VOLUME 145 ISSUE 38 | WEEKEND EDITION, MAY 17–18, 2025 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
STANLY NEWS JOURNAL STAFF
Standing watch A firefighter statue gets some sun outside Albemarle Fire Station One on Tuesday.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Stanly Democrats name new Stanly County officers, district delegates commissioners
U.S. overdose deaths fell 27%, largest 1-year decline ever seen
Stanly News Journal staff
There were 30,000 fewer U.S. drug overdose deaths in 2024 than the year before — the largest one-year decline ever recorded. An estimated 80,000 people died from an overdose 2024. That’s down 27% from the 110,000 in 2023. The CDC has been collecting comparable data for 45 years. The previous largest drop was 4% in 2018.
Walmart warns: Higher prices are inevitable
THE STANLY DEMOCRATIC Party named new delegates and officers at its convention on April 26 at Atrium Stanly’s Special Events Center. North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall was the keynote speaker, and she encouraged nearly 100 in attendance to “share their personal concerns with their elected representatives.” Outgoing chair Daniel Quick called the meeting to order before new officers were elected to twoyear terms. The new party chair for Stanly is Erin Soto, with Quick named first vice chair, Gary Moran as second vice chair, Zina Ris-
Three boards saw their lineups change By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Board of Commissioners filled several positions on three county boards during Monday’s meeting. Commissioners were presented with pending appointments for the Centralina Region F Aging Advisory Committee (RFAAC), Economic Development Commission (EDC) Board and the Board of Adjustment. Pamela Sullivan, the county’s senior services director, told the commissioners that Stanly County is currently looking to fill several positions on the RFAAC, including two delegate positions with two-year terms and one alternate position with a one-year term. Sullivan requested the appointment of William
WE TEST. Fifth-annual concert series SO continues at Juneberry RidgeIT WE TEST. RUNS. SO IT RUNS.
Walmart, which became the nation’s largest retailer by making low prices a priority, has found itself in a place it’s rarely been: Warning customers that prices will rise for goods ranging from bananas to car seats. Executives said they are doing everything in their power to absorb higher costs from tariffs. Given the magnitude of the duties, however, higher prices are unavoidable, they said.
The first of three festival nights is set for March 31 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
$2.00
vote on board appointments
ley third vice chair and Jo Jo McCoy as secretary. Barbara Tuset will continue as treasurer. The N.C. 8th Congressional District Convention will be Saturday, May 24, at Richmond Community College from noon to 5 p.m. The Stanly Democrats will send 10 delegates: Jim Beard, Lois Beard, Marcus Christensen, Katie Mayo, Zach Parham, Veronica Quick, Darlene Rogerson, Ted Royston, Joseph Thomas and Alice Whitley. Tiffany Dahle and Kevin Taylor were named to serve on the N.C. 8th Congressional District Executive Committee, while Beard and Christensen will serve on the state’s executive committee, next meeting June 28.
NORWOOD — Back again for the fifth edition of its summer festival and concert series, the annual Juneberry Jams event at Juneberry Ridge will return to Norwood next month
WE TEST. SO WE IT TEST. RUNS. SO IT
See BOARD, page A6
with its unique combination of musical acts and guest speakers. Hosted at the 750-acre regenerative farm and corporate retreat at 40120 Old Cottonville Road, the festival will offer a pair of performing artists, a fireside chat with authors, teachers and prominent thinkers in the area of regenerative farming, as well as a mix of farm-centered ex-
WE TEST. SO IT RUNS.
See JAMS, page A2
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