VOLUME 145 ISSUE 55 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 16, 2025 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Food truck roundup Last week, Albemarle’s monthly Food Truck Friday saw hundreds coming out to enjoy food from more than a dozen food trucks and the sounds of musical guest Legacy Motown Revue. The city hosts the event once a month in the summer. Next up is Chris Taylor & The Rumor on Aug. 1 from 5:30-9 p.m.
WHAT’S HAPPENING West Stanly softball to host alumni game
Locust, county officials break ground on new senior center The 10-month project is scheduled to open in spring 2026
Oakboro The West Stanly softball program will host an alumni game August 7 at the high school field. There will be a fast-pitch game, but it may include a slow-pitch game for more veteran team alums. Anyone wanting to play should contact coach Emily Smith at emily.h.smith@ stanlycountyschools.org or (704) 322-7500.
By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal
South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette launches 2026 gubernatorial bid, touts Trump ties Greenville, S.C. South Carolina Republican Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette has announced her 2026 bid for governor. Speaking to supporters on Monday, she highlighted her work with outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster and her ties to former President Donald Trump. Evette emphasized her efforts to promote McMaster’s agenda, including support for law enforcement, stricter immigration policies, and abortion restrictions. If governor she pledged to expand school choice, eliminate income taxes and fight “woke corporations.” Evette is the first female Republican lieutenant governor in the state. The GOP primary isn’t until next June.
Inflation ticks up slightly in June Consumer prices rose 2.7% in June from a year earlier, the Labor Department said Tuesday, up from an annual increase of 2.4% in May. On a monthly basis, prices climbed 0.3% from May to June, after rising just 0.1% the previous month.
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Members of the Locust Town Council, the Stanly County Commissioners and others break ground Thursday on the new senior center.
Stanly Democrats host Rural Listening Party tour N.C. Democratic Party chair Anderson Clayton took questions By Charles Curcio Stanly News Journal GERRYMANDERING, encouraging citizens to run for office and fundraising were among the topics discussed last Thursday night at an event hosted by the Stanly County Democratic Party. North Carolina Democratic Party chair Anderson Clayton, Jesse Oppenheim — a candidate for the North Carolina 8th Congressional District — and state Rep. Laura Budd (D-Mecklenburg) spoke at the town hall meeting. Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls was scheduled to
appear but could not attend due to a death in a staff member’s family. Erin Soto, chair of the Stanly County Democratic Party, gave updates on the party before introducing Clayton. Soto said one focus when she became chair was organizing the precincts. When she started, only three of 22 precincts had committees — meaning a chair, vice chair and secretary. She said the number has increased to seven, with a meeting scheduled July 19 to add more. “We’re hoping to get the next six precincts organized,” Soto said, mentioning Locust, Badin, New London and West Norwood. “Hopefully by the end of See TOUR, page A5
“I believe that North Carolina is the most gerrymandered state in the country right now.” Anderson Clayton, N.C. Democratic Party chair
OFFICIALS BROKE ground last Thursday morning for a new resource for senior citizens in western Stanly County. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Stanly County Senior Center in Locust marked the official start of construction, which began in earnest on Monday. Members of the Locust Town Council attended with City Manager Cesar Correa, along with Stanly County Commissioners Patty Crump, Scott Efird, Bill Lawhon, Billy Mills and County Manager Andy Lucas. See CENTER, page A4