VOLUME 145 ISSUE 64 | WEEKEND EDITION, AUG. 16 – AUG. 17 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING Average rate on 30-year mortgage drops to lowest since October The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage has fallen to its lowest level in nearly 10 months. The average rate dropped to 6.58% from 6.63% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday, up from 6.49% a year ago. The decline gives prospective homebuyers a boost in purchasing power, which could help revitalize the stagnant U.S. housing market. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate have dropped to 5.71%. Elevated mortgage rates have kept the U.S. housing in a slump since early 2022, when rates began climbing from pandemic lows.
U.S. producer prices surge in July as Trump tariffs push costs higher U.S. wholesale inflation surged unexpectedly last month as President Donald Trump’s sweeping taxes on imports are pushing costs higher. The Labor Department reported Thursday that its producer price index — which measures inflation before it hits consumers — was up 0.9% last month from June and 3.3% from a year earlier. The numbers were much higher than forecasters had expected.
PHOTOS COURTESY MISENHEIMER PD
Knox and Ainsley enjoyed exploring the Misenheimer police cruiser parked in front of the Merner Gymnasium at the event.
Misenheimer Police hosts inaugural National Night Out celebration
U.S. applications for jobless benefits fall, remain in historically healthy range
The department hopes to build bonds through community policing
Applications for unemployment benefits for the week ending Aug. 9 fell by 3,000 to 224,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s below the 230,000 new applications that economists had forecast.
By Melinda Burris Stanly News Journal
9 people plead not guilty in Texas elections probe involving “vote harvesting” Houston Nine people have pleaded not guilty to felony charges brought forth in a rural Texas county by Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton as part of a widening elections investigation. The probe is being criticized by Latino rights activists as being politically driven. The nine people, who were indicted in June, appeared either in person or by Zoom during a court hearing on Wednesday in Pearsall, Texas, before state District Judge Sid Harle. Those indicted include a former mayor and city council member and the chief of staff to a state representative.
MISENHEIMER — Police Chief Markus Lambert initiated the first commemoration of National Night Out in the Misenheimer’s history last Tuesday. The event, held nationwide every first Tuesday in August,
Albemarle head coach Richard Davis has to replace a talented group of graduated seniors, including his son at quarterback.
WE TEST. SO IT WE TEST. RUNS. SO IT RUNS. “We’ve got a lot of talent in this community, and I think this season is highlighting some of the talent that’s more local.” Carmella Hedrick, SCCA board member
WE TEST. SO WE IT TEST. RUNS. SO IT $2.00
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Music lovers in Stanly County will have the opportunity in the upcoming concert season to enjoy beach music, a symphonic brass group, jazz and big band music and a dual piano concert, all featuring a Stanly connection. The Stanly County Concert Association has released its schedule for the 2025-2026
See COMMUNITY, page A8
inside
Stanly County Concert Association releases 2025-26 schedule From beach music to rock and roll, and everything in between
was created in 1984 to build stronger bonds between law enforcement and the communities they serve. Lambert has served as police chief for one year, previously being assigned as interim chief. “I plan to make it an annual thing with the village because everybody who came had nothing but great things to say, and they were all excited to actually meet everybody,” he said.
concert season at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center. This year’s entertainment will kick off Sunday, Sept. 21 at 4 p.m. with a beach music special with The Entertainers. The seven-member band, whose repertoire includes soul, Top 40, classic rock, country and more, are known for their hits “Living For the Summer” and “Thank Goodness She Cheated.” Locally, Phil Lowder from Albemarle is a member of the band, according to concert association board member Carmella Hedrick.
WE TEST. SO IT RUNS.
We preview the 2025 Bulldogs on B1
PJ WARD-BROWN / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
See CONCERT, page A5
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