VOLUME 146 ISSUE 37 | WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 9-10, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 704-982-2121
Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
MY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
May flowers Mist rises over Lake Tillery and the Uwharrie Mountains in the distance, looking north early in the morning of May 4 with Stanly County to the left and Montgomery County to the right.
WHAT’S HAPPENING Man pleads guilty to murder, other charges for firebomb attack on Jewish demonstrators A man accused of a firebomb attack on demonstrators in Boulder, Colorado, last year has pleaded guilty to murder and other charges. Mohamed Sabry Soliman entered the pleas Thursday in Boulder County District Court. Last June, Soliman threw two Molotov cocktails at people who were demonstrating in support of Israeli hostages in Gaza. The attack injured 13 people, including an 82-year-old woman who later died. Soliman initially pleaded not guilty to murder and dozens of attempted murder and assault charges. He now faces up to life in prison without the possibility of parole.
FBI searches Virginia Senate leader’s office as part of corruption probe The FBI has searched the Democratic Virginia state Senate leader’s hometown office and her neighboring cannabis shop. Wednesday’s action brings into public view what was described as a yearslong corruption investigation. The searches at Sen. L. Louise Lucas’ office and cannabis business are part of what two people familiar with the matter call a corruption inquiry. One of the people says the investigation was opened during President Joe Biden’s administration. Lucas said she views the probe as an effort by the Trump administration to “intimidate and silence the voices of those who stand up to them.”
$2.00
Stanly students claim 9 first-place finishes at state SkillsUSA competition Twenty-four CTE students earned medals in Greensboro By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
COURTESY STANLY COUNTY SCHOOLS
CTE SkillsUSA first-place winners and advisers received recognition at the Stanly County Board of Education meeting on May 5.
ALBEMARLE — Nine Stanly County students took first place at the 2026 SkillsUSA North Carolina State Leadership and Skills Conference last month, with two now set to represent the state at the national competition in June. The Stanly County Board of Education recognized the winners Tuesday night, highlighting achievements within the district’s Career and Technical Education department.
Pfeiffer receives $1.5M grant to launch literacy center The Warren and Augusta Hume Foundation investment will fund the new center
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal MISENHEIMER — A new literacy training center is in the works at Pfeiffer University. According to a recent news release from the university, Pfeiffer has received a $1.5 million grant award to fund the Regional Literacy Training Center, which is
aimed at improving early literacy instruction and teacher preparation in Stanly, Randolph and Montgomery counties. The multiyear investment is from the Warren and Augusta Hume Foundation, a Florida-based private foundation that supports educational, literacy and other charitable initiatives. “Early literacy is foundational to educational success, and rural communities face unique barriers in providing teachers with the training and See GRANT, page A5
“Pfeiffer University is creating a practical, sustainable resource that benefits both educators and students.” Scott Bullard, Pfeiffer University president
Through SkillsUSA, CTE students compete in events tied to skilled trades, technical fields, leadership and career readiness. On April 15, 57 local students traveled to Greensboro to compete across a wide variety of events. Twenty-four earned medals, including the nine first-place finishes. Albemarle High School’s top winners were Faith Moultrie (Creed) and Conner Fink (Firefighting Intermediate), while North Stanly High School’s Amelia Clark placed first in Poster. West Stanly High School had six first-place winners: Ethan Kesegich (Automotive Service), Sarah Logan (Baking and Pastry), Levi Greene (Masonry), Jared Molina Guifarro (Masonry I), Robert Rock (Masonry Bulletin Board) and Brison Brosseau (Masonry Estimating). As national qualifiers, Kesegich and Greene will travel to Georgia on June 1-5 to compete in the SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference. See SKILLSUSA, page A8