VOLUME 145 ISSUE 99 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 17, 2025 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 704-982-2121
Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING Big retailers didn’t pull ByHeart baby formula fast enough after recall, FDA says The U.S. Food and Drug Administration sent warning letters to four top retail stores for failing to promptly pull contaminated infant formula tied to a dangerous outbreak from their shelves. The FDA sent letters posted Monday to leaders at Walmart, Target, Kroger and Albertsons, saying the companies continued to sell ByHeart infant formula for days or weeks despite a Nov. 11 recall of all products. The formula is linked to an outbreak of infant botulism that has sickened more than 50 babies in 19 states. All of the babies have been hospitalized and treated for the illness.
U.S. Army names 2 Iowa National Guard members killed in attack in Syria The two Iowa National Guard members killed in a weekend attack that the U.S. military blamed on the Islamic State group in Syria have been identified. The U.S. Army named them Monday as 25-year-old Sgt. Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar and 29-year-old Sgt. William Nathaniel Howard. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds ordered all flags in Iowa to fly at half-staff in their honor. A civilian working as a U.S. interpreter was also killed in the attack Saturday, and three other Iowa National Guard were wounded. A Syrian official says the assailant had joined Syria’s internal security forces as a base security guard two months ago and recently was reassigned amid suspicions that he might be affiliated with IS. The gunman was killed.
Trump sues BBC for $10B, accusing it of defamation over editing of Jan. 6 speech President Donald Trump has filed a lawsuit seeking $10 billion in damages, accusing the BBC of defamation as well as deceptive and unfair trade practices. The lawsuit says it broadcast a “false, defamatory, deceptive, disparaging, inflammatory, and malicious depiction of President Trump,” calling it “a brazen attempt to interfere in and influence” the 2024 election. It accused the BBC of “splicing together two entirely separate parts” of a Jan. 6 speech in order to “intentionally misrepresent the meaning of what Trump said.” The BBC said it would defend the case.
MY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
The nice list A local youngster tells Santa about their wish list at the Albemarle Downtown Christmas event on Dec. 5.
Albemarle police chief provides report on Greyhound bus stop The Albemarle Police Department observed the bus stop for 30 days By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Albemarle Police Chief Ryan Manley presented data to the Albemarle City Council on Monday night that suggests the Greyhound bus stop on First Street is not creating widespread public safety or quality-of-life issues in downtown Albemarle. The council had previous-
ment’s findings do not support said 98% of passengers entered the idea that the location is vehicles shortly after arriving, generating recurring problems. and officers observed no loiter“At the request of the coun- ing or littering during the recil, we pulled 30 days worth view period. The data was collected using of data,” Manley said. “There were no folks observed litter- fixed video cameras as well as ing, using the bathroom or direct officer observations, althrowing trash around the lowing the department to evalarea, and the people that did uate both activity levels and not get into the cars walked behavior around the stop. City Manager Darren away from the area.” According to the APD’s re- Rhodes told the council it porting from Nov. 8 to Dec. 8, could choose to send a letter the Greyhound bus stopped to Greyhound’s customer re38 times. During that period, lations department to request 25 passengers boarded the bus and 26 disembarked. Manley See BUS STOP, page A2
Adult charged with raping child, breaking into Stanfield home “If there are any other victims, we definitely encourage them to come forward.” Jeff Crisco, Stanly County sheriff
$2.00
ly requested information on the bus stop, which Manley said officers have monitored through a combination of video review and in-person observation. In past meetings, some residents and business owners have raised concerns about loitering, panhandling, littering, incivility and the presence of homeless individuals near the stop. Several Stanly County commissioners have also stated at prior board meetings that they would prefer the bus stop be removed from Albemarle. Manley said the depart-
Justin Brigham’s bond was set at $10 million By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal STANFIELD — A Charlotte man has been charged with burglary and sexual offenses involving a 13-year-old girl following an incident at a Stanfield home on Dec. 10. According to the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office, 44-year-old Justin Tawse Brigham — a co-owner of Sycamore Brewing in Char-
lotte — is accused of entering a residence along Furr Road on Dec. 10 before committing the assault inside the home. Following an investigation by responding patrol deputies and members of the sheriff’s office’s Criminal Investigation Division, Brigham was charged with statutory rape of a child under 15, first-degree burglary and indecent liberties with a child. “These are very serious crimes and he could go See CRIME, page A5
Now Serving Stanly and Montgomery Counties LOCATIONS • Albemarle-West/ Coble Ave • Albemarle-East/ Anderson Road • North Oakboro/ Red Cross Road • South Oakboro/ Rocky River Road • Biscoe
• Locust
24 Hour Access Digital Video Surveillance Online Billing Great Customer Service
www.burlesonsquarestorage.com • 704-985-2274
inside Gerrymandering is sweeping the country, with supporters claiming the practice is “fair.” For more, turn to page A4.
CHRIS SEWARD / AP PHOTO