m a franchise quarterback. I’ve been told I’m a franchise quarterback. It’s been said publicly from ownership down here, and to not have a deal done is very disappointing.” Mayfield had set a deadline on getting a new contract by the start of training camp. He said he addressed his teammates to let them know he won’t let the issue become a distraction. He also doesn’t need it to motivate him. “Money should never be the motivation in football,” he said. “It’s how do I help this team

win? It’s never going to be the motivation for me. When it comes to having a chip on your shoulder and all that, for me it just puts me in the mindset of betting on myself. That’s something I’m pretty familiar with, and it’s a good place to be. As a highly competitive guy, sometimes you have to put yourself backed into a corner and fight your way out. I have a lot of guys and a lot of staff around me that are with me, so I’m not alone in it. We’re fighting for the same goal, and that’s to be playing in February.”

If Mayfield plays like he did in 2024 — 4,500 yards passing, 41 touchdown passes, 71.4% completion rate, 106.8 passer rating — the Buccaneers likely will have to pay him even more than he commands now. A contract that averages between $50 million and $55 million is considered to be Mayfield’s current range. “Baker hasn’t missed a beat or changed one bit through anything that’s going on,” offensive lineman Ben Bredeson said. “He’s still our quarterback, he’s still the same leader, friend, guy that we all love. When he says it’s all about ball, he means it. He’s probably one of the most consistent and locked-in individuals I’ve ever had the chance to play with. It’s an honor going to work with him every day, and no matter what’s happening outside of the building, he has not changed one bit and is ready to go at all times.” Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea is also unhappy with his contract situation as he enters the final year of his deal. He has missed the first two days of practice with a back injury. “It’s all about winning here now and what we’re going to do and hopefully gets his back fixed and gets his deal done,” Mayfield said. “Vita deserves that. He’s the anchor of our defense. I hope they take care of him.”

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

Women’s Professional Baseball League debuts in front of enthusiastic crowd The league is the first pro women’s baseball league in the U.S. in 30 years By Jay Cohen The Associated Press SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Sarah Hodel and Rachel Koehler arrived at Robin Roberts Stadium more than four hours before the first game of the Women’s Professional Baseball League. Once inside, Hodel stopped periodically for pictures as she walked along the concourse. She wanted to savor every moment. “Back in high school I was on my speech team, and my informative speech was on women in baseball,” said Hodel, a 43-year‑old athletic trainer from Duluth, Minnesota. “So as soon as I saw this happening a couple years ago it was my goal to come.” That moment finally arrived, when Mo’ne Davis and the Los Angeles Queens rallied for a 10-8 victory over Denae Benites and the New York Heights in a rainy debut for the first women’s professional baseball league in the United States in almost 30 years. “Growing up I played softball,” said Koehler, 33, of St. Paul, Minnesota. “I wanted to play baseball because going professional was always like the dream, but there (were) no opportunities. ... So now that that’s actually an opportunity and something that girls can look up to, I think is amazing.” Maggie Foxx picked up the league’s first hit on a two-run single for Los Angeles in the first inning. Benites connected for the WPBL’s first homer, a two‑run drive to center in the bottom of the fourth. The Queens trailed 8-4 before scoring two runs in the sixth and four more in wet and windy conditions for the final frame of the seven-inning contest. “When I walked on the field I started crying because of how much this moment meant and how much it meant to everybody,” Foxx said. “It means everything to us.” A steady rain fell for much of the day, soaking the 101-year‑old home of the WPBL’s inaugu-

LEXIE KNIGHT / AP PHOTO

ral season. But much of the crowd of more than 4,000 started lining up hours before the game. The line for the main merchandise booth stretched all the way to the outfield along one side of the ballpark. “Having a daughter, it’s really exciting to give her exposure to female professional athletes,” said Antonietta Mabry, 47, an accountant from Columbus, Ohio. “It’s such a rare thing, so it’s really cool to give her some really positive female role models and examples.” Mabry was accompanied by her husband, Jason, and their daughter, Rosalee. Nine‑year‑old Mabry got her glove autographed by San Francisco second baseman Amanda Gianelloni. The Firebells and Boston Hunters — the league’s other two teams — play on Sunday. A couple of players from each team helped the grounds crew pull the tarp off the field after the rain subsided. “I’m excited to be here because I play softball and I really like it and it’s really cool that I get to see professional women play,” Rosalee Mabry said. The WPBL paid tribute to the past, present and future of women’s baseball during a rain-delayed pregame ceremony. The crowd cheered as the lineups for the Queens and Heights were announced.

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Former AllAmerican Girls Professional Baseball League player Maybelle Blair, left, and the Los Angeles Queens’ Meggie Meidlinger, right, share a moment before the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League game.

But the biggest ovation of the night was for 99-year-old Maybelle Blair, who threw a ceremonial first pitch to San Francisco’s Kelsie Whitmore, one of the biggest stars of the WPBL. Blair, who serves on a WPBL advisory board, played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, which ran from 1943‑54 and inspired the 1992 movie, “A League of Their Own.” “I think that’s pretty incredible,” Benites said. “Maybelle’s been sticking with us since the beginning of this journey. She’s paved a path for us, really. ... She’s a special person, and I’m so happy that she got to make it out here and do that today.” Lindsey Keirsey, 42, a high school history teacher in Fenton, Missouri, said she is obsessed with the AAGPBL and “A League of Their Own.” She attended the game with her husband, Drew, 43, and their four children, Hadley, 17, Nolan, 15, Elam, 11, and Abbott, 10. “We go to St. Louis Cardinals games all the time,” Hadley Keirsey said. “As much as I love baseball, I think it’s an amazing opportunity to see so many women be able to play and just break ground like that. Even though it’s just a sport, I think that if we can do things like this and let women play in sports like this, women can do so many more things.”

Nate Hayworth

COURTESY @NATHAN_HAYWORTH / INSTAGRAM

Uwharrie Wampus Cats Nate Hayworth is an outfielder/pitcher for Tusculum originally from Salisbury. He won five conference titles and a state championship at East Rowan before heading to college, playing in 11 games as a redshirt freshman for the Pioneers last season. This summer, he played for the Uwharrie Wampus Cats and was one of the team’s best hitters. He had an on-base streak that lasted nearly the entire month of July and hit .400 for the final month of the Wampus Cats’ season, lifting his average on the year to above .300. He also gunned down three baserunners with outfield assists.

The New York Heights’ Natsuki Yonetani, right, celebrates while the Los Angeles Queens’ Amira Hondras, left, fails to tag her during the third inning of the inaugural Women’s Professional Baseball League game.

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

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NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA, IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION STANLY COUNTY. 26CV001120-830 ROLLING HILLS MOBILE HOME PARK, LLC, Plaintiff, vs MELVYN DONALD GOLDEN, Defendant NOTICE OF SERVICE BY PUBLICATION To: Melvyn Donald Golden, Defendant Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled civil action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: (1) Entry of monetary judgment against you in the amount of $15,300.00, plus court costs, service fees and attorney’s fees; and (2) Possession of the premises at Lot 62, 35419 Dry Road, Albemarle, NC 28001. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than the 11th day of September, 2026, said date being 40 days from the first publication of this notice, and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. This is the 27th day of July, 2026. James A. Phillips, Jr. Attorney for the Plaintiff P.O. Box 1162, Albemarle, NC 28002 704.983.2709 Publish August 2, 2026 August 9, 2026 August 16, 2026

NOTICE OF ALBEMARLE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARINGS Notice is hereby given that the Albemarle City Council will hold public hearings on Monday, August 24, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at Albemarle City Hall, 144 N. Second Street, Albemarle, NC 28001, to consider the following zoning map amendment petitions: ZMA 26-02 – A request to establish City of Albemarle R-10 (General Residential District) zoning for approximately 56.05 acres located along NC Highway 24/27, identified as Tax Record 31834, in conjunction with a voluntary annexation petition. The property is currently within Stanly County’s jurisdiction and is zoned RA (Residential Agricultural District) and R-20 (Low-Density Residential District). ZMA 26-03 – A request to rezone approximately 0.42 acres located at 1220 Poplar Street, identified as Tax Record 22671, from LID (Light Industrial District) to R-8 (General Residential District). ZMA 26-04 – A request to rezone approximately 0.43 acres located at the corner of Englewood Avenue and S. Second Street, identified as Tax Record 5168, from R-6 (General Residential District) to CBD (Central Business District). Interested persons are invited to attend and provide comments. The meeting agenda and supporting materials will be available at www. albemarlenc.gov/government/citycouncil-meetings. Publish: Sunday, August 9, 2026, and Sunday, August 16, 2026.

NOTICE NOTICE

To submit classified ads email ads@ stanlynewsjournal.com

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000243-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Co-Executor of the Estate of Gary Gene Lowder deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Gary Gene Lowder to present them to the undersigned on or before November 4, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 2nd day of August 2026. Beth Lowder Yarbrough 4188 NC HWY 109 South Mount Gilead, NC 27306 Co-Executor David Troy Lowder 29158 Sweet Home Church Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Co-Executor

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000332-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Co-Executor of the Estate of Rose Talbert Lowder deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Rose Talbert Lowder to present them to the undersigned on or before November 4, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 2nd day of August 2026. Beth Lowder Yarbrough 4188 NC HWY 109 South Mount Gilead, NC 27306 Co-Executor David Troy Lowder 29158 Sweet Home Church Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Co-Executor

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NOTICE

The undersigned, having qualified as the Executrix of the Estate of Patsy H. Blankenship, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the Estate to present such claims to the undersigned Executrix on or before the 23rd day of October, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment. This the 2nd day of July, 2026. _________________________ Kristi Blankenship Executrix of the Estate of Patsy H. Blankenship 34884 Finger Road Mt. Pleasant, NC 28124 David A. Beaver Attorney for the Executrix 160 N. First Street (P.O. Box 1338) Albemarle, NC 28001 (28002) 704-982-4915 Dates of publication: July 18 and 25 and August 1 and 8, 2026.

NORTH CAROLINA, IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 26E000331-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having duly qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Teresa Meggs Whitley, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, is hereby notifying all persons, firms, or corporations having claims against said decedent, or her estate, to present the same to the undersigned Executrix, duly itemized and verified on or before the 19th day of October, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said decedent are hereby requested to pay the said indebtedness to the undersigned Executrix. This the 14th day of July, 2026.

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as the Administrator of the Estate of Donald W. Randall, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the Estate to present such claims to the undersigned Executrix at 10439 Willow Oak Rd, Norwood, NC 28128 on or before the 12th day of November, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to this estate will please make immediate payment. This the 29th day of July, 2026. _________________________________ Thelma B. Randall Executrix of the Estate of Donald W. Randall 10439 Willow Oak Rd Norwood, NC 28128 David A. Beaver Attorney for the Executrix 160 N. First Street (P.O. Box 1338) Albemarle, NC 28001 (28002) 704-982-4915 Dates of Publication: August 8, 15, 22 & 29

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Clerk Before the Clerk 26E000335-830 Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Mitzie Doniece Lanier, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned or his attorney on or before November 2nd, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 28th day of July, 2026. SIDNEY RICKEY LANIER EXECUTOR FOR THE ESTATE OF MITZIE DONIECE LANIER MARK T. LOWDER ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 1284 Albemarle, NC 28002 Telephone (704) 982-8558 Publish: August 2, 9, 16, and 23, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Clerk Before the Clerk 26E000328-830 Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Peggy Lee Carter Eudy Napier, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned or her attorney on or before November 9, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 31st day of July, 2026. WALLACE LAYNE EXECUTOR FOR THE ESTATE OF PEGGY LEE CARTER EUDY NAPIER MARK T. LOWDER 206 E. NORTH STREET PO BOX 1284 ALBEMARLE, NC 28002 RESIDENT PROCESS AGENT FOR THE ESTATE OF PEGGY LEE CARTER EUDY NAPIER MARK T. LOWDER ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 1284 206 E. North Street Albemarle, NC 28002 Telephone (704) 982-8558 Publish: August 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2026

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA, IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 26E000351-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having duly qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Charles Leon Jones, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, is hereby notifying all persons, firms, or corporations having claims against said decedent, or her estate, to present the same to the undersigned Administrator, duly itemized and verified on or before the 2nd day of November, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to the said decedent are hereby requested to pay the said indebtedness to the undersigned Administrator. This the 22nd day of July, 2026. Natasha Leaon Boone (Jones) Administrator of the Estate of Charles Leon Jones 1656 Gables Court Columbus, OH 43235 PUBLISH: August 2, 9, 16, 23, 2026 James A. Phillips, Jr. Attorney for the Estate P.O. Box 1162 117 W. North Street Albemarle, NC 28002-1162

Susan Whitley Harris Executrix of the Estate of Teresa Meggs Whitley 3023 Sandgate Ct. Cocoa, FL 32926 PUBLISH: July 19, 26, August 2, 9, 2026 James A. Phillips, Jr. Attorney and Resident Process Agent for the Estate P.O. Box 1162 117 W. North Street Albemarle, NC 28002-1162

NOTICE TO CREDITORS NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Clerk Before the Clerk 25E000381-830 Having qualified as Co-Administrators CTA of the Estate of James Kenneth Smith, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the Estate of said deceased to exhibit them to the undersigned or his attorney on or before November 9th, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 31st day of July, 2026. JUDITH SMITH HUNEYCUTT TINA SMITH ALMOND CO-ADMINISTRATORS CTA FOR THE ESTATE OF JAMES KENNETH SMITH MARK T. LOWDER ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 1284 Albemarle, NC 28002 Telephone (704) 982-8558 Publish: August 9, 16, 23, and 30, 2026

NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned has qualified as Administrator CTA of the Estate of BOBBIE LEE RIVERS, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina (Stanly County File Number 26E000288-830). This is to notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against said decedent or her estate to present the same duly itemized and verified to the undersigned on or before the 20th day of October 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the decedent or to her estate are hereby requested to pay the said indebtedness to the undersigned Administrator CTA or his attorney. This the 18th day of July 2026. CARL DOUGLAS RIVERS a/k/a CARL D. RIVERS Administrator CTA ESTATE OF BOBBIE LEE RIVERS PO Box 1124 Albemarle, NC 28002 CHARLES P. BROWN BROWN & SENTER, P.L.L.C. PO Box 400 Albemarle, North Carolina 28002-0400 Telephone: 704 982-2141 Facsimile: 704 982-0902 PUBLISH: July 19, 26, August 2, and 9, 2026

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000248-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Pearl Elizabeth Morgan Nash deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Pearl Elizabeth Morgan Nash to present them to the undersigned on or before November 10, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 9th day of August 2026. Chris Randolph Freeman 21300 Hinson Farm Lane Locust, NC 28097 Executor

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

Infantino gets internal support at crisis meeting to remain as FIFA president FIFA acknowledged governance failures as external pressure mounts for his resignation By James Robson The Associated Press FIFA SAID Wednesday it had apologized for errors made over Gianni Infantino’s failed plan to sell stakes in the World Cup and that senior staff in attendance at a crisis meeting in Morocco “reaffirmed their full support” for his presidency. World soccer’s governing body attempted to present a unified front amid the turbulence caused by Infantino’s controversial plans, with calls for him to step down. In a statement, FIFA said Secretary-General Mattias Grafström and members of the management board in attendance in Rabat had given their support to the embattled president. Referring to the plans to sell profits in the World Cup through a commercial subsidiary called FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), the statement said “mistakes made were acknowledged” and that the “pro-

cess should have been handled differently.” FIFA said a letter had been sent to FIFA Council and member associations apologizing for errors and committed to “ensure they do not happen again.” Grafström’s stated support was notable after he distanced himself from Infantino’s now abandoned plans in an email to all FIFA staff calling the last week a “sad and reproachable series of events.” FIFA said Infantino had also reaffirmed his support for his secretary general. World soccer’s governing body said the FFE proposal was “now off the table.” “There are always lessons to be learned, and FIFA will continue to improve its processes in light of this experience,” it said. “Serious questions” Earlier Wednesday, the association of European soccer leagues — including the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A — called for governance reform of FIFA. It described the FFE proposal as “dangerous” and said it pointed to deeper concerns about how

“Certainly I don’t have confidence in Mr. Infantino.” Mark Carney, Canadian prime minister the governing body operates. It said it raised “serious questions about FIFA’s governance, internal culture and decision-making.” “Now more than ever, FIFA requires governance reform that ensures that all relevant stakeholders have a formal role in decisions that shape the future of our game,” they said. In the statement, European Leagues hit out at the possibility of further expanding the World Cup to 64 teams and said, “FIFA must not be allowed to continue taking unilaterally disruptive decisions.” It said that until there was reform it would reject the “expansion or creation” of FIFA competitions. Portugal and Real Madrid great Luis Figo also called for Infantino to step down, saying he had “debased the office.”

FIFA denied a British media report suggesting Infantino, in seeking support for his presidency, had offered Morocco the hosting of the final at the 2030 World Cup. Spain, Portugal and Morocco are the main co-hosts for the 2030 edition. Morocco hopes to host the final at the planned 115,000-seat King Hassan II Stadium near Casablanca; Spain has at least two contenders — the home stadiums of Real Madrid and Barcelona. A FIFA spokesperson said it’s “false and misleading to claim the FIFA president has made any promise in relation to hosting the FIFA World Cup 2030 final. A decision will be made by FIFA in due course.” Canada’s Carney raises concerns Also Wednesday, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said he no longer has confidence in Infantino. He said the FIFA president committed a “fatal” governance failure by not consulting senior advisers. “Certainly I don’t have confidence in Mr. Infantino,” said Carney, who had appeared alongside Infantino at several

Gene-edited beagles may offer future option for people with dog allergies Scientists removed the gene responsible for an allergy-causing protein in dogs By Adithi Ramakrishnan The Associated Press NEW YORK — Matt Walker couldn’t pet a dog without sneezing — until he and other scientists used a gene editing technique to produce a hypoallergenic beagle named Bailey. Now, he can feed Bailey spoons of peanut butter while she lies on his lap and play fetch with her in Central Park. His allergies didn’t go away: Bailey’s saliva and hair no longer contain a key allergy-causing protein. “The feeling right now is sort of a mix of relief and awe and gratitude that it worked,” said Walker, a geneticist. His company, Kindred Companion Sciences, created Bailey and her twin, Alfie, using a Nobel Prize-winning technique called CRISPR. It’ll take years before the millions who suffer from dog-related allergies can walk into a pet store and buy a pooch like Alfie or Bailey. Scientists have to monitor the long-term health effects of the genetic tweak and find ways to commercialize the approach to

make it affordable. And experts not involved with the effort say it could hurt shelter and rescue animals waiting to be adopted. “It opens the door to a lot more people being able to own pets,” said bioethicist Arthur Caplan with New York University’s Grossman School of Medicine. “On the negative side, it may discourage people from trying to use strays and unwanted animals that are not engineered to be allergy-free.” Researchers have tried to create hypoallergenic pets before, mostly using cloning. But this led to sicker pups that were too genetically similar. Two years ago, researchers used CRISPR to reduce levels of an allergy-causing protein in a cat named Alsik. But it’s not yet clear whether this technique is safe to be tested on other cats. Dogs that shed less, like poodles, are often thought of as hypoallergenic. But these pups still produce allergy-causing proteins that end up in their saliva, hair and dander, so they can still make people sniffly. To create Alfie and Bailey, scientists started in the lab. They edited the genetic code inside dog skin cells, switching off the main gene responsible for producing allergy-causing proteins. Then they transferred the edited genetic code into eggs

that went into a beagle surrogate that gave birth to two healthy female pups in September 2024. Scientists tested their saliva and fur, and they didn’t find signs of the allergy-causing protein. They also performed an allergy test, pricking Walker’s skin with extracts from Alfie and Bailey’s saliva and dander. His skin reacted to samples from a poodle and goldendoodle but not from the beagles.

local time. At that time the Bids received will be publicly opened and read. The Project includes the following Work: +/-2,100-LF of 6” PVC Vacuum main and associated appurtenances. The Project has an expected duration of 120 days. Obtaining the Bidding Documents The Issuing Office for the Bidding Documents is: Chambers Engineering, PA 129 N. First Street Albemarle, NC 28001 Prospective Bidders may obtain or examine the Bidding Documents at the Issuing Office on Monday through Friday between

the hours of 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM and may obtain copies of the Bidding Documents from the Issuing Office as described below. Partial sets of Bidding Documents will not be available from the Issuing Office. Neither Owner nor Engineer will be responsible for full or partial sets of Bidding Documents, including addenda, if any, obtained from sources other than the Issuing Office. Bidding Documents may be purchased from the Issuing Office during the hours indicated above. Upon Issuing Office’s receipt of payment, electronic documents will be sent via the Issuing Office’s designated website. Bidding Documents are available for purchase in the following formats:

July, 2026, made in the above captioned Estate, the undersigned, was by said Order appointed Commissioner to sell the land described in the Petition, and will on the 18th day of August, 2026, at 12:00 Noon at the Stanly County Courthouse, Albemarle, North Carolina, offer for sale to the highest bidder for cash, that certain tract or parcel of land lying and being in the Town of Stanfield, Stanly County, North Carolina and being more particularly described as follows: TRACT 1: BEGINNING at a covered spike in the centerline of Mountain Creek Road, SR 1522, said spike being located S. 8-06-40 E. 233.56 feet from a pk nail in the centerline of Mountain Creek Road at the intersection of the centerlines of said Mountain Creek Road and Murdock Lane, and running S. 8-45-20 E. 143.63 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence turning and running S. 10-21-00 E. 65.12 feet to a point; thence turning and running S. 1248-51 E. 12.58 feet to a found nail; thence turning and running S. 80-09-48 W. 303.42 feet to an existing iron pipe, said line passes

through an existing iron pipe at a distance of 22.43 feet; thence turning and running N. 10-15-22 W. 98.58 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence turning and running N. 65-4320 E. 315.92 feet to a covered spike, the point of beginning, said line passes through an existing iron pipe at a distance of 284.09 feet. This tract contains 1.268 acres as shown on a survey by Ellis S. Ross, RLS, dated July 25, 1998. For reference see Book 677, Page 695, Stanly County Registry. TRACT 2: BEGINNING at an existing iron pipe in the western right of way of Mountain Creek Road, said iron being located two calls from the intersection of Mountain Creek Road (SR 1522) and Murdock Lane, to wit: (1) S. 08-06-40 E. 233.56 feet to a covered spike; (2) S. 65-43-20 W. 31.83 feet to an existing iron pipe, the beginning, and running S. 6543-20 E. 284.09 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence turning and running N. 11-39-41 W. 4.60 feet to an existing iron pipe; thence turning and running with the lines of Robert A. Wallace, Jr. and Faye M. Barbee N. 66-

MARY CONLON / AP PHOTO

Bailey, a gene-edited hypoallergenic beagle, poses for a photo in New York on Tuesday. The research, published Wednesday in the CRISPR Journal, is the first time such an approach has been tried successfully in dogs. Walker says all dogs have the same allergy-causing gene that was edited in Alfie and Bailey. Kindred Companion Sciences hopes to test the technique on other dogs and service animals to see if they can breed an allergy-free line of pups beyond beagles.

events during the 2026 World Cup co-hosted by Canada, Mexico and the United States. A tumultuous week has raised questions about Infantino’s presidency of FIFA ahead of elections in March. European soccer’s governing body UEFA has applied the most intense pressure by voting to boycott the World Cup if Infantino pressed ahead with FFE. Even after Infantino’s climbdown, UEFA said it had lost confidence in FIFA’s leadership — possibly paving the way for a challenge to his presidency. The governing body for North and Central American and Caribbean soccer (CONCACAF) also said FIFA leadership had “stopped putting football first.” There have also been signs of division within the organization, with chief of global football development Arsène Wenger distancing himself from the FFE plans. Infantino’s senior adviser Carlos Cordeiro resigned last week, and chief operating officer Kevin Lamour said staff were “deceived” by the president’s lack of openness. Infantino is aiming to win a fourth and final term in office at the March elections.

Future research should test the gene-edited hypoallergenic dogs on more people with pet allergies to be sure they can soothe symptoms across a broader swath of the human population, said Dr. Jeff SoRelle, a pathologist at University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center. Since the switched-off gene is the main — but not the only — allergy-causing culprit in dogs that was tested, “we don’t exactly know just how effective or broadly useful this could be for stopping dog allergy in humans,” said SoRelle, who had no role in the study. Bailey lives with Walker in New York, and Alfie lives in Florida with another Kindred scientist. The edit made to their genes is rare but does occur naturally in some dogs, so Walker said it’s unlikely to have any negative effects on the pups. But it will still be important to monitor them at routine vet visits and make sure they stay healthy. Walker has had Bailey for a little over a year and says she’s become a member of the family. Despite being a lifelong dog lover, his allergies kept him away from pups growing up. Even breeds that were supposed to be more hypoallergenic, like his family’s goldendoodle, gave him itchy eyes and painful rashes. But he and Bailey can play tug-of-war together in his living room, and she snuggles at his feet to comfort him when he’s sick. “It feels just amazing to get to have a dog,” Walker said.

NOTICES ADVERTISEMENT FOR BIDS CITY OF LOCUST LOCUST, NC MEADOW CREEK VACUUM B LINE EXTENSION General Notice City of Locust (Owner) is requesting Bids for the construction of the following Project: Meadow Creek Vacuum B Line Extension Bids for the construction of the Project will be received at the Joel Honeycutt Community Room located at 186 Ray Kennedy Drive, Locust, NC 28097, until Thursday, September 10, 2026 at 2:00 PM

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 26SP000098-830 MARK T. LOWDER, Public Administrator of the Estate of DAVID LARRY BREWER, SR., Deceased, Petitioner, vs. JENNIFER BREWER, JESSICA BREWER; and JIMMY BREWER, Respondents. NOTICE OF SALE Under and by virtue of an Order of the Clerk of Superior Court of Stanly County, North Carolina, entered on the 8th day of

Prospective Bidders shall contact the Issuing Office by phone at 704-984-6427 or by email at rcarter@ce-pa.com to request and obtain Bidding Documents. Pre-bid Conference A pre-bid conference for the Project will NOT be held. Instructions to Bidders

For all further requirements regarding bid submittal, qualifications, procedures, and contract award, refer to the Instructions to Bidders that are included in the Bidding Documents. The Owner reserves the right to reject any and all bids, as may in the judgement of the governing board, serve its best interest and further reserves the right to waive irregularities and informalities in any bid submitted. This Advertisement is issued by: Owner: City of Locust By: Cesar Correa Title: City Manager Date: August 9, 2026

37-54 E. 283.12 feet to an existing iron pipe, the point of Beginning, said line passes 3.05 feet south of an existing iron pipe at approximately its midway point. This tract containing 0.015 acres as shown on a survey by Ellis S. Ross, RLS for Luther S. Barbee dated July 25, 1998. For reference see Book 682, Page 843, Stanly County Registry. THERE IS LESS AND EXCEPTED from the above-described Tract 1 and Tract 2 that 0.645 acre tract of land described in deed from Eugene A. Gurley and wife, Elaine L. Gurley to David L. Brewer and wife, Linda D. Brewer in Record Book 1004, page 572, Stanly County Registry, to which Record Book and Page reference is hereby made for a more complete description of said 0.645 acre tract by metes and bounds. For further reference, see Deed Book 1629, Page 295, Stanly County Registry. The Address of the property is: 1849 Mountain Creek Road, Albemarle, North Carolina The above-described real property will be sold subject to any and all liens or

encumbrances, superior mortgages, deeds of trust liens, including, without limitation, easements, conditions, restrictions and matters of record, and any unpaid county and city ad valorem taxes, including those for the year 2026, and city assessments, if any. Subject to any encroachments. An earnest money deposit equal to five percent (5%) of the bid price, or $750.00, whichever is greater, will be required from the highest bidder at the time of sale as evidence of good faith. This sale will be held open for ten (10) days for upset bids. This the 8th day of July, 2026. MARK T. LOWDER Commissioner M.T. Lowder & Associates Attorneys at Law P.O. Box 1284 Albemarle, NC 28002 Telephone: 704-982-8558 Fax: 704-986-4808 PUBLISH: August 9 and 16, 2026

Format Electronic download of Bidding Documents from the Issuing Office Cost Free

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

James, Strout among Booker Prize semifinalists

famous birthdays this week Sam Elliott celebrates 82, George Hamilton hits 87, Sir Mix-A-Lot turns 63, Maxine Waters is 88

Judges will announce six finalists Sept. 22

The Associated Press

By Jill Lawless The Associated Press

THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week. AUG. 9 Basketball Hall of Famer Bob Cousy is 98. Tennis Hall of Famer Rod Laver is 88. Actor Sam Elliott is 82. Singer Barbara Mason is 79. Actor Melanie Griffith is 69. Rapper Kurtis Blow is 67. Pro and College Football Hall of Famer Deion Sanders is 59.

CHRIS PIZZELLO/ AP PHOTO

Actor Rosanna Arquette turns 67 on Monday.

AUG. 10 Actor James Reynolds is 80. Rock singer-musician Ian Anderson (Jethro Tull) is 79. Country musician Gene Johnson (Diamond Rio) is 77. Actor Daniel Hugh Kelly is 74. Folk singer-songwriter Sam Baker is 72. Actor Rosanna Arquette is 67. AUG. 11 Magazine columnist Marilyn vos Savant is 80. Country music singer John Conlee is 80. Computer scientist and Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak is 76. Musician Joe Jackson is 72. Actor-host Joe Rogan is 59.

DARKO VOJINOVIC / AP PHOTO

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak turns 76 on Tuesday.

LONDON — Booker Prize winners Marlon James and Douglas Stuart are in the running again for the prestigious fiction award, alongside Dublin gangs, dystopian science fiction and the New England characters of Pulitzer Prize laureate Elizabeth Strout. Judges read 163 novels to come up with the 13 semifinalists announced last week for the $66,000 Booker Prize, a list described by historian Mary Beard, head of the judging panel, as literary “dynamite.” The list includes James’ “The Disappearers,” about a group of gay men in a hostile 1980s Jamaica; Stuart’s “John of John,” a story of father-son secrets on a remote Scottish island; and Strout’s heartfelt small-town tale “The Things We Never Say.” James won the Booker in 2015 for “A Brief History of Seven Killings,” and Stuart won in 2020 for “Shuggie Bain.” Strout’s “Oh William!” was a finalist in 2022. She won

“They’re risk-takers. They are dynamite. They say, ‘Come on, try seeing it a different way.’” Mary Beard, historian and head of judging panel the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 2009 for “Olive Kitteridge.” They sit alongside lesser-known names on a Booker longlist that includes authors with roots in Britain, Ireland, Jamaica, Mexico, Turkey and the United States. Three of those on the list are debut authors: Turkish American writer Kenan Orhan for family history story “The Renovation,” British author Rebecca Perry for Medieval-to-modern tale “May We Feed the King” and Ireland’s Djamel White for “All Them Dogs,” a thriller set in the Dublin underworld. White, at 28, is the youngest author in the running. The oldest is 81-year-old M. John Harrison, whose postapocalyptic tale “The End of Everything” is a rare science fiction novel to make the Booker list. The other contenders are

“The Shadow of the Object” by Chloe Aridjis, “Black Bag” by Luke Kennard, “The Vivisectors” by Missouri Williams, “Switzy” by Emma Cline, “Helen of Nowhere” by Makenna Goodman and Gwendoline Riley’s “The Palm House.” Beard said the five jurors, who include Pulp frontman Jarvis Cocker and American novelist Patricia Lockwood, tried to look beyond the idea of a typical Booker winner – “slightly serious, about to be classic.” Instead, they chose novels that are “trying to expand the boundaries of how we can think about ourselves in completely different ways.” “Sometimes they’re using humor, sometimes it’s pathos, sometimes there’s shock value,” Beard said. “They’re risk-takers. They are dynamite. They say, ‘Come on, try seeing it a different way.’” Founded in 1969, the Booker Prize has a reputation for transforming writers’ careers and is open to novels from any country published in the U.K. and Ireland. Last year’s winner was “Flesh” by Hungarian British writer David Szalay. The winner will be revealed Nov. 9 at a ceremony in London.

AUG. 12 Actor George Hamilton is 87. Singer-musician Mark Knopfler (Dire Straits) is 77. Singer Kid Creole (Kid Creole and the Coconuts) is 76. Jazz guitarist Pat Metheny is 72. Rapper Sir Mix-A-Lot is 63. Tennis Hall of Famer Pete Sampras is 55. AUG. 13 Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders is 93. Opera singer Kathleen Battle is 78. High wire aerialist Philippe Petit is 77. Hockey Hall of Famer Bobby Clarke is 77. Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders is 44. AUG. 14 Broadway lyricist Lee Adams (“Bye Bye Birdie”) is 102. Country singer Connie Smith is 85. Comedian-actor Steve Martin is 81. Actor Susan Saint James is 80. Author Danielle Steel is 79. “Far Side” cartoonist Gary Larson is 76. NASCAR Hall of

DONALD TRAILL / INVISION VIA AP

Rap pioneer Kurtis Blow turns 67 on Sunday.

Famer Rusty Wallace is 70. Basketball Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson is 67. AUG. 15 Actor Jim Dale is 91. Retired Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer is 88. U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) is 88. Author-journalist Linda Ellerbee is 82. Songwriter Jimmy Webb is 80. Britain’s Princess Anne is 76. Actor Debra Messing is 58. Actor Ben Affleck is 54.

ANDY KROPA / INVISION VIA AP

Author Douglas Stuart poses for a portrait in 2026 in New York.

Recording Academy CEO addresses BTS’ decision to skip Grammy submissions The Korean boy band did not want to be categorized by ethnicity

BTS

By Maria Sherman The Associated Press NEW YORK — Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. has responded to the news that K-pop powerhouse BTS will not submit their music for consideration at the forthcoming 2027 Grammy Awards. “I am saddened to hear that BTS has chosen not to participate in the Grammy Awards process this year, but as a music creator, I understand and respect their decision,” Mason Jr. wrote on the Grammys’ official Instagram page. Last Wednesday, all seven BTS members — RM, Suga, j-hope, Jimin, V, Jung Kook and Jin — shared the same note on Instagram, stating that they would not be submitting their comeback album “ARIRANG” or its songs for Grammys. “We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language,” they wrote, just over a month after the Recording Academy announced

“We hope our music can be heard and loved for what it is, rather than being divided by region or language.”

YUKI IWAMURA / AP PHOTO

BTS performs at halftime of the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. five new Grammy categories, which include best Asian pop music performance. According to the rulebook, the category recognizes releases across K-pop, J-pop, C-pop and beyond. But some fans viewed it

as a racialized barrier for Asian performers. In his statement, Mason Jr. stated that the new category was created in order to celebrate more voices across the Asian music industry — not to

separate those artists from other awards. “I do want to clarify something that seems to be getting lost in the conversation. The Asian Pop category was created to celebrate the depth, diver-

sity and extraordinary growth of pop artistry coming out of Asia,” he wrote. “More categories mean more artists’ work is recognized. It’s never to divide, but to expand who is recognized by our 15,000 Grammy voters.” He added a reminder that submitting in a genre category — such as the new Asian pop award — does not exclude an artist from submitting to the general field categories like album, song and record of the year. “Recognition in a genre category and recognition in the General Field are not mutually exclusive,” Mason Jr. said. “An artist can absolutely pursue both.” BTS has never won a Grammy, though they’ve been nominated for five: three times in the best pop duo/group performance category as well as album of the year (for their contributions to Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres”) and best music video for “Yet to Come.” In fact, no K-pop act had ever won a Grammy before this year, when “Golden” from the Netflix animated film “KPop Demon Hunters” took home the trophy for best song for visual media.

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Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

this week in history Nagasaki bombed, Pollock dies at 44, Manson murders begin, hip-hop music is born The Associated Press AUG. 9

AUG. 10 1792: During the French Revolution, mobs in Paris attacked the Tuileries Palace, where King Louis XVI resided. (The king was later arrested, put on trial for treason and executed.) 1969: Leno and Rosemary LaBianca were murdered in their Los Angeles home by members of Charles Manson’s cult. 1993: Ruth Bader Ginsburg was sworn in as the second female justice on the U.S. Supreme Court, serving until her death in September 2020. AUG. 11 1929: Babe Ruth became the first baseball player to reach 500 career home runs with a homer at Cleveland’s League Park. 1956: Abstract painter Jackson Pollock died in an automobile accident on Long Island, New York, at age 44. 1973: At a house party in the Bronx, 18-year-old DJ Kool Herc began extending the musical breaks of the records he

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Work began Aug. 9, 1173, on Pisa Cathedral’s bell tower, now known worldwide as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. was playing and speaking over the beat, marking the (unofficial) birth of hip-hop music. AUG. 12 1898: Fighting in the Spanish-American War came to an end. 1909: The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, home to the Indianapolis 500, first opened. 2022: Salman Rushdie, the author whose writing led to death threats from Iran in the 1980s, was attacked and stabbed in the neck and eye by a man who rushed the stage as Rushdie was about to give a lecture in western New York. AUG. 13 1521: Spanish conqueror Hernando Cortez captured Tenochtitlan present-day Mexico City, from the Aztecs. 1792: French revolutionaries arrested and imprisoned King Louis XVI; he would be executed by guillotine the following January. 1995: Baseball Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle died at a Dallas hospital of rapidly spreading liver cancer at age 63.

AUG. 14 1936: In front of an estimated 20,000 spectators, Rainey Bethea was hanged in Owensboro, Kentucky, in the last public execution in the United States. 1942: President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill signed the Atlantic Charter, which detailed the postwar goals of the two nations. 1945: President Harry S. Truman announced that Imperial Japan had surrendered unconditionally, ending World War II. AUG. 15 1057: Macbeth, King of Scots, was killed in battle by Malcolm, the eldest son of King Duncan, whom Macbeth had killed 17 years earlier. 1935: Humorist Will Rogers and aviator Wiley Post were killed when their airplane crashed near Point Barrow in the Alaska Territory. 1969: The Woodstock Music and Art Fair opened in upstate New York; more than 460,000 people attended the three-day festival, which would become a watershed event in American music and culture.

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1173: Construction began on the campanile of Pisa Cathedral — better known as the Leaning Tower of Pisa. 1854: Henry David Thoreau’s “Walden,” which described Thoreau’s experiences while living near Walden Pond in Massachusetts, was first published. 1945: Three days after the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan, a U.S. B-29 Superfortress dropped an atomic device over Nagasaki. 1969: Actor Sharon Tate and four other people were found killed at Tate’s Los Angeles home; cult leader Charles Manson and a group of his followers were later convicted of the crime.

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B8

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 9, 2026

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