VOLUME 146 ISSUE 1 | WEEKEND EDITION, JAN. 3 – JAN. 4, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
MATTHEW HINTON / AP PHOTO
A cautious new year A man walking on Bourbon Street holds a flag reading “Love” as an armored vehicle sits parked on a street in the French Quarter as part of a National Guard deployment for New Year’s celebrations in New Orleans on Tuesday.
WHAT’S HAPPENING U.S. says it’s freezing child care funds to Minnesota after series of fraud schemes The Trump administration has announced that it is freezing child care funds to Minnesota after a series of fraud schemes in recent years. Deputy Secretary of Health and Human Services Jim O’Neill said on the social platform X on Tuesday that the move is in response to “blatant fraud that appears to be rampant in Minnesota and across the country.” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says the state has spent years cracking down on fraudsters but that Trump is “politicizing the issue to defund programs that help Minnesotans.” The announcement comes after years of investigation, including a $300 million fraud case in which 57 defendants were convicted.
Thieves drill into German bank vault, steal tens of millions of euros’ worth of property Gelsenkirchen, Germany Thieves have stolen tens of millions of euros’ worth of property from safety deposit boxes in a German bank vault. Police say the theft occurred Monday during a holiday lull in Gelsenkirchen. About 3,000 safety deposit boxes were broken into, affecting around 2,700 customers. Investigators estimate the theft’s value between 10 million and 90 million euros. The bank remained closed Tuesday, with 200 people demanding access. A fire alarm alerted police early Monday, revealing a hole in the wall and a ransacked vault.
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Stanly Arts Guild to host annual members show Prize winners can earn up to $300 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Stanly Arts Guild will host its annual members show from Jan. 13 through Feb. 7 at the guild’s gallery, located at 330 N. Second St. in Albemarle. The SAG Members Show serves as both a showcase and competition for guild members, featuring photography, two-dimensional artwork and three-dimensional pieces. The show is open to artists of all experience levels, continuing a tradition the guild has maintained for many years to provide members with an opportunity to exhibit their work. “This is a chance for our members to show off their amazing artistic talents,” SAG said in a statement. “To enter
COURTESY STANLY ARTS GUILD
The Stanly Arts Guild will accept art submissions for its annual member’s show on Jan. 9-10. this show you must be a member of the Stanly Arts Guild. Awarded prizes are first, second and third place, with honorable mention ribbons being handed out at the judge’s discretion.” Artwork submissions for the
show will be accepted during scheduled art take-in periods on Jan. 9 from noon to 4 p.m. and Jan. 10 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Memberships will also be accepted during art take-in, with applications available at stanlyartsguild.com.
Albemarle Police Department warns of phone scam Impersonation and false claims are central to the scheme By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle Police Department is warning residents about a phone scam circulating locally in which callers impersonate law enforcement officers and use false claims to pressure victims into sending money. In a recent news release from the city, police outlined the scam’s tactics, saying callers have posed as members of the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office, APD and other local police agencies in an effort to appear legitimate.
The callers typically contact residents by phone and claim the recipient has missed jury duty, has outstanding warrants or is under investigation for a legal matter. “Callers are told they must make immediate payment to avoid arrest,” the City of Albemarle said in a statement. “The caller is often asked to pay large sums of money via gift cards, Venmo, Cash App, or Bitcoin, with amounts reaching up to $30,000.” According to APD, the scam is considered “sophisticated” in nature. Caller ID information may display phone numbers that appear to belong to legitimate law enforcement agencies, adding another layer of deception. See SCAM, page A5
“Callers are told they must make immediate payment to avoid arrest.” City of Albemarle
The exhibition will officially open to the public at noon on Jan. 13. Award announcements and artwork pickup will take place at 4 p.m. on Feb. 7. All artwork must remain on display through the conclusion of the show. This year’s members show will be judged by Randy Fike, a longtime Albemarle resident and veteran public school educator. He was named Stanly County Arts Educator of the Year in 2022 and currently serves as the ceramic studio coordinator at Montgomery Community College. Cash prizes will be awarded to the top finishers, with first place receiving $300, second place $200 and third place $100. Honorable mention ribbons will be awarded at the judge’s discretion. The show is sponsored by Starnes Bramlett Jewelers and RLM Ventures. Artists must be at least 16 years old to enter. Members may submit up to two pieces for a $30 entry fee, with additional entries accepted for $10 each and no limit on the total number of works. All entries must not have previously See ARTS, page A5