VOLUME 145 ISSUE 49 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 25, 2025 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
CHARLES CURCIO / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
Making the grade The Williams Brothers, Jack and Eli, recently completed a 300-foot mural on the wall of Webb Field at Central Elementary School, funded by a grant from the North Carolina Arts Council.
WHAT’S HAPPENING Stanly ham radio operators to host event Albemarle Ham radio operators from the Stanly County Amateur Radio Club (K4OGB) will participate in a national amateur radio exercise Saturday from 2-6 p.m at the Stanly County YMCA Park on North First Street in Albemarle. The event is ARRL Field Day, an annual amateur radio activity first organized in 1933. Field Day highlights ham radio’s ability to work reliably under any conditions from almost any location and create an independent, wireless communications network which includes alternative energy sources such as generators, solar panels and batteries to power their equipment. The public is invited to attend.
Stanly to host N.C. Democrats Listening Tour Albemarle The North Carolina Democratic Party will bring its statewide ”Rural Listening Tour” to Stanly County on Thursday, July 10 at 6 p.m. in the Atrium Health Stanly — Special Events and Education Center. Hosted by NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton, the Rural Listening Tour town hall event brings statewide Democratic candidates and elected officials to every stop to allow folks across our state to meet and discuss issues directly with the Party. Special guests will include state Supeme Court Senior Associate Justice Anita Earls and First Vice Chair Jonah Garson. Event parking is located in the parking deck off Hawthorne Avenue.
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NC fire marshal gives update on Emergency Training Center Expenses for the project total $87 million so far By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — North Carolina Fire Marshal Brian Taylor attended and gave a brief presentation at the Albemarle City Council’s recent meeting on June 16 as the leading representative of the Office of State Fire Marshal (OSFM). On behalf of his office, Taylor provided updates on the construction process for the N.C. Emergency Training Center located at the Stanly County Airport in New London and also
presented a successful request for a one-time waiver for an initial five million gallons of water. Plans for the 911 center, operated by the OSFM in partnership with the N.C. Air National Guard Fire Department and Stanly County, were originally established in 2017 and given financial assistance four years later with the help of a bipartisan state budget bill. “We have just completed part of the facility, and we hope to be done with phase one by September,” Taylor told the council. “Today, we are at $87 million investment in this, and that is just the start of it. See CENTER, page A4
COURTESY CITY OF ALBEMARLE
North Carolina Fire Marshal Brian Taylor gave an N.C. Emergency Training Center presentation at the Albemarle City Council’s June 26 meeting.
Richfield commissioners debate police contract amid mayor’s resignation “Rather than continue in a role where I feel I have limited influence, I felt it was best to make space for someone who’s fully aligned with the current board and can give the position their full attention.” Ian Focht, Richfield mayor
The board heard concerns about sheriff’s deputy coverage and rising costs By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal RICHFIELD — Members of the Richfield Town Commission addressed rumors circulating on social media Monday night about whether the town would keep its current full-time sheriff’s deputy. Commissioner Barry Byrd acted as mayor pro tem for the meeting after Mayor Ian Focht emailed his resignation last week. In a message to Stanly News Journal on Tuesday, Focht cited growing professional responsibilities and
family priorities, including a baby due in early August, as reasons for stepping down. “Rather than continue in a role where I feel I have limited influence, I felt it was best to make space for someone who’s fully aligned with the current board and can give the position their full attention,” Focht said. The board has not formally accepted Focht’s resignation. Two commissioners, Kevin Almond and Mike Beaver, did not attend the meeting, leaving the board without a quorum — the minimum number of members required to conduct official business. Without a quorum, the board could not vote on any matters or follow the agenda. InSee RICHFIELD, page A4