VOLUME 145 ISSUE 76 | WEEKEND EDITION, SEPT. 27 – SEPT. 28 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
PJ WARD-BROWN / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
Selfie stop Henry James, 12, of Huntersville snaps a selfie with Vice President JD Vance during a visit to Concord on Wednesday. Vance spoke on public safety as the General Assembly passed criminal justice bills this week, including “Iryna’s Law.” For more on that bill, turn to page A6.
WHAT’S HAPPENING U.S. economy expanded at 3.8% pace through June The U.S. economy expanded at a surprising 3.8% from April through June in a dramatic upgrade of the government’s previous estimate of second-quarter growth. The Commerce Department said Thursday that U.S. gross domestic product — the nation’s output of goods and services — rebounded in the spring from a 0.6% first-quarter drop caused by fallout from President Donald Trump’s trade wars. The department previously estimated second-quarter growth at 3.3%.
Amazon to pay $2.5B to settle allegations it duped customers into joining Prime Amazon has reached a historic $2.5 billion settlement with the Federal Trade Commission, which said the online giant tricked customers into signing up for its Prime memberships and made it difficult to cancel after they did so. The Seattle company will pay $1 billion in civil penalties — the largest fine in FTC history, and $1.5 billion will be paid to consumers who were unintentionally enrolled in Prime or were deterred from canceling their subscriptions.
Average mortgage rate edges higher after declining for month The average rate on a 30-year mortgage ticked up, ending a four-week decline. The rate rose to 6.3% from 6.26% last week. A year ago, it was 6.08%.
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Pfeiffer announces Dowd Foundation Endowed Scholarship The scholarship fund is worth $1 million
“This scholarship represents a powerful investment in the future of our region.”
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal MISENHEIMER — Pfeiffer University has announced the creation of a new $1 million student scholarship fund. In a Wednesday media release, the university revealed the creation of the Dowd Foundation Endowed Scholarship that will support dependents of Charlotte Pipe and Foundry employees and students from Stanly and Union counties. “This scholarship represents a powerful investment in the future of our region,” Pfeiffer University President Scott Bullard said. “We are deeply grateful to the Dowd Foundation for their generosity and vision. The Dowd Foundation En-
Scott Bullard, Pfeiffer University president
COURTESY PFEIFFER UNIVERSITY
Pfeiffer students walk through the university’s campus located in Miseheimer. dowed Scholarship will open doors for talented students who might otherwise be unable
to pursue a Pfeiffer education.” The scholarship will provide annual awards rang-
Stanly County reports first rabies case of 2025 A positive test result was found in a bat By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Health Department has confirmed the county’s first case of rabies in 2025. Dolly Clayton, the county’s Health and Human Services director, sent out a press release Wednesday notifying the public that a bat from the Oakboro area had tested positive for rabies. The North Carolina State Laboratory of Public Health confirmed the positive result of the deadly disease Tuesday. State law requires that all animal bites be reported to the local health department.
“If you have potentially been exposed to a bat, please contact Stanly County Health Department immediately at 704-982-9171,” Clayton said in the Stanly Health Department’s notice. “If you see an animal that is behaving abnormally, call Stanly County Animal Protective Services at 704-986-3881.” Rabies, most often spread through the bite or saliva of a rabid animal, can also be transmitted if infected saliva comes into contact with a person’s eyes, nose, mouth or an open wound. Per state public health guidelines, a bat exposure is a known bite or scratch from a bat, direct contact with a bat when you can’t determine a See RABIES, page A8
“If you have potentially been exposed to a bat, please contact Stanly County Health Department immediately at 704-9829171.” Dolly Clayton, Stanly County Health and Human Services director
ing from $1,000 to $5,000, based on financial need. Eligible applicants must have at least a 3.0 GPA, with applications due by Dec. 1 and the first awards distributed for the fall 2026 semester. The university said the scholarship demonstrates “Pfeiffer’s commitment to serving the local community and aligns with the university’s mission to prepare servant leaders through a See FUND, page A5