VOLUME 146 ISSUE 12 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING Stanly County man charged with attempted murder in shooting Albemarle A Stanly County man has been charged with attempted first-degree murder after a juvenile was shot in Albemarle on Monday. Officers with the Albemarle Police Department responded to a report of shots fired in the 700 block of Leonard Avenue at approximately 10:26 p.m. and found the juvenile with a gunshot wound. The victim was taken to the hospital and is in stable condition. William Abiormi Browne, 19, was arrested with assistance from the Stanly County Sheriff’s Office. He is being held without bond. Police said the victim and suspect were known to each other and the shooting was not a random act.
ICE chief defends officers’ actions before Congress after deaths of 2 protesters Washington, D.C. The head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement is defending his officers, saying they won’t be intimidated while carrying out President Donald Trump’s deportation agenda. Todd Lyons, along with other agency leaders, faced tough questions from Democrats during a congressional hearing Tuesday. Lyons blamed elected officials for rhetoric that endangers officers. The hearing followed recent scrutiny after two protesters were shot and killed by Homeland Security officers in Minneapolis. Democrats have criticized the administration’s immigration policies, while officials argue their actions make the country safer. The hearing marks the first time these leaders have appeared in Congress since receiving increased funding.
Trump set to change U.S. climate change policy, environmental regulations A White House official said the Trump administration is expected this week to revoke a scientific finding that long has been the central basis for U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change. The EPA will issue a final rule rescinding a 2009 government declaration known as the endangerment finding. That Obama-era policy determined that carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases endanger public health and welfare. Legal challenges are certain.
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Bridge to daybreak The sun rises over the Swift Island Bridge, left, and James Garrison Bridge Monday morning looking east.
Stanly school board unanimously approves potential makeup days A revision was made to the district’s 2025-26 calendar By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — During a winter marked by more local snow days than usual, Stanly County Schools has taken steps to meet state instructional requirements for the current academic year. On Feb. 3, the Stanly County Board of Education voted 7-0 to approve an amendment to the 2025-26 school calendar that preapproves March 13 and May 20 as
potential makeup day options. While the move does not guarantee the days will be
used, it secures them in advance should additional inclement weather force fur- See BOARD, page A4
Stanly County Agri-Civic inside holds ribbon cutting
North Stanly freshman Lainey Bowers puts up a shot during a recent game. The Comets have won nine straight games. Read more on page B1.
“I’m thankful to the commissioners and managers that were in place in 1980.” Commissioner Bill Lawhon
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The Stanly County Board of Education approved potential makeup days at its Feb. 3 meeting.
New theater seating for the auditorium has been installed By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Agri-Civic Center celebrated an upgrade to its auditorium last week with a ribbon-cutting ceremony for new seating renovations aimed at improving comfort and the overall viewing experience. Hosted by the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce, the event highlighted the installation of the facility’s new theater seats. The original seats ranged from 17 to 19 inch-
es wide, while the new seating ranges from 20 to 24 inches, providing additional space and improved accessibility for patrons. Event attendees heard remarks from county leaders who reflected on both the venue’s history and the recent investments that made the upgrade possible. “I’m thankful to the commissioners and managers that were in place in 1980,” Commissioner Bill Lawhon said. “They had a vision, and that vision turned into this. Great leaders with a great vision.” Over the past month and a half, county employees have See EVENT, page A5
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ther school closures or delays. The school district has now fully used its allotment of remote learning days allowed by the state and held only nine hours left of instructional time flexibility as of Feb. 4. If those hours run out before the end of the school year, SCS would be required to convert noninstructional days into makeup days to remain in compliance with state law. “These days will only be used if we exceed the remaining instructional time already built into the calendar,” said Lydia Hedrick, assistant superintendent of human resources. “If
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