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VOLUME 146 ISSUE 88 | WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 4, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM

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WHAT’S HAPPENING Greenland approves security deal with Denmark, U.S. following months of Trump pressure Ilulissat, Greenland Greenlandic lawmakers have approved an agreement with Denmark and the United States to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic. The decision follows months of pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who sought to control the semiautonomous territory of a NATO ally. The trilateral deal allows for more U.S. bases in Greenland while easing tensions over Trump’s calls for the island to become part of the United States. The agreement aims to bolster the U.S. military presence on Greenland but keeps the island under Danish control. Danish lawmakers are set to debate it later this month.

U.S. job postings jumped sharply in September Washington, D.C. U.S. employers ramped up their job postings in September as stronger economic growth may be encouraging more hiring. That is despite a gloomy outlook from Americans over an economy beset by higher prices. U.S. job openings jumped to 7.5 million from a revised 7.19 million in August, the Labor Department reported Tuesday. It is the largest number of openings since May and up from a recent low of 6.9 million in March.

Man charged with mailing hundreds of letters containing powder to officials Oklahoma City Federal authorities charged an Oklahoma man with sending hundreds of letters containing nonhazardous white powder to public officials. The FBI says in a court filing made public Tuesday that the powders turned out to be yeast or flour, though not all letters have been fully tested. Robin Martin is charged with conveying a hoax and mailing threatening communications.

STAN GILLILAND / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL

Volley-ballers The top-seeded North Stanly Comets rallied from down two sets to none to beat No. 2 Wake Prep Academy 3-2 in the NCHSAA class 3A state championship at Campbell’s Gilbert Craig Gore Arena. The win was the 15th straight for North Stanly to close the season and sealed the first state title for Comets volleyball. For more, turn to Sports.

Residential zoning could change in Albemarle, feedback wanted Four proposed amendments will face a public hearing Nov. 16 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle City Council was briefed on four proposed changes to the city’s development regulations Monday night, including

development rights and payments made instead of sidewalk construction. “Tonight, staff is presenting four text amendments to chapters 91 and 92 of the city code,” Steadman said. “As the mayor mentioned, tonight is just for information only, no vote. We want your feedback before we take it to the planning board later this week.” The first proposal, TA 26-04,

Uwharrie Players open ‘Let’s Murder Marsha’ on Friday “Tickets are on sale now for Let’s Murder Marsha.” Uwharrie Players

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a new rural residential zoning district, ahead of a Nov. 16 public hearing. Planning and Community Development Director Alysia Steadman presented the amendments that would align city rules with recent state legislation and its long-term growth strategy. The changes concern subdivision infrastructure guarantees, rural housing density,

The comedy runs through Nov. 15 in Albemarle By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — A housewife’s appetite for murder mysteries turns a birthday surprise into a suspected murder plot when the Uwharrie Players bring “Let’s Murder Marsha” to the Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre this month. Directed by Kara Barnette,

Monk Ferris’ comedy opens Friday for a two-weekend run at 219 E. North St. Performances are scheduled for Nov. 6-8 and Nov. 13-15, with Friday and Saturday shows at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. The play, published in 1984, is being presented by the Players in arrangement with Concord Theatricals. “Tickets are on sale now for Let’s Murder Marsha,” the community theater group said. “This frightfully hilarious show about murderous See OPEN, page A2

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would revise performance guarantees, which developers use to ensure completion of infrastructure such as streets, sidewalks, water lines and sewer systems. It would align city requirements with state law and clarify how improvements are secured during subdivision approval. See ALBEMARLE, page A4

inside A remake of a classic video game and the award-winning South Korean film “Possible Love” are among the new content hitting screens this week. Read more in The Stream on page B5.

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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, November 4, 2026

WEDNESDAY

11.4.26 #159

What to know about Affordable STANLY happening Care Act’s open enrollment period now underway Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County.

Expiring federal subsidies and rising premiums will price millions of Americans out of coverage

“Join the conversation” North State Journal (USPS 518620) (ISSN 2471-1365) Trip Hoffend Publisher Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers Cory Lavalette Senior Editor Jordan Golson Local News Editor Shawn Krest Sports Editor Dan Reeves Features Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor Jesse Deal Reporter Stan Gilliland 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 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh NC 27607

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Nov. 5 Stanly County Concert Band Presents: “An American Musical Roundtrip”

By Fatima Hussein The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — People heading into the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period with plans to sign up for insurance should expect a variety of changes in 2027, including higher premiums and fewer coverage options. The sign-up window for the marketplace, also known as Obamacare, starts Sunday in most states and runs through Jan. 15. Big changes to the exchange include expiring financial assistance, rising rates, potential delays in working with a broker, new restrictions on immigrants and stricter enrollment checks. Financial help, including premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions, is now restricted for many groups of people who were previously eligible. Across the board, healthcare experts predict less coverage and higher prices, with the average price of health insurance purchased through the marketplaces expected to rise by 13% in 2027, according to analysis of new CMS data by the healthcare research nonprofit KFF. Increases are driven by multiple factors Cynthia Cox, a vice president and director of the ACA program at KFF, said the increase is primarily driven by rising healthcare costs, hospital market concentration and potential factors such as the No Surprises Act, which took effect in 2022 and bans surprise billing, or the rising availability of GLP-1 drugs. The people who will be most affected by the new increases are those who

OPEN from page A1 misunderstandings and overactive imaginations is a do-not-miss!” The comedy follows Marsha, a mystery-loving housewife who mistakes her husband’s conversation with an interior decorator for a murder plot. Visits from her mother and a police officer deepen her fears before a series of characters discover the misunderstanding and decide to play along. Shelby Kinsley plays Marsha, with Tommy Johnson as her husband, Tobias. The cast also includes Brooke Voelkers as Bianca, Aaron Zimmerman as Virgil, Herchelle Smith as Persis, Kade Harbeson as Ben and Kristine Faucette as Lynette. Tickets cost $20 for adults

7 p.m. This free musical performance celebrates America from coast to coast in honor of the country’s 250th anniversary. COURTESY HEALTHCARE.GOV

As of February, roughly 19.2 million people in the United States were actively enrolled in ACA marketplace health plans, according to the Department of Health and Human Services website. The number of enrollees grew during the COVID-19 pandemic when enhanced subsidies became available through the American Res-

cue Plan Act and Inflation Reduction Act, both signed into law by Biden. New regulations starting in 2027 will also limit tax credits for certain lawfully present immigrants, which could result in an additional 1 million uninsured individuals over time. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has been removing ACA enrollees from the program as part of the ongoing campaign against what it characterizes as waste, fraud and abuse. In September, Vice President JD Vance and other officials in the Republican administration announced plans to remove 760,000 ACA enrollees from public healthcare exchanges, alleging the individuals were fraudulently enrolled in the program or simply did not exist. Vance said the discovery and canceled subsidy payments for hundreds of thousands of people from the exchanges, part of an administration-wide crackdown on fraud, would result in $2.2 billion in cost savings. It’s unclear how many more people will drop off of ACA coverage in 2027, Cox said. But with higher premiums, immigration eligibility changes and the anti-fraud efforts, “I think there’s going to be fewer people enrolled in this market, but it’s going to be harder to understand why.”

and $15 for seniors 60 and older and juniors 17 and younger. They are available at theuwharrieplayers.org/marsha. A buy-one, get-one offer applies to the Nov. 7 performance, available at the door or online with the code MARSHA. Free tickets must be of equal or lesser value, and the promotion cannot be combined with a season membership pass. “We are still in need of house volunteers for the run of ‘Let’s Murder Marsha’ opening Friday, Nov. 6th,” the group advertised Monday. A SignUpGenius link on its Facebook page allows volunteers to register for concessions, box office and usher duties. The Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre occupies part of the former Central Ele-

mentary School, now Albemarle Central School Apartments; patrons enter through the Third Street breezeway. Street parking and additional spaces at First Baptist Church, Central Elementary School and behind City Hall are available. Parking behind the theater is reserved for apartment residents. An accessible ramp is behind the building near the picnic tables. Patrons needing that entrance should email info@theuwharrieplayers.org beforehand so the door can be unlocked. Founded as an outgrowth of the Stanly County Arts Council, the Uwharrie Players have staged dramas, comedies and musicals for the county and surrounding communities since 1975.

do not qualify for a subsidy. “They may or may not be able to afford to continue to keep their coverage into next year,” Cox said, adding that “a lot of them have already moved into bronze plans, which are the cheapest plans.” A CMS fact sheet about open enrollment that was distributed Friday says “Americans using HealthCare.gov will have robust access to low-cost plans.” The price of ACA insurance has skyrocketed for many people during Trump’s second term after Republicans opposed extending COVID-era subsidies that had helped offset the costs of health insurance for most enrollees during Democratic President Joe Biden’s administration. That resulted in 1.2 million fewer people signing up for coverage in the exchanges. Nearly 20 million people in U.S. actively enrolled in ACA plans

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Nov. 6 & 7 The Uwharrie Players Present “Let’s Murder Marsha” 7:30 p.m. A housewife named Marsha, who loves reading murder mysteries, misunderstands when she overhears plans for her surprise birthday party. See what ensues when friends and family decide to teach her a lesson. Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre 219 E. North St.

Nov. 7 Second Annual Still Runs Harvest Hootenanny 2-10 p.m. Classic car, truck and bike show, along with live musical performances, vendors and more. Loping Crow Distillery 24030 Endy Road Albemarle

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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, November 4, 2026

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

COLUMN | LARRY ELDER

Trump critic: He’s ‘racist’ because he ‘demeans’ black politicians Trump, unlike most Republicans who tiptoe around black Democratic antagonists for fear of being called racist, drops a colorblind hammer.

A CALLER to my show rattled off President Donald Trump’s supposed “racist” sins: Trump called African countries “s--thole” countries; he refused to rent to blacks; he said he did not want blacks counting his money at his casinos — he wanted Jews to do the counting; and he demeans black politicians like Rep. Maxine Waters by calling her “low IQ.” Who does that? Donald John Trump, that’s who. Yes, Trump denounces some black politicians, specifically some black Democratic politicians whom Trump feels have unfairly and viciously attacked him. But Trump, unlike most Republicans who tiptoe around black Democratic antagonists for fear of being called racist, drops a colorblind hammer. Take Waters (D-Calif.), a black member of the House since 1991 and co-founder of the Congressional Black Caucus. She called Trump “a dangerous, unprincipled, divisive and shameful racist” and “the most deplorable person I’ve ever met in my life.” Just weeks into his first term, Waters pushed for his impeachment. Trump, in return, called her “crazy,” a “very low IQ person” and an “extraordinarily low IQ person.” For years, Waters has trashed Republican presidents with relatively little pushback. She called President George H.W. Bush a “racist” and “a mean-spirited man who has no care or concern about what happens to the African-American community in this country.” The Bushes took it. Trump fires back. As to the 1975 consent decree Trump’s father and Donald entered into with the Department of Justice over allegations the company

discriminated against minority applicants for apartments, the family admitted no liability — but agreed to change its practices. Donald was 28. Years later, the Rev. Jesse Jackson praised Trump for saying positive things about Jackson’s 1984 and 1988 candidacy for president and for providing office space on Wall Street for black entrepreneurs. About Trump not wanting blacks counting his money and preferring Jews to do it, Trump denies this and calls the man who made the claim a disgruntled ex-employee who quit after being passed over for a promotion. Should we cancel Muhammad Ali? In a New York Times profile published the day before Ali’s 1971 fight against Joe Frazier, Robert Lipsyte wrote: “The certified public accountant rose to leave, and Ali pointed to him and said, ‘There’s my Jewish brains. Get those Jew brains around you, the best in the world.’” Gossip columnist Liz Crokin said, “As an entertainment journalist, I’ve had the opportunity to cover Trump for over a decade, and in all my years covering him I’ve never heard anything negative about the man until he announced he was running for president.” Do we cancel President Lyndon Johnson, under whose administration the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed and signed? According to a book by respected writer Ron Kessler, Johnson said, “I’ll have them n---ers voting Democratic for two hundred years.” Do we cancel Bill and Hillary Clinton? According to a book written by Dolly Kyle Browning, with whom Bill allegedly had a lengthy affair — and according to an Arkansas

state trooper, who provided security for the then Arkansas governor — Bill and Hillary routinely use the N-word and the K-word for Jews. What about President John F. Kennedy, who, according to “The Dark Side of Camelot” by New York Times investigative reporter Seymour Hersh, derisively referred to countries in Central Africa as “boogie republics”? Worse, legendary entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. campaigned vigorously for Kennedy in 1960. At the request of the Kennedy camp, Davis postponed his wedding to a white actress for fear of alienating Southern white voters. Kennedy got elected. Davis got married. But Kennedy still disinvited Davis to the inaugural where he was supposed to perform. To borrow an expression, who does that? Meanwhile, “racist” Trump, in the One Beautiful Bill, dramatically expanded the voucher program that allows parents to opt out of underperforming K-12 public schools. According to the so-called national report card, 85% of black eighth graders are neither reading nor math proficient. Trump is attempting to do something about a problem that Democrats not only ignore but perpetuate given their relationship with teachers unions that adamantly oppose competition. Bottom line, calling Trump “racist” requires selective outrage, double standards and hypocrisy. And when it comes to similar allegations against popular Democratic politicians, it requires a lot of “see no evil.” Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

COLUMN | JARRETT STEPMAN

Democrats put patriotism last; that’s a problem for America The moment they lose power, their pride in America melts down to a shallow puddle.

ONLY 6% of Democrats think “patriotism” is important for the country. That was one of the unnerving findings of a recently released Gallup national survey about American values that highlighted the conflict of visions that defines modern politics. Gallup led its report on the survey with the seemingly heartening idea that three-quarters of Americans can “identify at least one value most Americans share,” but that’s grasping at straws a bit, as the summary admits. The list included 12 values, most of which seem so universal they would be shared by pretty much any group of people the world over. The summary writers noted that the findings show that “there is little consensus on which values are widely shared, or which the country needs more of.” On the list of 12 values, Democrats ranked patriotism as the lowest value and “equality” as the highest. Republicans were essentially the reverse, ranking patriotism as the highest value needed for the country and putting equality near the bottom of the list. What’s impressive to me about the absurdly low priority Democrats give to patriotism is that the question pertains to the country. One would think that if patriotism is valued at all, this would be the place for it. But nope. Even some liberals jarred by the rise of the far left found this statistic concerning. “We need to confront the fact that anti-Americanism has become the default stance of the Democratic voter base,” left-leaning commentator Noah Smith wrote on X. Smith not long ago promoted the idea that Democrats were reembracing patriotism at the

end of the Biden era, but that was no more than a mirage. To steelman the views of the Democratic base in this poll, one could say that they just don’t think patriotism is important right now. But isn’t that a huge problem too? It’s clear that much of the left’s patriotism, such that it is, stems from their satisfaction in having like-minded people in the White House. The moment they lose power, their pride in America melts down to a shallow puddle. Just as worrisome for our future, another Gallup poll found that Americans not only have very little faith in the government, but they don’t even trust each other. Only 51% of those surveyed trust “the American people as a whole,” the lowest number Gallup has recorded, though only marginally lower than last year. What’s apparent in the data from the Gallup polls is that there is now a chasm of difference between Americans on core values and which ones are prioritized. The gap is so severe that it calls into question how America moves forward without devolving into two distinct regimes angrily living under one hopelessly divided government. Patriotism was something we could fall back on, even when we disagreed over the extent to which we believed in this idea or that. When you throw in the dramatic increase in religious, ethnic and racial diversity that has occurred over the last half-century it’s easy to see why America and so many other Western countries are powder kegs. People fall into pure tribal identitarianism or ideological solidarity. Trust disintegrates. Cynicism prevails.

So we are faced with an enormous challenge. How does one move forward when these sorts of implacable battle lines are drawn? During the Civil War, George Washington’s Mount Vernon was neutral ground, a small recognition of our origin during a catastrophic attempt at national divorce. Today, we may not even have that amount of shared connection as the flag and symbols of our country no longer bind us together. Right now, we must accept this reality for what it is. But we shouldn’t accept that this is inevitably our future. Is the answer to choosing between patriotism and a lack of patriotism meeting in the middle? No. The answer, I believe, is to double down on the values once shared that brought America to its zenith: pride in our past, Americanism in our schools, and an unrepentant devotion to the great nation the Founders built and sent along its way. Many who now live in America find these things contemptible. So be it. Arguing them out of this position will likely be fruitless. All we can do now is provide a compelling alternate vision. Ensure that we paint a picture of a better future for young Americans whose views haven’t hardened. Build institutional strength so that we can transmit these ideas as wide and as deeply as possible. The only way out is through, as they say. Jarrett Stepman is a columnist for The Daily Signal. He is also the author of “The War on History: The Conspiracy to Rewrite America’s Past.” This column was first published by The Daily Signal.

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, November 4, 2026

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Icebergs flow from Disko Bay icefjord, near to the arctic city Ilulissat, Greenland, last Thursday.

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ALBEMARLE from page A1 Another amendment, TA 26-05, would establish a rural residential district known as R-20, intended for low-density housing on larger lots in areas with agricultural uses and limited public utilities. Under TA 26-06, the standard period during which approved development plans retain protection from later regulatory changes would increase from two to five years. The maximum discretionary period would rise from five to eight years, with protections expanded to additional land development regulations.

The fourth proposal, TA 26-07, would retain the option for developers to pay a fee instead of building sidewalks while strengthening its legal basis, oversight and connection to the developments assessed. Each of the proposed amendments also ties into Envision Albemarle 2045, the city’s comprehensive land-use plan adopted last December to guide future growth, infrastructure and investment. Mayor Ronnie Michael expressed support but suggested reconsidering zoning in areas surrounding city limits. “I do think that we need to ask the planning board to revis-

ILULISSAT, Greenland — Greenland has opened a new international airport, seeking to lure visitors from around the world as the Arctic island looks toward eventual independence from Denmark. Thursday’s inaugural international flight between Copenhagen, Denmark, and Ilulissat, Greenland, was part of the island government’s efforts to grow its tourism industry to boost and diversify an economy still reliant on fishing. Greenlandic Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen described the new airport as “one of the biggest investments” in the island’s history. Nielsen was one of 169 passengers on Thursday’s 4.5-hour flight on an Airbus A330neo. An Associated Press journalist also took the flight, operated by government-owned Air Greenland, as part of a trip organized by tourism agency Visit Greenland, for this story. “If Greenland wants to be independent, we need to have a strong foundation, both economically and in terms of industry and business,” Nielsen told the AP before the plane departed. The strategic island, home to roughly 56,000 people, has been a focus of U.S. President Donald Trump since his first term, when he initially expressed his desire to acquire Greenland. His repeated threats to seize the territory from Denmark, a NATO ally, during his second term prompted months of tensions with other NATO allies. In September, Trump signed an agreement with the leaders of Denmark and Greenland to strengthen security in the Arctic and North Atlantic. “There’s no doubt that it has been a shadow over the entire Kingdom of Denmark, but especially Greenland,” said Danish Finance Minister Peter Hummelgaard, who also took the inaugural flight. “The opening of this new interna-

it our 2045 plan and look at the areas surrounding the city limits because I think the council has kind of indicated that they would like to see R-20s out there rather than R-10,” Michael said. Steadman said the city must balance growth projections, existing rights and housing demand to develop realistic zoning regulations, ensuring that “when developers come in, you actually are getting something aligned with the vision you have for the broader community.” The Albemarle City Council will hold its next regular meeting Nov. 16 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

tional airport marks, I think, hope and optimism.” New international airports seek to lure new visitors Ilulissat, known as the “City of Icebergs,” sits along the island’s western coast and is home to some 5,000 people. Greenland’s third-largest city is also one of the island’s most-visited destinations. More than 340 miles north of the capital, Nuuk, its tourism offerings range from sled dog tours to icefjord cruises in picturesque Disko Bay, known for its towering icebergs. Previously, travelers reaching Ilulissat had to arrive by cruise ship, take a small plane from Iceland or fly to one of Greenland’s international hubs and connect to smaller aircraft. There are no road connections from other big towns. For decades, Greenland’s main international aviation gateways were former U.S. military air bases, distant echoes of World War II, in Kangerlussuaq and Narsarsuaq. Locals and international visitors had to land there before catching smaller aircraft to the island’s major towns, including Ilulissat and Nuuk. That changed in late 2024, when an international airport opened in Nuuk. United Airlines last year began a new seasonal route between Nuuk and Newark, New Jersey. The inaugural flight was the first direct from the U.S. to Greenland by an American airline. The Ilulissat airport, meanwhile, has a 50,000-square-foot terminal and a new 7,200-foot runway, long enough to accommodate larger passenger aircraft. Air Greenland has committed to as many as six weekly flights between Copenhagen and Ilulissat during next year’s peak summer months, and Icelandair will also fly large jets from its Keflavik hub. Jens R. Lauridsen, CEO of Greenland Airports, said the company is also hoping to lure airlines in the U.S. and mainland Europe to serve Ilulissat. “It’s quite wonderful that you can go directly right now,” said Kirsten Berthelsen, a

“How many can we invite? We are welcoming all the tourists, it’s a possibility to earn some new money. But we have to be careful.” Palle Jerimiassen, former regional mayor 35-year-old Ilulissat resident and student who booked a ticket for Thursday’s flight without realizing it was the inaugural service. “Sometimes it’s quite difficult to travel from Nuuk and to other countries.” Tourism boom remains elusive While the number of international visitors to Greenland has grown by at least 65% since 2018, reaching almost 150,000 in 2024, the expected travel boom has yet to materialize. In 2024, tourism accounted for less than 5% of the territory’s GDP. Infrastructure, including hotel capacity, remains limited. Aalborg University associate professor Carina Ren, who specializes in Arctic tourism, said some U.S. tourists were even deterred from visiting the island because of the recent Trump standoff, with a few canceling their flights. “I’ve heard of people canceling their bookings, but also others canceling because they were afraid that perhaps they would not be welcomed,” she said, adding that many Americans still visit, particularly on cruise ships. Even so, there are some local concerns about mass tourism and potential damage to Greenland’s fragile nature. Palle Jerimiassen, a former regional mayor, said he fears the city’s environment, population and infrastructure may be overwhelmed by too many visitors. “How many can we invite?” he said. “We are welcoming all the tourists, it’s a possibility to earn some new money.” He added: “But we have to be careful.”

COURTESY CITY OF ALBEMARLE

Planning and Community Development Director Alysia Steadman gave a presentation at the Albemarle City Council meeting Monday night.

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Virginia, DC sue over Trump’s arch, adding to legal challenges as government wants work to begin Officials warn construction will disrupt traffic and emergency services for three years By Gary Fields The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The legal challenges to President Donald Trump’s proposed memorial arch are mounting, with the District of Columbia and Virginia suing in federal court Saturday as the administration says construction could begin as early as next week. U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan proceeded to consolidate that lawsuit with the original one she is overseeing and ordered a joint briefing schedule for the lawsuits. All the plaintiffs are calling for a halt to potential work on a monument that would rise 250 feet on a patch of grass off the bridge that spans the Potomac River, connecting the city with Arlington National Cemetery. That would make the arch 100 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty is from its base to the top of the torch. Chutkan is already considering issuing an order to halt the project until the original lawsuit against the Trump administration by three Vietnam War veterans and an architectural historian is resolved. She held a hearing last Friday but did not immediately act, though she said she would move expeditiously. In the latest filing, two attorneys general, Brian Schwalb of Washington, D.C., and Jay Jones of Virginia, argue that “as soon as Defendants break ground on this project, they will inflict irreparable harm on both the District and Virginia. The Arch site sits at the center of a major traffic artery between the District and Virginia, in the monumental core of the capital, on an island that straddles the Potomac River. During the three-year period of construction, the Arch project will inevitably snarl traffic between the jurisdictions, produce pollution and stormwater runoff in the Potomac, interfere with emergency services, and pose

numerous other challenges.” As the original plaintiffs have, they also are seeking a temporary restraining order that would slow the administration’s plans to move ahead imminently with construction. “The Triumphal Arch in Memorial Circle is going to be one of the most iconic landmarks not only in Washington, D.C., but throughout the world,” said White House spokesman Davis Ingle in an email. “It will serve as a gateway to Arlington National Cemetery for veterans, the families of the fallen, and all Americans alike, serving as a visual reminder of the noble sacrifices borne by so many American heroes throughout our 250 year history so we can enjoy our freedoms today.” The lawsuit raises concerns about how the traffic interruption would impact emergency responses in a region where joint operations are the norm, including the January 2025 midair collision between a military helicopter and airliner that killed 67. Administration wants to get started on construction Speaking to reporters during a Halloween party at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida last Saturday night, Trump said the arch “is very important militarily for Washington, D.C., and our country. It’s also going to be the most beautiful arc ever built.” “It will be one of Washington’s most beautiful things. It’s also very important militarily. Maybe more importantly, but I don’t think so,” Trump added. “But it is very important militarily, and I think we’re doing very well.” He said “whether it’s Virginia, Maryland or Washington — it doesn’t matter. It’s something the region needs militarily, and I think aesthetically also.” Trump’s administration, in a recent court filing, said it had plans to seek final approval of the project, a Trump favorite, at Thursday’s meeting of the National Capital Planning Commission and possibly begin construction the same day, despite the then-two active lawsuits pending.

JEN GOLBECK / AP PHOTO

A mockup of President Donald Trump’s proposed triumphal arch stands at the Great American State Fair on the National Mall on June 27 in Washington, D.C.

“The Triumphal Arch in Memorial Circle is going to be one of the most iconic landmarks not only in Washington, D.C., but throughout the world.” Davis Ingle, White House spokesman Last Friday, the government submitted a 106-page plan for the arch that envisions a massive structure more than 12 stories high that includes a huge bronze statue of Lady Liberty with wings and carrying a torch with an eternal flame. The structure would include an observation deck with views to the east and west, an “occupied roof” and two mezzanines. Inside the arch are rooms for program space, offices, a staff lounge, circular staircases, multiple elevators and a “fire command center.” The project proposes significant traffic changes in the area, including rerouting traffic on nearby roads. Admin-

istration officials have said the arch also will have a national security function. Chutkan asked what the urgency was and how the government would be harmed “apart from the executive’s desire to bedazzle the city” if she issues a preliminary injunction while the lawsuit plays out. Administration lawyer Robert Stander said the arch was “absolutely a high priority project” and were Chutkan to step in, that would impede the work of the government. Golf course, Kennedy Center projects also have wound up in court The lawsuits are among several that have been filed against the government as Trump seeks to remake the nation’s capital at breakneck speed, prompting judges and plaintiffs to balk. U.S. District Judge Ana Reyes said last Friday she would open a “formal inquiry” to investigate if federal attorneys violated ethical boundaries, including making misrepresentations to the court, during a le-

Britain says many migrants will have to wait longer to win right to stay Income levels now determine how long immigrants must wait for permanent settlement By Jill Lawless The Associated Press LONDON — The British government announced Monday that it will double the time many immigrants must wait before they can settle permanently in the country, though it exempted key workers and high earners from the changes. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said people who come to the U.K. on work visas will have to wait a decade to be granted permanent residency status, which carries the right to work, study, access free healthcare and claim benefits. But a higher income can speed up the process. People who earn at least 50,000 pounds ($67,000) a year will only have to wait five years, as will public-sector workers including doctors, nurses and teachers. Immigrants on salaries above 125,000 pounds a year can apply for settlement after three years. Mahmood said the changes will be introduced during 2027 and will restore fairness to the immigration system by linking the right to settle to an immigrant’s contribution to Britain. She told lawmakers that her own parents came to the U.K. from Pakistan half a century ago “because they knew we do things differently here, and that we value above all else fair play.

THOMAS KRYCH / AP PHOTO

Britain’s Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood arrives for a cabinet meeting ahead of the budget statement in London on Oct. 28. It is my responsibility to ensure our migration system lives up to that ideal.” The changes are a softening of proposals Mahmood made last year which drew opposition from some in the governing Labour Party. The original plan would have made lower-paid immigrant workers, including those who keep Britain’s care homes running, wait 15 years to settle permanently. Care workers will continue to be eligible for settlement after five years, as

long as they earn at least 25,000 pounds a year. The median U.K. salary is about 39,000 pounds a year. Immigration has been a divisive political issue in Britain for decades and was a major factor in the 2016 vote to leave the European Union, which allows freedom of movement across the nations of the bloc. The arrival of tens of thousands of asylum seekers across the English Channel in dinghies each year has kept the subject

high up the political agenda. The small-boat crossings have been depicted as a crisis by politicians including Nigel Farage of the hard-right party Reform UK and have been used as a rallying point by anti-immigration activists. Channel ports, housing for asylum seekers and even the lifeboat charity that rescues people in danger at sea have been targeted by anti-migrant protests encouraged by far-right activists.

gal dispute about the East Potomac Golf Link project. Trump wants the public course overhauled so it could host professional tournaments. There is a hearing Tuesday before U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper on a motion from Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio), an ex-officio member of the Kennedy Center board, seeking the release of communications between the center’s management and administration officials. The government has refused so far, citing executive privilege. Trump is the board chair. Beatty alleged in a separate filing last Friday that the government withheld information from trustees, including an analysis from the construction manager, that would have shown that a closure was not necessary. She is challenging a government request that Cooper dissolve an injunction he put in place to stop plans to shutter the performing arts venue for two years for renovation. That injunction also called for the removal of Trump’s name, which had been placed on the center in December.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s center-left Labour Party government says stepped-up law enforcement cooperation between Britain and France has helped reduce the number of people making the crossing so far this year by more than 40% compared with 2025. Mahmood said that refugees “who have not come by a safe and legal route” such as a government-sponsored program will have to wait up to 20 years for permanent settlement, 30 years if they came by small boat. Arrivals on small boats make up a fraction of total immigration, with most people entering the U.K. legally on visas. Still, the rise of Reform UK has spurred the mainstream Labour and Conservative parties to toughen their stances on immigration. Conservative immigration spokesman Chris Philp said Mahmood’s “U-turn” would cost 10 billion pounds because more people will be able to receive benefits than under her initial proposal. Liberal Democrat lawmaker Max Wilkinson said the government was “prioritizing tough rhetoric rather than a system that works.” Critics of the changes say they are reacting to a surge in immigration that has passed. Net migration — the number of people entering the U.K. minus those who left — topped 900,000 in the year ending June 2023, driven in part by hundreds of thousands of people fleeing war in Ukraine and China’s clampdown in Hong Kong. The number fell to 649,000 in the year to June 2024, and 204,000 in the year to June 2025, according to the Office for National Statistics. In the most recent period, the year to December 2025, the figure was 171,000.

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, November 4, 2026

OBITUARIES

Barbara Smith Sept. 15, 1946 – Oct. 17, 2026 Barbara Smith, 80, of Salisbury, passed away Saturday, October 17, 2026 at Glenn A. Kiser Hospice House in Salisbury, NC. She was born September 15, 1946 in Danbury, CT to the late Edward and Lois Brock. Barbara is survived by her Husband Claude “Joe” Joseph Smith whom she married December 17,1972. There will be a memorial service on Saturday, November 14 at 3:00 PM at Powles Staton Funeral Home conducted by Pastor Ron Loflin. Powles Staton Funeral Home of Rockwell, honored provider of Veterans Funeral Care, is assisting the Smith family. Online condolences may be made at www. powlesfuneralhome.com.

Evelyn Poplin Blake Aug. 28, 1931 – Oct. 27, 2026 Evelyn Poplin Blake, 95, of Albemarle, passed away on October 27, 2026, at Trinity Place. Her funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, November 1, 2026, at South Albemarle Baptist Church, with Pastor Danny Laws officiating. Burial will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends at the church from 2 to 2:45 p.m., prior to the service. Born on August 28, 1931, in Stanly County, Evelyn was the daughter of the late Jim Tom Poplin and Eliza Florence Carpenter Poplin. She was a lifelong member of South Albemarle Baptist Church, where she served in the nursery for 52 years, sang in the choir, and taught Sunday school. She also worked in the textile industry for most of her life. Evelyn will be remembered for her sweet spirit and the deep faith that guided every part of her life. She was appreciative, grateful, and thankful, and often said how blessed she was. She loved life and found joy in reading, walking, and tending her flowers. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Joe Blake, in 2021, and her son, Joseph Eric Blake, in 2015. She is survived by her grandson, Tyler Blake, of Raleigh; her daughter-in-law, Janet Brown, and her husband, David, of Raleigh, and their daughter, Madeline; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Daniel Frederick Huber Feb. 4, 1957 – Oct. 28, 2026 Daniel Frederick Huber, 69, of Salisbury, North Carolina, passed away Wednesday October 28, 2026 at the Hinkle Hospice House in Lexington. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 pm Sunday November 1, 2026, at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lexington, N.C. with Rev. Matthew Miller officiating the services. The family will receive friends at the church at 2 p.m. prior to the service. Dan Huber was born February 4, 1957, in Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania to Frederick Franklin Huber and Beverly Mardell Sample. In 1975, Dan made an eventful decision and relocated from the Northeast to central North Carolina to attend Pfeiffer College. Upon his arrival in the rural South, Dan was initially uncertain as to whether it was cotton or wool that came from sheep. However, after four years of mentoring by a loving circle of native North Carolina friends, Dan could explain the fine distinctions between a barbeque tray and plate by the time he graduated as president of his class in 1979. Following his college graduation, Dan and his beloved wife, Beth, and their children, Kate and Amanda, established homes in Charlotte, Misenheimer, Hickory, and Salisbury. Dan embraced each new move as an opportunity to exercise his extraordinary eye for color and design in the creation of each new home. He also had a wry sense of humor and always found things to delight in and laugh about in each new community. Some of the great joys of his life were Diet Coke, antiques, Blue Ridge Southern Pottery, the beach, and Boston Terriers, roughly in that order. However, the great and lasting loves of his rich life were his wife, Beth, their children, Kate and Amanda, his son-in-law Kevin and their wrecking ball grandsons… Amos, Simon and Felix. Not only were family and friends important to Dan, faith was also an integral part of his life. Dan was a beloved member of both Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in Richfield and First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Lexington, North Carolina having embraced the stalwart church affiliation of his dyed-in-the-wool Lutheran bride. Though preceded in death by his parents and other family members and friends, Dan now joins them and the church universal by the grace of their Savior. Dan’s family wishes to convey their eternal gratitude to Dr. Lana Riemann and her staff for their loving care. Dan is survived by is his wife, Beth Barton Huber, of the home; two children Amanda Hathcock (Kevin) of Salisbury and Kate Huber of Burlington; one brother, Todd Huber of Fredonia, New York; two sisters, Susan Hardenbrook of Marlton New Jersey and Debbie Smith (Roger), of West Chester Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Amos, Simon and Felix Hathcock and numerous nieces and nephews. Along with flowers, memorials may be made to the Hospice where Dan received care: Alderwood of Davidson County, 200 Hospice Way, Lexington, N.C.

Lee Benton Farmer II Sept. 12, 1942 – Oct. 25, 2026 Lee Benton Farmer II, 84, formerly of Norwood and New London, North Carolina, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, on October 25, 2026, in Charlotte. Lee was born in Salisbury, North Carolina, on September 12, 1942, to the late Lee Benton Farmer and Margie Clodfelter Farmer. After his father, L.B., completed his Navy service, the family returned home to Norwood in 1946. Lee grew up in the community he dearly loved and graduated from Norwood High School with the class of 1960. He attended North Carolina State University for two years before graduating from Pfeiffer College in 1965 with a degree in chemistry. At Pfeiffer, Lee met Wanda Ballard of New Bern, North Carolina. They married on July 16, 1966, in Rhems, North Carolina, after Lee completed basic training. Their marriage was the foundation of Lee’s life—a loving partnership that endured for fiftyfive years. Lee joined the U.S. Army in May 1966. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson, then attended Officer Candidate School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Upon completing OCS, he was commissioned as a second

lieutenant. He served in the Army for three years, with his final assignment in Würzburg, Germany, as an air defense officer in a surface-to-air missile unit. Several friendships he formed in the Army endured throughout his life. After spending a couple of years in the chemical industry, Lee returned home in 1972 to join Stanly Fixtures, a business founded in 1959 by his father, L.B. Farmer, Clyde Almond, and Joe Mills. AVM acquired the company before Lee joined. In 1983, Lee and Clyde Almond’s sons bought Stanly Fixtures back from AVM. With the support of their elders, a dedicated local workforce, and a talented management team, they successfully operated the family business for twenty-five years. Lee cherished the many friends he made throughout the industry and stayed in contact with them until his passing. He was especially proud that Stanly Fixtures provided a good living for its employees and supported the local community. He loved and appreciated everyone who worked at Stanly Fixtures, and they could always count on his support. In April 2008, Lee and the Almond brothers retired and sold the business to a group of existing employees. Throughout his life, Lee remained active and loved sports. He enjoyed racquetball games with his friends and weekly golf outings at Piney Point and, later, Uwharrie Point. An avid swimmer, he often swam laps as his primary form of exercise and continued swimming until the final year of his life. Lee also loved to read, especially U.S. history. Over the years, he read hundreds of books about the history and development of the country he loved. Lee and Wanda were lifelong members of First United Methodist Church in Norwood. Lee treasured his life with Wanda and the family they built together: their children, Eric and Beth, and their six grandchildren.

His grandchildren affectionately called Wanda “Gams” and Lee “Gamsdaddy.” Lee and Wanda were devoted parents and grandparents. They cherished the time they spent loving and teaching their grandchildren, sharing life lessons and life’s joys. Their close bond with their grandchildren helped shape the people they are today. Lee and Wanda’s legacy of love for family and generosity will carry on for many years to come. Lee is survived by his sister, Nancy Jane Farmer; his children, Eric Benton Farmer (Betsy) and Beth Farmer Blair (Todd); his six grandchildren, Sarah Carter Farmer Haynie (John), Mary Banks Farmer, Lee Benton Farmer III (Ben), Benton Christopher Blair, Ava Henderson Blair, and Cannon Ballard Blair; his sisters-in-law, Gloria Ballard Caton and Dianne Derda Harris; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his wife, Wanda Ballard Farmer, and his brothers-in-law, Garland Ballard, Bryan Caton, and Everette James Jr. The family extends its heartfelt gratitude to Lee’s devoted caregivers, Veronica Faulkner, Ronald Jones, Sherry Kahn, and Tim McClure, for their unwavering love, kindness, and compassionate care. The family is also deeply grateful to the staff at The Barclay, Briar Creek Health Center, and Levin & Dickson Hospice House for the warmth, love, and care they provided. A memorial service will be held at First United Methodist Church in Norwood, North Carolina, on Sunday, November 15, at 2:00 p.m., with a visitation to follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church, 208 Pee Dee Avenue, Norwood, NC 28128, or to the Clyde Almond and Benton Farmer Scholarship at Pfeiffer University. Edwards Funeral Home in Norwood is serving the Farmer family.

IN MEMORY

JEWELL SIMPSON WALKER DEC. 1, 1929 – OCT. 29, 2026 Jewell Simpson Walker, 96, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Thursday, October 29, 2026, leaving behind a beautiful legacy of faith, family, and a life well lived. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, November 2, 2026, at the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel in Albemarle, with Pastor Adam Hatley officiating. Entombment will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends on Monday from 12:00 p.m. until 12:45 p.m., prior to the hour of service. Born at home in Albemarle, Jewell was the daughter of the late Lonnie Thompson and Jenna Boone. Her faith journey began at an early age while attending Barbees Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro, where she was baptized in a creek as a teenager. She graduated from Aquadale High School and later attended Morgan Business College, where she studied bookkeeping. Throughout her life, Jewell remained devoted to her Christian faith and was a member of Silver Springs Baptist Church and West Albemarle Baptist Church. Jewell was a remarkable woman whose grace, strength, and independent spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. As the beloved matriarch of her family, she carried herself with elegance and sophistication, always poised and beautifully put together. Beneath her classy exterior was a strong-willed woman who knew her own mind and was never afraid to share her opinion, especially when a good political debate presented itself. Her sharp wit, engaging personality, and unwavering determination were just a few of the qualities that made her so special. Music was one of Jewell’s greatest joys. She loved lifting her voice in praise through her church choir and spent many wonderful years singing with the Singing Americans. Her love of music was a reflection of the joy she found in her faith and the fellowship of others. A longtime resident of Norwood, Jewell was dedicated to her work and community. She faithfully served with the Stanly County Board of Elections for 32 years, retiring at the remarkable age of 79. She also served as a Hazel Keller representative for many years. Never one to let life pass her by, Jewell had a love for traveling and embraced opportunities to see new places and enjoy life’s adventures. Above all, Jewell treasured her family. She was a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother whose strength, wisdom, and steadfast love served as a foundation for generations. Fiercely independent yet deeply devoted to those she loved, she was a woman of both grace and determination who set an example of how to live life with dignity, purpose, and faith. Those left to cherish her memory include her son, Gary Simpson, and his wife, Debbie; brothers, Heath Thompson and Garreth Thompson (Lois); grandson, Brian Simpson (Crystal); step-granddaughters, Carrie (Barry) and Cyndi; two great-granddaughters, Hailey and Meredith; seven step-great-grandchildren; and three step-great-great-grandchildren. In addition to her parents, Jewell was preceded in death by her first husband, Vernon Simpson; her second husband, Ollie Walker; her grandson, Brent Simpson (Gina); her sister, Evelyn Thompson Simpson; and her brother, Keith Thompson. Jewell’s life was a beautiful testament to strength, grace, and unwavering faith. She lived on her own terms, loved her family deeply, and carried herself with a dignity that never went unnoticed. Though her earthly journey has come to an end, the lessons she taught, the memories she created, and the love she shared will continue to live on through the generations she leaves behind. Her family finds comfort in knowing that the voice she so often lifted in praise here on earth is now singing in the presence of her Lord and Savior. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to People of Service Together, a nonprofit organization founded by her late grandson, Brent Simpson, or to the Hospice Foundation of America.

STANLY SPORTS

COURTESY NORTH STANLY ATHLETICS

North Stanly’s volleyball team won its first state championship in program history on Friday.

North Stanly rallies past Wake Prep for first state volleyball title The Comets completed a reverse sweep to win the championship By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal NEW LONDON — North Stanly’s volleyball team was one set from defeat before staging the biggest comeback in its program’s history Friday night. With a monumental surge, the top-seeded Comets rallied to defeat No. 2 Wake Prep Academy 3-2 in the NCHSAA 3A state championship at Gilbert Craig Gore Arena on Campbell University’s campus. The victory delivered North Stanly its first volleyball state title, capping a 31-5 season

with 15 straight wins, an unbeaten Yadkin Valley Conference campaign and a league championship. Wake Prep (20-8) controlled the opening two sets, winning 25-15 and 25-17, before North Stanly took the next two by 25-17 scores. In the decisive fifth set, the Comets held off the Guardians 15-13 to complete the reverse sweep. “Hats off to Wake Prep — they came out playing awesome,” North Stanly coach Daniel Galloway said. “Our girls finally settled in and started playing our game. I’m super proud of them for not giving up and pulling it out.” The Comets drew inspiration from the home crowds that had fueled their playoff run.

“I’m super proud of them for not giving up and pulling it out.” Daniel Galloway, North Stanly coach “After the second set, we realized that this wasn’t our volleyball that we’re used to playing,” senior Landon Kimrey said. “We had been playing at home the whole playoffs, so we said, ‘If we can just bring our energy to Campbell, then we’re fine.’ We really did that, and we believed we could win.” Senior Emmy Talbert earned the match’s Most Valuable Play-

er award after recording 20 kills and 16 digs. “We had worked hard all season, and so it felt like we needed to get it together. This is once in a lifetime, at least for us, because it’s our last year,” Talbert said. “I feel like we’ve worked really hard to make sure that it’s not all about talent, that we make sure we’re just having fun and we love each other to the fullest.” Galloway credited the team’s balance for its championship run. “This team was really special because in the past we’ve had some superstar names, especially for our school and our program,” Galloway said. “Even last year, Emmy was a top-five kill producer in the state, but

she sacrificed some of her game this season to help us have a more balanced offense. We relied on her a lot tonight, obviously, but what’s special about this team is just that we were super balanced, no weakness — a true team all year.” Senior Stella Marks praised the fans who traveled to Buies Creek. “Seeing them believe in us so much really does push us and make us work so hard,” she said. “We want to win for them because they drove all this way to come watch us play and they’re cheering the whole time.” Marks received North Stanly’s sportsmanship award, while Wake Prep’s Haydin Maxwell earned the honor for the Guardians. After a first-round bye, North Stanly has previously defeated Surry Central, Draughn, Hendersonville and Trinity to reach the final. The Comets, who have won 101 matches over the past four seasons, have now finished their latest campaign as state champions for the first time.

Stanly football teams shift focus to state playoffs All four county teams made it to the postseason By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Stanly County’s four high school football teams are headed to the NCHSAA state playoffs following a regular-season finale that saw one squad make school history and another claim a local rivalry victory. The NCHSAA released its state playoff brackets Saturday, with three county teams scheduled to compete in Friday’s opening round while the fourth received a first-round bye. North Stanly (first-round bye) Last Friday night, Yadkin Valley Conference champion North Stanly (10-0) capped off its historic regular season in dominant fashion, rolling past Union Academy (7-3) on the road 49-6 to secure the first undefeated 10-win regular season in program history. The 43-point victory snapped the Cardinals’ five-game winning streak and solidified the Comets’ position atop the YVC standings. Having earned the No. 1 seed in the 3A West bracket, North Stanly will enjoy a first-round bye before hosting its sec-

ond-round matchup in New London on Nov. 13, when the Comets will face either No. 16 North Wilkes or No. 17 Pine Lake Preparatory.

North Stanly’s R.J. Brooks escapes for open yardage during the Comets’ road game at Union Academy last Friday.

Bradford Prep at Albemarle Albemarle (4-6) closed its regular season on a positive note, pulling out a narrow 19-17 road victory over South Stanly (2-8) to snap its losing streak against the Bulls. It was the Bulldogs’ first victory in the rivalry since 2022, reversing last season’s lopsided 50-13 defeat. Entering the 2A West bracket as the No. 13 seed, Albemarle will get to stay home as it hosts No. 20 Bradford Prep (2-8) on Friday night. The Bulldogs will look to build on their recent win as they attempt to advance beyond the opening round. COURTESY DAWN LUCAS PHOTOGRAPHY

South Stanly at South Stokes Over the weekend, South Stanly (2-8) finished its regular season with a two-point home loss to Albemarle, extending a difficult stretch for a program that went 8-3 a year ago. Despite the defeat, the Bulls showed a small step of offensive improvement after managing just two combined points over their previous three games, excluding a forfeit victory. South Stanly enters the 2A

West playoffs as the No. 19 seed and will travel to Walnut Cove to face No. 14 South Stokes (5-5) on Friday, aiming to extend its 2026 postseason run. Salisbury at West Stanly West Stanly (4-6) ended its regular season with consecutive losses, falling 28-14 at Mount Pleasant (7-3) after suffering a 30-24 defeat the previous week.

The Colts finished Rocky River Conference play with a 2-3 record, unable to reach the .500 mark overall after their late-season setbacks. Receiving the No. 14 seed in the 4A West bracket, West Stanly will host No. 19 Salisbury (3-7) on Friday night in Red Cross. The home matchup offers the Colts an opportunity to rebound from their recent defeats and advance to the second round of the playoffs.

Wins this season for North Stanly

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, November 4, 2026

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SIDELINE REPORT NFL

Ravens’ Jackson needs surgery for thumb injury, could miss rest of season Buffalo Lamar Jackson needs surgery for a thumb injury he suffered on Baltimore’s first offensive snap against Buffalo, and the injury could be season-ending, Ravens coach Jesse Minter announced after the Ravens’ 36-10 loss to Buffalo. Jackson missed three games with an ankle injury before he was hurt on a pass attempt. The two-time MVP was unable to finish his follow-through, and his right hand struck Bills pass rusher Greg Rousseau’s arm. Jackson immediately headed off the field and pointed to his thumb.

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Williams leads Valkyries to WNBA title in second season, beating Dream in Game 7 San Francisco Gabby Williams scored her team’s final 11 points of the third quarter and dazzled through the fourth on the way to 30 points, and the Golden State Valkyries captured a championship in just their second season by beating the Atlanta Dream 68-63 in a sensational first WNBA Finals Game 7. Jordin Canada scored 18 points, Allisha Gray 16 and Angel Reese eight points and 12 rebounds for the Dream, denied another championship in the franchise’s fourth try.

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Mercedes driver Antonelli becomes youngest champion in F1 history at age 20 Mexico City Twenty-year-old Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli became the youngest champion in the history of Formula 1 with four races left in the season. Antonelli is also the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. He took an unassailable lead in the standings over teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton after the Mexico City Grand Prix. Antonelli finished third in the race, won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. Sebastian Vettel was the previous youngest champion at age 23 in 2010.

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NCAA FOOTBALL

Ohio State falls out of top 10, UCLA cracks top 5, New Mexico earns first AP ranking Ohio State is out of the top 10 of the AP Top 25 for the first time in five years, UCLA is in the top five for the first time in 25 years and New Mexico earned its first ranking in program history. The Buckeyes plummeted from No. 2 to No. 11 following their 30-18 loss at USC. Miami is No. 1 for the third straight week after escaping UNC. Georgia moved up a spot to No. 2 and was followed by Utah, Notre Dame and UCLA. Wake Forest remains 14th.

NCAA BASKETBALL

UConn coach Hurley signs 2-year extension to put him under contract through 2032 Storrs, Conn. UConn coach Dan Hurley signed a two-year extension through the 2031-32 season and maintains his annual salary of roughly $8 million. Hurley signed his previous deal after back-to-back national championships in 2024, turning down an offer to coach the NBA’s Los Angeles Lakers. That agreement made him the second-highest paid coach in college basketball behind Bill Self of Kansas. He is 199-75 with the Huskies and one of three coaches to win consecutive titles since the John Wooden era.

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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, November 4, 2026

Larson closes in on Cup Series championship Hendrick teammate William Byron won at Martinsville By Nate Ryan The Associated Press MARTINSVILLE, Va. — Kyle Larson is on the verge of his second consecutive NASCAR Cup Series championship, but he was more relieved than happy after salvaging a nearly disastrous Sunday at Martinsville Speedway. “It was a difficult race,” he said. “It was just a bummer day. It all could have been a lot worse.” It nearly was worse for his closest Chase rivals, who missed some prime opportunities to cut into Larson’s points lead heading into Sunday’s season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. By rallying from a backfiring strategy for a ninth-place finish at Martinsville, Larson lost only six points off his massive lead in the standings. He leads by

67 points over Christopher Bell (who finished 10th) and needs only nine points at Homestead, which is among his best tracks (with two wins in the past four races) to capture the title. Bell and Denny Hamlin, who is 70 points behind after a sixth at Martinsville, are the only other drivers still in title contention through nine races in the Chase, the 10-race championship run that concludes the season. “I think we know,” Bell said with a smile when asked about his title outlook. While Larson had to fight for a top-10 finish Sunday, his Hendrick Motorsports teammates were cruising at the 0.526-mile track. William Byron won for the first time since a year ago at Martinsville, and Chase Elliott made it a sweep of the top two spots for Hendrick, the winningest team in Martinsville history with 32 victories. Ty Gibbs finished third. “It’s always a really unique and important opportunity when you drive for Hendrick

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

William Byron celebrates in Victory Lane after winning Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville. Motorsports to come here and try to do well,” said Byron, who led 362 of 500 laps for his 17th career victory and fourth at Martinsville. Larson started best among the Hendrick drivers in third, but his No. 5 Chevrolet plummeted early because of faulty tactics. While most of the field pitted for fresh tires after 75 laps, Larson’s team gambled by keeping him on track in hopes of an early yellow flag. But the stage stayed green until the caution that ended the first stage on the 130th lap with Larson in 23rd place and a lap down. “We were just on the wrong

side of the strategy,” he said. But so was Hamlin, who started on the pole and led 40 laps but ended the first stage in 17th after electing to stay on track instead of pitting. He then was involved in an incident with Bell, who spun from contact with Joey Logano after a speeding penalty in the pits. “Just really came down to us running the no-stop strategy,” said Hamlin, who scored no points in the first two stages. “We just lost our track position. Once we lost our track position, it’s hard to drive back to the front. Nobody else did. The first stage was the killer for us.”

Hamlin gained three points on Larson but dropped behind Bell in the standings and essentially conceded his shot at the championship. “This weekend, it was about everything to gain, nothing to lose. We just didn’t gain enough to make it realistic.” Though he failed to become the first to clinch a Chase championship before the season finale, Larson will be a heavy favorite to deliver a record 16th championship for Hendrick — and a third Cup Series title in his career — ranking third in team history behind NASCAR Hall of Famers Jeff Gordon (four titles) and Jimmie Johnson (seven). By scoring points during the first two stages at Homestead, Larson could lock up the title well before the checkered flag, which seems his plan. “We’d love to get a couple good first stages, then pound it in the third stage,” Larson said. Up next The NASCAR Cup Series will conclude its season at Homestead-Miami Speedway for the first time in seven years. The 1.5-mile oval in South Florida was the season finale from 2002-19 before Phoenix Raceway became the championship track for the past seven seasons. Larson won the most recent Cup race at Homestead on March 23, 2025.

MATT KELLEY / AP PHOTO

Kyle Larson (5) steers through Turn 3 during Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Martinsville.

Packers’ Watson goes to hospital with chest injury in second quarter; returns to game A collision with Panthers cornerback Will Lee injured both players By Steve Megargee The Associated Press GREEN BAY, Wis. — Green Bay Packers wide receiver Christian Watson hurt his chest bad enough to get sent to the hospital. Hours later, he was back on the field — broken rib and all — helping his team finish off a 27-19 victory over the Carolina Panthers. It was the type of stunning transformation seen more often in professional wrestling than in actual nonscripted sports. “I used to watch WWE as a kid,” Watson said after the game. “I felt like I was watching ‘WWE Smackdown vs. Raw’ or something, seeing the cameras on me when I was coming out of the ambulance. That was a little crazy.” Watson’s teammates offered stunned reactions after the game as they tried in vain to remember any other instances of a player returning to a game after getting sent to the hospital. “That’s some crazy (stuff), right there,” safety Javon Bullard said.

JEFFREY PHELPS / AP PHOTO

Green Bay Packers WR Christian Watson (9) drops the ball against the Carolina Panthers. Watson’s injury occurred in the second quarter as he made a 53-yard catch, with Carolina Panthers cornerback Will Lee also getting hurt on the play while making a diving stop. Lee was carted into the locker room with a hamstring injury and didn’t return to the game. “I couldn’t breathe on the field,” Watson said. “I got the

wind knocked out of me. I got back to the sideline, and I was kind of spitting up some blood or something like that. So the doctor said I had to go get a CT (scan).” Watson said the CT scan showed no signs of internal bleeding, but he did break a rib on the play. Watson said he probably spent between 45 min-

utes and an hour at the hospital before getting transported back to Lambeau Field. He put some padding on the broken rib and got himself ready to play again. “I think it shows resiliency, I think it shows toughness, and I think it just shows the love that he has for this team,” safety Xavier McKinney said.

Watson already had six catches for 100 yards at the time of his injury as he continued his breakthrough season. He has 42 catches for 708 yards — both career highs — through the Packers’ first eight games. No wonder Watson got a huge ovation when he sprinted out of the tunnel and back on the field in the third quarter. His teammates also gave him a hero’s welcome. “I was getting dap-ups like I was getting resurrected or something,” Watson said. “It was crazy. Guys were definitely shocked.” Watson’s return helped the Packers thwart Carolina’s comeback attempt, as he finished with eight catches for 113 yards. After Carolina cut a 27-10 deficit to 27-19, Watson had a seven-yard reception on a third-and-2 play with about 21/2 minutes left to help the Packers essentially seal the victory. He never thought about remaining out of the game once the CT scan came back clean. After all the time Watson has missed with a variety of injuries, including a torn anterior cruciate ligament, he wants to make the most of every opportunity. “This means everything to me, to be out there on the football field,” he said.

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, November 4, 2026

CLASSIFIEDS

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 SV 30K CREW CAB 2025NISSAN NISSANFRONTIER SENTRA SV RATED 4X4 WHITE V6 12K LIKE NEW ......... 40MPG HIGHWAY ROSEWOOD MET $34,995

2023 DODGE CHARGER SXT JUST 19,995 ................................................ BLACK TOP PACKAGE 2025 JEEP COMPASSWHITE TRAILHAWK AWD 2,600 MILES SHARP $29,995 WHITE 27K OFF RD .................... PACKAGE ....................................................TOO LATE! 2023 CHEV EQUINOX LT 19K ALL WHEEL 2024 HONDA RIDGELINE SONIC DRIVE 4CLY PRETTY GRAYSPORT JUST ..... $25,995 GRAYFORD PEARL 37K AWDCAB 1 OWNER 2022 F150 CREW 4X4 5.0 V8 FX4 ..........................................................33,995 PACKAGE WHITE SHARP ............... $35,995 2024 FORD BRONCO SPORT DESERT SAND 2022 TOURING AWDHONDA 45K BIGCIVIC BEND EDITIONLEATHER SUNROOF DIAMOND WHITE LOOK ... $25,995 ..........................................................26,995 2021 GLADIATOR OVERLAND 4X4 37K 2023JEEP TOYOTA TACOMA SR5 V6 DOUBLE 1CAB OWNER METMET SHARP ..... $36,995 4X4 MED BLUERED CRUSH “27K” ..........................................................36,995 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL 43K LEATHER 2023 NISSAN SV ......... CREW CAB SUNROOF NEWFRONTIER TIRES CLEAN $33,995 4X4 FORD V6 WHITE 18K NICE .................35,995 2021 BRONCO SPORT BADLANDS 2022 HONDA 4DR“8K” TOURING 28K 4X4 WHITE NC ACCORD ONE OWNER .... $31,995 LEATHER SUNROOF RED MET ....... 31,995 2021 TOYOTA TACOMA SR5 V6 WHITE 2022 NISSAN PATHFINDER PLATINUM DOUBLE CAB 56K BLACK WHEELS ... $31,995 OBSIDIAN GREEN PEARL 29K JUST 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 XLE 49K WHITE ..........................................................29,995 LOCAL TAN INTERIOR NICE ............ $27,995 2021 JEEP GLADIATOR OVERLAND 4X4

2021 CHEROKEE LATITUDE LUX LATE! V6 37K JEEP 1 OWNER MED RED MET...TOO NEW COLOR 15K SHARP ....... $25,995 2022GRAY TOYOTA RAV4 XLE PREMIUM BLIZZARD LEATHER 64K16K ...28,995 2021 NISSANPEARL ALTIMA SR WHITE 2022LOW HONDA ODYSSEY EXL V6 LEATHER 4CLY MILES NICE ................. $24,995 PRETTY BLUEIMPREZA NC 1 OWNER ONLY 2021 SUBARU SPORT ..........................................................24,995 WAGON 4CLY ALL WHEEL DRIVE HONDA HRV EX AWD MED GRAY 45K 12022 0WNER 23K ............................ $23,995 “GOOD ON GAS”..............................22,995 2020 HONDA CRV EXL DIAMOND WHITE 2021 FORD BRONCO SPORT CACTUS GRAY LIGHT BEIGE INTERIOR “21K” ........ $29,995 24K ONE OWNER “THE NEWEST” 2019 SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED DIAMOND ..........................................................24,995 WHITE 59K 59KCRV LEATHER .............. $25,995 2021 HONDA EXL 67K MED GRAY LEATHER VERY CLEAN .25,995 2019 CHEV SUNROOF BLAZER PREMIER V6 ALL WHEEL DRIVE 62K SILVER LEATHER .......... 2020 FORD RANGER XLT CREW CAB$24,995 4X4 FX4 FORD OFF RDFUSION PKG MED RED 22K 2019 SE 4CLY 65K .....29,995 RUBY RED 2020NICE FORD F150 XLT ONLY CREW.......... CAB 4X4 MET AND SHARP $18,995 “RED” 5.0 V8 ENGINE “PRICED” ...22,995 2019 MAZDA 3 PREMIUM LEATHER 2020 HONDA PILOT EXL AWD V6 80K SUNROOF DIAMOND WHITE 43K PLATINUM WHITE PEARL LOOK ....23,995 JUST ....................................... $19,995 2020 TOYOTA COROLLA LE 4CLY “CHECK 2019 TOYOTA CAMRY SE 4CLY POWER SEAT OUT THE GAS MILEAGE” ................ 13,995 PRETTY BLUE SPORT WHEELS ....... $19,995 2019 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB TRD 2019 CIVIC LX63K WHITE OFF HONDA RD SILVER 4X4 V6 ...........32,995 LOCAL 1 OWNER 2019 FORD F150TRADE CREW NEW CAB TIRES XLT 4X4 FX4 JUST ....................................... OFF RD PKG RUBY RED MET 98K $12,995 ......................................................... 25,995 2018 FORD EXPLORER XLT V6 LEATHER 2019 TOYOTA RAV4 21K” XLE ALL WHEEL SILVER “LOW MILES ........ TOO DRIVE LATE ! SUPER WHITE 67K NICE .................24,995 2018 HONDA CRV EXL LEATHER SUNROOF 2019 CHEV BLAZER V6 TOO ALL LATE! 50K ALL WHEEL DRIVEPREMIER TAN ........ WHEEL DRIVE 62K SILVER LEATHER 2018 HONDA CRV AWD TOURING DIAMOND ..........................................................24,995 WHITE 84K LOCAL ONE OWNER ...... $22,995 2019 HONDA CIVIC TOURING PLATINUM 2018 TOYOTA LE WHITE WHITE PEARLCOROLLA 49K SHARP ............. 21,995 “26K” GREATEXPLORER GAS MILEAGE $18,995 2018 FORD XLT .......... 4X4 LEATHER 2017 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB V6 PLATINUM DUNE MET “25K” ...22,995 LIMITED 4X4 WHITE 70K ............... $34,995 2018 HONDA CRV LX 4CLY MED GRAY 96K GOOD ON GAS CLEAN ONLYXLE ........... 17,995 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LEATHER 2016 HONDA CRV79K EX LOOK PLATINUM WHITE SILVER 3RD SEAT .......... $26,995 PEARL SUNROOF “WON’T LAST LONG” 2016 FORD F150 CREW CAB XLT V6 BLACK .......................................................... ALL POWER CHROME WHEELS .......15,995 $21,995 2016 TOYOTA CAMRY XLE 4CLY TAN 2016 FORD F150 CREW CAB XLT V6 RUBY LEATHER DIAMOND WHITE 116K RED 112K 2 WHEEL DRIVE.............15,995 $19,995 .......................................................... 2016 2014HONDA HONDACRV CRVTOURING LX DIAMOND WHITE WHITE DIAMOND 77K 4CLY 135K X-NICE ....................TOO LATE! LEATHER SUNROOF ..................... $19,995 2014 HONDA CRV LX BASQUE RED PEARL 105KHONDA 4CLY CLEAN .....................TOO 2016 ACCORD EX MED GRAY LATE! 4CLY 2012 HONDA HARD ACCORD 4CLY BLACK 71K 1 OWNER TO EX FIND ......... $18,995 CLEAN HARDCRV TO SE FIND JUST ..........107K 11,995 2016 HONDA AWD SILVER 2009AND TOYOTA COROLLA LE SILVER $16,995 91K NICE CLEAN JUST ................. NEW TIRES NC ONE OWNER ....TOO LATE! 2016 FORD MUSTANG V6 SILVER 86K 2005 CHEV SILVERADO CREW CAB Z71 LOW MILES SPORTY BUY IT........ TOO LATE! 4X4 WHITE LOCAL ONE OWNER 2015 JEEP UNLIMITED RUBICON 4X4 LATE! SILVER ....................................................TOO 69K LOADED NC 1 OWNER ............ $26,995

NOTICES

Let’s Work Together

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION

STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY

26CV002152-280 Darea Dow v. Taren Watkins Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed for personal injuries.You are required to make defense to this pleading within forty (40) days after October 21, 2026, Upon your failure to do so, Plaintiff will apply for the relief sought Lance E. Pickell, Esq (980-265-3750)

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION FILE NO. 26SP000061-830 JUDY DIANNE HATLEY, Petitioner. Vs. JESSICA RUMMAGE, JONATHAN MOTLEY, AND TIMOTHY MOTLEY, Heirs of DONNA WHITE, deceased; Respondents.

Full-Time • Director, Emergency Medical Sciences Program

TO: JONATHAN MOTLEY TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Petition to Partition Lands. You are required to make defense to such Petition not later than forty (40) days from the first date this Notice is published. You may file a response with the Clerk of Superior Court, Stanly County, 201 S. 2nd Street, Albemarle, NC 28001, or through the North Carolina E-Courts File and Serve system (www.nccourts.com). Failure to respond in the time period provided by law will result in Plaintiff making application to the Court for entry of an Order for the sale of Vacant Bost Street Albemarle, NC property deeded in Book 350, Page 932, Stanly County Registry. This the 26th day of October, 2026, WEBSTER LAW OFFICE. P.A. _John W Webster John W. Webster Attorney for Plaintiff 146 North 4th Street Albemarle, NC 28001 Phone: (704) 983-6900 State Bar ID: 22840

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Notice is hereby given to the public that the City of Albemarle City Council will conduct a public hearing concerning the item listed below at the dates, times, and location provided herein: Permanent closure of a portion of Railroad Street consisting of a public right-of-way approximately 345 feet in length and 40 feet in width. The hearing will be conducted in City Council Chambers of City Hall, located at 144 N Second St., Albemarle, N.C. at the following time: Monday, November 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m.

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RESOLUTION DECLARING THE INTENT TO PERMANENTLY CLOSE A PORTION OF RAILROAD STREET AS A PUBLIC STREET IN THE CITY OF ALBEMARLE, NORTH CAROLINA, AND CALLING A PUBLIC HEARING WHEREAS, Stanly Construction Services Inc. has requested the permanent closure of a portion of Railroad Street consisting of a public right-of-way approximately 345 feet in length and 40 feet in width more particularly described in attached exhibit; and WHEREAS, North Carolina General Statute § 160A-299(a) requires the City Council to first adopt a resolution declaring its intent to close the street and calling a public hearing on the proposed closure;

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

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the City Council of the City of Albemarle, North Carolina, as follows: SECTION 1. The City Council hereby declares its intent to permanently close the portion of Railroad Street described above and calls a public hearing on the proposed closure for November 16, 2026, at 6:30pm, in Council Chambers at 144 N. 2nd Street, Albemarle, N.C. 28001. SECTION 2. This Resolution shall be published once a week for four successive weeks prior to the public hearing in the Stanly News Journal, a newspaper of general circulation in Stanly County, North Carolina. SECTION 3. A copy of this resolution shall be sent by registered or certified mail to all owners of property adjoining the portion of Railroad Street proposed to be closed, as shown on the county tax records. SECTION 4. Notice of the proposed street closure and public hearing shall be prominently posted in at least two places along the portion of Railroad Street proposed to be closed.

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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 right-of-way line of Montgomery Avenue NOTICE

North 79°14’00” West 100.00’ to a 2010 FORD F150 LARIAT new iron pipe THE POINT AND PLACE NORTH CAROLINA CREW CAB DIAMOND WHITE 5.4 ENG OF BEGINNING, containing 0.35 acre 25SP000056-830 “THE KIND” .............................. $17,995 according to a physical survey for Larry STANLY COUNTY G. Hinson and Sharon T. Hinson dated November 5, 1987 prepared by Thomas NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE W. Harris, R.L.S. Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale For further reference see deed recorded contained in that certain Deed of Trust in Deed Book 308, page 611, Stanly executed by Sandra Marie Long to Neuse, County Registry. Incorporated, Trustee(s), which was dated April 14, 2023 and recorded on PIN:654802565417 April 14, 2023 in Book 1817 at Page 1069, Stanly County Registry, North Carolina. Parcel Number: 1986 Default having been made of the Note Property Address: 713 Montgomery thereby secured by the said Deed of Avenue Albemarle, NC 28001 Trust and the undersigned, NC R.E. Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee, having Save and except any releases, deeds of been substituted as Trustee in said release or prior conveyances of record. Deed of Trust, and the holder of the Note evidencing said default having directed Said property is commonly known as 713 that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the Montgomery Ave, Albemarle, NC 28001 undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the A Certified Funds Check deposit (No county courthouse where the property Personal Checks, No Cash) of five is located, or the usual and customary percent (5%) of the purchase price, or location at the county courthouse for Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), conducting the sale, on November 19, whichever is greater, will be required at the 2026 at 2:00 pm, and will sell to the time of the sale. Following the expiration highest bidder the following described of the statutory upset bid period, all the property situated in Stanly County, North remaining amounts are immediately due Carolina, to wit: and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE BEING lots 31 and 32 of Oakdale RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED. Subdivision as mapped in Plat Book 1, page 123, Stanly County Registry, and Said property to be offered pursuant to BEING the house and two lots known as this Notice of Sale is being offered for 713 Montgomery Avenue, in the City of sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS, Albemarle, and BEGINNING at a new iron WHERE IS.” There are no representations pipe situated on the north right-of-way of warranty relating to the title or any line of Montgomery Avenue 100’ east of physical, environmental, health or safety the right-of- way of North 7th Street at the conditions existing in, on, at, or relating southeast corner of Lot 33 and RUNNING to the property being offered for sale. THENCE the east line of Lot 33 North This sale is made subject to all prior liens, 08°56’13” East 152.53’ to an existing unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer iron pipe located at the southeast corner taxes, special assessments, easements, of Lot 27; thence with the south lines of rights of way, deeds of release, and any Lots 26 and 25 South 80°01’05” East other prior encumbrances or exceptions 99.74’ to an existing iron rod located at of record. To the best of the knowledge the southwest corner of Lot 24 and the and belief of the undersigned, the current northwest corner of Lot 30; thence with owner(s) of the property is/are Sandra the west line of Lot 30 South 08°51’05” Marie Long. West 153.90’ to an existing iron rod located In the North right-of-way line of An Order for Possession of the property Montgomery Avenue, the Southwest may be issued pursuant to N.C.G.S. corner of Lot 30; thence with the North

Adopted this 19th Day of October 2026.

§45-21.29, in favor of the purchaser and against the party(ies) in possession of the property, 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 the 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 ten (10) days, but not more than ninety (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 [N.C.G.S. §45-21.16A(B)(2)]. 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. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee or substitute trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee or substitute trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy. NC R.E. Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee By: /s/ Wiggins__________________ Ellen Wiggins, Attorney Crawford & von Keller, PLLC 200 Providence Road, Suite 200 Charlotte, NC 28207 Phone: (910) 363-1637 Fax: (910) 363-1650

Ellen

All interested parties are invited to attend the hearing. The agenda can be found on the city’s website, www.albemarlenc.gov. Applications and other relevant information for this case are kept on file in the City Administration Department in City Hall. Please contact City Staff with any questions or comments at (704)-9849405. Published: Wednesday, October 21, 2026; Wednesday, October 28, 2026; Wednesday, November 4, 2026;, and Wednesday, November 11, 2026

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000423-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Cornelia Drye Brown deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Cornelia Drye Brown to present them to the undersigned on or before February 5, 2027 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 4th day of November 2026. Christoper Allen Brown 211 Fred McLeod Lane Coats, NC 27521 Executor

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 16E000500-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Jerry Roger Garris a/k/a Jerry Garris deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Jerry Roger Garris a/k/a Jerry Garris to present them to the undersigned on or before January 29, 2027 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 28th day of October 2026. Jeff Garris 1908 Mountain Creek Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Executor

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000542-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Teresa Hudson Lee deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Teresa Hudson Lee to present them to the undersigned on or before January 29, 2027 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 28th day of October 2026. Toby J. Lee 44074 Snuggs Road Norwood, N 28128 Administrator

CITY OF ALBEMARLE NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING PROPOSED TEXT AMENDMENTS NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the general public that the Albemarle City Council will conduct a public hearing concerning the proposed text amendments listed below at the date, time, and location provided herein: TA 26-04 – Performance Guarantees: Request for a text amendment to Section 91.12.D of the City of Albemarle Code of Ordinances to update performance guarantee requirements for subdivision improvements, including streets, sidewalks, water lines, and sanitary sewer systems, to align with North Carolina General Statute § 160D-804. TA 26-05 – Rural Residential (R-20): Request for a text amendment to Sections 92.090.B and 92.093.1 of the City of Albemarle Code of Ordinances to establish the R-20 Rural Residential zoning district and associated standards for low-density residential uses in rural areas characterized by large lots, agricultural activity, and limited public services or utilities. TA 26-06 – Vested Rights: Request for a text amendment to Section 92.169 of the City of Albemarle Code of Ordinances to extend the standard sitespecific vesting period from two years to five years, increase the discretionary maximum vesting period from five years to eight years, and expand vesting protections to subsequently adopted land development regulations. TA 26-07 – Sidewalk Fee in Lieu: Request for a text amendment to Section 92.123.H of the City of Albemarle Code of Ordinances to revise the sidewalk fee-in-lieu program, including requirements linking fees to the development paying them, procedural protections, financial accountability, and refund provisions. Those wishing to speak on these matters should plan to attend the public hearing to be conducted by City Council in Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 144 North Second Street, Albemarle, North Carolina 28001, on Monday, November 16, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. All interested parties are invited to attend and provide comments in support of or opposition to any of the proposed amendments, subject to the City Council’s applicable public hearing procedures. The City Council meeting agenda and supporting materials, including the proposed amendments, will be available on the City’s website. The proposed amendments are also available for public inspection at the City of Albemarle Planning & Community Development Department at City Hall during regular business hours, Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. For questions or additional information, please contact City staff at 704-984-9424. Dated: October 26, 2026 Publish: Wednesday, November 4, 2026, and Wednesday, November 11, 2026.

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, November 4, 2026

the stream

COURTESY SILVER SCREAMERS

Senior citizens recruited to make an amateur horror short appear in the documentary “Silver Screamers,” which debuts Friday on BloodStream.

Kings of Leon, ‘The Greatest,’ ‘Possible Love,’ ‘Zelda: Ocarina of Time’ remake A scripted series on Muhammad Ali is now streaming on Prime Video

The Associated Press A SERIES ABOUT Muhammad Ali and a new album from Kings of Leon are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also among the streaming offerings worth your time this week, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: a remake of the beloved Zelda game “Ocarina of Time,” the award-winning film “Possible Love” and a documentary about the making of “Marie Antoinette.” MOVIES TO STREAM There are quite a few movies coming to streaming services this week, but perhaps the highest profile is “Possible Love,” from South Korean auteur Lee Chang-dong (“Burning”), which is making its Netflix debut Friday. The film, which won the grand jury prize at the Venice Film Festival, revolves around two couples in South Korea, one wealthy, one not, who are brought together by a documentary. Also coming to Netflix, on Saturday, is the absurdist comedy “Gail Daughtry and the Celebrity Sex Pass,” in which a Midwestern bride-to-be (Zoey Deutch) embarks on a journey to Los Angeles to sleep with Jon Hamm. Any fan of Sofia Coppola or the filmmaking process will find much to admire in “Making Marie Antoinette,” a behind-the-scenes documenta-

ry that’s streaming on Mubi on Saturday. Andrew Garfield plays a farmer who leads a peasants’ revolt in medieval England in Paul Greengrass’ “The Uprising,” streaming on Peacock on Friday. In his review for The Associated Press, Mark Kennedy wrote that it “mixes fact and fiction in such an anachronistic, uncomfortable way that it undercuts the movie-maker’s initial populist scream and ceases to hold its historical power.” Finally, for some true independent charm, there’s the documentary “Silver Screamers” about a group of senior citizens recruited to make an amateur short horror film. It’ll make its debut on the horror streamer BloodStream on Friday. MUSIC TO STREAM Kings of Leon have unplugged. After frontman Caleb Followill broke his foot playing with his kids and picked up an acoustic guitar in recovery, he had a change of heart. The four or five electric-leaning songs that he and the band had been exploring for their latest album, “O My Beloved” out Friday, were discarded. In quickly came a clutch of new stripped-down tunes, more melancholic than bombastic, about gratitude and family. “The songs just took on a different meaning, and so all the songs that we had been working on, they no longer were as attractive to me,” Followill told the AP about their pivot. “I feel like just the whole temperature changed around us. And we realized that we’re going to make something a little more significant.” British rapper Skepta, one of the most globally recognized names in grime music, will release “The Fork and Knife” on

Friday — his first solo full-length album in seven years. The record is one for those who exist between two cultures: In the case of Skepta, it explores what it means to be British and the son of Nigerian immigrants through garage, house, jungle, electronic and, of course, grime music. British singer-songwriter Rex Orange County returns Friday with his sixth studio album, “Dream Fatigue.” It’s full of his sincere, dreamy pop, and this time, he’s joined by an all-star list of collaborators, including Daniel Caesar, Turnstile’s Brendan Yates, Dev Hynes, Mustafa and Jockstrap’s Taylor Skye. SERIES TO STREAM “The Greatest” is the first authorized scripted series about Ali. Jaalen Best plays the boxing legend, with Dana Gourrier, Amin Joseph, Kai Parham and Michael Ealy among the cast. Michael B. Jordan and Jay-Z are among the show’s executive producers. A hit Korean webtoon with nearly 3 billion views becomes a new Disney+ and Hulu series called “The Remarried Empress.” Shin Min-a stars as Empress Navier, whose husband, Emperor Sovieshu (Ju Ji-hoon), brings home a runaway concubine to make her his new wife. Navier agrees to the divorce if she gets approval to remarry as well. Season 2 of Netflix’s British spy thriller “Black Doves” returns Thursday and picks up about a year after the events of Season 1. Keira Knightley’s Helen Webb is the wife of Britain’s new prime minister — and also a spy for an organization called Black Doves. When her handler vanishes, she is determined to find her, with Ben Whishaw’s Sam Young,

AMY HARRIS / INVISION VIA AP

Caleb Followill of Kings of Leon performs during the first weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival on April 23 at Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans. “O My Beloved” is out Friday. a tortured assassin, at her side. Eviction, dead-end jobs and worsening mental health pile up for three friends (Leo Reich, Emily Fairn and Olive Gray) in Paramount+’s “It Gets Worse.” Reich created the series, and Andrew Scott and Lena Dunham guest star. All episodes land Friday. VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY “The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time” is unquestionably a classic, so if you’ve never played it, you’re in for a treat. If you enjoyed the original back in 1998, Nintendo would like to welcome you back with enhanced controls, overhauled graphics, full voice acting and expanded cutscenes. The Switch 2 Joy-Con lets you wield some weapons with motion controls, and you can activate the ocarina’s magical melodies by humming into the device. Many Zeldaphiles regard this time-shifting epic,

in which hero Link goes from a wee lad to a grown-up hunk as he defends Hyrule from the evil Ganondorf, as the franchise’s best. The remake arrives Thursday. “Zero Parades for Dead Spies” is British studio ZA/UM’s follow-up to the 2019 cult classic “Disco Elysium.” Like its predecessor, it’s a text-heavy role-playing adventure in which your conversational choices — and occasional dice rolls — are more important than gunplay or fisticuffs. The protagonist is an agent who gets involved in a battle among political parties vying for power in a bizarre city. Expect plenty of intrigue seen through a sarcastic lens as you take on bankers, “techno-fascists” and even “a man with a box for a heart.” Switch 2, PlayStation 5 and Xbox X/S players can join in Tuesday; PC players who have been on the case since May are getting an enhanced director’s cut.

NOTICES NOTICE

NOTICE

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000470-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Patsy Lee McLaurin deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Patsy Lee McLaurin to present them to the undersigned on or before January 25, 2027 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 21st day of October 2026. Lee C. McLaurin PO Box 1057 Albemarle, NC 28002 Executor

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000454-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administratrix of the Estate of Marius Volosenco deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Marius Volosenco to present them to the undersigned on or before January 15, 2027 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 14th day of October 2026. Galina Volosenco 330 Peachtree Road Oakboro, NC 28129 Administratrix

Ricky Lynn Whitley, having qualified as the Administrator of the Estate of CHARLES MELBOURNE WHITLEY, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, in file number 26-E-000463-830 in the office of the Clerk of Superior Court of Stanly County, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms and corporations having claims against the estate of CHARLES MELBOURNE WHITLEY to exhibit them in writing to the Administrator at 110 Ridge Road, Locust, NC 28097, on or before the 28th day of January, 2027, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the estate will please make immediate payment to the Administrator. This the 28th day of October, 2026. Ricky Lynn Whitley, Administrator Estate of Charles Melbourne Whitley 110 Ridge Road Locust, NC 28097

Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, November 4, 2026

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