VOLUME 145 ISSUE 47 | WEDNESDAY, JUNE 18, 2025 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 704-982-2121
Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
COURTESY PETER ASCIUTTO
COURTESY PETER ASCIUTTO
Left, some of the “No Kings” protesters along the highway in Albemarle. Top right, “No Kings” participant Jay Beasley holds his protest sign. Bottom right, Kathy Johansen dressed up as a queen for Saturday’s rally.
WHAT’S HAPPENING Stanly Arts Council to host second Music Day The Stanly County Arts Council released its final schedule for the Music Day celebration this Saturday. Events will take place in Albemarle, Badin, Locust, Norwood and Oakboro from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Events will include an organ crawl through four downtown churches, ukulele lessons, voice classes and live performances. For a complete schedule: makemusicday.org/ stanlycounty.
Juneberry Ridge in Norwood coming to PBS Starting Thursday, Juneberry Ridge will be featured on the PBS show “N.C. Weekend” as part of an episode highlighting relaxing weekend destinations. Juneberry will appear alongside The Spa at Pinehurst and The Grandover Spa Inn in Greensboro. The episode will air Thursday at 9 p.m., Friday at 5 p.m. and Junw 24 at 7:30 p.m. It will also be available at PBS.com and on the PBS app.
Wake Forest alum named University of Alabama president Peter J. Mohler has been named the next president of the University of Alabama. Mohler comes to the role from Ohio State University and has a bachelor’s degree in biology from Wake Forest University and a doctorate in cell and molecular physiology from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
‘No Kings’ protest draws hundreds in Albemarle Coordinated events took place across the country By Jesse Deal and Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — A crowd of around 200 people took part in the “No Kings” protest held in Albemarle on Saturday morning. Demonstrators protesting recentlyelected President Donald Trump stood on the sidewalk near the corner of Leonard Avenue and N.C. Highway 24-27, waving American flags and a variety of antiauthoritarian signs that signaled support for the protection of democracy, due process and immigrant rights.
National organizers claim that more than 5 million people took part in demonstrations in over 2,000 cities and towns across the country on Saturday. The gatherings were timed for the same day as a military parade in Washington, D.C., celebrating the U.S. Army’s 250th anniversary. Former Stanly County Board of Commissioners member Peter Asciutto attended the No Kings protest in Albemarle and described it as an “interesting and positive event” with an “impressive line of people.” “It was very positive — there was no violence, just people there trying to make a difference,” said Asciutto, now a marketing instructor at Anson High School. “The feeling I got from the ground is that a lot of people
“It was very positive — there was no violence, just people there trying to make a difference.” Peter Asciutto feel that the Trump administration has too much power in the executive branch. There were some people there who saw immigration as their main reason for coming and feel that it’s been overkill on immigration with the ICE raids.” The No Kings theme was orchestrated by the 50501 Movement to support against what it calls the executive overreach of the Trump administration,
Albemarle promotes Rhodes to be next city manager “Serving the city of Albemarle is one of the most rewarding opportunities in my career.” Darren Rhodes
$2.00
CHARLES CURCIO / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
He will take over when City Manager Todd Clark retires in August By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The city of Albemarle announced Tuesday that its city council has appointed Assistant City Manager Darren Rhodes as the next city manager, effective upon the retirement of current City Manager Todd Clark in August. Clark is retiring after 35 years of service and a year as city manager. “Darren Rhodes has proven himself to be a skilled, caring and ethical leader for our organization,” Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael said in a media release. “Darren’s un-
derstanding of the city’s operations is a valuable asset as we move forward with critical projects. City council is confident that Darren’s vast experience at both the local and state levels of government will help us build an even better future for Albemarle.” Rhodes has been assistant city manager for Albemarle since October 2022 and served as interim city manager last year. “Serving the city of Albemarle is one of the most rewarding opportunities in my career,” Rhodes said. “I’m thankful for the trust city council has placed in me to lead the next phase of our city’s progress. I look forward to continuing to work with our See RHODES, page A5
which has recently deployed National Guard members and U.S. Marines to Los Angeles in response to protests against ICE immigration raids. The Albemarle protest was organized by Indivisible Uwharrie, a local chapter of a larger national organization. Ariel Dennis, a social worker with Stanly County DSS, said the idea of 200 people coming out locally to support the protest was phenomenal. “Our little town was able to show such support on the right side of history, and especially show the other side that there are more of us than there are of them and that we do not condone tyrants,” Dennis said. “As a social worker, I talk with these people daily, and I see what the community actually needs. They need actual leadership and support, and we are not finding that with our current president.” “We need more hometown folks to support our democracy,” noted Jera Norwood, who See PROTEST, page A4