VOLUME 145 ISSUE 82 | WEEKEND EDITION, OCT. 18 – OCT. 19 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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Badin our time The Badin Dam, photographed with a drone last week for a unique perspective, was constructed in 1917 at the Narrows gorge on the Yadkin River and was the world’s highest spillway dam at the time, housing the largest hydroelectric units in the world. The dam, which created what is now Badin Lake, was built to provide power for aluminum production and was the first of four dams constructed by Alcoa in the area.
WHAT’S HAPPENING Long-term US mortgage rate slips to 6.27%, nearing a low for 2025 Washington, D.C. The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage declined again this week, easing to just above its lowest level this year. The average long-term mortgage rate slipped to 6.27% from 6.3% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.44%. The latest dip brings the average rate to just above where it was four weeks ago after a string of declines brought down home loan borrowing costs to their lowest level since early October 2024. Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors.
A crowd of 700, but no witnesses? S.C. investigation into mass shooting at bar stalls Columbia, S.C. A sheriff says his deputies continue their methodical investigation into a shooting at a South Carolina bar that killed four people and injured 16 others. Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner says authorities are testing DNA, analyzing weapons, and enhancing video footage. He says testing physical evidence is important because none of the 700 people at the party has identified any shooter likely because they fear retribution if they talk. No arrests have been made. The sheriff says investigators believe the shooting at Willie’s Bar and Grill on St. Helena Island began as a dispute between two or three people.
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Albemarle to host open-house community event for land use plan The city is encouraging dialogue between city officials and residents By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Albemarle residents are invited to learn more about the city’s long-term growth and development goals during an open-house community event on Thursday in the City Hall Council Chambers. The open house will focus on Envision Albemarle 2045, the city’s updated comprehensive land use plan — a 20-year strategic document designed to guide Albemarle’s growth over the coming decades. Sessions will be held from 1 to 2:30 p.m. and from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Residents only need to at-
tend one session, as both will cover the same material. The event will offer an opportunity for residents to see how community input has shaped the plan’s draft so far. Over the past year, city staff and a volunteer steering committee have gathered input from more than 700 residents through surveys, neighborhood meetings and interactive planning exercises. “We’re looking forward to welcoming our residents and showing how their input has been incorporated into the city’s comprehensive land use plan,” said Brittani McClendon, Albemarle’s interim planning director. “This plan wouldn’t be complete without their voices. It takes everyone sharing their ideas to help shape the future of our city.”
COURTESY CITY OF ALBEMARLE
Albemarle city officials speak to residents during a previous Envision Albemarle 2025 open-house event. The plan’s draft, now available for public review at albemarlenc.gov/future, has not yet been formally approved by the
Charlotte Symphony Orchestra returns to Albemarle in Nov. Admission is free of charge for Stanly County students By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The oldest operating symphony orchestra in the Carolinas will be making a stop in Albemarle next month at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. Tickets went on sale earlier this week for the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra’s upcoming full-length concert on Nov. 1 at 7:30 p.m.
The nationally-recognized symphony, conducted by Daniel Cho, will be performing its “A Magical Evening with the Charlotte Symphony” show in Albemarle, where the group has made regular appearances for the past seven years. “We are so excited to welcome back the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra to Stanly County,” the Stanly County Arts Council said in a statement. “This has become an annual tradition for our community since 2018. This program includes selections by classic See ORCHESTRA, page A5
“We are so excited to welcome back the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra to Stanly County.” Stanly County Arts Council
Albemarle City Council. As a plan study area, it covSee EVENT, page A7