New subpoenas issued in inquiry on response to 2016 Russian election interference
The Justice Department has issued new subpoenas in an investigation into perceived adversaries of President Donald Trump and the U.S. government response to Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. An initial wave of subpoenas in November asked recipients for documents related to the preparation of a U.S. intelligence community assessment that detailed a sweeping, multiprong e ort by Moscow to help Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
Rousey, Carano will end MMA retirements, ght each other in May
Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will end their lengthy retirements from mixed martial arts to ght each other May 16 at Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California. The bout will be staged by Most Valuable Promotions, the combat sports promotion established by in uencer-turned-boxer Jake Paul. The 39-year-old Rousey hasn’t fought since 2016, while the 43-year-old Carano’s eight-bout MMA career ended in 2009. They’ll ght at 145 pounds for ve ve-minute rounds. Despite their lengthy absences, Rousey and Carano remain two of the most iconic ghters in MMA history after two trailblazing careers. They are the two most famous women to participate in MMA.
Federal judge rules
Abrego Garcia can’t be redetained by immigration authorities
A federal judge has ruled that Immigration and Customs Enforcement cannot redetain Kilmar Abrego Garcia because a 90-day detention period has expired and the government has no viable plan for deporting him. The Salvadoran national’s case has become a focal point in the immigration debate after he was mistakenly deported to his home country last year. Since his return, he has been ghting a second deportation to a series of African countries proposed by DHS o cials. Abrego Garcia, who has an American wife and child, has lived in Maryland for years but immigrated to the U.S. illegally as a teenager.
Stanly commissioners reappoint 3 to Senior Services Advisory Board
The commissioners voting process was unanimous
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — Three members of the Stanly County Senior Services Advisory Board have been reappointed to new three-year terms following a unanimous vote by the Stanly County Board of Commissioners. On Monday night, commissioners voted 7-0 to reappoint Debbie Bennett, James Moss and Audrey Rigsbee to second terms that will begin March 1
and run through Feb. 28, 2029. Their previous terms expired Feb. 6.
Senior Services Director Pamela Sullivan presented the
agenda item, telling commissioners that all three members wished to continue serving on the board.
“All three of those mem-
Albemarle receives clean audit report for 2024-25
An accounting rm issued the city an unmodi ed report
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — The city of Albemarle has been given a clean audit for scal year 2024-25, with an independent accounting rm issuing the highest level of assurance on the city’s nancial statements. During Monday night’s Albemarle City Council meeting, councilmembers heard an audit presentation from Jill Vang of Martin Starnes and Associates, a Hickory-based accounting rm.
The audit reviewed the city’s
governmental activities and each major fund for the scal year.
“We issued an unmodi ed opinion, which is the best opinion you can get,” Vang said. “It means that the nancial statements are fairly presented in all material respect, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.”
Vang highlighted several key nancial metrics, including a general fund balance of $13.91 million. That total includes $3.93 million in restricted funds, $36,261 in nonspendable funds, $630,482 in assigned funds and $9.31 million in unassigned funds.
From 2024 to 2025, the
bers have expressed interest in continuing their service and have applied for a second term,” Sullivan said. “Each of these members have demonstrated consistent attendance, active participation and commitment to the mission of our department.”
Becky Broadway and Saundra Huneycutt also applied for the open seats. Bennett will continue serving as chair of the advisory board, alongside Moss and Rigsbee in their new terms. Vice Chairman Bill Lawhon serves as the commissioners’ representative on the board.
Feb. 20
NeedleBugs
Feb. 24
Great Scots!
It appears to be a family dispute following a contentious divorce
By Kimberlee Kruesi The Associated Press
A SHOOTER unleashed a urry of bullets during a Rhode Island youth hockey game, killing two people and injuring three others, in an attack that was cut short when a spectator stepped in to help stop the tragedy, authorities said. Investigators had spoken to nearly 100 witnesses as of Monday evening as they attempt to piece together what happened early Monday afternoon inside the Dennis M. Lynch Arena in Pawtucket, a few miles outside Providence.
Pawtucket Police Chief Tina Goncalves said Monday that the shooter died from an apparent self-in icted gun wound, though authorities are still investigating.
happening “It
thorities said both people who died were adults but have not released the identities of the victims.
Tina Goncalves, Pawtucket police chief
Goncalves credited an unnamed “good Samaritan” who intervened, bringing the attack “to a swift end.” She did not provide details.
It is not entirely clear what precipitated the shooting, who was targeted or why. Unveried video circulating on social media shows players on the ice as popping sounds are heard. Chaos quickly unfolds as players on benches dive for cover, those on the ice frantically skate toward exits and fans ee their seats.
“It appears that this was a targeted event, that it may be a family dispute,” she said. Au-
Goncalves identi ed the shooter as Robert Dorgan, who she said also went by the name Roberta Esposito, who was born in 1969.
Monday’s shooting came nearly two months after Rhode Island was rocked by a shooting at Brown University that left two students dead and wounded nine others, as well as a Massachusetts Institute of Technology professor.
Authorities later found Claudio Neves Valente, 48, dead from a self-in icted gunshot wound at a New Hampshire storage facility.
“Our state is grieving again,” Rhode Island Gov. Dan McKee said in a statement. “As governor, a parent, and a former coach, my heart breaks for the victims, families, students, and everyone impacted by the devastating shooting at Lynch Arena in Pawtucket.”
Feb. 27 Believe
Competition
3-10 p.m.
The 2026 Regional Tour of the annual dance competition will be in Albemarle for one day only. For more information, call 844-737-3737 or email info@ believetalent.com.
Stanly County Agri-Civic Center 26032 Newt Road Albemarle
THE CONVERSATION
Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
Shut up and ski
“U.S. athletes shouldn’t be stooges for foreigners.”
DOES ANYONE REALLY believe the international media cares what Olympic snowboarders and curlers think about President Donald Trump’s ICE raids or whatever panic de jour is on the menu this week? Of course not. They want U.S. athletes to bash the American government on the world stage.
Nothing stops athletes from speaking their mind about political issues whenever or wherever they like. Doing it at the Olympics is, at best, in poor form and, at worst, unpatriotic.
Skier Hunter Hess took the bait in Milan, or more likely, couldn’t wait to preen for the foreign press, noting that he had “mixed emotions” representing his country. “It’s a little hard,” he said. “There’s obviously a lot going on that I’m not the biggest fan of, and I think a lot of people aren’t.” And just because he’s wearing the ag, Hess went on, “doesn’t mean I represent everything that’s going on in the U.S.”
Who’s happy with everything that goes on in their country? Not a single thinking person, that’s who. Olympic athletes go to the Games to transcend these di erences and represent national ideals and aspirations, not whine about political parties that happen to be in charge. U.S. athletes shouldn’t be stooges for foreigners. Go o on politics when you get home.
Of course, not one American in Beijing in 2022 was asked what they thought about the Biden administration’s online censorship. Not that we should have wanted to hear about that,
COLUMN | LARRY ELDER
either. And not one French, Swedish, Danish or German athlete will ever be asked if they feel qualms about representing countries that deport illegal immigrants.
The subtext of the queries in Milan, and Hess’ answer, rests on an assumption that something especially nefarious is going on in the United States, which deserves rebuke; something worse, apparently, than goes on in any other country participating in the games.
This outlook, as anyone who understands anything about the world knows, is lunacy. China, incidentally, sent a delegation of 286 people to the Winter Olympics in Milan. One of them is freestyle skier Eileen Gu, who, Google’s AI — apparently translating text from the original Chicom propaganda — tells me “is competing in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, aiming to inspire a new generation of Chinese skiers, speci cally girls, while balancing her Chinese heritage and American upbringing.”
The only notable “heritage” of the one-party communist state, which doesn’t represent the will of the Chinese people, is that it’s in contention for being the most murderous regime in history. Yet the media’s e usive coverage of Gu’s performance, poise and overall decency is something to behold. Reuters ran a three-person bylined piece of Gu discussing her “rediscovering joy in skiing, navigating rising competition and reframing her relationship with fear.” Gu, in an interview with the o cial Olympic site, “talks pressure, the haters, and inspiring young girls after a life-changing Beijing 2022.”
The Chinese government also reportedly spent around $6.64 million on Gu and fellow U.S.-born athlete Zhu Yi. So that’s a perk, for sure. Couldn’t Gu, worth somewhere north of $23 million, inspire Chinese girls in the United States rather than under the ag of a tyranny? Or how about representing Taiwan? Americans with dual citizenship who are unable to make the United States squads will occasionally compete for other nations. Even then, they rarely join tyrannies and geopolitical foes. It’s one thing to buy cheap stu from communist China and quite another to wear its ag.
Anyway, Gu is in no position to lecture anyone about decency.
As others have pointed out, reporters, deeply concerned about the ability of Americans to represent their awed nation, have yet to ask Gu about the plight of Hong Kong democracy activist Jimmy Lai, recently sentenced to 20 years for exercising his right to free expression. There has been nothing on the 50 or so journalists being held in prison. Gu has criticized Trump but o ers nothing but praise for a regime that throws women into concentration camps where they are systemically raped and used as forced labor?
Maybe Hess can think about that the next time he’s ripping the United States abroad.
David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner and author of ve books. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)
Je ries and Schumer denounce Trump’s ‘Racist’ video — but who are they to complain?
But Je ries has his own record of “malignant, bottomfeeder-like behavior.”
ON PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S social media platform, someone in the administration — the White House o ered di erent versions of how this happened — posted a 62-second cartoon video set to the song “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.”
This was posted on a Thursday night and, following cries of “racism,” was removed by noon the following day. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt called the reaction “fake outrage.” Trump said: “I guess during the end of it, there was some kind of picture people don’t like. I wouldn’t like it either, but I didn’t see it. I just, I looked at the rst part, and it was really about voter fraud.”
Asked by a reporter, if he condemns the racist part of the video, Trump said, “Of course I do.”
The video shows Trump’s head attached to a lion con dently strolling through the jungle. Other animals dance as the Trump lion saunters through. On the heads of the other animals are well-known Democrats, including former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, former President Joe Biden, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, former Vice President Kamala Harris, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, House Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries and others.
Near the end for about one second, the video showed the heads of former President Barack Obama and former rst lady Michelle Obama on the heads of monkeys. A screenshot of the Barack and Michelle heads on apes went viral. That Biden’s face was on that of a banana-eating orangutan did not seem to disturb anyone.
The outrage was predictable. “Racist” Donald Trump strikes again! Those
crying out included Je ries and Schumer. Je ries said, “He de nitively needs to apologize. It was a disgusting video ... even a handful of Republicans ... nally showed some backbone in pushing back against the president’s malignant, bottom-feeder-like behavior.”
But Je ries has his own record of “malignant, bottom-feeder-like behavior.” As a college student, Je ries praised two of the country’s most prominent antisemites: his uncle and City College of New York professor Leonard Je ries — who compared Jews to “dogs” and “skunks,” and claimed “rich Jews nanced the slave trade — and Nation of Islam’s Louis Farrakhan, who has a decades-long record of antisemitism.
Hakeem Je ries has long insisted he only “vaguely remembers” defending them. But in 2023, CNN reported the Binghamton University Black Student Union, of which he was a leader, invited Uncle Leonard to speak. When Jewish students protested, Hakeem Je ries “led a press conference” to defend his uncle, despite later saying that “he did not recall any press coverage” of the controversy.
CNN said Hakeem Je ries’ 1992 op- ed undermines claims he wasn’t aware of uncle’s antisemitic controversy. He wrote that his uncle challenges the “existing white supremacist educational system and long-standing distortion of history. His reward has been a media lynching complete with character assassinations and in ammatory, erroneous accusations.”
In a research paper called “Dr. Je ries and the Anti-Semitic Branch of the Afrocentrism Movement,” Kenneth Stern with the American Jewish Committee wrote, “Leonard Je ries was
already known for his teaching that blacks are racially superior to whites because blacks, whom he calls ‘sun people,’ have more melanin in their skin than whites, whom he calls ‘ice people.’” But Hakeem Je ries defended his uncle.
After this CNN report, the Republican Jewish Coalition said, “Minority Leader Hakeem Je ries owes the Jewish community an explanation as to why he lied and attempted to cover up his defense of these revolting antisemites.”
At the time, Hakeem Je ries also described black conservatives as “token,” “opportunists” and “house negroes.” He wrote, “Clarence Thomas was appointed by George Bush to the highest court in the nation. Colin Powell was appointed by George Bush to lead the military establishment ‘policemen of the Wall Street Bankers.’”
As for Schumer, he called the video “racist. Vile. Abhorrent.” Yet, in 1974, the then-freshman New York assemblyman proposed a blatantly racist scheme to appease whites by ridding blacks from their New York neighborhood. Read the 2006 “American Spectator” article “Race to the Top” by a writer who was present when Schumer outlined his plan.
Democrats and the media, who lick their chops to pounce on “racist” Trump, are silent about Je ries’ record of antisemitism and indi erent about the allegations of Schumer’s anti-black racism.
Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)
COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI
At Fort Bragg, Trump says Maduro raid showed ‘full military might’ of US, means ‘we are feared’
By Will Weissert and Allen G. Breed The Associated Press
FORT BRAGG — President
Donald Trump celebrated the special forces members who ousted Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, saying last month’s audacious raid means “the entire world saw what the full military might” of the U.S. can do and ensured “we are feared” by potential enemies around the world.
Addressing soldiers and their families at Fort Bragg, one of the world’s largest military bases, Trump declared, “Your commander in chief supports you totally.” Then, drawing on one of his own campaign slogans, he implored them, “When needed, you’re going to ght, ght, ght. You’re going to win, win, win.”
The president and rst lady Melania Trump also met privately with military families. But the visit felt more like a political rally than an o cial visit to celebrate the U.S. armed forces. Trump’s lauding of the raid that toppled Maduro came only after he called to the stage Michael Whatley, a former Republican National Committee chair who has the president’s endorsement as he now runs for Senate in North Carolina.
The advisory board includes several members with terms expiring later this year. Nadine Bowers, Jan Goetz and Josh Morton-Cockerham have terms set to end Oct. 30. The terms of Teresa Wagoner, Dawn Melton, Antwain Hamilton and Isabelle Howard will expire Oct. 30, 2027, while rst terms for Polly Martin, Ava Plott and Roland Thomas run through Dec. 31, 2028.
The Senior Services Advisory Board supports programs for older adults in Stanly County, working with the county’s Senior Services Department to enhance quality of life for residents age 60 and older through services, programs and community opportunities.
Board members are appointed by county commissioners to three-year terms and meet quarterly on the second Thursday of the rst month
Whatley thanked Trump and suggested that the president “is giving me an opportunity to represent you” — even though the election isn’t until November.
Later, Trump said of the raid on Jan. 3 that whisked away Maduro to face U.S. drug smuggling charges, “It was a matter of minutes before he was on a helicopter being taken out.” He called the forces involved “some of our greatest soldiers to ever live, frankly” while dismissing Maduro as an “outlaw dictator.”
“That night, the entire world saw what the full military might (of) the U.S. military is capable” of, the president said. “It was so precise, so incredible.”
Trump also vowed, “As long as I’m president, we will be the best led, the best trained, the
of each quarter — January, April, July and October — at 11:30 a.m. at the Stanly County Senior Center. In line with its mission of bene ting the older adults in the local area, the Senior Services Department o ers arts and craft activities, coordinated games, educational and social programs, tness and health programs, day and overnight trips, and the Uwharrie Senior Games and Silver Arts,
best equipped, the most disciplined and the most elite ghting force the world has ever seen” and noted of would-be U.S. adversaries, “Everybody knows it.”
“They know exactly what they would be up against. Hopefully, we’ll never have to test them and, because of our strength, and because of what we do, we probably won’t have to be tested,” Trump said.
Even still, the president mentioned sending a second aircraft carrier group to the Middle East amid rising tensions with Iran and said, “America’s respected again. And, perhaps most importantly, we are feared by the enemies all over the globe.”
“I don’t like to say fear,” he said. “But, sometimes, you have to have fear because that’s the only thing that really will get the situation taken care of.”
Trump lately has traveled more frequently to states that could play key roles in November’s midterm congressional elections, including a stop before Christmas in Rocky Mount. The White House has been trying to promote Trump’s economic policies, including attempts to bring down the cost of living at a time when many people are growing frustrated with his e orts to improve a ordability.
The president didn’t spend a lot of time on his economic policies last Friday, though he did mention how a White House-backed tax and spending package is increasing funding for military housing.
which are co-sponsored by Albemarle Parks and Recreation and Troy-Montgomery Senior Center. Additional department information and event calendars can be found online at stanlycountync.gov. The Stanly County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting on March 2 at 6 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.
As he left the White House to make the trip, meanwhile, Trump cheered data released last Friday showing that in ation fell to nearly a ve-year low last month.
“The numbers were surprising, except to me they weren’t surprising,” Trump said. “We have very modest in ation, which is what you want to have.”
The president also spoke at Fort Bragg in June at an event meant to recognize the 250th anniversary of the Army. But that celebration was overshadowed by his partisan remarks describing protesters in Los Angeles as “animals” and his defense of deploying the military there.
This time, Trump evoked the fatal stabbing of a Ukrainian refugee on a Charlotte commuter train and called the man accused of committing it a “monster.”
Trump also praised Maduro’s replacement, acting Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez. Rather than push for elections in Venezuela, Trump says his administration is inviting top oil companies there to rebuild its energy industry. U.S. o cials also have seized tankers as part of their broad oversight of the country’s oil industry.
“The relationship is strong, the oil is coming out,” Trump told reporters before ying to North Carolina. He added: “We have our big oil companies going in, they’re going to be pumping out the oil and selling the oil for a lot of money.”
“All three of those members have expressed interest in continuing their service and have applied for a second term.”
The president endorsed Michael Whatley in his Senate run
MATT ROURKE / AP PHOTO
President Donald Trump dances as rst lady Melania Trump watches after speaking to soldiers and their families at Fort Bragg last Friday.
Pamela Sullivan, Senior Services director
MATT ROURKE / AP PHOTO
First lady Melania Trump arrives before President Donald Trump speaks to soldiers and their families at Fort Bragg last Friday.
The ‘6-7’ craze is going strong at both NBA, college basketball games
LaMelo Ball’s stature sparks the viral phenomenon as fans track speci c scores
By Cli Brunt
The Associated Press
NORMAN, Okla. — LaMelo Ball has never been more popular, and it’s not because Charlotte’s 6-foot-7 star has the Hornets ghting for a playo spot.
They hype is largely about his height. And Charlotte is trying to take advantage.
Dictionary.com named the term “6-7” its word of the year for 2025, and the global “6-7” craze is still going strong at pro and college basketball games. Young fans, players and coaches eagerly track when teams near 67 points, and pandemonium ensues when their team hits the mark.
The Hornets and New Orleans Pelicans are among NBA teams that feature “6-7” cams during timeouts at some games.
Seth Bennett, the Hornets’ chief marketing o cer, said Charlotte’s marketing and game presentation teams started discussing a possible “6-7” cam to capitalize on the trend and Ball’s involvement in it.
“For us as a franchise, we always want to listen to our fans, and sometimes you listen to observing what they’re into, their trends and likes, and it’s a way for us to connect to that and hopefully have them connect to us in a fun way when they’re experiencing it here,” Bennett said.
The Hornets’ cam is mostly limited to kids days and weekend games so it doesn’t get old. Michael Robinson, who attended a game between the Hornets and 76ers with his 6-year- old son, Abel, said it’s nonstop at home. Abel said he learned about it from his friends and on YouTube.
“It’s just cool,” Abel said. “It’s fun.”
The “6-7” originator can’t believe reach
The origins of the “6-7” boom are Skrilla’s 2024 song “Doot Doot (6-7).” Skrilla leaked the song without much expectation, but it exploded on TikTok last year with basketball players, including Ball and prep standout Taylen Kinney, driving its popularity.
No one is quite sure what 6-7 means, and Skrilla kept it that way when asked for a de nition.
“Everybody created their own meaning,” he told The Associated Press. “The teachers created their own meaning. The football teams created their own, the basketball (players). ‘6-7’ is global. It’s bigger
from page A1
city’s general fund balance decreased by $1.2 million, or about 8.3%. Vang said the decline was largely tied to changes in revenue structure and increased expenditures.
“There was a decrease in total revenues of $2.7 million, or 10.5%, and this is mainly due to the decrease in sales and service revenues related to the refuse collection fees that are now in the new enterprise fund, the solid waste collection fund,” Vang said. “Expenditures increased $1.5 million, or about 6.4%, and that’s mainly due to more transfers out this year to the health insurance internal service fund in the general capital project fund.” Expenditures were led by public safety, which accounted for 52% of spending. Public works, general government and other expenditures each represented 16% of the total.
The nonsensical meme has its own hand gesture, too — ip your palms up, and alternate lifting your arms. Charlotte forward Miles Bridges made the gesture several weeks ago after hitting a 3-pointer against the Indiana Pacers.
Bridges also is 6-foot-7.
“I think that’s the team’s way of having a little fun with LaMelo anytime that they can kind of incorporate that in just to tease him a little bit, and he’s a great sport about it as well,” Bennett said.
“6-7” big on basketball courts everywhere
Fans have been on 67-point watch at games across the country. It seemed to bubble up rst
“The teachers created their own meaning. The football teams created their own, the basketball (players). ‘6-7’ is global. It’s bigger than me now. So ‘6-7.’ Shout out to ‘6-7.’”
Skrilla
at women’s college games, including at Oklahoma. Now fans there hold up signs handed out by the school.
On Dec. 22, the Sooners led North Carolina Central 64-29 in the closing seconds of the rst half. When Aaliyah Chavez drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer, fans went wild.
Oklahoma center Raegan Beers said the team enjoyed giving the fans that moment.
“That’s why I love this game (with the kids),” she said. “I know a lot of us love this game here, just to have that energy in the building, and obviously lean into what’s trending at the moment, which is 6-7, whatever that means. And so it was so much fun to have that moment and just let the kids enjoy it.”
Daniel Durbin, director of Southern California’s Annenberg Institute of Sports, Media and Society, attended USC’s women’s basketball game against Rutgers on Feb. 1 and witnessed the phenomenon rst hand. He noted that the DJ even announced the possibility. The Trojans missed two free throws at 66, building the anticipation. When Yakiya Milton made a free throw that pushed the score to 67, the crowd erupted into what Durbin called the loudest cheer of the game.
Durbin said it falls under the long history of arbitrary sports
traditions fans have created to feel more connected to the action.
“Think of all the superstitions fans have during games, rituals that they enact to ‘help’ the team win,” he said. “As fans walk across the street to USC football games, most of them kick the base of a certain lamppost. Why? It makes them part of the game. They are enacting a meaningless ritual many USC fans perform for ‘luck.’”
Adults doing it too
Even the coaches are in on it. On Maryland’s annual Field Trip Day game, Terrapins coach Brenda Frese wore a jersey with the number 67 on it before tipo . LSU women’s basketball coach Kim Mulkey did the hand gesture while on the big screen during a win over Morgan State, drawing an eruption from the home crowd and laughter from her players.
Mulkey said her grandson got upset with her after a game because LSU skipped 67 points and went straight to 68.
TCU’s women beat Baylor 83-67 on Feb. 12, and Olivia Miles scored 40 points and Marta Suarez scored 27 — a combined 67. With the two at his side in the postgame media session, Horned Frogs coach Mark Campbell got sucked in.
“For a duo, I’ve never been a part of a duo that scored 67 points in one game,” he said.
As Miles did the hand gesture and Suarez laughed, Campbell pointed at Miles and said, “That’s crazy. ‘6-7,’” as he added the hand gesture.
The trend has impacted the game on the court at times too. After Maryland took a 64-18 lead against Central Connecticut State in December, the Terps attempted ve straight 3-pointers before Yarden Garzon nally made one to give Maryland exactly 67 points.
The craze is perplexing to parents, but Bennett said the Hornets have embraced it to bring joy to young people.
“Overall, it’s been positive,” he said. “No way to make a negative out of something that’s just really nothing attached to it, just fun.”
in the city’s most recent audit, with unrestricted net position increasing from $22.25 million in 2024 to $32.20 million in 2025. Cash ow from operations also rose, climbing from $4.71 million to $6.77 million, while the change in net position under generally accepted accounting principles more than doubled, growing from $3.91 million to $8.70 million.
The gains re ect strengthened nancial performance across the city’s self-supporting services. After Vang’s presentation, councilmembers unanimously voted to accept the city’s audit report as presented. The Albemarle City Council will hold its next regular meeting March 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
ALBEMARLE
COURTESY CITY OF ALBEMARLE
Jill Vang presented Albemarle’s audit report on Monday night at the Albemarle City Council meeting.
/ AP PHOTO
Left, Oklahoma fans hold up a giant 6-7 sign during a Jan. 22 game against South Carolina in Norman, Oklahoma. Right, Baylor fans holding up
sign cheer during a Feb. 10 game against BYU in Waco, Texas.
NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO
Hornets forward Miles Bridges makes the “6-7” motion after scoring against the Washington Wizards during Charlotte’s win Jan. 24 at Spectrum Center.
ALONZO ADAMS / AP PHOTO
BENJAMIN HEYWARD SR. JULY 12, 1947 – FEB. 5, 2026
Benjamin Heyward Sr., born July 12, 1947, peacefully transitioned to paradise on February 5, 2026. He was the son of the late Seal and Rebecca Bradley Heyward. No matter what their position in life, Benjamin had a unique and extraordinary ability to connect with people. He was compassionate and had a heart full of love, tenderness, humbleness, and kindness. He epitomized these qualities through his actions and through living a life of service. His belief was that if his fellowman needed help, then help him. This is what he believed, and this is how he lived.
Benjamin was educated in the Charleston County Public Schools. He was employed with the United States Postal Service and the Department of Transportation for many years.
A man of faith, Benjamin was a former member of the Southern Baptist Church, Manhattan, New York, where he was a former Deacon. His current church membership was held with First Missionary Baptist Church, Concord, North Carolina, where he often drove the church van and volunteered in the Bread Basket Ministry. In his leisure time, he enjoyed cheering for the Carolina Panthers football team, landscaping, and listening to music, especially his favorite artist, James Brown. He never met a stranger that he could not talk to, and he possessed a clever and disarming sense of humor that endeared him to those he met. He often left others with a smile or a laugh after they went their separate ways.
Benjamin married Elizabeth Hinson Heyward. They were a devoted couple and celebrated 42 years of marital bliss.
Those left to remember and cherish loving memories are his wife, Elizabeth Heyward; son, Benjamin (Xinying Serena Oh) Heyward Jr.; daughters: Zina Spicer, Sonya (Donald) Harris, Uraina Heyward, and Kim J. (Maurice) Smith; ve grandchildren; three brothers: Seal Heyward Jr. Secel (Evelyn) Heyward and Blease D. (Thelma) Heyward; sisters: Mary (John Lee) Green, Pastor Anna (Apostle Benjamin) Anthony, Janie Jackson, Arizon (Rudolph) Moses, Minister Martha Grant, Minister Rosetta Hawkins and Alaina C. (Shawn) Gayle; uncle, James Johnson; aunts: Ethel Johnson and Desiline Johnson; brothers-in-law: Joseph King and Major King; sister in laws, Martha (Robert) Cowan, Brenda King and Joann (Ronald) Dasent; special nieces: Barbara Ford-Grampus and Ti ney (Curt) Nelson; nephew: Rodney Kewkirk; special friends: Robert (Delores) Cash, Kenneth (Vanessa) Chambers; a host of other nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.
Benjamin’s life journey was blessed with many friends, neighbors, church members, and coworkers. He will forever live in the hearts of those who knew him and will be remembered for his kindness and generosity.
JAYANTA “JAYANT” HALDAR
FEB. 2, 1937 – FEB. 12, 2026
Jayanta (Jayant) Haldar, 89, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Thursday, February 12, 2026, at Atrium Health Stanly.
A Celebration of Life is planned to be held at Main Street United Methodist Church, 1100 West Main Street, Albemarle, NC 28001, on Sunday, March 1, 2026, at 2 p.m. in the sanctuary, with Pastor Katie Lineberger and Pastor Fred Carpenter o ciating. There will be a gathering time of Jayant’s friends in the Family Life Center, following the service.
Born on February 2, 1937, in Burma, he was the son of the late Jatindra Haldar and Provabati Choudhary. Jayant lived a long and remarkable life marked by curiosity, generosity, and deep connection with others.
In 1984, he came to the United States and began working with Premiere Fibers LLC in Ansonville, where he served as marketing manager. Through diligence and integrity, he earned the respect of his colleagues and built lasting friendships. He became a citizen of the United States in 1999.
Jayant was exceptionally well-read and possessed a deep knowledge of the world’s religions. He could quote from the Bhagavad Gita, Quaran, the Bible and many other holy books with ease, engaging others in thoughtful and meaningful conversations about faith and life.
In January 2000, while hospitalized, Jayant experienced a profound vision of Jesus that led him to convert to Christianity. He was baptized by the Reverend David Rorie of Main St. United Methodist Church and soon became an active member of the congregation, embracing his new faith with dedication and joy until his move to Trinity Place.
One of Jayant’s most memorable traits was his genuine interest in people. Upon meeting someone, he would often ask their birth date and, from that, share insights into their personality and what he believed they were suited for in life. Whether one agreed or not, it was always o ered with warmth, kindness, and a desire to connect. He truly never met a stranger.
He delighted in giving owers and small gifts, always nding joy in brightening someone’s day. Everywhere he went, he made friends – from the Stanly County Senior Center, where he was an integral part of the Bunco group, to Trinity Place, where he resided in his later years, as well as Food Lion and his other regular gathering spots. He was a connoisseur of hot dogs as he had experienced and tasted them from all corners of the state. His enthusiasm for trying new avors and sharing recommendations became a delightful topic among friends, always sparking lively conversation. Though generous and friendly, he was also steadfast in his ways, a trait that made him uniquely and unmistakably Jayanta.
He loved music and movies and had a large collection of CDs and DVDs that he loved sharing with others. Jayant is survived by numerous friends and extended family members in India. He was surrounded by a community that cared deeply for him. Special gratitude is extended to Mr. N.S. Jaganathan (Jaggi), Meera, Gautam, and family, and Deepa, who brought him to this country and welcomed him into their lives and home. John and Merlin Amirtharaj and Vijay and family became his family here in Albemarle. He cherished his colleagues at Premiere Fibers, his bunco friends at the Stanly County Senior Center, and his friends at Main St. United Methodist Church and several other friends with whom he maintained connections to the end. Jayant truly loved his time at Trinity Place, and the family o ers heartfelt thanks to the sta for their compassionate care and for making him feel so much at home.
His life was a testament to kindness, learning, faith and the simple but profound act of reaching out to others. He leaves behind a legacy of friendship and goodwill that will not soon be forgotten.
In lieu of owers, a request has been made that contributions be made to Main Street United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 1255, Albemarle, NC 28001.
JUDGE WOODROW MORGAN JR.
AUG. 8, 1942 – FEB. 12, 2026
Judge Woodrow Morgan Jr., 83, passed away peacefully at home on February 12, 2026.
Born on August 8, 1942, he was the son of Judge Woodrow Morgan Sr., and Menty Elvie Little Morgan. A devoted Christian, he lived a life de ned by faith, hard work, and a deep commitment to his family and community.
Judge Morgan was a proud graduate of Wingate Junior College and Appalachian State Teachers College. He later earned a Master of Divinity degree from Southeastern Theological Seminary. He devoted 30 years to teaching high school mathematics, including 27 years at South Stanly High School. Throughout his career, he in uenced countless students with his steady guidance, patience, and dedication to their success.
Outside the classroom, he found great joy in farming and especially enjoyed raising and caring for his cows. He valued honest work and took pride in tending the land. Whether in the pasture or with his family, he appreciated the simple blessings of life.
Judge Morgan will be remembered for his steadfast faith, his dedication as an educator, his love of farming, and his unwavering devotion to his family. His legacy lives on in the many lives he touched.
He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Joanna Morris Morgan; his daughter, Donna M. Moore and her husband, Larry C. Moore; his son, Judge Woodrow Morgan, III and his wife, Karen H. Morgan; his sister, Darlene Morgan Stamey; and his grandchildren, Emily Moore Irving and her husband Alex Irving, John Davis Moore, and Lauren Michelle Morgan.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his brothers, O. Kemp Morgan, Ray J. Morgan, Tom A. Morgan, and D. Dan Morgan.
Funeral services will be held at 4 p.m. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at Edwards Funeral Home with Dr. Rick Walker and Rev. Larry Coley o ciating. Burial will follow at Oakboro Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 3-3:45 p.m. prior to the service.
The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to their many friends for their love and support, and to Tillary Compassionate Care for their kindness, compassion, and dedicated care during this time.
In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Samaritan’s Purse or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
LARRY BRUCE MCCROSKEY
FEB. 24, 1943 – FEB. 13, 2026
Larry Bruce McCroskey, 82, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully at his home on Friday, February 13, 2026, surrounded by his loving family.
A funeral service will be held at 3 p.m. on Sunday, February 15, 2026, at Palestine Community Church, o ciated by Rev. Carol Flack and Rev. Keith Walters. Burial will follow in the Palestine Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 2-3 p.m., prior to the service at the church.
Born February 24, 1943, in Stanly County, Larry was the son of the late Audry and Mary Lee McCroskey.
Larry is lovingly survived by his devoted wife of 57 years, Elaine McCroskey. He also leaves behind his daughters, Michelle Haywood (Ray) of Mt. Gilead and Heather Blalock (Bret) of Mt. Gilead; his cherished grandchildren, Olivia Grace Haywood (Paris), Marylee Haywood (Justin), Bret Blalock Jr. (Leanna), and Taylor Kime (Jake); and his treasured great-grandchildren, Leah, Bo, Reed, Eli, Evan, Kaeson, Lyndon, and Geneva. He is also survived by his brother, Herman Tarlton; his sisters, Shirley Stitt and Beverly Story; along with many nieces and nephews who will miss him dearly.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Audry Burdette McCroskey Jr., Grady Lee McCroskey, Wayne Tarlton, and Richard Tarlton; and his sister, Ardyth Lanier McCroskey.
Larry lived a life de ned by service and dedication. For 52 years, he faithfully served with Stanly Rescue, mentoring countless young rescue technicians and leaving a lasting impact on emergency services in the community. He also served as a re ghter and rst responder with local re departments, retiring from the Badin Fire Department. Larry was deeply proud of his time in the 263rd Communication Squadron of the North Carolina Air National Guard at Badin.
Outside of his service, Larry embraced life with enthusiasm. He was an avid water skier who loved boating and spending time on the water. He never met a stranger and was always ready to lend a helping hand. Above all, he loved his family and his community, and his legacy of kindness, leadership and dedication will live on through those who knew and loved him.
The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the sta of Gentiva Hospice, Dr. Poor, and the many friends who provided care, compassion, and support during Larry’s declining health.
In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Stanly Rescue (P.O. Box 994, Albemarle, NC 28002)
LEE ROY HATHCOCK
DEC. 18, 1943 – FEB. 13, 2026
Lee Roy Hathcock, 82, of Norwood, died Friday Afternoon, February 13, 2026, at his home.
Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at Cottonville Baptist Church. Rev. J.R. Muir and Rev. Alex Willoughby will o ciate, and interment will follow in the church cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Monday evening at Edwards Funeral Home of Norwood.
Lee Roy was born December 18, 1943, in Stanly County to the late Raymond and Rosa Morton Hathcock. He was a graduate of South Stanly High School’s rst graduating class and was a retired electrician. He was a veteran of the United States Army during the Vietnam War and a member of Cottonville Baptist Church and the American Legion, serving as Sergeant at Arms.
He enjoyed spending time caring for all his farm animals at home and with his friends at the American Legion, especially working the concession stand at the Small Animal Auctions on Thursday at the Stanly County Fairgrounds.
He is survived by his wife, Judy Kimrey Hathcock, of the home. daughter, Evelyn Hathcock Treece of Oakboro, grandsons, Ethan Helms and Brandon Treece (Cassidy). brothers, Arlie Hathcock and Grady Hathcock (Debbie) and sister, Jane Chastain (Robbie).
He was preceded in death by his siblings, Carl and Billy Hathcock and Lucille Presley. When not at the funeral home, the family will gather at the residence.
ESTON GARRY WEST SR.
MAY 2, 1939 – FEB. 13, 2026
Eston Garry West Sr., 86, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Friday, February 13, 2026, at Trinity Place.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Monday, February 16, at First Baptist Church in Albemarle with Rev. Dr. Kendell Cameron o ciating. The family will receive friends in the church fellowship hall immediately following the service.
Born May 2, 1939, in Jenkinsburg, Georgia, Eston was lovingly raised by his parents, Leenola and Joe Dugger. He often spoke fondly of his childhood in the mill village, describing it as wonderful and full of adventure.
Eston was a proud graduate of the University of Georgia, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in business and where his lifelong love for Georgia football began. When he wasn’t watching Georgia Bulldogs football or Carolina Tarheels basketball, he was often casting a shing line somewhere. Whether at his pond or with his long-term friends at the Outer Banks, Eston was always happiest with a shing rod in his hand.
While he spent his work life in a number of business endeavors, Eston ultimately landed in real estate as the owner/broker-in-charge of Four Seasons Realty in Albemarle.
A devoted and faithful member of First Baptist Church, Eston served in many capacities, including chairman of the deacons, member of the choir, Sunday school teacher, and on various committees.
Eston and his family moved to Albemarle in 1973, thinking it would be short-term. They quickly fell in love with the area, and over the years, Eston became involved in many community organizations and activities. He served as President of the Chamber of Commerce, was very active in the Albemarle Rotary Club, and was on the Board of Stanly Community Christian Ministry.
Above all, Eston was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather. He is survived by his beloved wife of 62 years, Jackie Smith West; his children, Kecia West Smith (David) of Albemarle and Eston Garry West Jr. (Terri) of Albemarle; his grandchildren, Drayton Smith (Lauren) of Charlotte, Sheldon Smith of Albemarle, Savannah Smith of Durham, Caroline West of Albemarle, and Eston Garry West III of Albemarle; sister-in-law, Phyllis Meservey; brother-in- law, David Dutton; niece, Kelly Poplin and nephew, Chad Meservey.
Eston’s life was marked by faith, a joyful spirit, a kind heart, and a deep love for his family. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered by all who were blessed to know him.
The family requests that memorials be made to Tillery Compassionate Care, tillerycompassionatecare.org or to First Baptist Church of Albemarle, fbc-albemarle.org/ giving.
TED BURRIS
APRIL 5, 1936 – FEB. 15, 2026
Ted Burris, age 89, of Albemarle, NC, peacefully entered eternal rest on 02/15/2026. Born on 04/05/1936 in Albemarle, NC, to Sam Burris and Alma Lowder Burris. Ted spent his life with dirt under his ngernails and love in his heart.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Helen Cardwell Burris, his chosen sons, Donnie Thompson (Sylvia) and Allon Thompson, his parents, and his siblings, Haskel, Joe, Ann, LuDean and TJ.
Ted joined the Army when he was 18 years old and enjoyed sharing with his family his experiences in Austria. He worked for Charlotte Pipe, the railroads, Wiscasset Mills Dye House and spent his years until retirement working proudly for the State on the road crews in North Carolina.
A farmer by heart and by soul, Ted understood the “secret reasons” of the seasons. He spent decades tending to the land on Sam Road, where he believed that honest sweat and hard work were the building blocks of character.
Above all his harvests, his greatest pride was his family. Ted was a man of immense devotion who spent 40 years doting on his beloved wife, Helen Louise Cardwell Burris. Their partnership was the foundation of their home, built on a love that “reigned supreme”.
Ted had a special relationship with his son-in-law, David Hinson. In the years before he needed 24-hour care, he and David shared many interests, including shing, hunting, gardening, and many other things. When Ted went into assisted care, David took the role of personal care for the remaining years of Ted’s life. David was a son by heart to Ted.
His legacy of perseverance and kindness lives on through his chosen daughter, Margaret Hinson (David), his grandchildren Anna Brown (Jason), Todd Thompson (Amanda), Tonya Guyton-Thompson (Gigi), Tammy Corvey (Ted), Deidra Thompson, Ti any Thompson, Tawny Stephens (Ace), his great-grandchildren Elijah, Bailey, Avery, Alex, Erin (Ben), Brooklyn, Taylor, Lexie, Mia, Ryan, and his great-great grandchildren, Rosalie Jane and Valentino.
A celebration of his life will be held at Hartsell Funeral Home on February 19, 2026, at 11 a.m. In lieu of owers, the family suggests donations to Tillery Hospice Care for their loving care of Ted in his nal days.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at: obits@ stanlynewsjournal.com
STANLY SPORTS
North Stanly boys, girls capture Yadkin Valley Conference titles
The two teams have combined for a 41-5 record
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
NEW LONDON — With 41 combined wins against just ve losses, North Stanly’s boys’ and girls’ basketball teams have turned dominant regular seasons into Yadkin Valley Conference championships.
Both Comets squads secured league titles last week, capping
standout 2025-26 campaigns as they now shift their focus to postseason play.
The North Stanly boys (22-2, 9-1 YVC) nished as conference co-champions alongside North Rowan, while the Comets girls (19-3, 10-0 YVC) claimed the league crown outright, nishing four games ahead of second-place Albemarle.
Both teams received byes into the YVC Tournament and will open play Thursday at Pfei er University’s Merner Gym.
The boys’ team showed steady growth throughout the season, improving on last year’s 22-7 overall record and third-place 8-3 conference nish. North Stanly won all but one league game, with its lone loss a narrow 51-49 defeat at North Rowan on Feb. 6.
The Comets rebounded from that setback with purpose, closing the regular season with double-digit victories over South Stanly, Albemarle and Union Academy to carry momentum into tournament play. The late
surge underscored a team that has grown more consistent on both ends of the oor as the season progressed. The girls’ team’s improvement has been even more pronounced.
After nishing 13-13 overall and 5-6 in conference play last season, North Stanly surged to a perfect 10-0 league record and now enters the postseason riding an 11-game winning streak. The Comets have not lost since Jan. 9, with their only defeats coming in early nonconference matchups
against GCAA, Uwharrie Charter Academy and Maiden. Beyond the conference tournament, both teams aim to make deeper runs in the NCHSAA state playo s.
Last season, the Comets boys earned a No. 16 seed in the 2A bracket, defeating No. 17 Walkertown at home in the rst round before falling to No. 1 Reidsville on the road. The girls, seeded No. 29 in 2A, were eliminated in the opening round by No. 4 T.W. Andrews.
With NCHSAA reclassication placing both programs in the 3A brackets this postseason, North Stanly will face stronger competition. Despite that change, the strides made by both teams suggest the Comets are positioned to contend beyond the conference stage.
Falcons extend streak, stay atop USA South standings
The Falcons are 10-0 since Jan. 9
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
MISENHEIMER — Now at 10 consecutive victories, the Pfei er men’s basketball team remains alone at the top of the USA South Athletic Conference standings entering thenal week of the regular season.
The Falcons (14-8, 10-2 USA South), undefeated since Jan. 9, downed rival Greensboro 82- 64 on Saturday afternoon in Misenheimer, controlling the game from start to nish to keep their winning streak intact.
Pfei er built a 37-29 halftime lead and never allowed the Pride (9-14, 5-7 USA South) to take claw back into the game, outscoring Greensboro by 10 points in the second half to secure the 18-point victory.
Although the Falcons never trailed, coach Pete Schoch said it took time for his team to fully seize control.
“We couldn’t really get over the top and really try to put them in a position that we wanted them in, which was really controlling the game,” Schoch said. “We got there in the second half, but you wish it was sooner. But all in all, it’s a great group of kids who work really hard. I don’t think they ever lose condence in themselves.”
Former North Stanly standout and Pfei er senior Doug
Smith anchored the Falcons with 18 points on 9-of-11 shooting and added 10 rebounds for a double-double. Pfei er held a 48-38 rebounding advantage. Senior guard Sean Sucarichi notched 16 points and ve rebounds, while sophomore guard Drake Stewart provided a spark o the bench with 14 points and seven rebounds. Senior forwards Justin Gaten and Zach Sloan each nished with nine points.
Greensboro was led by Will Gray with 17 points. The victory keeps Pfei er one game ahead of second-place N.C. Wesleyan and two games clear of third-place Southern Virginia in the conference standings. After dropping its rst two games of the season and stumbling to a 4-8 start, Pfei er has surged to the top of the league, continuing the momentum
Pfei er’s Sean Sucarichi goes up for a layup in front of the Falcons’ home crowd.
from last season’s 18-8 (12-2 USA South) campaign in which the Falcons captured both the regular-season and conference tournament titles. Pfei er hosted William Peace on Tuesday in its nal regular-season home game.
“In this next game against William Peace, should we come out on top we will have guaranteed ourselves at least a share of the conference title,” Schoch said. “That hasn’t been done here in back-to-back years since 1995, so there’s a lot of motivation for the kids. I think if they need any more than that, then you have to check for a pulse.”
The Falcons will travel to Staunton, Virginia, on Saturday to face Mary Baldwin. The USA South Tournament begins Feb. 24, with the championship scheduled for Feb. 28.
PJ WARD-BROWN / STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
North Stanly’s Jarrett Hinson nds an open lane to the basket during a matchup with Uwharrie Charter Academy.
NCAA BASKETBALL
Fight breaks out between St. John’s, Providence; 7 players ejected Providence, R.I. Seven players were ejected from Saturday’s game between No. 17 St. John’s and Providence after a fracas resulting from a hard foul by Friars forward Duncan Powell on Bryce Hopkins sent the Red Storm star crashing to the ground. St. John’s coach Rick Pitino was in the middle of it, trying to hold back his players, but several entered the fray as it drifted toward the Red Storm bench. The game was delayed by nearly 20 minutes. Four St. John’s players were booted and two from Providence.
MLB
Bad Bunny o ered to pay for Puerto Rican star Correa’s WBC insurance
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Bad Bunny really wanted to see Carlos Correa play for Puerto Rico at home in the World Baseball Classic. Correa, the in elder for the Houston Astros, was left o the WBC roster over insurance coverage. He told reporters that the music superstar and fellow native of Puerto Rico o ered to pay for a policy. Correa has a $200 million contract through 2028. Correa says the insurer provider proposed by Bad Bunny wasn’t approved by Major League Baseball, the Astros or Correa’s agent, Scott Boras. Puerto Rico is hosting pool play games in the WBC next month.
OLYMPICS
Norwegian biathlete wins another bronze 3 days after confessing in delity Anterselva, Italy Norwegian biathlete Strula Holm Laegreid won his second bronze medal of the Milan Cortina Olympics — three days after making an unexpected personal confession during a postrace interview. Laegreid was third in the sprint. He also won bronze in the 20-kilometer individual race but tearfully revealed during a live broadcast that he had been unfaithful to his girlfriend. Quentin Fillon Maillet of France won the sprint race for his second gold medal of the Games.
MLB
All-Star reliever Face, who saved 3 games for Pirates in 1960 World Series, dead at 97 Pittsburgh Elroy Face, an All-Star reliever for the Pittsburgh Pirates who saved three games in the 1960 World Series to help them upset the New York Yankees, died at 97. The former pitcher died Thursday at an independent senior living facility in North Versailles, Pennsylvania. No cause of death was provided. Selected to six All-Star teams, Face went 104-95 with a 3.48 ERA in 16 major league seasons with Pittsburgh, Detroit and Montreal. He compiled 191 career saves — although saves didn’t become an o cial statistic until 1969.
NBA
Tankers beware: Jazz ned $500,000, Pacers $100,000 by NBA for player participation policy breach
The NBA ned the Utah Jazz $500,000 for sitting healthy stars late in close games. The league announced the decision on Thursday. The Jazz kept key players out of recent fourth quarters, even though games were tight. The NBA said the players could have kept playing. Utah has also faced past nes tied to resting Lauri Markkanen. The Pacers were ned $100,000 for holding out Pascal Siakam and other starters. The policy targets teams that chase better draft odds by losing on purpose.
SOUTH STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL
8-15, 2-8 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A
Last week’s scores:
• Won 47-40 at Gray Stone Day
• Lost 68-42 vs. North Rowan
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 17 at Union Academy
SOUTH STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
7-13, 3-7 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A
Last week’s scores:
• Won 43-30 at Gray Stone Day
• Lost 46-34 vs. North Rowan
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 17 at Union Academy
WEST STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL 7-16, 2-10 in Rocky River 4A/5A
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 74-42 vs. Parkwood
This week’s schedule:
• TBD due to postseason
NORTH STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
19-3, 10-0 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Won 47-37 vs. Albemarle
• Won 46-35 at Union Academy
This week’s schedule:
• TBD due to postseason
ALBEMARLE BOYS’ BASKETBALL 9-13, 6-4 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 64-41 at North Stanly
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 17 vs. Gray Stone Day
ALBEMARLE GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
12-11, 6-4 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 47-37 at North Stanly
This week’s schedule:
• TBD due to postseason
Cooper Flagg missed the rookie showcase due to injury
By Greg Beacham
The Associated Press
INGLEWOOD, Calif. —
V.J. Edgecombe seems quietly con dent he’ll be at an NBA All-Star weekend quite soon to play in the main event.
Until that day arrives, the Philadelphia rookie celebrated his rst trip to this midseason showcase with two game-ending scores and an MVP trophy in the Rising Stars event.
Edgecombe led Team Vince to victory in the kicko event for the NBA All-Star weekend Friday night, scoring 17 points in the semi nal before hitting two free throws to ice the nal.
“We all wanted to compete, and I wanted to win,” Edgecombe said. “I really hate losing, and we had a chance to win it all, so why not go out there and win?”
The NBA’s rookies, sophomores and G League prospects opened the All-Star weekend at the Los Angeles Clippers’ Intuit Dome with this four-team tournament of three games played to a set point total.
While Edgecombe was the most impactful player, he didn’t have the most memorable bucket: San Antonio guard Dylan Harper ended the rst seminal by scoring the game-winner over Ron Harper Jr., his older brother.
Dylan Harper then scored eight more points in the nal
for Team Melo while teaming up with his Spurs teammate, Stephon Castle, last season’s Rookie of the Year and Rising Stars MVP.
Castle made a putback dunk o Jeremiah Fears’ miss to pull Team Melo within one point of victory, but Edgecombe drew a foul from Donovan Clingan and coolly hit both free throws to end it at 25-24.
Edgecombe was motivated by the presence of his 76ers backcourt mate, All-Star Tyrese Maxey, who watched from courtside.
“He (said) he ain’t coming to watch if I ain’t going to play hard,” Edgecombe said. “I was like, ‘Man, I’m going to play hard so at least it’s not a waste of his time.’”
Indeed, the lackadaisical efforts that have plagued the All-Star Game in recent years wasn’t nearly as prevalent in this Rising Stars showcase, and Edgecombe said that’s largely because of the motivational e orts of the four NBA veterans who led the teams: Vince Carter, Carmelo Anthony, Tracy McGrady and Austin Rivers.
When the vets were picking their teams two weeks ago, Edgecombe told Carter to choose him if he wanted to win.
“(Carter) was telling us, ‘Just go! Just go! Keep playing hard!’” Edgecombe said. “And we feed o of that. We just started rolling.”
Edgecombe scored nearly half of his team’s 41 points — including the last 10 in a row — while winning the second seminal. Edgecombe didn’t have to
carry his team in the nal, but the No. 3 overall pick in last year’s draft still scored its nal four points.
Family feud
Dylan Harper called game in the rst semi nal with a succession of moves that could have been learned on the driveway at home, bullying Ron Jr. into the paint before hitting a step-back jumper.
Dylan stuck out his tongue in gleeful celebration of only his second basket in the seminal, and their famous father laughed heartily at courtside.
Ron Jr., a Celtics prospect with 21 games of NBA experience, is six years older than Dylan, the No. 2 pick in last summer’s draft — but the kid brother knew he could do it.
“You think I’ve never beat him one-on-one (before)?” Dylan asked with mock exasperation.
Flagg down
The Rising Stars game wasn’t a full showcase of the NBA’s top young talent because No. 1 pick Cooper Flagg dropped out of the game due to injury, as did Washington’s Alex Sarr and Memphis’ Cedric Coward.
Edgecombe hit three 3-pointers during his scoring barrage in the rst semi nal to win his duel with Charlotte’s Kon Knueppel, who scored just four points. The two rookies are the only serious contenders with Flagg for the Rookie of the Year award.
• Lost 66-59 vs. Mount Pleasant
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 17 at Mount Pleasant
WEST STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL 12-11, 7-5 in Rocky River 4A/5A
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 65-32 at Forest Hills
• Won 66-42 vs. Parkwood
• Won 49-28 vs. Mount Pleasant
This week’s schedule:
• TBD due to postseason
NORTH STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL 22-2, 9-1 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Won 64-41 vs. Albemarle
• Won 42-22 at Union Academy
GRAY STONE DAY BOYS’ BASKETBALL
1-23, 0-10 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 47-40 vs. South Stanly
• Lost 71-28 at North Rowan
This week’s schedule:
• Feb. 17 at Albemarle
GRAY STONE DAY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
2-17, 0-10 in Yadkin Valley
Last week’s scores:
• Lost 43-30 vs. South Stanly
• Lost 55-50 at North Rowan
This week’s schedule:
• TBD due to postseason
Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@stanlynewsjournal.com
MARK J. TERRILL / AP PHOTO
Team Vince guard VJ Edgecombe (77) of the Philadelphia 76ers, right, passes as Team Melo guard Jeremiah Fears (0) of the New Orleans Pelicans defends during the Rising Stars game.
• Adjunct Instructor – Early Childhood Education (POOL)
Become part of something great...
We are eager to welcome individuals who are dedicated to our mission and committed to enhancing our community. Interested candidates are invited to browse our open full and part time positions via the website below to nd out how to apply for one of our job openings at SCC.
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY
In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Clerk Before the Clerk 26E000053-830
Having
MARK T. LOWDER PUBLIC ADMINISTRATOR OF THE ESTATE OF DONNIE LEON THOMAS MARK T. LOWDER ATTORNEY AT LAW P.O. Box 1284
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF STANLY 24 E 001540 - 830
In the Matter of the Estate Of Meldonna G. Britt
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having
This
Judson C. Britt, Jr. Executor Brian P. Hayes Attorney Ferguson Hayes Hawkins, PLLC P. O. Box 444 Concord, NC 28026
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY
IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000026-830
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
This
Kristy E. Poteat 2209 Milton Drive Albemarle, NC 28001 Executor
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000065-830
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having
This the 18th day of February 2026.
Angela K. Gardner 1521 Clontz-Long Rd. Monroe, NC 28110 Administrator
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
NOTICE
The Town Council of the Town of Norwood has received an o
Emma Thompson, Jennifer Garner,
‘The
Night Agent,’
Hilary Du drops “luck… or something”
The Associated Press
THE EMMA Thompson-led thriller “Dead of Winter” and Hilary Du ’s rst full-length album in 11 years 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: A new season of “The Night Agent” lands on Net ix, Dove Cameron and Avan Jogia star in the new series “56 Days” for Prime Video, and Harris Dickinson’s brilliant directorial debut, “Urchin,” lands on Hulu.
MOVIES TO STREAM
Dickinson might be best known for his acting in lms like “Babygirl,” but last year he proved himself to be a lmmaker to watch as well. His brilliant directorial debut, “Urchin,” streaming now on Hulu, follows in the social realist tradition of Ken Loach in chronicling the ups and downs of an unhoused addict (Frank Dillane) in London.
HBO Max has the Thompson-led thriller “Dead of Winter” arriving on Friday. Thompson plays a grieving loner who gets lost near a Minnesota lake during a blizzard and stumbles on a cabin where a young woman is being held by an armed couple. And if Emerald Fennell’s “Wuthering Heights” leaves you wanting more (or moor) Cathy and Heathcli , there are plenty of other versions streaming on various platforms. There is of course William Wyler’s lush but much condensed 1939 lm, with Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon (on HBO Max and Criterion Channel). The 1992 version (free on Kanopy) starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche is one of the most faithful to Brontë’s text for actually including the second generation of Lintons and Earnshaws. Andrea Arnold’s underseen lm, released in 2011, (free on Tubi) notably features a multiracial actor, James Howson,
Dove Cameron
“It’s a long, long way, way down, down to Cloud 9.”
as Heathcli , opposite Kaya Scodelario’s Catherine. There’s also the British television miniseries from 2009 with Charlotte Riley and Tom Hardy that’s available on BritBox.
MUSIC TO STREAM
The millennial queen hath returned. Du will release her rst full-length since 2015’s “Breathe In. Breathe Out.” on Friday. Titled “luck… or something,” the album is a 11-track collection of nostalgic pop, the ideal listening experience for those still devastated by the tabled, adult “Lizzie McGuire” reboot. Of course, this time around, Du has won out, and the themes are, as one song title puts it, “Mature.” It is not too late to hop aboard
the Megan Moroney train, but the rest of us are pulling out of the station — and following her to greener pastures. The country singer-songwriter emerged as a fully realized talent with the release of her platinum-selling single “Tennessee Orange” a few years back; her 2024 sophomore album “Am I Okay?” only strengthened her charms. Now she’s preparing to release “Cloud 9,” out Friday to win over even more hearts. There’s a reason “6 Months Later” has been inescapable on country music. Isn’t it time you found out why?
SERIES TO STREAM
Cameron and Jogia star in a new series “56 Days” for Prime Video as Ciara and Oliver, who meet by chance at a grocery store, embark on a whirlwind, passionate romance. Fifty-six days later, homicide detectives nd a decomposed body in a bathtub which could be Ciara or Oliver, leaving the question, who killed who? It’s based on a best-seller by Catherine Ryan
Howard. Cameron and Jogia, who started out on Disney and Nickelodeon, respectively, show they’re not kids anymore in this sexy thriller. A new season of Net ix’s “The Night Agent” arrives Thursday. It stars Gabriel Basso as Peter Sutherland, a secret operative working in counterintelligence for the FBI. In Season 3, he’s on a mission to nd a treasury secretary who has ed to Istanbul after committing murder, that leads to the discovery of a dark money network. Information may be power, but it can also be deadly and Peter’s in trouble.
Jennifer Garner’s “The Last Thing He Told Me” returns Friday on Apple TV. It’s based on novels by Laura Dave. Garner plays Hannah Hall, a new wife and stepmom whose world is rocked in Season 1 when her new husband, Owen, (played by Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) disappears, leaving a note to protect his teen daughter, Bailee (played by Angourie Rice). Season 2 picks up ve years later when (spoiler alert, but
it’s in the trailer) Owen shows back up. Now the three are in danger. Garner, who mastered ght scenes for her breakout role in the TV show “Alias” and as Marvel assassin Elektra, gets to show her kicks and punches.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
Stealth games like Thief, Dishonored and Splinter Cell have seen better days, but at least one developer — France’s Cyanide — is trying to carry the genre forward. In Styx: Blades of Greed, you are a goblin who isn’t particularly well-equipped to ght toe-to-toe against orcs and other bullies. But if you take the sneaky approach, you can ll your pockets with quartz, the most valuable and volatile substance in this fantasy world. Magic powers like invisibility and mind control make it a little easier to avoid brawling, but if things get out of hand, you can whip out a glider and y away. The heist begins Thursday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.
CINEMANSE VIA AP
Emma Thompson stars in the 2025 lm “Dead of Winter.” The thriller begins streaming on HBO Max on Friday.
ATLANTIC VIA AP
Hilary Du releases “Luck… or Something,” her rst album since 2015’s “Breathe In. Breathe Out.”
