VOLUME 146 ISSUE 14 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
SUBSCRIBE TODAY: 704-982-2121
Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING 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 effort by Moscow to help Trump defeat Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton.
Rousey, Carano will end MMA retirements, fight each other in May Ronda Rousey and Gina Carano will end their lengthy retirements from mixed martial arts to fight 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 influencer-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 fight at 145 pounds for five five-minute rounds. Despite their lengthy absences, Rousey and Carano remain two of the most iconic fighters 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 fighting a second deportation to a series of African countries proposed by DHS officials. 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.
$2.00
MY DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY FOR STANLY NEWS JOURNAL
Morning glory
West Main Street in Albemarle was quiet early last Thursday morning as the sun was just coming up.
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
COURTESY STANLYTV
The Stanly County Board of Commissioners voted 7-0 to reappoint three members on the Senior Services Advisory Board to new terms on Monday. 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-
LOCATIONS
• Albemarle-East/ Anderson Rd. • North Oakboro/ Red Cross Rd. • South Oakboro/ Rocky River Rd. • Mt. Pleasant • Biscoe • Locust
See BOARD, page A4
Albemarle receives clean inside audit report for 2024-25
The president and first lady made a visit to North Carolina last week. See page A4 for more.
An accounting firm issued the city an unmodified report By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The city of Albemarle has been given a clean audit for fiscal year 2024-25, with an independent accounting firm issuing the highest level of assurance on the city’s financial 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 firm. The audit reviewed the city’s
governmental activities and each major fund for the fiscal year. “We issued an unmodified opinion, which is the best opinion you can get,” Vang said. “It means that the financial statements are fairly presented in all material respect, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.” Vang highlighted several key financial 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
“We issued an unmodified opinion, which is the best opinion you can get.” Jill Vang
See ALBEMARLE, page A5
Now Serving Cabarrus, Stanly & Montgomery Counties • Albemarle-West/ Coble Ave.
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.
24 Hour Access Digital Video Surveillance Online Billing Great Customer Service
www.burlesonsquarestorage.com • 704-985-2274
MATT ROURKE/ AP PHOTO