VOLUME 145 ISSUE 103 | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2025 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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Happy red, white and blue year This special New Year’s Eve ball, dropping at midnight Wednesday night in Times Square, honors the U.S.’s 250th year. See page B5 for more.
WHAT’S HAPPENING Jan. 6 pipe bomb suspect told FBI he targeted U.S. political parties because they were “in charge” The man accused of placing two pipe bombs in Washington, D.C., on the eve of the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol told investigators after his arrest that he believed someone needed to “speak up” for people who believed the 2020 election was stolen. He also said he wanted to target the country’s political parties because they were “in charge.” That’s according to a memo filed by the Justice Department on Sunday that argues that Brian J. Cole Jr. should remain jailed as the case moves forward.
Trump indicates U.S. “hit” facility tied to alleged drug boats President Donald Trump indicated the U.S. has “hit” a facility in South America as he wages a pressure campaign on Venezuela. But the U.S. has offered no other details. Trump made the comments in what seemed to be an impromptu radio interview Friday. Trump said that on Dec. 24, the U.S. “hit” a facility that he seemed to suggest alleged drug-ferrying boats originate from.
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Stanly school board recognizes teacher for AI literacy research Alease Carrick is an AI by 8 member By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Earlier this month, a local educator was honored by the Stanly County Board of Education for her selection to a statewide fellowship focused on ar-
tificial intelligence literacy. Alease Carrick, a thirdgrade teacher at Oakboro Choice STEM School, was recognized for being named a member of the AI by 8 research-practice partnership fellowship. Carrick is one of only eight teachers across North Carolina chosen to design lesson plans that integrate the ideas of AI into early literacy instruction.
“We are so proud of Mrs. rural North Carolina school Carrick and the incredible im- districts. The program focuses on inpact she continues to make for her students, our district and troducing complex concepts education across the state,” without relying on technology Stanly County Schools said in or screens. Through storytelling, litera statement. AI by 8 is a multi-year ini- acy-aligned lessons and othtiative aimed at reimagining er unplugged activities, young early childhood education by learners begin to explore embedding foundational AI how machines can formulate literacy into K-2 classrooms, with a particular emphasis on See BOARD, page A5
Sheriff’s office gives update on guilty pleas for sexual offenders “These cases represent the sheriff’s office’s continued commitment to pursuing justice for victims and holding offenders accountable.” Stanly County Sheriff’s Office
The earliest of the investigations began in 2018 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Sheriff’s Office has announced that multiple defendants have entered guilty pleas in separate sexual offense cases investigated by the agency, bringing several long-running investigations to a close. The investigations spanned several years, with the earliest dating back to 2018
and the most recent initiated in 2024. “The Stanly County Sheriff’s Office is announcing the successful conclusion of three separate sexual assault investigations, resulting in guilty pleas and significant prison sentences for the offenders,” the SCSO said in a statement. The first guilty plea announced involved Dustin Lane Almond. According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation into Almond began in May 2018. On June 11, 2024, Almond was charged with multiple See CRIMES, page A5
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inside NC State’s Payton Wilson (right) talks to coach Dave Doeren during a 2023 game. Wilson’s Wolfpack career was one of the highlights of the 10 years NSJ has been covering sports.
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