Stanly News Journal Vol. 146, Issue 67

VOLUME 146 ISSUE 67 | WEEKEND EDITION, AUG. 22-23, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM

SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 704-982-2121

Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

MY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR STANLY NEWS JOURNAL

Arboreality A white oak tree enjoys the morning sunlight on Mountain Creek Farms in Albemarle last Saturday.

WHAT’S HAPPENING Federal agents seize devices from Swalwell in sexual misconduct probe Federal agents have seized electronic devices from former Rep. Eric Swalwell and searched his Washington home as part of an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct by the ex-Democratic congressman from California, according to a person familiar with the matter. Swalwell’s devices were seized at the San Francisco airport Saturday, and federal agents searched his home a day later. Swalwell announced his resignation from Congress in April. He has denied allegations of sexual assault and misconduct.

Social media falsely claims heatwave threatens Parmigiano Reggiano cheese bank Milan Social media reports have exaggerated the impact of extreme heat on Parmigiano Reggiano cheese production and storage. Claims of a “Great Parmesan Crisis” threatening both the cheese and Italy’s cheese banks are unfounded. Credito Emiliano S.p.A, which uses cheese as loan collateral, reports increased energy costs to maintain storage conditions but says operations are unaffected. The Parmigiano Reggiano consortium acknowledged heat challenges but confirmed production is not at risk. Measures like improved insulation and efficient cooling systems are in place.

$2.00

Albemarle to host ‘Planning 101’ workshop to help inform citizens The free session will explain planning, zoning and development decisions in the city By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

COURTESY CITY OF ALBEMARLE

Albemarle city officials speak to residents during an Envision Albemarle 2025 open house.

ALBEMARLE — Albemarle residents will have an opportunity Thursday night to learn more about how planning, zoning and development decisions are made in the city. Hosted by Albemarle’s Planning and Community Development Department, the free “Planning 101” workshop will take place at City Hall, located at 144 N. Second St. Dinner will be provided at

Locust Police Department holds third annual Junior Detective Camp The camp featured Locust Elementary School students By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal LOCUST — Local students from Locust Elementary School recently put their investigative skills to the test during the Locust Police Department’s third annual Junior Detective Camp. Held at the Locust Government Center, the camp was led by Locust Elementary School Resource Officer Daniel Longtin and centered on “Operation Phantom Funds,” a fictional bank fraud case designed for campers to solve

over the course of the week. Locust Police Chief Jeff Shew ceremoniously swore in the students as junior detectives on the first day before details of the case were revealed. Campers then spent the week learning about law enforcement and investigative procedures through demonstrations on fingerprinting, warrants, community engagement, crime scene response, K-9 operations and first aid. Throughout the camp, students collected evidence, followed leads and conducted interviews as the mock case unfolded. The camp also provided them with a chance to explore See CAMP, page A8

“The Locust Police Department wants to thank all of the personnel and businesses who made this year’s Junior Detective Camp week a tremendous success.” Locust Police Department

5:30 p.m. followed by the program at 6 p.m. “Planning affects nearly every part of daily life, from where people live and work to how they get around. The process itself can feel out of reach if you don’t work in it,” Planning and Community Development Director Alysia Steadman said. “Planning 101 is about opening that process up. When residents understand how decisions are made, they’re able to participate in them more meaningfully.” Topics will include the basics of planning, how proposals move through the city, current projects in Albemarle and ways See WORKSHOP, page A5

A2

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

SUNDAY

8.23.26 #138

“Join the conversation”

SENIOR NUTRITION MEALS | WEEK OF AUGUST 24 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.

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

TUESDAY

WEDNESDAY

THURSDAY

FRIDAY

AUG. 24

AUG. 25

AUG. 26

AUG. 27

AUG. 28

• Hot dog with chili and chopped onions • Coleslaw with shredded carrots • Baked beans • Bun • Sugar cookies (2) • Mustard • Ketchup

• Barbecued chicken • Steamed squash • Lima beans • Cornbread • Melon cubes

• BBQ pork with bun • BBQ slaw • Harvard beets • Baked Lay’s potato chips • Blueberry cobbler

• Cheeseburger with bun • Sliced tomatoes (3) and lettuce • Macaroni and cheese • Warm pears • Sugar cookies (2) • Mustard, ketchup and mayo

• Pepper steak with peppers and onions • Green beans • Rice • Biscuit • Margarine • Orange slices

US national debt now stands at $40T Rising debt is already raising borrowing costs and threatening long-term American prosperity

North State Journal (USPS 518620) (ISSN 2471-1365)

MONDAY

By Fatima Hussein The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The national debt surpassed a record $40 trillion Wednesday, a staggering milestone as defense costs, social programs like Social Security and Medicare, and interest on the burgeoning deficit make up an enormous share of federal spending. The milestone figure was recorded just five months after the U.S. hit a record $39 trillion debt in March. It reached $38 trillion five months before that, in October. The unprecedented $40 trillion figure highlights competing administration priorities, from boosting defense spending that the U.S. relies on to carry out President Donald

Trump’s almost-6-month-old war in Iran to lowering the cost of gas and groceries. Kush Desai, a White House spokesman, said the Trump administration “has been focused on slashing waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending while accelerating economic growth to get America’s debtto-GDP ratio trending in the right direction.” However, experts say the exploding debt and the latest record milestone are already affecting Americans’ pocketbooks by raising borrowing costs for things like mortgages and cars, lowering wages from businesses that have less money available to invest, and creating more expensive goods and services. “If we want to improve our living standards, today and for the next generation, now is the time for lawmakers to put our nation on a more affordable and sustainable path,” says Michael A. Peterson, CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, a think tank focused on U.S. fiscal challenges.

The debt has exploded over several presidential administrations, as the nation’s leaders spend more money than it collects in taxes. In recent memory, the multiyear COVID-19 pandemic shut down much of the U.S. economy, where the federal government borrowed heavily during Trump’s first term and under former President Joe Biden to stabilize the economy and support a recovery. More government spending was approved after Trump signed Republicans’ tax cut and spending legislation into law last year. Advocates for a balanced budget also warn that the long-term trend of borrowing more and paying more in interest will force Americans to face tougher fiscal tradeoffs ahead. “The federal debt is already raising the cost of living and choking out other spending and investment, threatening our economy and Americans’ long-term prosperity,” said

Margaret Spellings, president and CEO of the Bipartisan Policy Center. “Our current fiscal trajectory is plainly unsustainable, and that’s the best-case scenario,” Spellings said in a statement. “AI disruption, a recession, global war, or any number of other events could quickly push us over the edge from a challenge into a full-blown crisis.” The U.S. is subject to a statutory debt limit, or a limit to federal borrowing, which Congress has the authority to set, adjust or abolish. The Bipartisan Policy Center estimates that the U.S. will most likely reach the $41.1 trillion debt limit sometime between late winter and mid-summer of 2027, requiring Congress to again vote on whether to raise or suspend it. The U.S.’ fiscal position stands as the worst among other developed countries, according to recent data analysis from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

arrested for resisting a public officer.

trespass and breaking or entering.

• James Curtis Vanhoy, 51, was arrested for cruelty to animals.

• Kimberly Asbarry Little, 63, was arrested for assault by strangulation.

58, was arrested for assault inflicting serious injury, assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence, and other charges.

POSTMASTER:

CRIME LOG

Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh NC 27607

Aug. 11 • Angela Rachel Gatewood, 27, was arrested for canceled, revoked or suspended registration; driving on a revoked license; and no liability insurance.

r #¬Å Å

&ROVRQ &RQFUHWH

Arnold Colson

• Brandy Nicole Heistand, 52, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, possession of methamphetamine and maintaining a vehicle or dwelling for controlled substances. • Jamiah Janiece Smith, 26, was arrested for felony death by vehicle, felony serious injury by vehicle and misdemeanor child abuse, and other charges. Aug. 12 • Daylan David Tucker, 22, was

+

81

1< '

2

A+ Rating

+20( ,03529(0(17

• Marcus Shaun Chappell, 43, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.

Aug. 16

Aug. 15

Aug. 13

• Alvin Mark Medlin, 61, was arrested for misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and simple assault.

• Ann Marie Sullivan, 31, was arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of methamphetamine.

• Jeremy Allen Chastain, 37, was arrested for driving while impaired and carrying a concealed weapon.

• Marshae Laquelle Brown, 34, was arrested for first-degree burglary.

• Jonathan David Massey, 42, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, injury to personal property and breaking or entering, and other charges.

Aug. 14 • Daniel Lee Yarbrough, 43, was arrested for first-degree

• Joseph Frederick Nicastro,

• Christopher Antonio Corbett, 41, was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, felony hit and run causing injury and failure to yield at a stop sign or flashing red light, and other charges. • Hannah Lynn Smith, 35, was arrested for felony conspiracy and larceny from a merchant. • Matthew Oneill Hunt, 21, was arrested for communicating threats. • Robert Franklin Pronger, 55, was arrested for impaired operation of a motorboat.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements to be published in Stanly News Journal.

COMPLETE INTERIOR & EXTERIOR REMODELING

community@stanlynewsjournal.com

NO JOB IS TOO BIG OR SMALL. WE DO THEM ALL

Weekly deadline is Monday at noon

SEARCH. SEE. LOVE WWW.KIMREYLASH.COM

(704) 984-8837 Phyllis Kimrey & Adrian Lash

A3

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

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

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

In a world of AOCs, be a Leavitt

While the government shouldn’t force any woman to have a child, society should nudge young people toward Leavitt’s path.

EVEN FAMOUS and successful women can’t avoid the reality of trade-offs. Earlier this month, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez announced on Instagram that she is freezing her eggs. The 36-year-old congresswoman even gave herself an injection on camera. AOC told her followers that she would have to give herself another round of shots before her upcoming appearance on ABC’s “This Week.” “I want you all to see that because women can do anything,” she said. “And I think it’s badass that I’m gonna be, you know, giving myself shots in the green room, get my glam on, roll out, talk international events, domestic policy, elections, pop out, live my life, do my thing.” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt has different priorities. The 28-year-old recently had her second child, a girl named Viviana. This month, Leavitt said she was leaving her job to spend more time with her kids. “Since returning to the White House after the birth of my daughter, I have felt in my heart that I cannot be the best mom my two young children deserve while devoting the constant time, energy and attention required of the White House Press Secretary,” she wrote on X. These are two radically different approaches to motherhood. And these two women are representative of a much larger debate.

AOC is living out the dogma of modern feminism. She’s putting her career aspirations above having children. She’s using modern technology in an attempt to avoid biological realities that men don’t face. She is prioritizing her own independence. It later came out that AOC had split up with her former fiance. What a contrast to Leavitt’s embrace of traditional values. She’s putting her children above her career. She’s embracing the biological reality that children change mothers. She’s prioritizing the needs of her children over her own independence, although she seems likely to remain engaged in some professional pursuits. These two worldviews aren’t compatible. And libertarian passivity is a bad option. A society is eventually going to orient itself to one aim or the other. Which goal it aims toward will significantly shape government policy and the future of the country. While the government shouldn’t force any woman to have a child, society should nudge young people toward Leavitt’s path. There are two reasons for this. First, it’s better for women. As the Institute for Family Studies has detailed, moms are happier than women without children. This is because children are both a lot of work and a source of deep meaning and connection. In contrast, many women who spend years climbing the corporate ladder one day realize that they’re lonely.

As many women have learned years too late, frozen eggs are no guarantee of a successful pregnancy either. Teenage girls don’t know what it’s like to be 40 years old. Over the millennia, most women have eventually viewed motherhood as an indispensable part of being a woman. It is cruelty, not kindness, to deceive young women about this. Or to not let them know that female fertility declines significantly after a woman turns 30. Second, the future of our country — the freedoms, culture and material prosperity so many take for granted — depends on American moms having kids. The more, the better. Here’s a good way to judge the merits of an idea. Imagine what would happen if everyone did it. If every woman prioritized her career over children, the country would cease to exist as a recognizable entity as the years went on. If every woman got married and had multiple children in her 20s and prioritized raising them, many of the country’s most vexing social problems would decline precipitously. If you have daughters or granddaughters, encourage them to imitate Leavitt, not AOC. Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal and host of the “Sharpening Arrows” podcast. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

COLUMN | BOB WACHS

Life, like back porch, means taking good and bad From time to time, some folks have told me they’ve never smelled the presence of a skunk. Then they’ll ask, “What does it smell like?”

SOME FEW YEARS AGO, Better Half and I had a screened-in back porch added to our humble dwelling. It started out to be a deck, but somewhere between starting and finishing, we had the inspiration of why not make it a screen porch. The logic to that was, I thought, very logical — namely we could enjoy the benefits of the outdoors — fresh air, sights, sounds and so forth — without the down side, namely the bugs and skeeters and gnats. So the deed was done. Since then, that room has gotten plenty of use. It’s an outdoor dining room, a place for coffee and the newspaper, site of lots of good naps in the metal glider that once graced my grandma and grandpa’s porch, later handed down to my folks. It’s at the top of the list of my favorite rooms in the house, somewhere in the mix with the study and the Necessary Room. Another feature that makes it really nice is that a few years ago, the deal Bank and We struck was kaput. The 30-year pound of flesh arrangement was over. Bank was like Elvis, namely having left the building. I have no complaints with the deal. The good folks who built our

place did a fine job. And in addition, the deal served as a great math lesson for me. I learned that because of something called compound interest, we paid back about three times what Bank loaned us. But that’s OK. Both Better Half and I were away at work, plus we didn’t have any usable skills to help and the folks who built the place probably would have charged us triple for just getting in the way. So after all is said and done, it’s been a good deal. The screen porch I mentioned earlier came later. And, as noted, it’s been great. But in addition to the uses, I’ve also learned something from it about life. And that is that the best laid plans of mice and men sometimes — often, in fact — can and do go astray. The other morning my mind was made up to take the morning paper and a cup of stout black coffee out to said glider. Throwing open the doors to the porch, I was greeted by the song of a quartet of birds, a gentle morning breeze even in the midst of our heat wave of the day, the early rays of the sunshine … and a nasal announcement that Pepé Le Pew had

crossed the yard. Maybe that’s why the family pooch barked all night. From time to time, some folks have told me they’ve never smelled the presence of a skunk. Then they’ll ask, “What does it smell like?” All I can say is that when a skunk or two has been by and done their skunk thing, you’ll know. Anyway, it made me realize life, of course, is like that. Sometimes the unique smell of a skunk of sorts will come along and interrupt our good plans, ideas and thoughts, such as the midst of what’s going on now with social unrest. So I’m pretty sure the best response to what’s going on — as well as visits from skunks — is to give things a little time, pay attention and do the right thing but don’t get your underwear in a wad, wait for a better day and go inside for the coffee and newspaper. And give Pepé and all the other skunks lots of room. Bob Wachs is emeritus editor at Chatham News & Record. He serves as pastor of Bear Creek Baptist Church.

A4

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

obituaries

Patsy Lee McLaurin

Penny Howard Welling

Dec. 26, 1933 – Aug. 17, 2026

Oct. 12, 1945 – Aug. 14, 2026

ANSONVILLE – On Monday, August 17, 2026, Mrs. Patsy Lee McLaurin, 92, passed away peacefully at Trinity Place in Albemarle. Services will be at 11:00 AM, Friday, August 21, 2026, at Anson Memorial Park with Rev. Robert Burr officiating. The family will greet friends following the service. The family suggests comfortable attire for the service due to the extreme heat. Patsy was born December 26, 1933, in Stanly County, NC and was a daughter of the late Wayne Lee and the late Carrie Ross Lee. She was a graduate of Norwood High School and attended Kings Business College. She was a faithful member of the Ansonville United Methodist Church and served the church in many ways. She worked as a bookkeeper for Wadesboro Auto Supply. Those who are left to cherish her memory are her son, Lee McLaurin of Albemarle; her grandsons, Christopher McLaurin of Albemarle and Charles McLaurin of New York; her former daughter-in-law, Carolyn McLaurin of Albemarle; her brother and sister-inlaw, Bobby and Nancy Lee of Ansonville; and her nieces, Lesa Walton (Johnnie) of Rocky Mount, Ronda Austin (Dennis) of Marshville and Debbie Carpenter of Wadesboro and their families. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Hugh McLaurin, Jr.; her sister, Anne Ramsey and her grandparents, Fred and Emma Lee and Sam and Myrtle Ross. The family is most grateful to the staff at Trinity Place in Albemarle for all they did for Patsy while she was a resident there. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Trinity Place, 24724 US-52, Albemarle, NC 28001 or to Wightman Methodist Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Cindy Gaddy, 282 Gaddy’s Ferry Rd., Polkton, NC 28135. The arrangements are in care of Leavitt Funeral Home and online condolences may be made at www.leavittfh.com

Penny Howard Welling, age 80, of Charlotte, North Carolina, died peacefully on August 14, 2026. Born on October 12, 1945, in Durham, NC, she was the only child of Dorothy Bivens Howard and Benjamin Green Howard. She attended Durham schools graduating from Durham High School. As a child, Penny developed her love of reading and unending curiosity that would remain a guiding light throughout her life.

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

Penny continued her education at Duke University graduating with a degree in English and received a Master of Arts in teaching from UNC Chapel Hill. She then moved to Charlotte and married Alfred Franklin Welling, Junior in 1968. Set up on a blind date by college friends, we knew how much our father loved our mom because as a devoted Tar Heel, he married her on a very hot August Saturday in the Duke Chapel when the Chapel did not yet have air conditioning. Penny taught in high school English and Spanish in Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools for several years until the birth of her daughters. While raising her girls, Penny enjoyed volunteering in the community where she was a member of the Charlotte Junior League and the Charlotte League Symphony Women’s Association, a docent at the Hezekiah Alexander House and was President of Act One, the Children’s Theater Auxiliary, as well as President of the Alexander Graham Junior High PTA. She was a member of Sharon United Methodist Church in Charlotte. When her daughters were both

in college, Penny decided she was ready to return to school as well. After obtaining a Master of Library and Information Science from the University of South Carolina, she served as director of the Stanly County Public Library for 14 years. Penny’s commitment to her community continued while living in Albemarle. During this time, she was a member of the Albemarle Rotary Club where she served as president and became a Paul Harris fellow. She also served on the boards of the Stanly County Partnership for Children, including Board Chair, and the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation. She was a member of Central United Methodist Church in Albemarle and the Mecklenburg Chapter of DAR. In 2009, Penny retired and returned to Charlotte to begin a new role as grandmother to grandsons, Wilson and Bob. While back in Charlotte, she became an active member of Myers Park Covenant (formerly Baptist) Church. In addition to spending time with her family, Penny cherished fun and fellowship with friends through her many activities including bridge and book clubs.

Her beauty, humor, and wisdom touched many lives, opening eyes and hearts in countless ways. She is preceded in death by husband Alfred F. Welling, Jr. and her parents. She is survived by daughters Sarah Welling and Lin Welling Leslie and her husband Gary Leslie, grandsons Wilson Leslie and Bob Leslie, and many wonderful cousins. The family would like to thank Dr. Lane Hellner and Penny’s medical care teams at Atrium Health Levine Cancer Institute and Atrium Health Hospice & Palliative Care Union for their loving care and support during Penny’s illness. To celebrate Penny’s life, the family will receive friends in Heaton Hall at Myers Park Covenant Church,1900 Queens Road in Charlotte, on Saturday August 22, 2026 at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Myers Park Covenant Church. May her memory be eternal. Arrangements are in the care of Kenneth W. Poe Funeral & Cremation Service, 1321 Berkeley Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204; (704) 641-7606. Online condolences may be shared at www. kennethpoeservices.com.

IN MEMORY

JANET ORDILLE HILL

RUBY THRONEBURG ROGERS

MAY 8, 1942 – AUG. 13, 2026

SEPT. 29, 1931 – AUG. 14, 2026

Janet Ordille Hill, 84, of Norwood passed away peacefully Thursday, August 13, 2026, at Stanly Regional Hospital, with her daughters by her side. A visitation for Janet will be held Tuesday, August 18, from 3:00 – 4:00 at Edwards Funeral Home in Norwood. The service will begin at 4:00 in the funeral home chapel. Janet was born May 8, 1942, in Paulsboro, NJ. She grew up in Seabrook, NJ, and graduated from Bridgeton High School in 1960. After high school, she attended Pfeiffer College in Misenheimer, NC. Throughout her life, she worked mainly in textiles, with most of her career at Cassie Cotillion as a supervisor in Norwood and Albemarle. After the closure of Cassie Cotillion, Janet finished her career at McRae Industries in Mt. Gilead. Janet was a dedicated, loving mother and overall nurturing person. Always smiling, she had a way of making everyone feel special and welcome in her presence. She was loved, admired, and respected by her many friends. Janet loved cooking with her family, especially her homemade spaghetti sauce and meatballs. She enjoyed keeping up with current events and watching home design shows. Janet is survived by her daughters, Cindy Hill of Norwood and Beth Kuehlwein (Jeremy) of Woodbury, MN, and her two grandsons, Kevin and Matthew Kuehlwein; sister-in-laws Janie Ordille of Bridgeton, NJ and Lovell Hill of Albemarle; nephews and nieces, Dr. Joseph Ordille (Mary) of Bridgeton, NJ, Robbie Hill (Pam) of High Point, Sharon Cook of Albemarle, and Jan Hartsell (Jimmy) of Albemarle; and special friends of the family, Larry and Marie Hill of Albemarle, and Darren, Angela, Connor, and Lawson Hill of Lewisville, NC. She was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Viola Ordille of Seabrook, NJ. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Joseph Ordille and nephew Paul Ordille, both of Bridgeton, NJ. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Janet’s favorite charity.

Ruby Throneburg Rogers, 94, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Friday evening, August 14, 2026, at Carolinas ContinueCARE Hospital. Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, at Plyler Baptist Church, officiated by Pastor Chuck Hensley. Burial will follow at Canton Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., August 18, 2026, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle. Ruby was born September 29, 1931, in Stanly County, a daughter of the late Daniel and Mellie Throneburg. She is lovingly survived by her sons, Stephen Rogers and Stan Rogers and his wife Joanne; grandchildren, Tasha Kilpatrick (Matt), Juanita Poplin (Daniel), and Felicia Julien; great-grandchildren, Spencer Kilpatrick, Nathan Poplin, Brantly Kilpatrick, Emmett Poplin, Houston Poplin, and Jade Julien; and great-great-grandson, Alex Poplin. In addition to her parents, Ruby was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Rev. Selmon Truette Rogers, who passed away in 2013; son, Gary Stephen Rogers; great-grandson, Andrew Poplin; sister, Betty Carnes; and brother, D. F. Throneburg. Ruby was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and woman of deep and abiding faith. Fiercely loyal to both her family and her church, she lived her life with a servant’s heart and found great joy in caring for others. As a pastor’s wife, she faithfully served alongside her husband and embraced the many opportunities that came with a life of ministry. Prayer was at the heart of Ruby’s daily life. A true prayer warrior, she faithfully prayed for her family each day and sought to surround those she loved with prayer. She read her Bible daily and spent time writing in her journal, leaving behind a beautiful reflection of the faith that guided her throughout her life. Ruby also expressed her love through acts of service, especially in her own home. She loved cooking for her family and treasured the time spent gathered together. She was persistent in living life well, generous with her love, and always willing to serve wherever she was needed. Her family will remember a wonderful mother whose devotion to those she loved was unwavering and whose faith was evident in the way she lived each day. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Samaritan’s Purse, Gideons International, or Plyler Baptist Church, 25958 Austin Road, Albemarle, NC 28001. Ruby leaves behind a legacy not measured simply by the years she lived, but by the lives she touched, the prayers she faithfully offered, and the love she so freely gave. Her family finds comfort in knowing that the faith she carried throughout her life has now become sight, and that a faithful servant has been welcomed home.

BARBARA MORRIS MARCH 18, 1948 – AUG. 13, 2026 Barbara Jean Evans Morris, 78, of Albemarle, passed away on August 13, 2026, at University Place Nursing and Rehab. A memorial service to celebrate her life will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday, August 19, 2026, in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel with Rev. Glenn Hancock officiating. The family will receive friends from 1:00 until 1:45 PM prior to the service. Barbara was born March 18, 1948, in Wilson, NC. She spent much of her childhood growing up at the Oxford Orphanage in Oxford, NC. Her years there became an important part of her life story, and she formed many close and lasting relationships during that time that she treasured throughout her life. She was a former employee of Lance in Charlotte and National Gypsum. Barbara had a warm and outgoing personality and a genuine love for people. Friendly, sweet, and full of life, she never met a stranger and could strike up a conversation with just about anyone. Her family fondly remembers how she would often introduce them to people she had only just met, as though they had been friends for years. She looked for the good in others and was rarely, if ever, heard saying an unkind word about anyone. Her easy way with people and her kind spirit made those around her feel welcome. Music and dancing brought Barbara great joy, and Elvis Presley held a special place among her favorites. She was also a devoted Patrick Swayze fan, and Dirty Dancing, Ghost, and Road House were movies she could happily watch week after week. She loved trips to the beach, shopping, cats, and spending time on the water. Having lived on Lake Norman for many years, some of her happiest times were spent enjoying the beauty and relaxation of lake life. Above all, Barbara treasured the people in her life. Her lively personality, kindness, and ability to find a friend wherever she went created countless memories for those who loved her. She will be remembered for the joy she carried with her, the conversations she so easily shared, and the warmth she extended to everyone she met. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Ray Morris. Barbara is survived by her two sons, Michael Dew and wife Lori of Clayton, NC, and Jerry Dew and wife Leah of Clayton, NC; her close companion, Ned Bullock; sister, Hilda Harrison of Cookeville, TN; five grandchildren, Alyssa Cole, Ashlyn Kallam, Sophie Dew, Austin Dew, and Lawson Dew; nephews, Victor Harrison and Jeff Harrison; and niece, Jennifer Harrison.

DARLENE DORTON RUSHING JUNE 28, 1956 – AUG. 15, 2026 Darlene Dorton Rushing, 70, of Midland, passed away on August 15, 2026. Funeral services will be held at 6:00 PM on Monday at the Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care Chapel in Locust with Rev. Reid Rushing and Dr. Gary Wyrick officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00 until 5:45 PM prior to the service at the funeral home. Born June 28, 1956, in Charlotte, NC, she was the daughter of the late Martin Lee Dorton and Eva Virginia Stilwell Dorton. Darlene was a devoted wife, loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend who spent much of her life caring for others. She had a special heart for those who needed her most and faithfully walked beside many family members and friends during their final days. A homemaker, Darlene took great pride in creating a warm and welcoming home for her family. She enjoyed decorating, painting and refurbishing furniture and had a wonderful eye for detail. She also loved shopping, dressing beautifully and fixing her hair. Whether choosing something for herself or her home, she was thoughtful about every detail and had a distinctive sense of style. As much as Darlene appreciated beautiful things, those who knew her understood that her greatest beauty was found in the way she loved and cared for people. Her family was the center of her life, and she devoted herself to her husband, children, grandchildren and the many others fortunate enough to be loved by her. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Barbara; brothers, Dwayne and Robert; and nephew, Scotty. Darlene is survived by her husband of 52 years, Thomas Earl “Tom” Rushing Sr. of the home; six children, Martin Thomas Rushing of Albemarle, Melody Shea Rushing Modlin of Albemarle, Thomas Earl “Tommy” Rushing Jr. of Midland, Karen Rushing Baucom and husband David of Wadesboro, Angela Gene Rushing of Midland, and Ray Treadway of Georgia; sister, Wanda Hagler of Norwood; brothers, Howard Dorton and wife Lela of Oakboro and Hugh Dorton and wife Diane of Texas; 13 grandchildren, Montana, Kendall, Zak, Sydney, Gavin, Hunter, Tiffany, Patricia, Tyler, Brooke, Cody, Jasmin, and Madison; 11 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and her beloved dog, Peanut. Darlene’s life was defined by the love she gave, the people she cared for, and the family to whom she devoted herself. Her family finds a fitting reflection of her life in Proverbs 31:28: “Her children arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.” In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to a liver or kidney foundation of the donor’s choice.

A5

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

GEORGIA INSKEEP DEC. 20, 1952 – AUG. 14, 2026 Georgia Mae Lasley Inskeep, a fiercely loving wife, mother, Nana, sister, and friend, passed away peacefully at her home, surrounded by the family she loved so dearly. Born December 20, 1952, in Keokuk, Iowa, Georgia was the daughter of George O. Lasley and Opal Richter Lasley. She attended Stanly Community College and devoted many years of her working life to serving her community as a Stanly County Land Records Specialist. But Georgia’s greatest accomplishment was never her career. It was the family she built, the love she gave, and the lives she touched along the way. She was happiest when surrounded by the people she loved, and her family was her greatest pride and joy. Her warmth, humor, strength, and fiercely independent spirit will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. Georgia had a special gift for making ordinary moments meaningful. She found joy in cooking meals for the people she loved, sewing for her family-friends-strangers, sharing stories, and simply being together with family. She cherished the comforts of home and the familiar sounds and traditions that brought people close. She lived life with an earthy authenticity and an unwavering love for the people around her. Georgia was a faithful follower of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. She was formally baptized on June 6th, 2026 by Pastor Matthew Sharrock as an outward expression of that lifelong faith. She loved listening to scripture, hymns, praise and worship music and attended Bethel Methodist Church for numerous years. Even when faced with the difficult final chapter of her earthly journey with ALS, Georgia met each day with remarkable courage, resilience, and faith. She never allowed her illness to define her. Instead, she continued to show those around her what strength, grace, and perseverance truly look like. Georgia leaves behind her devoted husband of 54 years, Richard D. Inskeep; her children, Anthony D. Inskeep and Marcia Wood, Angela Burleson Scaffe and her husband, Rick Scaffe, and Patrick Duane Dunston and Kelly Rosato. She was a treasured Nana to Gabriel Burleson, Carly Black and her husband, Noah, and Dylan Stewart, and a beloved Nana Georgia to Cadence Black. She is also survived by her brother, Jerry Lasley; her sisters, Linda White; Gloria Moore; and numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, her precious and kind hospice caregivers, and dear friends who will carry her memory forward. Georgia was preceded in death by her beloved parents, George and Opal Lasley; her brother, John Lasley; her sister, Lois Renard; and other loved ones who welcomed her home. Georgia was also a passionate animal lover and loved and cared for numerous pets throughout her life, too numerous to mention by name. Her family takes comfort in knowing that although Georgia’s earthly journey has ended, the love she gave so freely has not. It lives on in every family recipe, every stitch sewn with care, every story remembered, every gathering around the table, and in the hearts of the people she loved. A celebration of Georgia’s life will be held at a later date to ensure distant family and friends can attend. Family and friends will gather to share memories, listen to some of her favorite music, and celebrate the remarkable woman she was. Georgia’s earthly remains will be scattered in various locations, including her beloved home property in Troy, a place that held so many memories and so much of her heart. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Georgia’s memory to the American Cancer Society or ALS United, in honor of the causes that touched her life and the fight against the illnesses that affect so many families. She loved deeply, lived authentically, and left this world surrounded by the people who mattered most to her. Rest peacefully, Mama. You were deeply loved, and you always will be.

WORKSHOP from page A1 residents can become more involved in decisions affecting their neighborhoods. An interactive “build your city” exercise will give participants a hands-on look at the choices involved in community planning. Residents will be asked to balance land-use goals with transportation needs, jobs, schools, parks and public safety, reflecting some of the considerations planners and elected officials face when weighing future development. Visual examples, real-world case studies and opportunities for questions will also be included in the session. Planning 101 is expected to continue as a quarterly series, with additional workshops tentatively scheduled for October or November, February and May. City officials say the program is designed to make

“Planning affects nearly every part of daily life, from where people live and work to how they get around.” Alysia Steadman, planning and community development director planning more approachable while showing residents how they can help shape Albemarle’s future. Community involvement also played a significant role in the development of Envision Albemarle 2045, the city’s comprehensive landuse plan completed in 2025 with nearly 800 residents participating through surveys, open houses and neighbor-

hood meetings as the plan was developed. Envision Albemarle 2045 outlines the community’s long-term vision, values and goals for future growth. The Planning and Community Development oversees changes to land, buildings and property uses within Albemarle, including new businesses, construction, renovations, demolitions, subdivisions and site improvements. Staff members also enforce city regulations involving zoning, building codes, nuisance abatement and land development while focusing on sustainable growth and a strong business environment. Thursday’s workshop is free and open to the public. Residents may register in advance at albemarlenc.gov or by calling the Planning and Community Development Department at 704-984-9424.

BANK LOCAL. BUILD LOCAL. THRIVE TOGETHER.

CHARLES MAX MORTON DEC. 29, 1937 – AUG. 16, 2026 Charles Max Morton, 88, of Locust, North Carolina, passed away Sunday, August 16, 2026. Funeral service will be at 11 am on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel of Locust, with Pastor Jeremy Hyde officiating. Burial will follow in the Mission Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 am until 11 am prior to the hour of service. Max is survived by his beloved wife, Myra Morton of 67 years, his children, Paula (Randy) Huneycutt, Perry (Leslie) Morton, and Lori (John) Sell; and his grandchildren, Randi (Ken) Covington, Chase (Shannon) Morton, Jessica (Jamerson) Mosby, Tucker Morton, Miranda (Ben) MacDougall, Aaron Sell, and Jack Morton; and his 9 great-grandchildren. Max was preceded in death by his parents, John and Jane Morton, and his siblings, Selma Bowers, Rayvon Morton, Loys Morton, and Vernon (Joe) Morton. Born and raised in the Endy community and graduated from Endy High School, class 1956 as valedictorian. Max spent his life rooted in the people, places, and traditions he held dear. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose quiet presence and steady love meant so much to his family. Max was a man who found joy in simple things. He could often be found tending to his garden or reading his almanac, Bible, and various books on history. His curiosity and willingness to learn stayed with him throughout his life. He was an avid golfer, hunter, and fisherman. A talented and creative man, Max taught himself the crafts he loved. He created beautiful stained-glass lamps and windows, each reflecting his patience and attention to detail. He also enjoyed winemaking, another skill he taught himself and pursued with the same quiet dedication. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Tillery Compassionate Care (960 N 1st St, Albemarle, NC 28001). His life was marked not by grand gestures but by the everyday moments that become the memories a family treasures most a garden carefully tended, a book being read in his favorite chair, something newly created by his hands, and time spent with the generations he loved. His family will remember him with gratitude and love and will carry his memory forward for generations to come.

EVELYN CRISCO BURGESS MAY 10, 1936 – AUG. 17, 2026 Evelyn Crisco Burgess, 90, of Oakboro, passed away peacefully on Monday, August 17, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her loving family. The family will receive friends from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Friday, August 21, 2026, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care in Albemarle. A private graveside service will follow. The family will also gather informally at Evelyn’s home on Friday afternoon to share memories and spend time together. Evelyn was born May 10, 1936, in Stanly County, a daughter of the late Claude and Bessie Crisco. A devoted mother, Evelyn found her greatest joy in her family. She loved spending time outdoors, especially tending to her flowers, and she found great pleasure in cooking for those she loved. She also had a special fondness for cardinals, whose bright presence brought her joy. Evelyn is lovingly survived by her sons, Brent Burgess and Trent Burgess, as well as many dear friends and loved ones whose lives were touched by her kindness and caring spirit. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Lonnie Kent Burgess, who passed away in 2010; her son, Bryon Burgess; and her brothers, Edwin Crisco and Kenneth Crisco. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Tillery Compassionate Care for the kindness, comfort, and support they provided to Evelyn and her family during her declining health. Evelyn will be remembered for the love she gave so freely, the home and family she cherished, and the simple things that brought her happiness: flowers in bloom, a meal prepared with love, and the sight of a cardinal nearby. Her family will carry those memories, and the love behind them, in their hearts for years to come.

Member FDIC Mem

$1)1

BUY ONE, GET ONE 1/2 OFF!* Waterproof (up to 1 meter)

1/')# #+ 4GEJCTIGCDNG 9KVJ VJG YQTNFoU ƂTUV #+ CPF ) )GP #+ 0'741 2TQEGUUQT

Designed to come closer to restoring the normal sense of hearing than any technology before. Up to 51 hours of battery life on a single charge ALL 0'9

9*+.' 5722.+'5 .#56

%#.. (14 ;174 #221+06/'06 61&#;

111 Penny Street, Albemarle, NC Monday-Friday 9am-12pm & 1pm-5pm 704-982-8004 1-800-982-7478 www.albemarlehearing.com *some exclusions apply

12 Month No Interest and Extended Payment Plan

Linda S. McDaniel Hearing Instrument Specialist, Owner

Stanly News Journal 704-982-2121

A6

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

Trump picks Overton, top White House aide, as next leader of Food and Drug Administration She must win Senate confirmation despite backing vaccine skepticism and abortion restrictions

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., center, speaks as President Donald Trump, left, and Heidi Overton, deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, listen during a meeting to sign an executive order about vaccines Aug. 10 in the Oval Office.

By Ali Swenson and Matthew Perrone The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Dr. Heidi Overton, a top White House aide, has been picked to lead the Food and Drug Administration, President Donald Trump announced Wednesday. Overton is a medical doctor and deputy director of the White House Domestic Policy Council who has worked on several of Trump’s second-term health initiatives. She has become a trusted administration figure and a champion of the Republican president’s goals. If confirmed by the Senate, she would have to balance a raft of competing priorities, including Trump’s fixations, the anti-regulatory interests of traditional Republicans and the anti-corporate posture of Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Those challenges dogged the tenure of the previous FDA head, Dr. Marty Makary. He resigned in May, leaving behind unfinished projects such as work on ultraprocessed foods, antidepressants and COVID-19 shots. Referring to her as “Dr. Heidi” in a Truth Social post, Trump said Overton was a smart and respected “rockstar” who would deliver on his priorities of faster cures, innovation, lower drug prices and more wins for Kennedy’s “Make America Healthy Again” movement. Kennedy posted on X that Overton has “exceptional judgment, professionalism, discipline and an unwavering commitment to the American people.” Overton has promoted Trump’s health priorities Overton attended medical school at the University of New Mexico and has a doctoral degree in clinical investigation from Johns Hopkins University, according to her LinkedIn profile. Before joining Trump’s second administration, she was the chief policy officer at the America First Policy Institute, a conservative think tank. In recent months, she has appeared with the president to announce major projects, including some of his “most favored nation” deals with drug companies to lower prices to those of other developed countries and his recent vaccine order that sought to split the combined measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine into three separate immunizations — against the advice of medical

JACQUELYN MARTIN / AP PHOTO

“Heidi Overton is a far-right, anti-abortion extremist who has no business leading the FDA.” Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) groups. At an Oval Office event to promote that order, she stood by Trump as he falsely suggested the number or timing of vaccines could play a role in rising rates of autism spectrum disorder. Scientific consensus and decades of studies have firmly concluded there is no link. Overton has been critical of abortion pills and, if confirmed, would be positioned to roll back FDA rules that made them more accessible. U.S. abortion opponents have expressed frustration that the administration has not acted to stem the flow of such pills prescribed online, a situation they view as undermining state abortion bans. Mifepristone is typically used with misoprostol in medication abortions that make up close to two-thirds of abortions in the U.S. Medical professionals call it “among the safest medications” ever approved by the FDA. To be confirmed, Overton must seek approval from a narrowly Republican-led Senate and face questions from the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Its chair, Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy, a physician from Louisiana, has been a vocal critic of some of Trump’s actions to sow doubt

in vaccinations, including the MMR order. Cassidy posted Wednesday that while he respects Overton’s medical background, he has “strong concerns” about the nomination, mentioning her lack of managerial experience and her participation in the recent vaccine order, which he called “almost disqualifying.” Democratic senators slammed the nomination. “Heidi Overton is a far-right, anti-abortion extremist who has no business leading the FDA,” posted Washington Sen. Patty Murray, a committee member. Makary’s replacement faces challenges he left behind Before he left the FDA, Makary had drawn complaints from health industry executives and anti-abortion activists. The frustration with him came to a head over the agency’s lack of movement on flavored e-cigarettes. Companies such as R.J. Reynolds are seeking to market to adult smokers, but sweet-flavored vapes have long been blamed for the trend of teenage vaping. FDA scientists have hesitated to endorse those products to curb adult smoking. Days before Makary’s departure, the agency opened the door to allowing more unauthorized electronic cigarettes and nicotine pouches onto the U.S. market, in a policy change that essentially bypassed FDA experts. Pharmaceutical companies will be looking for changes at the agency, too, after rejections or reversals of biotech drugs intended for rare diseases. Complaints from biotech companies, inves-

tors and patient groups have grown and been taken up by conservative lawmakers. Makary tried to assuage industry grievances, in part by announcing new programs designed to streamline or accelerate drug approvals. Some of those initiatives, however, have meant new headaches for the agency. Several of Makary’s deputies also exited the agency. Dr. Vinay Prasad, the vaccine and biotech chief, stepped down in April following intense criticism from drugmakers, patients and investors. Dr. Tracy Beth Hoeg, who was involved in scrutinizing the safety of antidepressants, COVID-19 vaccines and other widely used therapies, was replaced as FDA’s acting drug center director. MAHA has high expectations of FDA’s next head Overton would also need to tend to the priorities of Kennedy’s health movement, some members of which are already skeptical of her. Kelly Ryerson, an activist critical of pesticides who is known to her supporters as “Glyphosate Girl,” told The Associated Press that Overton parroted pesticide manufacturer Bayer’s talking points in a MAHA roundtable at the White House in April. “I was stunned by the blatant, undisguised corruption,” Ryerson said. One major decision for the next commissioner is what to do about peptide regulation. A panel of federal health advisers selected by Kennedy recently rec-

ommended easing access to several peptides that are popular with wellness influencers and celebrities, despite warnings from FDA scientists that the chemicals have not been shown to be safe or effective. The agency recently proposed a rule change that would require food manufacturers to notify regulators before introducing new ingredients or additives into processed or packaged foods. But it is still working with the White House to finalize a first-of-itskind definition of ultraprocessed foods, which Kennedy blames for elevated rates of diabetes, obesity and other chronic conditions. Under Kennedy, the FDA has set up extra hurdles for vaccine testing and blocked the publication of research into the effectiveness of COVID-19 shots. Kennedy stood by Trump recently as the president signed the executive order aimed at upending childhood vaccinations in the U.S. despite unprecedented financial and logistical challenges. The FDA also has an ongoing review of widely used antidepressants, including whether they may increase the risk of autism and other disorders when used during pregnancy. The medicines have long been a target of Kennedy, who was a leader in the anti-vaccine movement before joining the government. In recent weeks, the agency has been investigating two summertime foodborne illness outbreaks: a cyclospora outbreak linked to tainted iceberg lettuce that has sickened thousands of people and a multistate salmonella outbreak linked to jalapeño peppers.

Blazer 9mm Magpul Ever wish you had a 115gr, FMJ Brass Cased

PMAGs

$299/case 10 for $90 Žƌ Ψϭϲͬ Ždž

local store which has The Best Prices on Cases of Ammo? The best selection of factory standard capacity magazines? An AWESOME selection of Modern Sporting Weapons from Leading Manufactures Like, Sig, FN, S&W, etc? Flamethrowers & Gatlin Guns? All at better than on-line prices?

You Do! Del-Ton M4 tŝƚŚ &Ƶůů >ĞŶŐƚŚ ZĂŝů͊

9796 Aberdeen Rd, Aberdeen

KŶ Zƚ Ϯϭϭ ũƵƐƚ ŝŶƐŝĚĞ ,ŽŬĞ ŽƵŶƚLJ͘ tŝƚŚ YƵĂŶƚŝĐŽ dĂĐƚŝĐĂů

Store Hours: dƵĞ Ͳ &ƌŝ͗ ϭϭĂŵ ʹ ϰƉŵ 910.637.0500 www.ProvenOutfitters.com

$499

DĂĚĞ ŝŶ E ͊

Polish Radom AK-47

$649

Smith & Wesson M&P 2.0 Compact

$449

tŝƚŚ >ŝŐŚƚ͊

ϯϴ͟ dĂĐƚŝĐĂů ZŝĨůĞ ĂƐĞ͗ ΨϮϬ

A7

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

Amazon set to expand drone delivery of lightweight packages to 500 US cities The expansion intensifies Amazon’s competition with Walmart for the fastest delivery times

“It’s still an experiment. It’s still in test and learn mode.”

By Josh Funk The Associated Press MILLIONS MORE people may be able to get smaller, lightweight Amazon packages delivered by drones by the end of the year under a plan the company announced Wednesday to expand the airborne shipping to suburban areas in nearly 500 U.S. cities. Customers could receive the drone deliveries in as fast as 30 minutes, Amazon said in a news release. The drones can carry packages up to 5 pounds. The plan will intensify the battle between Amazon and Walmart to provide consumers with the fastest delivery times. Both giants rely on a mix of drones and drivers to deliver everything consumers have ordered. The goal is not necessarily about cutting costs by replacing drivers and trucks — and drones that can only carry one package at a time would have a hard time doing that. But instead, these companies are using drones as one tool to help keep customers happy with quicker deliveries, banking on a faster delivery system attracting more shoppers. Amazon’s plan would expand its drone delivery operation more than sixfold nationwide into hundreds of new communities, including the Chicago, Atlanta, Cleveland and Boise metro areas. The drones will primarily fly in the suburbs well away from skyscrapers and major airports that could cause

Sucharita Kodali, Forrester retail analyst

MICHAEL SOHN / AP PHOTO

Amazon plans to use drones to deliver some of its packages in 500 U.S. cities. problems. Each drone site serves multiple cities in a metro area, and Amazon would not say exactly how many new sites it is planning to begin flying from. Drone delivery growing fast but remains small factor Hundreds of thousands of packages have already been delivered by Amazon drones this year, but even after this expansion drones will still only handle a fraction of the hundreds of millions of package deliveries each year. In addition to only being able to carry 5 pounds, the drones Amazon builds face countless challenges from tree cover to landscaping and inflatable pools that can make it hard to find a good drop zone. There are also regulatory hurdles to overcome in every community where Amazon wants to set up operations. Noise concerns also pose a potential challenge. “It’s still an experiment. It’s

still in test and learn mode,” said Sucharita Kodali, who is a retail analyst with Forrester. More than two decades have passed since Amazon founder Jeff Bezos first described his vision for drone deliveries in an interview on “60 Minutes,” which shows how hard it has been to develop the service, get all the needed approvals and prove the concept works. Kodali said Amazon’s expansion plan “does seem aggressive but remember that lots of the 500 may be small towns located close to one another. The coming soon list is actually only a handful of metro areas. Also ‘launching’ in a town doesn’t mean they are getting any meaningful sales.” Walmart already offers drone delivery at more than 75 stores across Arkansas, Florida, North Carolina, Georgia and Texas, but the core part of its network relies on drivers to bring orders directly from its stores to customers. The retail giant said earlier this year that it planned

to expand drone delivery service to 150 more stores in partnership with Wing, a division of Alphabet, to give it 270 drone delivery locations by 2027. Walmart declined to comment on Amazon’s announcement Wednesday because it came one day before the company was scheduled to report earnings. Novelty of drone delivery may attract orders at first Initially, consumers might order something delivered by drone because they are curious about it, but it’s not clear how often they will continue to use the service, and Amazon is still working out the economics, Kodali said. The service will be free for Amazon Prime members who are ordering more than $50 worth of goods, but smaller orders will cost members $2.99. Non-members will pay $4.99 for drone delivery. Prime members get free deliveries while non-members pay a flat fee if the shipment is under $35 for standard delivery or up to $12.99 for same-day shipments when available. Kodali said drones could prove more useful for certain lightweight deliveries that are needed urgently like prescription medications. DoorDash and other delivery

companies also are experimenting with using drones to deliver foods and other goods. Amazon CEO believes drone delivery will be part of the mix Amazon’s CEO Andy Jassy told shareholders in his annual letter in April that the company has learned a great deal by flying drones in 11 sites across Arizona, Florida, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Nebraska, and Texas. In each location, the drones launch from an Amazon warehouse and cover about 175 square miles, so it takes multiple drone launching locations to serve a large metro area. “Prime Air now has a design that’ll scale, plans to serve communities with 30 million customers by year-end, and expects to deliver half a billion packages by the end of this decade (with an aim to deliver inside 30 minutes),” Jassy wrote. Amazon is also continuing to invest in its warehouses, smaller fulfillment centers closer to customers and its fleet of trucks as the company competes to deliver packages within minutes or hours instead of just days. It’s not clear that drone delivery is cheaper than trucks at this point because a team of people is needed to make drone delivery possible and those people might even earn more than a truck driver since they may have to be licensed drone pilots. Amazon is already certified by the Federal Aviation Administration and the company has been awarded waivers to fly drones beyond the line of sight of the pilots. Amazon has invested in safety measures to help drones avoid collisions with anything else in the sky while they are making deliveries. The federal government has proposed a rule that would allow more drone operators to fly beyond the horizon, but that hasn’t been finalized yet.

‘No serious dispute’ that Comey’s seashell post could be read as a Trump threat, prosecutors say Former FBI Director James Comey speaks during a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, June 8, 2017.

Prosecutors say Comey staged the post to generate attention for his novel about political violence By Eric Tucker The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Department of Justice is defending its prosecution of former FBI Director James Comey, saying “there is no serious dispute” that a social media post of seashells he made last year could be understood as a threat against President Donald Trump. Prosecutors also called into question Comey’s account that he had found the seashells in the numerical arrangement of “86 47” while walking on a beach in North Carolina and suggested that his May 2025 post on Instagram was an effort to generate attention for a forthcoming novel about a social media personality whose words inspire his fans to attack his foes. The arguments in motions late Tuesday represent the government’s most detailed explanation of its indictment and were filed in response to wide-ranging defense efforts to dismiss the case on grounds including that it constitutes a vindictive prosecution and that Comey’s post did not amount to a true threat. Comey’s lawyers contend that investigators in the case misled judges, submitted documents containing false statements, withheld key facts and repeatedly came up empty in their efforts to prove that Comey intended a physical threat or knew that the number 86 could suggest violence. The entry for “86” from Merriam-Webster, the dictionary used by The Associated Press, says its meaning is “to throw out,” “to get rid of” or “to refuse service to.” Trump, a Republican, is the 47th president.

ANDREW HARNIK / AP PHOTO

Justice Department maintains post constituted real threat Federal prosecutors maintain that the photo of the seashells, which Comey said he found on the beach, constituted a threat against Trump. Comey deleted the post shortly after he put it up, saying he did not know that anyone interpreted the numbers as a call to violence. His lawyers have said that the slogan has long meant to “get rid of” or “eject” and has been featured on thousands of items sold online and regularly displayed at protests. But the department sought in its filings to place the post against the backdrop of assassination plots or attempts against Trump in the months before and after Comey’s post. Prosecutors say that two minutes before the post was made, Comey’s wife texted him a screenshot of a definition of “86” that said “to get rid of or refuse service.” “There is no serious dispute that an objective viewer of Comey’s post could read it to mean

‘Kill President Trump,’” prosecutors wrote. The photo was posted days before Comey was set to release a novel he wrote titled “FDR Drive,” in which a prosecutor pursues a far-right social media personality who has called out his adversaries by name and inspired violence against them by his fans, the department said. After the Instagram post provoked an outcry, according to the government’s filings, Comey’s publishing agent observed in a text message to him that he had “gone viral.” Comey responded that that was “not my intention, but I’ll be OK if it sells books.” The agent replied, “Music to an agent’s ears.” Prosecutors also asserted there was “reason to doubt” Comey’s account of having come upon the seashells while on a walk, saying they were located 4 miles (6 kilometers) “down from the beach from beachfront property where Comey was staying, in an area separated from the ocean by a sand dune.” They said there was “no evidence that anyone else ar-

ranged, photographed, or even saw the shells.” Comey called case vindictive, but prosecutors deny that Comey’s lawyers have called the indictment, which was filed months after an earlier and unrelated case against him was dismissed, part of a Trump retribution campaign targeting one of the president’s vocal critics. Trump fired Comey as head of the FBI in 2017 as Comey was overseeing an investigation into potential ties between Trump’s 2016 presidential campaign and Russia. Trump since then has called for him and other perceived adversaries to be jailed. But the Justice Department denied allegations of vindictiveness, saying the decision to indict Comey was made by the U.S. attorney in the area and did not stem from a directive from the president or the attorney general. To bolster their claims that Comey was unjustly targeted, the defense team argued that in-

“Not my intention, but I’ll be OK if it sells books.” James Comey, former FBI director vestigators struggled to develop compelling evidence from witnesses that Comey had intended the post as a threat, but they concealed that from federal magistrates as they applied for warrants to search digital accounts associated with Comey and his wife. For instance, defense lawyers have said that the FBI searched an internal database of information about open and closed investigations for any indication of an association between Comey and the term “86” but found inconclusive results. An FBI agent also requested a review of the FBI file for the case against reputed mobster John Gambino, which Comey worked on as a young prosecutor, but found no references to the term “86.” Investigators also interviewed a key government cooperator in the case, Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano, who said he did not recall ever discussing the term “86” with Comey or hearing it in connection with the trial. The latest filings made clear that the administration was standing behind the premise of the case. “No Government theory was disproved at that time, or now. No intentionally false omission exists, much less one made with reckless disregard for the truth,” prosecutors wrote. “The evidence still supports that Defendant acted at least recklessly by consciously disregarding a substantial risk that his coded message of ‘8647’ that he sent to his 200,000 or so Instagram followers, and the millions of secondary social media users who would view this as threatening violence against the President of the United States,” they added.

A8

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

New Eagle Scout finishes project, savors commitment to community John Tucker created a 10-point orienting map-and-compass course as his project

Thank you Auto-Owners Insurance and your local independent agent would like to thank U.S. military service members and veterans for the sacrifices they have made for our freedom.

By Melinda Burris Stanly News Journal LOCUST — Having joined the scouts in first grade, John Tucker’s earliest memories include time spent with scout leaders and fellow members. This has led to friendships formed in childhood that still stand the test of time. “It’s really been great because I’ve had all this time to bond and create new friendships that I never would have been able to have if I hadn’t joined scouts. ... It really means the world to me because these guys are some of my best friends that I’ve ever had,” Tucker said. Tucker had his final ceremony last August, having completed his Eagle Project and review. He chose to build a one-mile-long, 10-point orienteering map-and-compass course at Locust Park. The inspiration for his project came from a requirement within the scouting organization. “The main reason I did that is because for scouts to go from their second class to first class rank, they have to complete a one-mile-long orienteering course,” he said. Tucker said the troop’s previous Scoutmaster, Richard Sides, would routinely hold this event in his backyard to give the young scouts a place to master the skill. “I’m sure he was getting tired of that,” Tucker said with a laugh. “So we figured we’d build one at the park, and we dedicated it to him.” Looking back on the memories made and trips taken with his troop, Tucker said the group’s last major trip, to Yellowstone National Park, had an impact on him. He recalled “how unbelievably beautiful it was out there.”

THE BEST LOCAL INSURANCE AGENCY CITY • 000-000-0000 www.bestinsuranceagency.com

704-982-0155/704-982-3200 sheltoninsurancecenter.com sheltonrealestatecenter.com

COURTESY ROSS GOSSE

John Tucker poses with the 10-point orienting map-and-compass course he created at Locust Park for his final Eagle Scout project.

“If you have the opportunity, take it, because it’s really changed my life.” John Tucker He is quick to emphasize that all the trips Troop 202 has taken as a unit “definitely taught me leadership and communication skills, which is something that I’ll be able to use for the rest of my life.” In agreement with his troopmates about the positive influence scouting has had on his life, he encourages more people to get involved. “If you have the opportunity, take it, because it’s really changed my life, and I’m

so glad that I made that decision,” Tucker said. Tucker credited being in scouts with giving him an appreciation for commitment to community service. “I’d say most of the trips we go on as scouts, we always try to do some community service project. ... So it’s become a part of my life because I like to do as much community service as I can, and I think scouts have been a really big part of that,” he said.

WE OFFER:

• Fine Diamond Jewelry - Solitaires, Bridal Sets, Earrings, • Pendants & Bracelets • Repairs • Colored Gemstones • Pearls • Watch Batteries • Certified Appraisals

DR. CHRISTOPHER L. BRAMLETT OWNER

127 W. Main Street, Albemarle, NC

704-982-1013

www.starnesbramlett.com

Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm • Saturday 10am-2pm

Stanly County’s Oldest Retail Business

Urgent

Pre-Orders Now Open! Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Series Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultr

Special Offer Buy 5 Phones, Get 1 FREE!

a

00 12GB RAM / 512GB Storage – $1,5 00 $1,2 – age Stor 12GB RAM / 256GB

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold8

00 12GB RAM / 512GB Storage – $1,2 00 $1,0 – 12GB RAM / 256GB Storage

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip8

00 12GB RAM / 512GB Storage – $1,0 0 $80 – age Stor GB 256 / RAM 12GB

Apple iPhone 18 Pro Max

COURTESY LOCUST POLICE DEPARTMENT

To place your order or request more information, contact us at .com pre-ordersphone@consultant

Locust Police Chief Jeff Shew, left, swears in the local students who signed up for Junior Detective Camp. CAMP from page A1 law enforcement as a possible career. Locust city staff members helped stage the investigation by playing roles tied to the fictional crime, giving the students suspects and witnesses to question. Using their notes and evidence, the junior detectives followed clues and money trails that ultimately led them to identify and “arrest” a bank technician and customer service representative responsible for the inside job. However, the case did not fully end there, as organizers left campers with a cliffhanger for next summer, when a future group of junior detec-

tives will be tasked with tracking down a business consultant who escaped with stolen funds. Along with their investigative work, participants learned about other parts of the police and first responder community as they toured local agencies and observed demonstrations from the West Stanly Fire Department and Stanly County Emergency Medical Services. New Life Church also organized daily team-building games and activities. At the end of camp, Shew congratulated the students and presented each with a certificate of completion and a department challenge coin in recognition of their work.

“The Locust Police Department wants to thank all of the personnel and businesses who made this year’s Junior Detective Camp week a tremendous success,” the department said in a statement. The department also thanked Longtin for creating and coordinating the program and Detective Sgt. Brittany Tucker for assisting with the event. Other participating organizations and supporters included the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office, Locust Elementary School, Pinnacle Financial Partners, Stanly County Emergency Services, Walmart and West Stanly Fire Department, along with several Locust city staff members.

HIRING Stanly County Reporter Stanly County Advertising Representative jobs@stanlynewsjournal.com

STANLY SPORTS

COURTESY WEST STANLY ATHLETICS

West Stanly’s boys’ soccer team warms up before a game.

West Stanly boys’ soccer shuts out North Stanly for first win of season The Colts opened the season with three straight losses By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal RED CROSS — The West Stanly varsity boys’ soccer team scored three first-half goals Monday and shut out North Stanly 3-0 in Red Cross as both teams faced an in-county opponent for the first time this season. With the home victory, the Colts (1-3) earned their first win after opening the 2026 campaign with three loss-

es, while the Comets fell to 0-2. The matchup was the programs’ first against each other since Oct. 1, 2024, when West Stanly earned a 9-0 victory on its home field. The Colts are coming off an 11-11-2 season in 2025 where they placed fourth in the Rocky River Conference with a 7-4-1 league record and advanced to the second round of the state playoffs. West Stanly is seeking its first winning season since 2022. Over in New London, North Stanly finished 5-12-2 last year and placed fifth in the Yadkin Valley Conference with a 2-6-2 conference mark. The Comets

were eliminated in the opening round of the state playoffs and are looking for their first winning campaign in more than a decade. Both teams will return to action Monday, with West Stanly traveling to face Salisbury (1-0-1) and North Stanly visiting Providence Grove (0-0) in Franklinville. Gray Stone 4, Uwharrie Charter Academy 0 On Monday, Gray Stone (1-1-1) earned its first win of the season, defeating Uwharrie Charter Academy (0-1) 4-0 in Asheboro.

The Knights have posted 13 straight winning seasons and are just three years removed from their first state championship in 2023. Last year, Gray Stone went 16-4-4, finishing second in the YVC at 8-1-1 before a 1-0 loss to Manteo in the 2A state championship. Gray Stone will visit Pine Lake Prep (1-0-1) in Mooresville on Monday. East Davidson 9, South Stanly 0 The South Stanly Bulls (1-1) took a dip Wednesday as they suffered a shutout loss to East Davidson (3-0) in Norwood.

Last season, South Stanly finished sixth in the YVC as it lost all 10 league matchups and managed only two wins total; the team has been held to 15 combined wins in its past six seasons. The Bulls are scheduled for a trip to Lexington on Monday to challenge West Davidson (1-1). Wheatmore 9, Albemarle 0 Playing in Trinity, Albemarle dropped its season opener 9-0 as the Wheatmore Warriors (1-0-1) made easy work of the Bulldogs (0-1). Albemarle entered the 2026 season coming off its most successful season in 12 years, as the squad put together a 10-10-1 record and third-place 5-4-1 tally in YVC play in 2025. The Bulldogs will have a quick rematch with Wheatmore on Monday as the Warriors travel to Stanly County this time around.

Falcons prepare to defend USA South regular-season title Pfeiffer has a scrimmage on Saturday night By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal MISENHEIMER — Pfeiffer’s men’s soccer team will take the field this weekend, aiming to build on its best season in nearly a decade. Led by 10th-year coach Tony Faticoni, the Falcons will play two preseason scrimmages before opening their season Sept. 1 against Guilford at Lefko-Mills Field. Pfeiffer visits Belmont Abbey on Saturday night before hosting Montreat on Wednesday night. USA South Athletic Conference play begins Sept. 26, when N.C. Wesleyan visits Misenheimer. Pfeiffer enters the season after finishing 13-0-4 overall and atop the USA South standings with a 5-0-2 league record in 2025. The Falcons captured their first USA South regular-season championship and

5

Returning all-conference players for Pfeiffer

reached the conference tournament title match, where they finished as the runner-up to Methodist. Picked sixth in the league’s preseason coaches poll, Pfeiffer exceeded expectations after going 4-8-3 in 2024. Its 13 victories were the most in Faticoni’s tenure and the program’s highest total since going 19-3 in 2016, its final season in NCAA Division II. The unbeaten run also marked Pfeiffer’s strongest campaign since its 25-0 national championship season in 2015. Faticoni’s previous best record with the Falcons came in 2018, when they finished 9-8. Five returning all-confer-

COURTESY PFEIFFER ATHLETICS

Pfeiffer’s Wesley Hooker, right, led the Falcons with 69 shots last season. ence selections give Pfeiffer an experienced core for another title pursuit. Forward Wesley Hooker, defender Alex Michael and goalkeeper Seth Limbert earned first-team honors last season, while forward Benji Landaverde and midfielder Caleb Yopp made the second team. Michael became the first Pfeiffer player named USA South Player of the Year. He anchored a defense that

surrendered only 11 regular-season goals, including five in conference play, while tying for the league lead with 11 goals. Michael converted all four of his penalty kicks and earned USA South Defensive Player of the Week honors three times. Limbert also made program history as Pfeiffer’s first USA South Goalkeeper of the Year. He finished the regular

season 9-0-2 with four shutouts, a league-best 0.77 goalsagainst average and a .786 save percentage. In conference matches, Limbert went 4-0-2 with two shutouts, a 0.83 goals-against average and a .783 save percentage. With Limbert and Michael back for another season, Pfeiffer returns its two conference award winners from a defense that led the USA South in efficiency.

B2

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

UNC fifth-year guard Trimble committing to Louisville after Colorado eligibility ruling The four-year Tar Heel got another year of eligibility The Associated Press LOUISVILLE, Ky. — UNC guard Seth Trimble is transferring to Louisville and taking advantage of the recent preliminary injunction from a Colorado judge giving student athletes who graduated from high school in 2022 a fifth season of eligibility for the upcoming year. ESPN reported last Wednesday that Trimble commit-

ted to Louisville, a social media post shared by the Cardinals. Trimble thanked UNC fans in an Instagram post for “the best four years anyone could ask for.” He wrote that he gave his all to represent the Tar Heels every day. “I’ve been considering returning to college the whole summer now, and Carolina was always in the running,” Trimble wrote. “But with a full roster at UNC, and other circumstances, I won’t be able to return home and will be transferring.” Trimble put himself into Tar Heels’ lore with a 3-pointer

“With a full roster at UNC, and other circumstances, I won’t be able to return home and will be transferring.” Seth Trimble from right in front of the UNC bench, one that swished cleanly through the net with 0.4 seconds left, to lift the 14th-ranked Tar Heels past the fourth-ranked

Blue Devils 71-68 in February. UNC athletic director Steve Newmark said they understand the difficult and complicated situation for everyone involved and called Trimble a true role model for his four years with the Tar Heels. “The recent court decision in Colorado created an unusual situation for student-athletes who had completed their traditional four years of eligibility,” Newmark said. “The timing of the decision, the ongoing legal process and the circumstances surrounding our roster made that in-

creasingly difficult to navigate.” New UNC coach Michael Malone said in a statement that Trimble will always be a Tar Heel even with the guard playing elsewhere for a season. “I have tremendous empathy for Seth because the timing of the court decision put him and our program in a difficult position as we constructed our roster,” Malone said. “None of that changes how we feel about Seth. He has represented Carolina the right way, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to get to know him and his family.”

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

UNC seniors Elijah Davis (6) and Seth Trimble (7) pose with teammates on Senior Night in March.

Allen, Moore show signs of bringing back big-play dimension to Bills offense The former Panthers playmaker is ready to be the go-to guy By John Wawrow The Associated Press ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. — After months of seeking to develop an on-field connection with receiver DJ Moore during the Buffalo Bills spring practices, Josh Allen concluded he might be the one holding up the process. Too often, Allen realized he was doing too much in attempting to impress the newly acquired veteran by aiming or even forcing the ball Moore’s way. So on the first day of training camp, Allen informed Moore about trying a different approach. “I felt myself trying to be perfect when I’m throwing to him,” Allen said. “So I walked to him and said, ‘I’m just going to throw it. I’m just going to pick a spot and let it go. I’m not going to aim it anymore,’” he added. “And I feel once I said that, things kind of clicked for us.” The revelation and the duo’s newfound rapport was no more evident than during a team drill on the fifth day of camp.

Allen goes deep to Moore With time in the pocket, Allen glanced to his left in seeing Moore running at full speed and gaining a sliver of separation against three of Buffalo’s best defenders. Without hesitation, Allen heaved a spiral that Moore brought in over his shoulder with two outstretched hands and without breaking stride before tumbling to the turf for a would-be 60-yard touchdown. Allen called it “one of the better or more impressive catches and throws that I’ve made.” His only regret was that it didn’t happen during an actual game. Moore chalked it up to reflecting a new level of trust with Allen. “My confidence is high, regardless,” Moore said. “Now I just know he’s going to let it rip, and I just got to be there at a certain spot.” With one crowd-buzzing moment, the play represented why the Bills acquired Moore in trading a second-round pick to Chicago in March. And it also signaled what may well be the return of the big-play dimension Buffalo’s offense has lacked in the two seasons since Stefon Diggs’ departure. However much the Bills bought into the so-called “everybody

eats” spread-the-ball approach to the passing game minus Diggs, Moore’s addition places him at the head of the table. Departure from “everybody eats” approach First-year head coach Joe Brady avoided the suggestion of Moore representing a philosophical departure from the group of receivers he oversaw over the past two seasons as Buffalo’s coordinator. And yet, Brady acknowledged Moore bringing a new dimension to the offense. “There’s a reason we wanted him,” Brady said in detailing Moore’s speed, route-running technique and leadership. “Look, it’s training camp, right? We haven’t played a damn game yet. But you can feel him out there on the football field.” Though older by NFL receiver standards, the 29-year-old Moore has an accomplished resume entering his ninth season. He’s topped 1,100 yards receiving four times, including a career-best 1,364 yards and eight touchdowns in 2023. Moore spent his first five seasons in Carolina and is reunited with Brady, who was the Panthers offensive coordinator from 2020-21.

ADRIAN KRAUS / AP PHOTO

Buffalo Bills wide receiver DJ Moore walks off the field after practice at training camp. “Being here in Buffalo is definitely a new start,” Moore said. “I don’t really worry about expectations. I just go out there and be me each and every day and try to get better and better.” Age doesn’t appear to have slowed Moore, defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard noticed. “He’s bigger than you think he is. He’s stronger. He’s more explosive than you think,” Leonhard said. “You see it live and you’re like, ‘Wow, that’s why he’s so hard to tackle,’ or, ‘That’s why he’s always creating separation.’” Bills lacked proven deep threat A lack of separation and having a bona fide deep threat led to a sag in Buffalo passing attack. Though productive, the Bills leaned more on completing short passes and relying on receivers to break tackles. From 2020 to 2023, the Bills ranked no worse than seventh in the NFL with an average completion of 6.5 yards or

“Now I just know he’s going to let it rip, and I just got to be there at a certain spot.” D.J. Moore on Josh Allen longer beyond the line of scrimmage. Over the past three years, the Bills have ranked in the bottom half of the league with a sub-6-yard average. Allen’s numbers dropped, too. After averaging 4,385 yards passing from 2020-’24, he’s down to 3,700 over the past two years. It’s no wonder why Allen placed an emphasis on trying to impress Moore from the beginning, and realizing he doesn’t have to be perfect with each attempt. How imperfect, Allen was asked. “Pretty imperfect,” he answered. “(Moore) can erase a lot of mistakes.”

B3

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

6 college coaches under most pressure entering 2026 season

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

Alexis Dry

UNC’s Bill Belichick is one of three ACC coaches on the list By Maura Carey The Associated Press PATIENCE FOR poor performance is a rarity in college football, and that’s only become more clear in recent years. Eight Power Four coaches were jobless by November in 2025, and 15 Bowl Subdivision coaches were fired throughout the season, totaling a record $270 million in buyout packages. As the 2026 season arrives, here are six coaches entering the fall under the most pressure for instant results. Mike Norvell Florida State

Florida State peaked too early last season with a 31-17 Week 1 upset of Alabama and two blowouts against East Texas A&M and Kent State, cruising to a 3-0 start. And then things got shaky for the Seminoles, winning just two of their final nine games. Coach Mike Norvell is just above .500 in his six years at FSU (38-34). Thirteen of those wins came during the Noles’ playoff run in 2023. Since then, FSU has landed in the win column just seven times and finished bottom five in the ACC in back-to-back years — leaving Norvell in the win-now bucket. Bill Belichick

UNC

Bill Belichick arrived at UNC as a first-time college coach who had won six Super Bowls with the New England Patriots, but the hyped hiring fell flat in Year 1. The Tar Heels had 70 new players while ending up with more double-digit losses (five) than total wins (four) and missing a bowl for the first time since 2018, and there were multiple helpings of unwanted offfield headlines too. Belichick enters this year with 60 new players in another roster overhaul. The Tar Heels are picked to finish 15th in the 17-team Atlantic Coast Conference and have a tougher schedule in Year 2, including home games against Notre Dame and

CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO

UNC head coach Bill Belichick coaches from the sidelines against Duke. preseason ACC favorite Miami. Another off-field issue hit before camp: General manager Michael Lombardi is on leave as the subject of a school investigation. Belichick originally signed a five-year, $50 million contract paying him $10 million in base and supplemental pay each year, though only the first three years were guaranteed. That means the school would owe the 74-year-old Belichick roughly one year’s pay if it decided to move on after the season. Shane Beamer

South Carolina

Shane Beamer’s fifth year at South Carolina didn’t quite go to plan, with the Gamecocks finishing 4-8 and 15th (1-7) in the SEC. South Carolina’s stint in the AP Top 25 was shortlived, entering the season at No. 13 in the preseason poll and falling out of the rankings entirely after a Week 3 loss to Vanderbilt. The Gamecocks lost six of their final eight games. Luke Fickell

Wisconsin

It’s no secret Wisconsin’s Luke Fickell is back on the hot seat — he acknowledged it himself at Big Ten media days. A 4-8 record in 2025 was Wisconsin’s second straight losing season for the first time since the early 1990s. The Badgers reached lows they hadn’t seen since the ’70s last season with shutout losses against Iowa and Ohio

State in back-to-back weeks. Fickell hasn’t been able to replicate the level of success he had in Cincinnati yet, posting a 17-21 record. Bill O’Brien

Boston College

After leading Boston College to a 7-6 record and Pinstripe Bowl appearance his first season, the Eagles regressed in 2025, finishing with a 2-10 record and ahead of only Syracuse in the ACC. Boston College’s two wins came in the first and last weeks of the season against Fordham and Syracuse, sandwiching 10 straight losses. The sharp decline after an encouraging first season has left little margin for error heading into Year 3. Mike Locksley Maryland

Maryland’s Mike Locksley remains squarely on the hot seat after nearly identical seasons in 2024 and 2025, finishing 4-8 overall and 1-8 in Big Ten play. In eight seasons, Locksley is 3749 for the Terps, and the best years in the stretch were backto-back 8-5 seasons in 2022 and again in 2023, when Maryland won its third bowl game in as many years. Locksley said the tough days are behind the program, looking forward to ramping up this season with what he described as one of the most talented rosters during his time at Maryland.

GRAY STONE ATHLETICS / FACEBOOK

Gray Stone Day, volleyball Alexis Dry is a senior on the Gray Stone Day volleyball team. The Knights are 3-0 on the season and have yet to lose a set this year. Dry has led the team in digs and receptions in each of the three games this season. In the most recent match, a win over Central Academy, she also led Gray Stone in service aces. She’s tied for second on the Knights in total aces for the season and is also second in assists.

Florida State head coach Mike Norvell, pictured last November before a game against rival Florida, is on the hot seat in Tallahassee.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@ stanlynewsjournal.com

JOHN RAOUX / AP PHOTO

B.B. OIL, INC. Serving Stanly County for 6 Years

A/C CHECKUPS Hours: M-F 7a-4:30p

Year Round Comfort for Your Home Heating & Air Conditioning x DIESEL x HOME HEATING x KEROSENE x TIRES x BATTERIES x AUTO ACCESSORIES x INSPECTION

704-463-7543

128 Hwy. 49 North y Richfield, NC bboilinc.com

219 W. Main Street Albemarle, NC 28001

ZZZ ODUU\PFJXLUHUHDOW\ FRP

B4

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

CLASSIFIEDS

NOTICES

Let’s Work Together

Since 1965

“WE SELL TO SELL AGAIN” 250 West Main Street Albemarle, NC • 704-982-3610

RONKEITH & KEITH BURRIS RON, & SETH BURRIS www.stanlymotors.net www.stanlymotors.net

2023 FRONTIER SV CREW CAB 2025NISSAN JEEP COMPASS TRAILHAWK 4X4 WHITE V6 12K ......... $34,995 AWD WHITE 27KLIKE OFF NEW RD PACKAGE

.....................................................25,995 2023 DODGE CHARGER SXT 2024 TOP HONDA RIDGELINE BLACK PACKAGE WHITEBLACK EDITION AWD 52K.................... 1 OWNER DIAMOND 2,600 MILES SHARP $29,995

WHITE .........................................35,995 2023 CHEV EQUINOX LT 19K ALL WHEEL 2024 4CLY HONDA RIDGELINE SPORT DRIVE PRETTY GRAY JUST ..... SONIC $25,995 GRAY PEARL 37K AWD 1 OWNER

2022 FORD F150 CREW CAB 4X4 5.0 V8 FX4 .....................................................33,995 PACKAGE WHITE SHARPSPORT ............... $35,995 2024 FORD BRONCO DESERT 2022 HONDA TOURING SAND AWDCIVIC 45K BIG BENDLEATHER EDITION SUNROOF DIAMOND WHITE LOOK ... $25,995 .....................................................26,995

2023JEEP NISSAN FRONTIER SV CREW CAB 2021 GLADIATOR OVERLAND 4X4 37K V6 WHITE 18KMET NICE ............35,995 14X4 OWNER MED RED SHARP ..... $36,995 2023HONDA TOYOTA TACOMA 2021 ODYSSEY EXLSR5 43K DOUBLE LEATHER CAB 4X4 SR5 WHITE V6 NC 1 OWNER SUNROOF NEW TIRES CLEAN ......... $33,995

.....................................................31,995 2021 SPORTOVERLAND BADLANDS 2021FORD JEEPBRONCO GLADIATOR 4X4 ONE OWNER “8K”MET .... $31,995 4X4WHITE 37K 1NC OWNER MED RED 2021 TOYOTA TACOMA SR5“NOW” V6 WHITE ....................................... 32,995 DOUBLE CAB 56K BLACK WHEELS 2022 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL V6... $31,995 LEATHER PRETTY BLUE 1 OWNER 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 XLE 49KNC WHITE ONLY............................................24,995 LOCAL TAN INTERIOR NICE ............ $27,995 2022 KIA SORENTO LX GLACIAL 2021 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE LUX V6 WHITE PEARL 3RD SEAT 64K “LOOK” NEW GRAY COLOR 15K SHARP ....... $25,995 .....................................................21,995 2021 SRSPORT WHITE CACTUS 16K 2021NISSAN FORD ALTIMA BRONCO 4CLY LOW ................. GRAY 24KMILES ONE NICE OWNER “THE $24,995 NEWEST” ....................................24,995 2021 SUBARU IMPREZA SPORT 2021 HONDA CRV EXL 67K MED GRAY WAGON 4CLY ALL WHEEL DRIVE SUNROOF VERY CLEAN$23,995 1LEATHER 0WNER 23K ............................ .....................................................25,995 2020 HONDA CRV EXL DIAMOND WHITE 2020BEIGE FORDINTERIOR RANGER“21K” XLT CREW LIGHT ........CAB $29,995 4X4 FX4 OFF RD PKG MED RED 22K 2019 SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED DIAMOND .....................................................29,995 WHITE 59K 59K LEATHER .............. $25,995 2020 CHEVY SILVERADO CREW CAB 2019 BLAZER PREMIER ALL“NOW” WHEEL Z71 CHEV 4X4 LEATHER 6.2 ENGV6 4X4 DRIVE 62K SILVER LEATHER .......... $24,995 ....................................................36,995 2020FORD FORD F150 SE XLT4CLY CREW 4X4 2019 FUSION 65KCAB RUBY RED “RED” V8SHARP ENGINE “PRICED” MET NICE5.0 AND ONLY .......... $18,995 .....................................................22,995 2019 MAZDA 3 PREMIUM LEATHER 2019 TOYOTA RAV4WHITE XLE ALL SUNROOF DIAMOND 43K WHEEL DRIVE SUPER WHITE 67K NICE $19,995 JUST ....................................... .....................................................24,995 2019 CAMRY SE 4CLY POWER SEAT 2018TOYOTA TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SR5 PRETTY BLUE4X4 SPORT WHEELS $19,995 PREMIUM SILVER 63K ....... LEATHER 2019 HONDA CIVIC LX WHITE ...............................................TOO LATE! LOCAL 1 OWNER TRADE NEW TIRES CAB 2018 CHEV COLORADO LT CREW JUST $12,995 Z71 ....................................... 4X4 LEATHER 80K ........TOO LATE! 2019FORD CHEV BLAZER XLT PREMIER V6 ALL 2018 EXPLORER V6 LEATHER WHEEL“LOW DRIVE 62K21K” SILVER LEATHER SILVER MILES ........ TOO LATE ! .....................................................24,995 2018 HONDA CRV EXL LEATHER SUNROOF 2018 TACOMA CAB 50K ALLTOYOTA WHEEL DRIVE TANDOUBLE ........ TOO LATE! V6 BLUE PEARL NEW TIRES “SHARP 2018 HONDA CRV AWD TOURING DIAMOND ”...................................................24,995 WHITE 84K LOCAL ONE OWNER ...... $22,995 2018 KIA SOUL 4CLY MED GRAY 92K 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA WHITE LOCAL TRADE “BESTLE BUY” ......10,995 “26K” GAS MILEAGE .......... $18,995 2017 GREAT TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED BLIZZARD AWD V6 98K 2017 TOYOTAPEARL TACOMA DOUBLE CAB .....................................................24,995 LIMITED 4X4 WHITE 70K ............... $34,995 2017 HONDA RIDGELINE RTL-T WHITE 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER XLE LEATHER DIAMOND 27K LOCAL 1 OWNER SILVER 3RD SEAT 79K LOOK .......... $26,995 .....................................................25,995 2016 F150 CREW CABZ71 XLTEXTENDED V6 BLACK 2017FORD CHEV COLORADO ALL POWER CHROME ....... $21,995 CAB 4X4 V6 WHITE WHEELS 60K.............23,995 2017FORD TOYOTA VAN XLE 2016 F150SIENNA CREW CAB XLT V6 RUBY RED 112K 2 SUNROOF WHEEL DRIVE............. $19,995 LEATHER DIAMOND WHITE ...............................................TOO LATE! 2016 HONDA CRV TOURING 2016 TOYOTA XLE 4CLY TAN WHITE DIAMONDCAMRY 77K LEATHER DIAMOND WHITE 116K$19,995 ......... LEATHER SUNROOF ..................... 15,995 2016 HONDA ACCORD EX MED GRAY 4CLY 2014 FORD F150 XLT CREW CAB V6 71K 1 OWNER HARD TO FIND ......... $18,995 SILVER 94K “CHECK HER OUT” 2016 HONDA CRV SE AWD SILVER 107K ...............................................TOO LATE! NICE CLEANACCORD JUST ................. $16,995 2012AND HONDA EX 4CLY BLACK CLEAN HARD TO FIND JUST ..... 11,995 2016 FORD MUSTANG V6 SILVER 86K 2006MILES BUICK LUCERNE V6 TOO LATE! LOW SPORTY BUY CXL IT........ LEATHER NEW TIRES “86K” 4X4 SILVER 2015 JEEP UNLIMITED RUBICON BURGUNDY ...........................TOO 69K LOADED NC 1 OWNER ............ LATE! $26,995

Full-Time • Director, Emergency Medical Sciences Program • Success Coach, Allied Health

•••

Part-Time • Adjunct Instructor, BLET • Adjunct Instructor, Clinical Practical Nursing Program

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

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

NORTH CAROLINA – STANLY COUNTY 26E000379-830 The undersigned, having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Gilbert Walton Picklesimer, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to present them to the undersigned on or before November 23, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. Crystal Ann Snyder, Executor Estate of Gilbert Walton Picklesimer c/o Katherine C. Rabtoy, Esq. ROBBINS LAW FIRM, PLLC 19453 West Catawba Avenue, Suite E Cornelius, NC 28031

• Adjunct Instructor, EMS (EMT Continuing Ed) • Adjunct Instructor, EMS - Paramedic • Adjunct Instructor, English • Adjunct Instructor, English as a Second Language – ACI (nights) • Adjunct Instructor, Fire/Rescue • Adjunct Instructors, Nurse Aide I and II Program (Weekend position)

Become part of something great...

• Administrative Assistant, Basic Law Enforcement Training • Assistant, Health & Public Services - Workforce Development

We are eager to welcome individuals who are dedicated • Facilitator, ACI to our mission and committed • Staff, Food Service to enhancing our community. • Support Assistant, Access to Achievement Interested candidates are invited • Tutoring Specialist, Academic Support Center to browse our open full and part time positions• •via • the website belowJob to descriptions find out how areto onapply our for website. Please complete an one of our job openings atonline SCC. • Coordinator, Academic Support Center

application at

www.stanly.edu/college-information/ employment-opportunities.

;V Z\ITP[ JSHZZPÄLK HKZ LTHPS HKZ' Z[HUS`UL^ZQV\YUHS JVT

2014 BUICK LACROSSE V6 CXL LEATHER SEATS CHAMPAGNE COLOR “66K”...................................... $16,995 2013 HONDA ACCORD EXL V6 LEATHER PEARL WHITED 125K LOCAL TRADE ........................... $12 ,995 2010 FORD F150 LARIAT NOTICE CREW CAB DIAMOND WHITE 5.4 ENG NORTH CAROLINA “THE KIND” .............................. $17,995

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

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000375-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Randy Edwin Isenhour deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Randy Edwin Isenhour to present them to the undersigned on or before November 17, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 16th day of August 2026. Joyce R. Isenhour 41798 Gurley Road New London, NC 28127 Executrix

NOTICE 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

NOTICE 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 OF LEGISLATIVE HEARING STANLY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS STANLY COUNTY, NORTH CAROLINA Notice is hereby given that the Stanly County Board of Commissioners will, on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 6:00 PM, hold a legislative hearing at the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room located at 1000 North First Street, Albemarle, NC to consider the following request: Item #1 -CR 26-02 - Jonah Morgan requests a conditional rezoning of a 6 acre portion of an approximately 17 acre tract located on Kendalls Church Road, New London (Tax Record # 144536; Owners Millspaugh Living Trust). The request is to conditionally rezone the property from County R-A (Residential Agricultural) to County M-1, Conditional District (Light Manufacturing), in order to allow for a facility manufacturing metal parts and machinery. Item #2 - ZA 26-02 Gerald and Brenda Honeycutt request a rezoning of an approximately .65 acre parcel on NC 24/27/73 Hwy (Tax# 5821). The request is for the parcel to be rezoned from County H-B to County R-20 in order to utilize the land for livestock and agricultural purposes. Persons interested in speaking for or against this item will be heard.

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 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 NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Clerk Before the Clerk 26E000363-830 Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Arthur Harold Payne, 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 16th, 2026, or this Notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 10th day of August, 2026. MARK T. LOWDER EXECUTOR FOR THE ESTATE OF ARTHUR HAROLD PAYNE MARK T. LOWDER ATTORNEY AT LAW PO Box 1284 Albemarle, NC 28002 Telephone (704) 982-8558 Publish: August 16, 23, 30 and September 6, 2026

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA, STANLY COUNTY. NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division File No. 26-E-000382-830 Having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of RAYMOND EDWARD WILLIAMS, SR., Deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the decedent, or his estate, to exhibit them to the undersigned, or her attorney, on or before the 23rd day of November, 2026, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate should make immediate payment to the Executrix. This the 19th day of August, 2026. Gale Stein Williams, Executrix Estate of Raymond Edward Williams, Sr. c/o Jeremy D. Griffin, Attorney PO Box 422 Locust, NC 28097 JEREMY D. GRIFFIN MORTON AND GRIFFIN LAW FIRM, PLLC Post Office Box 422 – 161 Ray Kennedy Drive Locust, North Carolina 28097 Telephone: 704-888-2311 STANLY NEWS JOURNAL Publish: August 23, 30, September 6 and 13, 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

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA, IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK 26E000360-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having duly qualified as Administrator CTA of the Estate of Mickey Loyd Cauble, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, is hereby notifying all persons, firms, or corporations having claims against said decedent, or his estate, to present the same to the undersigned Administrator CTA, duly itemized and verified on or before the 23rd 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 CTA. This the 14th day of August, 2026. John Michael Cauble Administrator CTA of the Estate of Mickey Loyd Cauble 3351 Keady Mill Loop Kannapolis, NC 28081 PUBLISH: August 23, 30, September 6, 13, 2026 James A. Phillips, Jr. Attorney 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 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

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

Rescue mission is called off for NASA’s aging Swift space telescope Intense solar activity and spacecraft malfunctions doomed the $30 million rescue attempt

“This is not the outcome we were working toward, but it does not change why this mission was worth attempting.”

By Marcia Dunn The Associated Press CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — The mission to save NASA’s sinking Swift Observatory was called off Wednesday, dooming the telescope to a fiery reentry later this year. NASA and Katalyst Space Technologies announced the news more than a month after the startup’s Link spacecraft rocketed away to the telescope’s rescue. Katalyst said Link will not attempt to capture Swift and boost it to a higher orbit because of problems with controlling the spacecraft. NASA said this means the telescope will plunge through the atmosphere after more than 20 years

Jared Isaacman, NASA Administrator

NASA’S GODDARD SPACE FLIGHT CENTER CONCEPTUAL IMAGE LAB

NASA’s Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory, shown in this artist’s concept, has orbited Earth for more than 20 years, studying the ever-changing universe. of tracking some of the biggest explosions in the universe like gamma ray bursts and exploding stars. Its demise is not expected before October.

NASA paid $30 million to Katalyst in an attempt to raise the telescope to a safer, longer-lasting orbit. Intense solar activity caused it to lose alti-

tude faster than expected. The rescue spacecraft went into an uncontrollable spin a few weeks after its liftoff in early July. While flight controllers managed to slow Link’s tumble, issues continued to plague its pointing and positioning in orbit. “This is not the outcome we were working toward, but it does not change why this mission was worth attempting,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said in a statement. As a consolation prize, Kat-

B5 alyst will continue to operate Link in proximity with the telescope to demonstrate capabilities for future rescue operations. Katalyst CEO Ghonhee Lee said it was an ambitious mission on an aggressive timeline that was thrown together in under a year. “We took on this high-risk, high-reward challenge and are proud of the milestones we reached along the way,” Lee said in a statement. “We have already learned a tremendous amount.” Launched in 2004, Swift’s science instruments were turned off earlier this year to slow its descent. It was orbiting 214 miles (345 kilometers) high as of Wednesday. Katalyst had hoped to lift the telescope back to its original orbit of 373 miles (600 kilometers), allowing for many more years of cosmic observations. NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope could benefit from an orbital boost and had been next in line for a rescue attempt had this mission gone well. The 36-yearold Hubble is also dropping in orbit because of all the sun’s recent outbursts. It wasn’t immediately known whether Hubble is now out of luck.

Prince Harry, Meghan returning to UK with children after 6 years living in United States The Sussexes’ children will attend British schools, though the couple won’t resume royal duties By Danica Kirka and James Pollard The Associated Press LONDON — Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan, have decided to return to the United Kingdom for an extended stay starting this fall, but they won’t resume their roles as working members of the royal family, The Associated Press learned Wednesday. The couple’s children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5, have already enrolled at British schools and will start classes in September, according to a person close to the Sussexes who was not authorized to speak publicly. The family plans to live at a private, nonroyal residence outside of London but plans to maintain their home in Montecito, California, and their vacation property in Portugal. The Daily Telegraph first reported the story. When asked to discuss the reports by the AP at a roundtable event with U.S. veterans in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, Harry replied, “Nothing to say.” Harry and Meghan gave up their royal duties and moved to California more than six years ago to earn their living through lucrative contracts with Netflix and Spotify. Although relations with the rest of the royal family have soured since then, Harry

has recently expressed an interest in reconciliation so he could spend more time with his father, King Charles III, who is being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer. Charles was informed of the couple’s plans Sunday. Harry and Meghan visited the U.K. last month. Buckingham Palace has a policy of not commenting on speculation about nonworking members of the royal family. A representative for Harry and Meghan declined to comment. According to a source close to the Sussexes, Meghan will continue heading her As Ever company from the U.K., while Harry can spend more time working with his U.K.-based charities. Harry and Meghan have had a stormy relationship with the royal family ever since they decamped to a mansion in the exclusive Southern California enclave of Montecito. In a series of interviews and Harry’s memoir “Spare,” the couple said they left Britain to escape the restrictions of royal life and criticized palace officials for being insensitive to Meghan’s mental health while alleging that at least one member of the royal family had expressed racist views when she was pregnant with their first child. Meghan describes herself as biracial. Those tensions were exacerbated by Harry’s long-running legal battle with Britain’s tabloid newspapers, which he alleges illegally hacked his phones and invaded his privacy when he was younger.

JONATHAN BRADY / POOL PHOTO VIA AP

Prince Harry, and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, arrive for an event, during a visit to Bondi Beach, Australia, April 17, 2026. The prince recently lost a lawsuit against the publisher of the Daily Mail, though he won a 2023 judgment that condemned the publisher of the Daily Mirror for phone hacking. He also reached a settlement with the publisher of the Sun, which apologized for intruding on his life and agreed to pay substantial damages. The latest trial has left Harry facing a potential bill for millions of pounds after the court ruled he and other plaintiffs in the case were liable for the publisher’s legal fees. Associated Newspapers has filed documents showing that its legal costs amounted to 34.5 million pounds ($47 million). Harry has also been embroiled in a legal wrangle with the British government after a government committee refused to authorize police protection for the prince and his family when they are in the U.K. The prince says he and his

“I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore. I don’t know how much longer my father has.” Prince Harry family need armed police protection because they are at risk simply because they are members of the royal family, regardless of whether they are working royals. After losing a court battle over the security issue last year, Harry said he hoped to rebuild relations with his family. “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore,” Harry told the BBC. “I don’t

know how much longer my father has.” Last month, Harry returned to the U.K. for a series of charity engagements. Meghan and the children joined Harry for part of the visit, and they spent time with the king at his Highgrove estate in western England. It was the first time Archie and Lilibet had seen their grandfather since the late Queen Elizabeth II’s platinum jubilee in 2022. While Harry has recently met with his father, there are no signs of a warming of relations with his brother, Prince William, the heir to the throne. Peter Hunt, a former BBC royal correspondent, said the surprise announcement would make William “apoplectic.” “In the short term, Harry will be able to deepen his rapprochement with his father,” Hunt told Britain’s Press Association. “And his presence back home will make it harder for his brother to duck a reconciliation.”

NOTICES NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY Special Proceedings No. 26SP000114-830 Substitute Trustee: Philip A. Glass NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE Date of Sale: August 26, 2026 Time of Sale: 10:30 a.m. Place of Sale: Stanly County Courthouse Description of Property: See Attached Description Record Owners: Historical Investments, LLC Addresses of Property: 115 W. South St. Albemarle, NC 28001 117 W. South St. Albemarle, NC 28001 Deed of Trust: Book : 1799 Page: 730 as modified by that Modification of Deed of Trust at Book 1874, Page 814 Dated: September 14, 2022 Grantors: Historical Investments, LLC Original Beneficiary: Paragon Bank CONDITIONS OF SALE: This sale is made subject to all unpaid taxes and superior liens or encumbrances of record and assessments, if any, against the said property, and any recorded leases.

This sale is also subject to any applicable county land transfer tax, and the successful third party bidder shall be required to make payment for any such county land transfer tax. It is the intent of the holder of the above Deed of Trust that the execution, delivery and recordation of a Trustee Deed to the holder as high bidder shall not merge with any superior Deeds of Trust held by the holder of the above Deed of Trust, and that the holder of said superior Deed of Trust shall continue to enjoy all rights and remedies set forth in said superior Deed of Trust, including the right to foreclose either by judicial action or under power of sale contained in the superior Deed of Trust. The property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale “AS IS, WHERE IS.” THERE ARE NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTIES relating to the title or to any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property being offered for sale, and any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition are expressly disclaimed. A cash deposit of 5% of the purchase price will be required at the time of the sale. Remote bidding will not be accepted pursuant to North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.25 (a). Credit bids on behalf of the Noteholder will be accepted.

Any successful bidder shall be required to tender the full balance of the purchase price so bid in cash or certified check at the time the Substitute Trustee tenders to him a deed for the property or attempts to tender such deed, and should said successful bidder fail to pay the full balance purchase price so bid at that time, he shall remain liable on his bid as provided for in North Carolina General Statutes Section 45-21.30 (d) and (e). This sale will be held open ten (10) days for upset bids as required by law. Residential real property with less than 15 rental units, including single-family residential real property: an order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but not more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination.

Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination. Dated 7/29/2026 Posted 7/29/2026 Philip A. Glass, Substitute Trustee Nodell, Glass & Haskell, L.L.P. TRACT ONE: Beginning at a point in the south right of way line of East South Street in the City of Albemarle, northeast comer of the Home Savings & Loan Association property described in Deed Book 2 J 9, page 34, Stanly County Registry, and runs thence with the right of way line of said street S. 87-1524 B. 53.05 feet to a point, comer of brick building. thence with the outside face of the old building. S. 02-51-42 W. 99.94 feet to a point. corner of brick building in a line of a ten feet al1ey, thence with said alleyN. 87-2311 W. 52.97 feet to a point in the line of Home Savings & Loan Association, thence with the line of Home Savings & Loan Association, N. 02- 49-06 E. 100.06 feet to the point and place of BEGINNING, and containing 5300.96 sq. feet, by survey of T.W. Harris, R.L.S., on September 25, 1987. and being a new survey of the property described in Deed Book322,page 418, Stanly County Registry. For reference, see Deed Book 364, page, page 689. Stanly County Registry. TRACT TWO: BEGINNING at a point in the south right of way line of EastSouth Street in

the City of Albemarle, northeast comer of the property described in Deed Book 322, page 418, Stanly County Registry, and also the northwest comer of the Hearne and Smith property as described in Deed Book 192, page 69, Stanly County Registry and runs thence with the outside face of the old building S. 02--51-42 W. 99.94 feet to a point in the line of a ten feet alley, thence with the alley 8. 87-23-1 l E. 1.25 feet to a new iron rod in the line of Hearne and Smith, thence a new or dividing line in the Hearne and Smith property. N. 02-51-42 E. 99.94 feet to a punch mark in the base of a sign, thence with the right of way of East South Street, N. 87-15-24 W. 1.25 feet to the place of BEGINNING, and being a 1.25 feet by 99.74 feet strip of land off the westernmost part of the Hearne oud Smith property according to survey by T.W. Harris, R.L.S., on September 25. 1987 and containing 124.92 square feet Subject to easements, restrictions and rights of way of record, and utility lines and rights of way in existence over, under or upon the above-described property. PIN:654803235798 Property Address: 115 W. South St. Albemarle, NC 28001 and 117 W. South St. Albemarle, NC 28001

B6

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

Corgis run, bark, sniff to glory at international race with growing appeal

famous birthdays this week Tom Ridge hits 81, Branford Marsalis is 66, Judas Priest’s Rob Halford turns 75, Rebecca De Mornay celebrates 67

Ninety-four dogs took part in the main running event

The Associated Press THESE CELEBRITIES have birthdays this week: AUG. 23 Actor Vera Miles is 97. Actor Barbara Eden is 95. Ballerina Patricia McBride is 84. Singer-songwriter Linda Thompson is 79. Author and motivational speaker Rudy Ruettiger is 78. Actor Shelley Long is 77. Actor-singer Rick Springfield is 77.

JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION VIA AP PHOTO

Actor Macaulay Culkin turns 46 Wednesday.

AUG. 24 Composer-musician Mason Williams is 88. R&B singer Marshall Thompson (The Chi-Lites) is 84. WWE co-founder Vince McMahon is 81. Author Paulo Coelho is 79. Actor Anne Archer is 79. Actor Steve Guttenberg is 68. Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr. is 66.

ROB GRABOWSKI / INVISION VIA AP

Actor Tom Skerritt turns 93 Tuesday.

AUG. 25 Actor Tom Skerritt is 93. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Charles Wright is 91. Film director John Badham is 87. Baseball Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers is 80. Rock musician Gene Simmons (Kiss) is 77. Rock singer Rob Halford (Judas Priest) is 75. Musician Elvis Costello is 72. Film director Tim Burton is 68. AUG. 26

EVAN AGOSTINI/ INVISION VIA AP

R&B singer Valerie Simpson turns 80 Wednesday.

Former Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge is 81. R&B singer Valerie Simpson (Ashford & Simpson) is 80. Broadcast journalist Bill Whitaker is 75. Puzzle creator/editor Will Shortz is 74. Jazz musician Branford Marsalis is 66. Actor Macaulay Culkin is 46.

By Liudas Dapkus The Associated Press VILNIUS, Lithuania — It’s not all about short-legged speed when 150 corgis gather for an international race celebrating the little dogs. There’s a costume parade, the “smartest nose” and — of course — the loudest bark. The fifth Corgi Race Vilnius drew dogs and their owners to the Lithuanian capital’s Vingis park last Saturday for what organizers said was the biggest edition yet. There were competitors from Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Estonia, Germany, Ukraine, the Czech Republic, the United States and Britain — the country most closely associated with the breed, famously a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II. “In the first year, we gathered 40 corgis from one city,” organizer Edvinas Miskas said. “This year, it’s 150 from nine countries, and for the first time we have a participant from the place where the breed originated.” “We call Vilnius the European capital of corgis, and when people from the breed’s homeland start coming to us rather than the other way around, that title begins to sound a little more serious.” In the final, which pitted corgis against each other over 25 meters (82 feet), the winner was American competitor

PHOTOS BY MINDAUGAS KULBIS / AP PHOTO

A pair of corgis participate in a fashion show during Corgi Race Vilnius 2026 in Vilnius, Lithuania, last Saturday. GG, short for Gustave the Girl Dog. Another U.S. entrant, Mr. Corgington, finished a close second. Lithuania’s own Moka, a two-time former champion, was third. But much of the program dispensed with speed to explore the other skills of the dogs — and their owners. There was a costume parade featuring 38 corgis in diverse outfits including a dinosaur suit, a dress and doggy sports gear. Amigo swept both the four-judge jury and the public Facebook vote for a flawless costume entry with a knight-like look. In the “smartest nose” challenge, dogs searched for hidden treats. Latvian corgis Tora and Rusty shared the win. And then there was the loudest bark competition. The first British competitor, 12-year-old

A corgi participates in a fashion show during Corgi Race Vilnius 2026.

AUG. 27 Author William Least HeatMoon is 87. Actor Tuesday Weld is 83. Actor G.W. Bailey is 82. Rock musician Alex Lifeson (Rush) is 73. Fashion designer and filmmaker Tom Ford is 65. AUG. 28 Actor Ken Jenkins (TV’s “Scrubs”) is 86. Former MLB manager and player Lou Piniella is 83. Former MLB pitcher Ron Guidry is 76. Actor Jennifer Coolidge is 65. Country singer Shania Twain is 61.

Pembroke Welsh corgi Duke from Sedbergh in northwest England, didn’t participate in the main race because of his stately age but was a hopeful in the barking stakes after, as his owner put it, training for his whole life. It was Mr. Corgington who won the loudest bark contest, though. He was one of the most traveled competitors. The final race offered him a rematch after he finished second against GG at a major race at Emerald Downs in Auburn, Washington — her second consecutive win there. Half of the corgis registered in Vilnius this year were taking part for the first time. But six veterans — costume winner Amigo, Foksas, Foksis, Madeira, Bulka and Dziugas — have attended every edition.

JORDAN STRAUSS / INVISION VIA AP

Actor Anne Archer turns 79 Monday. AUG. 29 Actor Elliott Gould is 88. Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin is 88. Olympic gold medal sprinter Wyomia Tyus is 81. Olympic gold medal long jumper Bob Beamon is 80. Actor Rebecca De Mornay is 67. Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch is 59.

Garfield finds wonder in everyday life in ‘The Magic Faraway Tree’ Author Enid Blyton’s children’s books inspired the film By Lizzie Knight The Associated Press

CJ RIVERA / INVISION / AP PHOTO

Nicolas Brown, from left, director Ben Gregor, Claire Foy and Andrew Garfield attend “The Magic Faraway Tree” special screening at Regal Union Square in New York.

ANDREW GARFIELD wants audiences to look up from their phones and remember that there is still plenty of magic in the world around them. That idea drew the two-time Oscar nominee to “The Magic Faraway Tree,” a family adventure about Tim, a stay-at-home father whose family is forced to reconsider life after his wife, Polly, quits her job. They move to the countryside, where their children discover the magical Faraway Tree and its ever-changing worlds, sending the family into a series of fantastical adventures. The film, based on Enid Blyton’s children’s books, arrives in U.S. theaters Friday. For Garfield, the story’s themes of nature, imagination and community feel especially timely as technology increasingly shapes everyday life. “I think people are craving connection and community and a kind of reconnection to the earth and to each other,” he said.

“I really just adore his sense of whimsy and heartfulness and magic and joy. I felt very, very passionate about it.” Andrew Garfield Garfield said he became passionate about the project after reading Simon Farnaby’s screenplay. “I really just adore his sense of whimsy and heartfulness and magic and joy,” he said. “I felt very, very passionate about it.” Tim’s journey reflects the film’s larger ideas about finding wonder outside the routine and distractions of modern life. For Garfield, that sense of wonder extends beyond fantasy. “I think it’s all around us,” he said. “There are so many things to be in awe of on this planet.” The film, he said, is ultimately about recognizing that “there’s magic in the ordinary” as well as in the extraordinary. Garfield, whose credits include playing Spider-Man, says he is drawn to roles with an element of play, community and the natural world. He focuses on

“anything that keeps me awake to the remembering of the connection that we have to each other, the connection we have to nature, how we are all interconnected,” he said. Garfield grew up reading Enid Blyton’s “The Famous Five” with his brother but did not read “The Faraway Tree” series as a child. His mother introduced him to another beloved literary adventurer: Bilbo Baggins, the hero of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit.” “Any underdog story, really, those are the ones that get me,” Garfield said. Another childhood escape was the video store. Garfield remembers being fascinated by the rows of VHS tapes and the possibilities behind their covers. The habit has survived in a new form in adulthood: spending an evening browsing streaming services without picking anything, enjoying the feeling of looking “into the windows of all these imaginary worlds.” That may help explain why Garfield welcomes the resurgence of VHS and other analog technology among younger audiences. “I dig that,” he said. “The regression to analog is looking good to me.”

B7

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

this week in history Salad Bowl strike begins, Paris liberated, Krakatoa erupts, Hurricane Katrina devastates

The Associated Press AUG. 23

We Offer Family Style Living, All Private Rooms, Weekly Laundry & Housekeeping, 3 Nutritious Meals Served Daily, and Recreational Activities For All.

1305: Scottish rebel leader Sir William Wallace was executed by the English for treason. 1775: Britain’s King George III proclaimed the American colonies to be in a state of “open and avowed rebellion.” 1970: The Salad Bowl strike began, organized by farm labor leader Cesar Chavez; between 5,000 to 10,000 laborers walked off the job, leading to the largest farmworker strike in U.S. history.

1814: During the War of 1812, British forces invaded Washington, D.C., setting fire to the still-under-construction Capitol and the White House, as well as other public buildings. 1932: Amelia Earhart embarked on a 19-hour flight from Los Angeles to Newark, New Jersey, making her the first woman to fly solo, nonstop, from coast to coast. 1992: Hurricane Andrew smashed into Florida; the storm resulted in 65 deaths and caused more than $26 billion in damage across Florida, Louisiana and the Bahamas. AUG. 25 1916: President Woodrow Wilson signed the National Park Service Organic Act, establishing the National Park Service as an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior to maintain the country’s natural and historic wonders and “leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” 1944: Paris was liberated by Allied forces after four years of Nazi occupation during World War II. 1948: In the House Un-American Activities Committee’s first televised congressional hearing, Alger Hiss denied charges by Whittaker

EXPLORE OUR COMMUNITY ONLINE AT THRIVEMORENC.ORG/TAYLOR-HOUSE

319 PALMER STREET ALBEMARLE, NC 28001

MARK FOLEY / AP PHOTO

Hurricane Andrew slammed into South Florida on Aug. 24, 1992, destroying thousands of homes and causing widespread devastation across the state, Louisiana and the Bahamas. Chambers that Hiss was a communist involved in espionage. AUG. 26 1939: The first televised Major League Baseball games were broadcast on experimental station W2XBS: a doubleheader between the Cincinnati Reds and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field. 1944: French Gen. Charles de Gaulle braved the threat of German snipers as he led a victory march in Paris, which had just been liberated by the Allies from Nazi occupation. 1958: Alaskans went to the polls to overwhelmingly vote in favor of statehood. AUG. 27 1883: The island volcano Krakatoa erupted with a series of cataclysmic explosions. The explosions (which could be heard 3,000 miles away) and resulting tsunamis in Indonesia’s Sunda Strait claimed some 36,000 lives in Java and Sumatra. 1894: Congress passed the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act. 1964: The film “Mary Poppins” had its world premiere in Los Angeles.

AUG. 28 1862: The Second Battle of Bull Run began in Prince William County, Virginia, during the Civil War; the Union army retreated two days later after suffering 14,000 casualties. 1898: Pharmacist Caleb Bradham of New Bern changed the name of the carbonated beverage he’d created five years earlier from “Brad’s Drink” to “Pepsi-Cola.” 1963: During the March on Washington, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his “I Have a Dream” speech before an estimated 250,000 people in front of the Lincoln Memorial.

MENTION THIS AD FOR

NOW OPEN SATURDAYS AT NO EXTRA CHARGE!!

10 OFF

$

YOUR NEXT SERVICE CALL

704-982-5027 www.plumbingpride.com

AUG. 29 1814: During the War of 1812, Alexandria, Virginia, formally surrendered to British military forces, which occupied the city until Sept. 3. 1862: The Bureau of Engraving and Printing began operations at the United States Treasury. 2005: Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast in southeast Louisiana, devastating New Orleans. Katrina caused nearly 1,400 deaths and an estimated $200 billion in damage.

Electric

Sp ec ava ial F i ne ilable nanc ws in yst on a g em ll s!

Call Us for All of Your Heating, Cooling & Electrical Needs!

704-982-4276

1928 US -52, Albemarle NC 28001 Generator Installation! Serving Stanly County & Surrounding areas Since 1966

*Lifetime Outdoor Unit Replacement*

PETER J. CARROLL / AP PHOTO

On Aug. 26, 1944, thousands packed Paris to celebrate the city’s liberation from Nazi occupation as Gen. Charles de Gaulle led a victory parade.

[[Yä kknÊ

È··¸ä äȹºä äȹµä ȸµ½ä ä¾kk 855-910-AMMO

1189079

AUG. 24

CALL (704) 982-4217 TO SCHEDULE A TOUR

NCammunition.com

B8

Stanly News Journal for Sunday, August 23, 2026

SNOWFLAKES

SUDOKU

Solution to last issue’s puzzle

rustic charm elegance

Where meets timeless

Solution to this issue’s puzzles CONTACT US TODAY

704-486-7501 info@ sophiaswedding.com — 722 S. Oak Ridge Rd Oakboro, NC 28129