VOLUME 145 ISSUE 48 | WEEKEND EDITION, JUNE 21 – JUNE 22 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING Supreme Court allows Tenn. ban on hormones, puberty blockers for transgender minors Washington, D.C. The Supreme Court has upheld Tennessee’s ban on hormone treatments and puberty blocking drugs for transgender minors. Another 26 states have laws similar to Tennessee’s. In the 6-3 decision, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote that the law doesn’t violate the Constitution’s equal protection clause, which requires the government to treat similarly situated people the same. An American Civil Liberties Union lawyer says the decision is “a devastating loss for transgender people.”
Trump extends TikTok ban deadline again Washington, D.C. President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to keep TikTok running in the U.S. for another 90 days to give his administration more time to broker a deal to bring the social media platform under American ownership. It is the third time Trump has extended the deadline. The first one was through an executive order on Jan. 20, his first day in office, after the platform went dark briefly when a national ban took effect. The second was in April when White House officials believed they were nearing a deal to spin off TikTok into a new company with U.S. ownership that fell apart after China backed out following Trump’s tariff announcement.
PHOTOS COURTESY ALBEMARLE PARKS AND RECREATION
Albemarle’s new StoryWalk trail was officially dedicated during a June 18 ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Albemarle holds ribbon cutting for StoryWalk trails The outdoor reading adventure path is at City Lake Park By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Chamber of Commerce recently hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony for Albemarle Parks and Recreation’s new StoryWalk outdoor reading adventure trail. While the Parks and Rec Department originally unveiled the project at City Lake Park late last year, a formal dedication event for the trail was held
SpaceX rocket being tested in Texas explodes; no injuries reported Starbase, Texas A SpaceX rocket being tested in Texas exploded, sending a dramatic fireball high into the sky. The company says the Starship “experienced a major anomaly” at about 11 p.m. Wednesday while on the test stand at Starbase, SpaceX’s launch site at the southern tip of Texas. The company says in a statement on X that “all personnel are safe and accounted for.” SpaceX says there are no hazards to nearby communities and asked people not to try to approach the site. The Starship rocket was preparing to undergo a “static fire test” where the engines are stressed ahead of launch when the ship experienced what rocket and space companies call a “rapid unscheduled disassembly” or RUD.
See STORYWALK, page A8
inside Stanly insurance agent arrested on 72 felony charges
North Stanly hosts the 31st annual edition of the youth basketball camp.
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Wednesday morning in front of collaborators and city officials. The scenic 1.2-mile trail loop features an interactive reading experience — designed with a younger audience in mind — with pages from “From Head to Toe” by Eric Carle displayed at intervals throughout the path, promoting a combination of reading, exercise and nature appreciation. “This innovative trail combines the joy of reading with the benefits of outdoor activity, making it a perfect outing for families and children,” Albemarle Parks and Recreation said in a statement. “This initiative aims to promote literacy, physical activity, and family engagement. It’s a wonderful way to inspire a love for reading and nature in children.” StoryWalk begins near City Lake Park’s playground area,
Ashley Barnhardt allegedly committed identity theft and fraud for years By Jesse Deal and Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
LOCUST — A Locust insurance agent has been charged with 72 felonies after allegedly defrauding clients by using their identities to gain illicit commissions on life insurance policies. North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced the arrest of 43-year-old Ashley Barnhardt, an insurance agent who was charged with 22 felony counts of finan-
cial identity theft, 25 felony counts of common law forgery and 25 felony counts of obtaining property by false pretense. Barnhardt was taken before judicial officials in Stanly County and given a pretrial secured bond of $152,500; she has since posted her bond and is awaiting an initial court date at the Stanly County District Court on Monday. “It’s always disturbing when an agent uses their position to benefit themselves illegally,” Causey said. “I’m grateful to our agents for uncovering and pursuing this case. I’ve pledged to fight insurance-related crimes
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Read about it on page B3
See CHARGES, page A8
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