The streets of Badin were deserted Saturday night as snow blanketed the area.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
Signs of forced entry found at Arizona home of “Today” show host Guthrie’s mother
Tucson, Ariz. Investigators have found signs of forced entry at the Arizona home of “Today” show host Savannah Guthrie’s mother. That’s according to a person familiar with the investigation who spoke Tuesday to The Associated Press. Meanwhile, the host asked for prayers to help bring back the 84-year- old, whom authorities believe was taken against her will. The sheri said Nancy Guthrie must be found soon because she could die without her medication. Investigators also found evidence showing there was a nighttime kidnapping. Several of Guthrie’s personal items, including her cellphone, wallet and her car, were still at the home.
NASA delays astronauts’ lunar trip after hydrogen leaks mar fueling test
Cape Canaveral, Fla.
NASA’s long-awaited moonshot with astronauts is o until at least March because of leaking hydrogen fuel. The space agency announced the news Tuesday following a critical fueling test of its giant moon rocket in Florida.
Albemarle selects artist for Courthouse Plaza mural project
Bobby MaGee Lopez will create the artwork
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Bobby MaGee Lopez of Denver, Colorado, has been selected to create the artwork for Albemarle’s Courthouse Plaza mural project, city o cials recently announced. Scheduled for completion by June 30, the mural will be
installed on the east side of the building at 119 W. Main St. adjacent to the entrance to Courthouse Plaza.
In September, Albemarle introduced a new grant-funded public art initiative seeking professional artists to design a large brick wall mural for Courthouse Plaza. Artists were invited to submit proposals through the city’s website during an application window
Stanly Chamber extends nomination deadline for annual awards
Entires can now be submitted until Feb. 11 at noon
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Anyone wishing to participate in the nomination process for the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce 2026 Annual Meeting and Awards still has time to do so. On Jan. 28, the chamber announced it had pushed back the nomination deadline from Jan. 29 to noon on Feb. 11.
Award nomination forms, along with $50 event tickets, are available at stanlychamber.org. The forms can be downloaded, completed and returned by email to info@stanlychamber.org.
“Recognizing excellence takes time, so we’ve extended our award nomination deadline to Wednesday, Feb. 11,” the organization said in a statement. “Help us celebrate the people who make our community thrive. The evening includes a delicious dinner, the transition of the Chamber’s
Courthouse Plaza’s upcoming art mural in downtown Albemarle will be completed by the end of June.
Stanly County Chamber of Commerce
BARRY REEGER / AP PHOTO
FRIDAY FEB. 6
SATURDAY FEB. 7
SUNDAY FEB. 8
Two young children hold signs through the car window that make reference to the 2020 U.S. Census as they wait in the car with their family at an outreach event in Dallas in June.
Trump administration cuts number of sites for testing upcoming 2030 census, focusing on South
A practice test was reduced to two Southern locations despite undercounting concerns
By Mike Schneider The Associated Press
THE TRUMP administration is eliminating four out of the six locations that had been slated for a practice test to try out new methods for the 2030 census, raising concerns that the U.S. Census Bureau might not learn enough about communities that have been traditionally di cult to count.
The test, which started Monday, will be conducted only in Huntsville, Alabama, and Spartanburg, South Carolina, according to a notice submitted by the Commerce Department that will be formally published on Tuesday. The Commerce Department oversees the Census Bureau.
Four other sites — Colorado Springs, Colorado, tribal lands in Arizona, western North Carolina and western Texas — originally were included when the Census Bu-
reau announced the locations in 2024.
The bureau didn’t respond to an emailed inquiry on Monday about the reasons for the reduced number of sites. In a statement on its website, it said it “remains committed to conducting the most accurate count in history for the 2030 Census and looks forward to the continued partnership with local communities.”
Mark Mather, an associate vice president at the Population Reference Bureau, a nonpartisan research group, said limiting the test to just two metro areas in the South would be “a step backward.”
“The Census Bureau would be essentially ying blind into communities that need testing most — tribal lands, rural areas with limited connectivity and places with historically low response rates,” Mather said. “You can’t x what you don’t test.”
The test is supposed to give the statistical agency the chance to learn how to better tally populations that were undercounted in the 2020 census and improve methods that will be used in 2030. It also allows it to test its messaging
and its ability to process data as it’s being gathered.
Among the new methods being tested for 2030 is the use of U.S. Postal Service workers to conduct tasks previously done by census workers.
The original six test sites had been picked for a variety of reasons, including a desire to include rural areas where some residents don’t receive mail or have little or no internet service. Others, including tribal land, fast-growing locations with new construction, and dorms, care facilities and military barracks had been picked because their residents are traditionally hard to count.
Ahead of the last census in 2020, the only start-to- nish test of the head count was held in Providence, Rhode Island, in 2018. Plans for other tests were canceled because of a lack of funding from Congress.
The once-a-decade head count determines how many congressional seats and Electoral College votes each state gets. It also guides the distribution of $2.8 trillion in annual federal spending.
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County.
Feb. 7
Faith Free Will Baptist Youth Group Third Annual Cornhole Tournament
$20 admission per person. Sign-ups from 10:30 a.m. to noon. Competition starts at 12:15 p.m. For details, contact Jamie Hudson at 704-783-7752. All proceeds bene t the church youth group.
Stanly County Fairgrounds American Legion Post 76 24302 S. Business 52 Albemarle
Now through Feb. 7
Stanly Arts Guild Members’ Show
This annual exhibition features the work of Stanly Arts Guild members working in a variety of media and genres. The show awards rst-, second- and third-place prizes, along with honorable mention ribbons given at the judge’s discretion. Admission to the exhibit is free. Stanly Arts Guild & Gallery 330 N. 2nd St. Albemarle
Feb. 14
The Rowan Big Band 7 p.m.
Presented by The Stanly County Concert Association. Tickets are $25 for adults, $10 for students.
Stanly County Agri-Civic Center 26032 Newt Road # B Albemarle
TONY GUTIERREZ / AP PHOTO
THE CONVERSATION
Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
| DAVID HARSANYI
Price controls won’t work any better for Republicans than it does Democrats
Thomas Sowell points out that the typically “mundane” explanations for economic activity are “far less emotionally satisfying than an explanation which produces villains to hate and heroes to exalt.”
DEMONIZING GREEDY BANKERS and landlords is the last refuge of the poorly polling politician.
And, as a ordability remains a leading issue among voters, the Trump administration has regularly used rhetoric and ideas that mirror those of progressive Democrats like New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Take the president’s recent idea for capping credit card interest rates at 10%. Or rather, the idea that’s already proposed in a bill sponsored by Sens. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Josh Hawley (R-Mo.). “They’ve really abused the public,” the president said of credit card companies. “I’m not going to let it happen.”
This probably feels good to hear. But if you nd an APR on a new credit card o er “predatory,” de nitely do not sign up for it. You don’t owe the bank anything, and it doesn’t owe you.
An interest rate, though, re ects risk. It’s the entry price for obtaining credit. If you have a good credit score, you get lower rates and vice versa.
Capping the rate won’t eliminate credit risk factors, though it will likely shrink available money for people who need it most: lower-income and young workers, or anyone else trying to build up their credit. Lots of entrepreneurs and small-business owners also rely on credit cards to tide them over for a season or help with up-front capital.
And those who are denied cards will still need funds. They’ll inevitably seek out other means of borrowing, probably at even higher rates. Maybe they’ll go to payday loans and cash checking places. Maybe they’ll take second mortgages. Maybe they’ll go to the black market.
There are those who argue that Americans already borrow far too much and that limiting access to credit would be good for them. Rest assured, these nannies almost surely own their homes and cars — purchases that become even more prohibitive for people unable to improve their credit scores.
Trump likes to explicitly threaten or jawbone companies into doing his bidding. Bank of America, for example, is reportedly considering o ering a credit card with interest capped at 10% to placate the administration.
Well, there’s no federal cap on what APRs banks can o er on credit cards. If providers want to undercut competition, nothing is stopping them. Banks are businesses, after all, not charities.
But if banks lose out charging riskier customers lower interest rates to get on the good side of the administration, they’ll simply raise fees elsewhere, pull back on rewards and nd other creative ways to make their reliable consumers pay.
Price xing never alleviates cost — it merely displaces it.
Take Mamdani as he “cracks down,” as one
12 Question quiz: What ‘fascist’ ‘xenophobe’ ‘tyrant’ said this?
We simply cannot allow people to pour into the United States undetected, undocumented, unchecked.
1. “I’m really good at killing people. Didn’t know that was going to be a strong suit of mine.”
a. President Donald Trump, 2019
b. President Barack Obama, 2012
2. “But, let me tell you, we can build a fence 40 stories high — unless you change the dynamic in Mexico and — and you will not like this, and — punish American employers who knowingly violate the law when, in fact, they hire illegals. Unless you do those two things, all the rest is window dressing.”
a. President Donald Trump, 2017
b. Sen. Joe Biden (D-Del.), 2006
3. “Today, I will issue a national security memorandum directing every federal department and agency to do even more to stop the ow of narcotics — including fentanyl — into our country. It will increase intelligence collection on tra ckers’ evolving tactics to smuggle narcotics into our country. And it will help our law enforcement personnel seize more deadly drugs before they reach our communities.”
a. President Donald Trump, 2025
b. President Joe Biden, 2024
a. President Donald Trump, 2026, about Venezuela’s Nicolas Maduro
b. President Barack Obama, 2011, about Libya’s Muammar Gadda
5. “We simply cannot allow people to pour into the United States undetected, undocumented, unchecked and circumventing the line of people who are waiting patiently, diligently and lawfully to become immigrants in this country.”
a. President Donald Trump, 2025
b. Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.), 2005
6. “Real reform means stronger border security ... putting more boots on the southern border than at any time in our history and reducing illegal crossings to their lowest levels in 40 years.”
a. President Donald Trump, 2026
b. President Barack Obama, 2013
travel magazine referred to it, on “junk fees” in city hotels.
“Junk” is just a description of a cost that consumers and politicians have arbitrarily decided shouldn’t be paid. But they will be. Hotels will almost inevitably raise prices elsewhere or decrease services to make up for it.
Economic magical thinking never dies, however, because it’s tethered to envy and anger rather than rational thinking. Thomas Sowell points out that the typically “mundane” explanations for economic activity are “far less emotionally satisfying than an explanation which produces villains to hate and heroes to exalt.”
And there is no more convenient villain than a faceless pro t-mongering landlord.
Take another price control policy championed by Mamdani: rent control, a practice that’s been failing to lower housing costs since Roman times, at least.
A slew of studies and empirical evidence nds that rent control doesn’t work. The vast majority of economists, both on the right and left, believe it’s a bad idea. Still, most polls nd that rent “stabilization” is supported by around 80% of New Yorkers.
Every generation, it seems, convinces itself it possesses the best technocrats and formula to properly control economic activity to make it fairer and decent. Mamdani is just another in a long line of politicians who play the role.
But Trump? He should know better.
David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner. Harsanyi is a nationally syndicated columnist and author of ve books — the most recent, “How To Kill a Republic,” available now. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)
8. “Because we do need to address the issue of immigration and the challenge we have of undocumented people in our country. We certainly don’t want any more coming in.”
a. President Donald Trump, 2019
b. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), 2008
9. “All Americans ... are rightly disturbed by the large numbers of illegal aliens entering our country. ... We are a nation of immigrants. But we are also a nation of laws.”
a. President Donald Trump, 2020
b. President Bill Clinton, 1995
10. “I think we can enforce our borders. I think we should enforce our borders.”
a. President Donald Trump, 2018
b. Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), 1994
Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. To nd out more about Larry Elder, or become an “Elderado,” visit www.LarryElder.com. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com) COLUMN | LARRY ELDER
4. “The United States and the world faced a choice. (The dictator) declared he would show ‘no mercy’ to his own people. He compared them to rats and threatened to go door to door to in ict punishment. In the past, we have seen him hang civilians in the streets and kill over a thousand people in a single day. It was not in our national interest to let that (massacre) happen. I refused to let that happen.”
7. “Illegal immigration is wrong, plain and simple. ... People who enter the United States without our permission are illegal aliens and illegal aliens should not be treated the same as people who enter the U.S. legally. ... Until the American people are convinced that we will stop future ows of illegal immigration, we will make no progress on dealing with the millions of illegal immigrants who are here now. ... When we use phrases like undocumented workers, we convey a message to the American people that their government is not serious about combatting illegal immigration. If you don’t think it’s illegal, you’re not going to say it. I think it is illegal and wrong.”
a. President Donald Trump, 2017
b. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), 2009
11. “If making it easy to be an illegal alien isn’t enough, how about o ering a reward for being an illegal immigrant? No sane country would do that. Right? ... If you break our laws by entering this country without permission and give birth to a child, we reward that child with U.S. citizenship.”
a. President Donald Trump, 2017
b. Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.), 1993
12. “A biometric-based employment veri cation system with tough enforcement and auditing is necessary to signi cantly diminish the job magnet that attracts illegal aliens to the United States.”
a. President Donald Trump, 2020
b. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), 2009 Hint: If it’s not too late, consider betting on “b.”
COLUMN
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Carolinas emerge as new population boom states; cost, lifestyle drive growth
The Carolinas overtook Florida and Texas as top destinations for Americans on the move
By Mike Schneider The Associated Press
ORLANDO, Fla. — Move over Florida and Texas. The United States has new hot spots for growth, and they both have Carolina in their name.
North Carolina last year attracted more new residents, 84,000 people, from other parts of the country than any other state, a title held by Texas in 2024 and Florida in the two years before that. South Carolina had the highest overall growth rate last year at 1.5%, a distinction among states held by Florida in 2024, according to U.S. Census Bureau gures released this past week.
Domestic migration, or people moving within the U.S., slowed in Texas. The 67,300 domestic migrants heading to the second most populous state year over year barely squeaked by South Carolina, which had the third highest number of domestic migrants at 66,600.
The appeal of Florida, the nation’s third most populous state, dimmed. It dropped to No. 8 for state-to-state migration, as more U.S. residents preferred to move elsewhere, including Alabama.
Sabrina Morley and Steven Devereaux sold their Tampa-area house last year, moved out of Florida and landed outside Valencia, Spain. Growing up in the 1990s, they both enjoyed Florida’s diversity and being able to run around freely outdoors. But in recent years, as they planned to have children, they had grown wary of the state’s costs, regular threats of mass shootings at schools, the quality of education and political divisiveness. They are expecting a daughter in the spring.
“I had a pretty good childhood, but I don’t think we’d be able to give our child the same quality of life because of the cost of living, food quality, and guns have become more prevalent,” Devereaux said.
“We think where we are now, it’s the best decision we could make to give any future children the best quality of life.”
AWARDS from
Leadership Board and an inspiring vision for Stanly County’s economic future. Don’t miss this milestone celebration of 90 years of business service in Stanly County.” The chamber’s annual meeting and awards ceremony is scheduled for March 5 at 5:30 p.m. in the Magnolia Room at Atrium Health Stanly. During the event, the Stanly Chamber will
announce its Ambassador of the Year, Small Business of the Year, Business of the Year and Citizen of the Year award winners. The organization will also introduce a new honor this year: Nonpro t Organization of the Year. “We are thrilled to announce an exciting new addition to our annual honors,” the Stanly Chamber said of the new category. “We know that our local nonpro ts are the heart of
“I had a pretty good childhood, but I don’t think we’d be able to give our child the same quality of life because of the cost of living, food quality and guns have become more prevalent.”
Steven Devereaux
to high-paying jobs in banking and tech, the topographical diversity and having smaller big-cities than Florida and Texas.
“North Carolina is attracting younger folks because we have so many nice areas in North Carolina — the mountains and beaches and lakes in between — that we’re bene ting from younger people who decided they can work from anywhere and would rather be in a nice area,” Cline said. “One of the things about North Carolina, our cities are not huge, and that may be attractive to folks, too.”
Last year’s changes among the states were signi cant because population growth brings more taxpayers, economic dynamism and demand for goods and services. It also signals potential changes in the nation’s political landscape after the next census in 2030, with certain states gaining or losing clout in Congress and the Electoral College.
In the next few years, domestic migration is going to play a larger role in states’ growth or population decline. That is because the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown has contributed to a signi cant reduction in migration from abroad, which had been the prime driver of growth in most states for the rst half of this decade.
Without immigration growth, the U.S. population will start shrinking in ve years as deaths outpace births, according to the Congressional Budget O ce.
Pandemic boom peters out
Younger folks and nice areas
North Carolina state demographer Michael Cline credited the state’s growth
Despite the comparative year-over-year slowdown in domestic migration, Texas’ overall growth of 391,000 people and Florida’s overall growth of 196,000 people were still the two highest in the U.S. last year.
In Florida, it was driven by international migration, and in Texas by international migration as well as
births outpacing deaths. Both states boomed during the early part of the decade, when pandemic-era lockdowns and remote work encouraged residents from other states to move to Florida and Texas, where coronavirus restrictions were more lax.
“The sharp domestic migrations they observed during the pandemic have now petered out, especially for Florida, at the same time that immigration is being diminished,” said Brookings demographer William Frey.
Demographers in Florida and Texas said they were not entirely sold on the accuracy of the Census Bureau’s migration numbers, which are the hardest variables to pin down because they uctuate the most year to year, although they did not question the rigor of the bureau’s work. The bureau uses data from the IRS and its American Community Survey to calculate migration, although the ACS data lags by a year and requires statisticians to project the data forward.
The Bureau of Economic and Business Research at the University of Florida uses a method di erent from the Census Bureau’s to calculate growth — electrical customer data, said research demographer Richard Doty.
There are no de nitive explanations for why domestic migration to Florida went from almost 319,000 people in 2022 to 22,500 people in 2025. Doty said some factors might include the state no longer being the bargain it once was, a series of hurricanes and return-to-o ce employer mandates.
“The cost of housing, in particular, is driving young people and retirees to other states,” he said. “Also, insurance is higher in Florida than most other states.”
When asked about the decline, Gov. Ron DeSantis’ press secretary, Molly Best, noted in an email that Florida had a signi cant in ux of new residents during the pandemic. It remains a top-ranked placed to live, she said.
The Texas economy has been growing, but that is not the only thing that in uences the in ow of potential migrants. Conditions outside the state also do, Texas state demographer Lloyd Potter said in an email.
“If jobs are plentiful, living is a ordable, and the overall quality of life is good, they will be less likely to move for an opportunity outside that community,” Potter said.
this county, and it is time we of-
cially recognized their mission-driven work with an award of their own. Be the rst to help us make history by nominating a deserving organization.”
The Nonpro t Organization of the Year category is open to chamber member nonpro ts — civic, religious or service-oriented — that were founded in Stanly County and ful ll their missions through local programming and by ad-
dressing community challenges. Duke Energy and Piedmont Natural Gas are the presenting sponsors for the 2026 Annual Meeting and Awards; additional sponsors include Charlotte Pipe and Foundry Company, Atrium Health and Uwharrie Bank. Based in Albemarle and established in 1936, the Stanly Chamber is an independent nonpro t organization focused on fostering local economic growth and supporting profes-
sional businesses through networking and advocacy.
The Stanly Chamber has several events scheduled throughout February, including ribbon cuttings for the upgraded Agri-Civic Center on Feb. 5 and Clefnote Music Group on Feb. 13. The chamber will also host a Women in Business networking event at The Art Place on Feb. 12 and a Business After Hours networking event at Emricci Pizzeria on Feb. 19.
MARY CONLON / AP PHOTO
Children walk through a sports eld in Independence Park under the skyline of Charlotte last March.
How Super Bowl halftime show evolved from pageantry to pop culture’s biggest stage
From marching bands to global spectacles drawing 130 million viewers
By Jonathan Landrum Jr.
The Associated Press
LOS ANGELES — Once upon a time, the Super Bowl halftime show belonged to marching bands and pageantry. But these days, it belongs to global pop stars, cinematic production and moments that ripple beyond the stadium.
Over the years, the league’s brief intermission has transformed into one of entertainment’s biggest stages, hosting era-de ning performances from Prince in the rain to Rihanna’s record-setting return, Usher’s tightly choreographed showcase and Kendrick Lamar’s layered, visually driven storytelling.
What began as intermission
ller has evolved into a global spectacle, rivaling the NFL’s championship game itself for attention from more than 100 million viewers worldwide.
That evolution continues this year as Bad Bunny prepares to take the halftime stage, placing Latin culture and Spanish-language music at the center of America’s most-watched television event.
“The halftime performance has come a long way,” said Dan Marino, the Hall of Fame quarterback who played 17 seasons with the Miami Dolphins and competed in the 1985 Super Bowl. As an NFL analyst, Marino’s had a front-row seat to several halftime shows.
“Not a lot of people really watched it,” he continued. “But now, people love to watch the halftime show.”
That shift did not happen overnight. For decades, the halftime show re ected the NFL’s family-friendly image, built around marching bands, drill teams and patriotic spectacle. As the Super Bowl grew into an uno cial national holiday — and a global broadcast event — the league began rethinking the power of those 12 to 15 minutes, gradually turning the break into a cultural platform capable of launch-
MURAL from page A1
that ran from Sept. 5 to Oct. 17.
A total of 28 mural submissions were received.
From those, eight advanced for further consideration, with four ultimately selected as semi nalists and given a $500 stipend to re ne their concepts. Designs were scored anonymously by a seven-member Mural Subcommittee representing local government, the arts community, the building owner and the Historic Resource Commission.
At the Albemarle City Council meeting on Jan. 20, council members heard a presentation from Main Street Manager Katie Lynn of the city’s Economic Development Department, who summarized the selec-
ing careers, shaping narratives and, at times, sparking national conversation.
Last year, Lamar used the halftime stage as a narrative space, weaving choreography, costuming and staging to explore themes of identity, power and perception. The performance stayed within league parameters while still drawing broad interpretation and debate over its imagery and tone.
Lamar’s show became the most-watched halftime performance on record, drawing roughly 133.5 million viewers, surpassing Usher’s 2024 performance, which reached about 129.3 million. That number from Lamar’s set is about six million more than Fox’s broadcast of the Philadelphia Eagles’ 40-22 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs.
“I think the live element is pretty exciting for people because it’s a massive production and there’s so many moving pieces,” said actor Scarlett Johansson, who doesn’t consider herself a football enthusiast.
But she’s intrigued by the unpredictability of the halftime show
tion process and provided background on Lopez’s work.
“The committee noted that his interview was very engaging, and he was the most experienced artist of the four seminalists,” Lynn said. “We see that Bobby’s art is vibrant and features designs with nature. We’re excited to see what he will create for Albemarle.”
With extensive experience in public art, Lopez has completed large-scale mural projects in nine di erent states.
“Bobby’s mural is titled ‘The Avant Garden,’” Lynn said. “He says about the piece, ‘The mural is a magical visualization of the connective energy of natural processes, particles and waves of light ebb and ow through the piece, representing movement, pollination, air
like Justin Timberlake and Janet Jackson’s infamous “wardrobe malfunction,” Lady Gaga dropping from a stadium roof and Rihanna’s pregnancy reveal.
“You kind of watch with nervous excitement,” Johansson said. “You know at any moment something could maybe go wrong. That’s why it’s so fun to watch it because you’ve got all this anticipation. The production is so huge and so many people have come together to create this one moment. It’s kind of awesome.”
Kris Jenner agrees, calling the halftime show a “giant surprise.”
“The production level and how quickly they put it together as they’re breaking into commercial and come back with this fabulous, epic show,” said Jenner, the matriarch of “The Kardashians” reality television show. “Through all the years and technology, it gets better and better. It’s so exciting to watch and see what they come up with next and who is going to perform. It’s such a big deal.”
Usher said his appearance with the Black Eyed Peas during
“We’re
Main Street Manager Katie Lynn on Bobby MaGee Lopez
current, growth and energy.’”
Lynn added that Lopez conducted extensive research to ensure the mural re ects the region’s natural environment, researching 15 native insects and animals along with 20 native plant species during the process.
The proposed mural rendering includes imagery such as milkweed, a ruby-throated hummingbird, an eastern tiger swallowtail caterpillar, a
“The
Dan Marino
the 2011 Super Bowl taught him not to “take the moments for granted because you only get 13 of them.”
His show in 2024 was vastly di erent from the NFL’s rst Super Bowl halftime show in 1967, which featured marching bands from the University of Arizona and Grambling State University, a historically Black college, along with hundreds of ying pigeons, thousands of balloons and two soaring men wearing jetpacks. After the inaugural Super Bowl, the NFL kept bringing back other marching bands, drill teams, signed Chubby Checker
monarch butter y, a honeybee and lightning bugs.
In addition to creating the mural, Lopez will host a community engagement activity and an interactive workshop. He will also produce a coloring page based on the mural design for distribution to the public.
A live-feed camera will be used during the installation process to promote the work to media outlets.
“I’m really excited about the design, and truly grateful to everyone who was part of this process,” building owner Bert Baker said in a statement provided to Lynn.
The mural commission is valued at up to $35,000, which covers all project-related costs including travel, materials, surface preparation and insurance.
and Up with People, an organization that stage positive thinking through dance and song performances. However, none of those acts were considered huge draws.
But as the Super Bowl’s popularity soared and game day emerged as an uno cial holiday in the U.S., the NFL wanted the halftime show to grow in the same capacity. The league tapped New Kids on the Block and Gloria Estefan the rst two years of the ‘90s. Then it saw a huge breakthrough when Michael Jackson headlined the 1993 show at the Rose Bowl in Southern California, where the King of Pop notoriously moonwalked across the stage and performed hits including “Billie Jean,” “Black or White” and “Heal the World.”
Jackson’s stellar performance opened the door for other stars like the Rolling Stones, Diana Ross, Jennifer Lopez and Shakira who are eager to perform.
The NFL handles production costs and expenses for performers — who don’t get paid — but the exposure to hundreds of millions of people worldwide is considered priceless.
Some notable examples include U2’s remembrance of the 9/11 victims; Beyoncé’s unapologetic Blackness and political activism through her Black power anthem “Formation”; and the rst show to feature hip-hop artists led by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg in 2022.
Snoop praised NFL commissioner Roger Goodell and Jay-Z for pushing the halftime show forward. The league worked with Roc Nation to help its Inspire Change initiative, created by the NFL after an agreement with a coalition of players who demonstrated during the national anthem to protest social and racial injustice in this country.
“Shout out to Jay-Z for changing the climate. Roger Goodell for giving him an opportunity,” Dogg said. “This is music. The music that dictates the world is what’s performing at halftime now. They’re starting to understand that it’s about what those players want to hear, what those fans want to hear, and what’s universally e ective.”
Snoop added: “It has no color on it now. Pop used to have a color on it. Now pop is popular. So, the most popular music is the music that we make. It makes sense to put those people on there that make that music.”
The mural was budgeted as part of the overall Courthouse Plaza project and is made possible through funding from an American Rescue Plan Act grant the city received.
City o cials expect the mural to have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. The project is part of Albemarle’s broader downtown streetscape master plan, which has already resulted in new signage, banners and outdoor furnishings.
Since its o cial opening in 2024, Courthouse Plaza has been redeveloped into a pedestrian-friendly gathering space featuring lighting, seating and designated areas for public art. The plaza has subsequently hosted festivals, art walks, seasonal celebrations and other community events.
RUSTY KENNEDY / AP PHOTO
Michael Jackson performs during the halftime show at the Super Bowl in 1993.
OBITUARIES
IN MEMORY
RAIMUNDO CAMPELO JR.
APRIL 23, 1943 – JAN. 25, 2026
Raimundo Campelo Jr., of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Sunday, January 25, 2026, at Stanly Manor Nursing Facility.
A formal service will be announced at a later date.
Roy Wesley Cook
Oct. 6, 1947 – Jan. 23, 2026
Roy Wesley Cook, 78, of Salisbury, passed away January 23, 2026, at the NC State Veterans Home.
Born October 6, 1947, in Stanly County, he was the son of the late Joe Claybern Cook and Johnsie Mae Talbert Cook. He was a 1965 graduate of Albemarle High School and a 1967 graduate of CPCC with an Associate Degree in Business. He served in the US Air Force 1967-1971, serving in Korea, Iowa and NC. After the Air Force he attended Elon College and graduated with a BA Degree in Accounting and Business in 1973 and earned an Associate’s Degree in Marketing from RCCC. In 1984 he earned an Insurance Degree from American College. In 1977 he joined NC Farm Bureau Insurance as a Sales Representative, a position he held until his retirement in 2010. He enjoyed gardening and spending time with family, especially his grandchildren. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Palmer Cook.
Left to cherish his memory are his wife, who he married May 29, 1966, Linda Davis Cook; son, John Wesley Cook of Salisbury; daughter, Meredith C. Carl of Salisbury; brothers, Robert Cook (Carolyn) of Cottonville, John G. Cook (Marie) of Kannapolis; sister, Patricia Fraley (Mike) of Albemarle; and grandchildren, Cora Cook, Wesley Claybern Cook, Nathaniel Carl (Jessica) and Chad Carl all of Salisbury and two Great-grandchildren, Callum Carl and Declan Carl. Th family will receive friends from 10:30AM until 11:30 AM on Friday, February 6, 2026, at Summersett Funeral Home. Funeral services will follow at 11:30AM at Summersett Memorial Chapel with Pastor Chad Hayes o ciating. Burial will be in the Salisbury National Cemetery. Military Honors will be presented by the Rowan County Veteran’s Honor Guard and the United States Air Force. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, KS 66675. Summersett Funeral Home is serving the Cook family. Online condolences may be made at www.summersettfuneralhome. com.
Jerry Thomas Smith
Mar. 7, 1943 – Jan. 31, 2026
Jerry Thomas Smith Sr. 82 of West Je erson (formerly from Albemarle) passed away January 31, 2026, at Novant Health Forsyth Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC. He was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and E e Smith of Albemarle, and one brother, Robert Smith of Southport. He is survived by his wife of 58 years, the former Frances Vanhoy. He is also survived by his daughter, Kimberly Smith Johnson (Mark) of West Je erson, his son, Jerry Smith, II (Danielle) of Badin. He has four grandchildren, Katelyn Smith Lo in (Justin) of Oak Island, Maggie Smith Rooks (Audie) of Coleville, California, Jerry “Tommy” Smith, III (Brooklyn) of Badin, Mark Johnson Jr. of West Je erson and Step granddaughter, Melissa Hanna (Chris) of Mans eld, Texas, and two step greatgrandchildren, Gwen Vogel and Randal Vogel of Mans eld, Texas. Also surviving are two siblings, Nelson Smith (Donna) of Charlotte, and Virginia Smith of Winston-Salem, and many nieces and nephews. Jerry requested to be cremated, and to have no visitation or memorial service. Jerry always had a special place in his heart for the Albemarle Senior High School, Class of 1962
William Robert “Bob” Storey Jr.
Dec. 15, 1948 – Jan. 30, 2026
William Robert (“Bob”) Storey Jr. passed away January 30, 2026.
He is Remembered and Cherished by his Family. We are all so happy he can now rest and join his loving wife, our loving mother, whom he has missed so greatly since she passed.
Born in 1948 to William Robert and Lois May Storey, Raised in Millville, NJ.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@ northstatejournal.com
He Married his High School Sweetheart Janis K. Rocco Storey, whom he Loved and Adored with every breath and beat of his heart. Bob will be remembered by many. He served his time in the Army during the Vietnam War. He Played, Coached, and Refereed Soccer, which was his passion. He worked in Grocery Store Management in Millville NJ, Moved to Stanly County, NC where he worked in Computer programing, nished his career and retired with Walmart in Albemarle, NC.
He is survived by his three children and spouses, Kelly Horton (and Gary Cook), William Robert (Bobby) Storey III (and Wife, Brandy), Michelle Verni (and Husband Domenic).
5 Grandchildren, Eric Storey Sr.(and Wife Kristina), Zachary Beachum (and Hailey), Gaetano Verni, Addison Storey, and Courtney Storey.
3 Great-grandchildren, Ella Storey, Eric Storey Jr, and Taylor Storey. Sister Kimberly Storey Pagliarli. Nephew Ryan (and Nicole) Aziminia, Niece Shayda (and Farhad) Ketab.
Born April 23, 1943, in Mineola, New York, Raimundo was the son of the late Raimundo and Eliza Campelo. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather whose life was centered around faith and family.
Raimundo is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Linda Campelo. Those left to cherish his memory include his son, Ray Campelo (Stella) of Albemarle; daughters, Denice Tomney (Andrew) of New York, Allison Campelo of New York, and Robin MacDonald (Kenneth) of New Jersey; his grandchildren, Bradley Tomney (Bridget), Adam Campelo (Alicia), Justin Tomney (Danielle), Billy Campelo, Tyler Tomney, Henry Campelo, Kaylee MacDonald, Austin Campelo, Emma MacDonald, and Cooper Campelo; great-grandchildren, Aiden, Myla, and Mackenzie; and his brother, Artie Bailey.
Raimundo was a loving and devoted father and a proud grandfather who delighted in time spent with his grandchildren. Known for his warm spirit, his motto in life was to always “smile and be happy.” A faithful Christian, he loved being involved in church and was a wonderful mentor to his family. He also enjoyed bowling and playing checkers, hobbies that brought him both joy and connection with others.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the sta of Stanly Manor Nursing Facility for their love, care, and compassion during Raimundo’s declining health. They also wish to thank his church families at St. Paul’s in New York, Morning Star in Charlotte, and First Lutheran Church in Albemarle for their continued support and prayers.
Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle is honored to serve the Campelo family.
STEPHEN ALAN DARBY
MAY 20, 1945 – JAN. 27, 2026
Stephen Alan Darby, 80, of Norwood, passed away Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at Trinity Place in Albemarle.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Edwards Funeral Home in Norwood. Interment will follow at the National Cemetery in Salisbury on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at 10 a.m. with military honors.
Stephen was born on May 20, 1945, in Mobile, Alabama. He spent most of his younger years and graduated from high school in Florida. He then joined the Army and served for two years. He then joined the Air National Guard and made many lifelong friends. He traveled with the Guard and served numerous overseas countries and all across the United States. White serving with the Air National Guard, Steve moved to Norwood, NC. He moved into the Boarding House owned by Mrs. Russell from 1972-1973. In 1979, Steve moved into his home on Allenton Street behind Bo and Betty Smith. Steve became an extended member of the family of Bo, Betty, Pam, and Patti Smith. That would be his home for the next 43 Years.
Steve was very proud of his years in service and was one of the most patriotic persons you would ever meet. He wore many t-shirts and caps with American Flags and Air Force logos to keep America strong in all his clothing. He looked forward to riding in the Veterans Parade every year. Steve was an excellent tennis player. He enjoyed playing on the courts in Norwood and Rock Creek Park. Steve liked showing young people how to play. He would volunteer to work with players playing at South Stanly. Steve was seen for years at Whispering Pines Barbeque. He worked there part-time and loved being around the crowd during his free time. Steve was known for attending yard sales and ea markets. He must have purchased one of everything made-from small model cars, art work, gadgets and every kind of jewelry.
As illness set in, Steve could no longer live alone and decided to move into Spring Arbor. He spent his last three years there. He loved the sta and his fellow mates who were living there and formed friendships; that’s what kept him going. Steve spent his nal stages at Trinity Place, where he had only been since January 5, 2026.
Those left to cherish his memory are his extended family: Pam and Mike Lambert of Albemarle; Patti and Larry Smith of Norwood; Betty Ruth Smith of Albemarle; McKenzie Huneycutt and children: Smith, Reece and Aubrey Huneycutt; and Carrie and Blake Bostic and children: Kate and Caroline Bostic.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Spring Arbor, Trinity Place, and Tillery Compassionate Care.
JOY DRAKE EUDY
MAY 15, 1939 – JAN. 28, 2026
Joy Gaynelle Drake Eudy, 86, of Midland, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, January 28, 2026. Joy was born on May 15, 1939, in Cabarrus County to the late John Alexander Drake and the late Ella Knight Drake. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 64 years, David Edward Eudy; brothers Bob Drake and Curtis Drake of Midland and sister Alice Ruth McDaniel of Mt. Pleasant.
Joy loved playing the piano. She was a church pianist for many years and played the piano for a gospel group, “The Inheritors”. Most of all, Joy was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. She will be dearly missed and forever in our hearts.
The graveside service in celebration of Joy’s life will be held on Monday, February 9, 2026, at 2 p.m. at First Baptist Cemetery of Midland, o ciated by Rev. Leon Hawks and Rev. Lewis Whittington.
Survivors include son, Je Eudy and wife, Tena, of Midland; son, Mike Eudy and wife, Kim, of Midland; son, Mark Eudy and wife, Crystall of Blu ton, SC; grandchildren, Brian, Angie, Sheena, Brant, David, Adam, Noah, Lydia and Levi; great-grandchildren, Bethany, Elly, Brody, Asher, Knox and Luke. Also, many nieces and nephews.
The Eudy family would like to sincerely thank Evonna and Raven of Carolina Caring Hospice for their care and support.
In lieu of owers, memorial donations may be made to Carolina Caring Hospice or your local hospice.
GENEVA “GAY” CANADAY GREENE
DEC. 4, 1950 – JAN. 28, 2026
Geneva “Gay” Canaday Greene, 75, of Norwood, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, at Atrium Health Cabarrus.
No formal services will be held.
Born December 4, 1950, in Mecklenburg County, Gay was the daughter of the late Joe and Geneva Canaday. She was a devoted wife and loving caregiver, faithfully sharing 55 years of marriage with her husband, Jimmy Greene, who survives her. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews who cherished her presence in their lives and a special sister-inlaw, Trudy Shaver.
Gay will be remembered as a kind and gentle soul who never met a stranger and always greeted others with a warm smile. She enjoyed computer games and Sudoku, nding joy in the simple pleasures of life. Her Christian faith was central to who she was, and she loved her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, with her whole heart.
JANE LOWRY KIMREY
JAN. 18, 1936 – JAN. 31, 2026
Jane Lowry Kimrey, 90 of Norwood, died Saturday Morning, January 31, 2026, at the home of her son.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, February 5, 2026, at Edwards Funeral Home Chapel in Norwood. Rev. Todd McSwain will o ciate, and interment will follow in Stanly Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the funeral home.
Jane was born January 18, 1936, in Anson County to the late George William and Janie Virginia Tucker Lowry. She was a 1954 graduate of Deep Creek High School in Anson County and was a member of Norwood First Baptist Church. She was owner and operator of Jane’s Beauty Salon in the Cottonville Community for more than thirty years and also retired as custodian at South Stanly High School.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Ray Hugh Kimrey, and three brothers, Bill, John and Bob Lowry.
She is survived by one son Tony Kimrey and wife Debbie of Norwood and two daughters, Betty Kimrey of Albemarle and Della Kimrey Robbins and husband Gil of Belhaven. Four grandchildren, Lauren Andrew (Bo), Ryan Kimrey, John Robbins Jr. and Cecelia Swindell (Damian). Four great-grandchildren, Jordan Rae Andrew, Anduin Robbins, Alaric Robbins and Melody Mae Swindell. One sister, Ann Bundy of Bennettsville, SC Memorials may be made to Tillery Compassionate Care, 960 N 1st Street, Albemarle, NC 28001.
STANLY SPORTS
North Stanly girls continue winning streak
The Comets are 6-0 in Yadkin
Valley Conference play
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
MISENHEIMER — With seven wins in a row and an undefeated Yadkin Valley Conference record, the North Stanly girls’ basketball team has been dominant in 2026 as the regular season begins to wind down.
On Friday night, the Comets (15-3, 6-0 YVC) came away from Misenheimer with a 48-28 road win over the Gray Stone Knights (2-13, 0-6 YVC).
North Stanly jumped to an early 19-5 lead before going up by 28 at halftime. The Knights showed some signs of life in the second half — outscoring the Comets by one point in the third quarter and seven points in the fourth — but the damage was done.
Senior Lexie Brown led North Stanly with 12 points as senior Shy’Mani Baskins, junior Resse Coble and sophomore Sammie Lowder each added seven points.
North Stanly has already far surpassed its 13-13 (5-6 conference) record from last season and is on pace to possibly hit the 20-win mark, an accomplishment the Comets pulled o in three of their past four campaigns.
Over in Misenheimer, Gray Stone has largely emulated its two-win 2024-25 season at the bottom of the conference standings.
The Comets will travel to Monroe to challenge second-place YVC competitor
Union Academy on Wednesday, while the Knights will try to snap an eight-game losing streak as they host Albemarle on Friday.
Monroe 67, West Stanly 40
Now .500 in Rocky River Conference play, the West Stanly Colts (9-10, 4-4 RRC) lost 67-40 in a road test against the Monroe Redhawks (15-2, 7-1 RRC) on Friday night, dropping to fourth place in the RRC standings.
The Colts’ opponent won’t
get any easier on Wednesday as they head to Marshville to face Forest Hills, which remains the only RRC team with a perfect 7-0 record in conference play.
Albemarle 53, Union Academy 42
Playing on their home court, the Albemarle Bulldogs (9-10, 3-3 YVC) defeated the Union Academy Cardinals (8-11, 4-2 YVC) by 11 points on Friday night to snap a two-game skid. Albemarle is fourth in the YVC standings with a chance
Consecutive wins for the North Stanly girls’ basketball team
to achieve a winning record this season both overall and in league play; the Bulldogs hosted North Rowan on Tuesday and will now travel to Norwood on Thursday for a matchup with South Stanly.
Falcons notch sixth straight USA South win
Pfei er is now 6-2 in USA South play
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
MISENHEIMER — After opening USA South Athletic Conference play with back-toback losses, the Pfei er men’s basketball team is now undefeated since Jan. 9.
The Falcons (10-8, 6-2 USA South) have won six consecutive games — all against conference opponents — and have surged into the thick of the USA South race following a 0-2 start in league play.
Led by ninth-year coach Pete Schoch, Pfei er is positioning itself for another postseason run after sweeping the regular-season and conference tournament championships a year ago in an 18-8 (12-2 conf.) campaign.
Pfei er’s recent stretch has vaulted the Falcons into a tie for second place with N.C. Wesleyan (14-5, 6-2 USA South), both trailing rst-place Southern Virginia (11-7, 7-1 USA South) in the conference standings.
The Falcons’ momentum continued Friday night with a 98-79 home win over N.C. Wesleyan at Merner Gym, giving Pfei er victories this season over both teams currently
ahead of them in the league race.
“We’ve typically been able to get better as the season goes on,” Schoch said after the game. “I think that this group is no exception and it’s starting to play better.”
Pfei er built a 46-37 halftime lead and continued to apply pressure after the break, outscoring the Battling Bishops by 10 in the second half to secure a 19-point win. The 98 points marked Pfei er’s highest scoring output of the 2025 -26 season.
Former North Stanly standout Doug Smith led the way with 17 points and ve rebounds. The senior forward
from Badin currently ranks rst in the conference in rebounding (9.4 per game) and blocked shots (3.2), second in eld-goal percentage (.644) and third in scoring (16.9).
Sophomore guard Drake Stewart added 17 points and four rebounds o the bench, while senior forward Justin Gaten chipped in 11 points and four rebounds. Junior guard Sunni Wrice also scored 11 points, with junior guard Jaylan Bowen and senior guard Sean Sucarichi adding nine and eight points, respectively.
N.C. Wesleyan was paced by Markquan Gilbert’s game-high 25 points on 11-of-17 shooting,
South Stanly 55, Gray Stone 51
South Stanly claimed its rst conference win of the season Jan. 23 as the Rowdy Rebel Bulls (510, 1-4 YVC) snuck past Gray Stone for a four-point win in Norwood. Junior Kanija Colson led the Bulls with 22 points as senior Briley Page also reached double digits with 11 points. Hoping to move up from fth in the YVC standings, the Bulls have home games with Albemarle (Thursday) and Union Academy (Friday) lined up this week.
while Nasir Johnson contributed 23 points. Gilbert helped keep the Bishops within striking distance early in the second half, scoring 11 points in the opening eight minutes, but N.C. Wesleyan never closed the gap to fewer than six points.
Pfei er answered with a decisive 16-6 run and eventually built a 25-point cushion.
“If that group is good, life is a heck of a lot easier for us,” said Schoch, who credited his reserves for creating separation. “They were beyond good tonight — they were terri c. That’s kind of how the game got to where it was.”
Pfei er will travel to Raleigh on Wednesday night to face William Peace before heading to Buena Vista, Virginia, for a Saturday afternoon matchup against Southern Virginia.
Pfei er’s Drake Stewart dunks on N.C. Wesleyan’s Deejayy Cox during a home matchup in Misenheimer on Jan. 30.
COURTESY NFHS NETWORK
North Stanly’s Lexie Brown attempts a free throw during the Comets’ win at Gray Stone on Friday night.
NBA
James’ All-Star streak at 22 years
LeBron James is an All-Star, his 22nd consecutive selection. The NBA announced the reserves for the game on Feb. 15 in Inglewood, California. The reserves from the Eastern Conference are Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, New York’s Karl-Anthony Towns, Indiana’s Pascal Siakam, Toronto’s Scottie Barnes, Detroit’s Jalen Duren, Miami’s Norman Powell and Atlanta’s Jalen Johnson, a former Duke player. From the Western Conference, the other reserves are Minnesota’s Anthony Edwards, Denver’s Jamal Murray, Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren, Houston’s Kevin Durant, Phoenix’s Devin Booker and Portland’s Deni Avdija.
PGA
Rose sets scoring record, goes wire to wire at Torrey Pines
San Diego Justin Rose is the rst wire-to-wire winner at Torrey Pines in 71 years. Rose nished with a 70 to break the tournament scoring record set by Tiger Woods in 1999. He nished at 23-under 265. Rose started with a six-shot lead and never let anyone get any closer. Tommy Bolt in 1955 was the last player to win this tournament from start to nish without ties. Rose now moves to No. 4 in the world at age 45.
NBA
NBA suspends 76ers’ George 25 games for violating anti-drug policy
Philadelphia Paul George of the Philadelphia 76ers was suspended 25 games for violating the NBA’s anti-drug program. The league did not disclose the substance involved. George released a statement saying he took something that was “improper.” He apologized to the team and its fans, saying he takes “full responsibility for my actions.” This is George’s rst violation. The suspension will cost him approximately $11.7 million of his salary.
BOXING
Miller’s hairpiece knocked upward by punch, then thrown into crowd
New York
Jarrell Miller was hit with such a good punch it knocked his hair o . Heavyweight Kingsley Ibeh landed a punch in the second round that knocked Miller’s head backward, and his hairpiece popped upward from the front, revealing a large bald spot that covered most of his head. Miller nished the round with the hairpiece, then ripped it o in his corner between rounds and tossed it into the crowd at Madison Square Garden. Miller won by split decision, then rubbed the top of his head while doing a celebratory dance.
NBA
Flagg breaks NBA teen record with 49 points in Mavs’ loss to Hornets
Dallas As Dallas rookie Cooper Flagg set the NBA record for points by a teenager with 49 in a loss to Charlotte, he broke the franchise rookie scoring record he shared with Mark Aguirre. Flagg turned 19 in December. Kon Knueppel, Flagg’s roommate as Blue Devils freshmen, had a careerhigh 34 points, hitting the two winning free throws with 4.1 seconds left after being fouled by Flagg. Cli Robinson set the previous NBA teen record of 45 points at age 19 in 1980.
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Hurricanes center Jordan Staal celebrates his gamewinning goal against the Mammoth with forward Nikolaj Ehlers (27) during Carolina’s 5-4 win last Thursday in Raleigh.
By Cory Lavalette North State Journal
RALEIGH — In many ways, last Thursday’s game wasn’t one Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere will want to play on a loop at a family gathering.
His wipeout in the neutral zone early in the second period allowed Utah winger Kailer Yamamoto to score his rst of two goals and tie the game after Carolina dominated the opening 20 minutes.
Then with just 13 minutes left in the game, Yamamoto pestered the Hurricanes defenseman into a turnover and a goal by Michael Carcone to give the visiting Mammoth what seemed like a nail-in-theco n two-goal lead.
But Gostisbehere — returning to the lineup after missing the last ve games — and the Hurricanes not only fought back, but they also pulled o one of the best rallies in NHL history.
Andrei Svechnikov, Gostisbehere and Jordan Staal scored three times in 89 seconds, with Staal’s goal coming with just under 30 seconds remaining, to turn a multigoal de cit into a 5-4 Hurricanes win at Lenovo Center.
“Just forget,” Gostisbehere said of moving past his miscues, “or score right after so you forget about it.”
It was just the third time in league history that a team trailing by two goals with under two minutes remaining ended up winning in regulation.
The rally started with Gostisbehere and Svechnikov.
With Carolina on a
four-minute power play due to a high sticking penalty by Barrett Hayton and Brandon Bussi (21 saves) on the bench for an extra attacker, Gostisbehere shot wide, but the puck hit the end boards and popped right to Svechnikov. He banged it into the vacant net for his second goal of the night and 20th of the season — matching last season’s total.
Gostisbehere, who had scored his seventh goal of the year on the power play to tie the game in the second period, got his second of the night 22 seconds after Svechnikov’s goal.
With Bussi again on the bench for a sixth skater, Jackson Blake zipped a diagonal pass to Gostisbehere at the right point for a one-timer that hit the cross bar and went in to tie the game.
“It is always about your next shift, good or bad,” Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour said. “You score a goal, you don’t sit there patting yourself on the back. You’ve got to go do something about it. The same thing if you give up a goal. Ghost has been around. I don’t think he gets too ustered.”
Then the Hurricanes seized the momentum to get the winner.
Defenseman Jalen Chateld took a shot from the outside edge of the right circle. Jordan Martinook tipped the shot, and the puck went to Staal at the left post, where he knocked it in for his 12th goal of the year.
“We were just kind of riding the wave,” Staal said. “But obviously, things weren’t clicking and it nally clicked. To get those three goals that quickly and in that short period of time to win the game was really cool.”
Gostisbehere and Svech-
“We were just kind of riding the wave. But obviously, things weren’t clicking and it nally clicked.” Jordan Staal, Hurricanes captain
nikov each nished with three points.
“You saw him tonight,” Staal said of Svechnikov. “He was not only scoring goals, but he was physical, he was hard, he was skating well. And he’s got his strength back and his speed. … He’s the player that we all know he can be. And this year he’s been solid all throughout.”
And despite struggling much of the night on the power play, Carolina managed to score two key goals on ve opportunities.
“It’s sticking with it,” Gostisbehere said. “The entries weren’t beautiful, but at the end of the day, when you get two goals on power play, you know it’s going to help you win.”
And it did the Hurricanes extended their point streak to six games and further tightened their grip on the Metropolitan Division lead on Whalers Night.
“It’s always nice to score goals, especially game winners,” Staal said. “It’s making memories, and I love the game, I love being a part of of nights like this, and you want more of them. You’re chasing them, and you’re chasing those memories.
“And to do it alongside these guys in this room, the friends, and battle with each other is what I live for. It’s what I do this job for, and tonight was one of the good memories.”
SOUTH STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL
7-11, 1-4 in Yadkin Valley
2A/3A
Last week’s scores:
• No games
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 5 vs. Albemarle
• Feb. 6 vs. Union Academy
• Feb. 9 at North Stanly
SOUTH STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
5-10, 1-4 in Yadkin Valley
2A/3A
Last week’s scores:
• No games
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 5 vs. Albemarle
• Feb. 6 vs. Union Academy
• Feb. 9 at North Stanly
WEST STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL
7-12, 2-6 in Rocky River 4A/5A
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 70-32 at Monroe
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 4 at Forest Hills
• Feb. 5 vs. Piedmont
• Feb. 6 at Anson
WEST STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
9-10, 4-4 in Rocky River 4A/5A
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 67-40 at Monroe
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 4 at Forest Hills
• Feb. 5 vs. Piedmont
• Feb. 6 at Anson
NORTH STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL
19-1, 6-0 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Won 62-26 at Gray Stone Day
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 4 at Union Academy
• Feb. 6 at North Rowan
• Feb. 9 vs. South Stanly
NORTH STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
15-3, 6-0 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Won 48-28 at Gray Stone Day
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 4 at Union Academy
• Feb. 6 at North Rowan
• Feb. 9 vs. South Stanly
ALBEMARLE BOYS’ BASKETBALL 7-11, 4-2 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Won 45-36 vs. Union Academy
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 5 at South Stanly
• Feb. 6 at Gray Stone Day
• Feb. 9 vs. North Rowan
ALBEMARLE
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
9-10, 3-3 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Won 53-42 vs. Union Academy
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 5 at South Stanly
• Feb. 6 at Gray Stone Day
• Feb. 9 vs. North Rowan
GRAY STONE DAY
BOYS’ BASKETBALL 1-19, 0-6 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 62-26 vs. North Stanly
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 4 vs. Montgomery
• Feb. 6 vs. Albemarle
• Feb. 9 at Union Academy
GRAY STONE DAY
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL 2-13, 0-6 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 48-28 vs. North Stanly
This week’s schedule: Feb. 6 vs. Albemarle Feb. 9 at Union Academy
Carolina became the third team in history to have the historic rally
• Adjunct Instructor – Early Childhood Education (POOL)
• Adjunct Instructor, BLET
• Adjunct Instructor, Carpentry/Building Construction
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To
‘Splitsville,’
‘Puppy Bowl,’ Keke Palmer, J. Cole, Nick Jonas drops new solo album
A television adaptation the 80s dark comedy “The Burbs” lands on Peacock
The Associated Press
THE GOOFY AND wry relationship comedy “Splitsville” landing on Hulu and fresh albums by J. Cole and Nick Jonas are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time this week: Keke Palmer starring in a TV adaptation of the 1989 Tom Hanks movie “The ‘Burbs” for Peacock, gamers getting fast and bloody samurai action with Nioh 3 and Net ix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer” returning for Season 4. MOVIES TO STREAM
One of last year’s funniest original movies, the goofy and wry relationship comedy “Splitsville,” is streaming on Hulu starting Thursday. Michael Angelo Covino and Kyle Marvin, the duo behind “The Climb,” bring the audience along on a metaphorical (and literal) roller coaster of a comedy about open relationships, divorce and human mistakes, in which they star opposite Dakota Johnson and Adria Arjona. In his review, AP Film Writer Jake Coyle wrote that, “though there are elaborately choreographed long takes that smack of contemporary moviemaking, ‘Splitsville’ belongs more to a screwball tradition stretching back to the 1930s,” adding “the performer here who would have been most
NOTICES
MUSIC TO STREAM
at home in that bygone comedy heyday is Johnson.”
Also coming to Hulu on Thursday is James L. Brooks’ “Ella McCay,” a starry political dramedy with Emma Mackey playing an ambitious and idealistic lieutenant governor who has to take over for her boss. The lm was a major op with audiences and critics during its theatrical run. The AP’s Jocelyn Noveck, in her review, called it “ba ingly disjointed, uneven, unfunny and illogical,” adding that Mackey is the only reason to watch the lm.
Filmmaker Rory Kennedy
(“Downfall: The Case Against Boeing”) tells the story of Judit Polgár, the Hungarian girl who dreamed of conquering men’s chess and defeat champion Garry Kasparov, in “Queen of Chess.” The documentary just premiered at the Sundance Film Festival but will already be available to stream on Net ix on Thursday.
Nick Jonas, the youngest of the Jonas Brothers trio and fresh o a successful stadium run with his siblings, will release his rst solo album in just under ve years on Friday titled “Sunday Best.” The rst taste arrived in the form of lead single “Gut Punch.” It is smooth adult pop — as is his bread and butter — easy listening for those in need of a love song.
Also on tap: the innovative rapper and producer J. Cole returns with his seventh studio album, “The Fall-O .” Some fans theorize it may be his nal record — and with good reason. The music video for “Disc 2 Track 2,” released in January, begins with a note from Cole describing that he knew “in my heart I would one day get to the nish line.” That track recalls Nas’ 2001 hit “Rewind,” which may o er a tease as to what the album may sound like: a love
letter to hip-hop, and the career it has given Cole.
SERIES TO STREAM
It may be cold outside, but there’s a heatwave on Bravo as the reality series “Summer House” returns for a 10th season. The show features Manhattanites sharing a shore house in the Hamptons, although recent seasons have also followed the gang when they’re back in New York during the week. It’s streaming now on Peacock.
Net ix’s “The Lincoln Lawyer” is back for Season 4 beginning Thursday. Based on novels by Michael Connelly, the series follows talented Los Angeles attorney Mickey Haller (played by Manuel García-Rulfo) as he takes on high-pro le defendants. This season Haller is the one who needs a strong defense when he’s falsely accused of murder. “Puppy Bowl,” the annual TV event promoting animal adoption, airs its 22nd iteration on Sunday. “Puppy Bowl XXII” will simulcast across Animal Planet, Discovery, TBS, truTV, HBO Max and discovery+. Another call-to-action special, the “Great American Rescue Bowl” also takes place Sunday. This one highlight both adoptable dogs and cats and will be available on Great American Pure Flix, Great American Family, and GFAM+. Palmer stars in a TV adaptation of the 1989 Hanks movie “The ‘Burbs” for Peacock. All eight episodes drop Sunday. Palmer and Jack Whitehall play a couple who move to suburbia with their new baby to live
“Though there are elaborately choreographed long takes that smack of contemporary moviemaking, ‘Splitsville’ belongs more to a screwball tradition stretching back to the 1930s.”
Jake Coyle, AP Film Writer
a nice, quiet life. The neighborhood seems less idyllic once the wife becomes xated on one of her neighbors, whom she connects with a decades-long missing person case.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
Koei Tecmo’s Nioh series has built a cult audience among gamers who like their samurai action fast and bloody. Nioh 3, from Tokyo-based developer Team Ninja, adds some twists. Tokugawa Takechiyo is about to be appointed shogun when his jealous brother unleashes a horde of yōkai — ghouls, demons and other supernatural creatures drawn from Japanese folklore. Takechiyo can ght back with brute-force samurai skills, or switch to more acrobatic ninja tactics, all in a vast open world that promises more freedom than previous installments. Take up arms Friday on PlayStation 5 or PC.
NEON VIA AP
“Splitsville,” a comedy starring Michael Angelo Covino, Kyle Marvin, Adria Arjona and Dakota Johnson, lands on Hulu on Thursday.
20TH CENTURY STUDIOS VIA AP
Emma Mackey portrays a determined lieutenant governor in James Brooks’ drama “Ella McCay.”
