VOLUME 146 ISSUE 16 | WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING U.S. military boards third oil tanker in Indian Ocean after tracking it from Caribbean The Pentagon says U.S. military forces have boarded a third sanctioned oil tanker in the Indian Ocean after tracking it from the Caribbean Sea in an effort to target illicit oil connected to Venezuela. U.S. forces boarded the Bertha overnight. President Donald Trump had ordered a quarantine of sanctioned tankers near Venezuela in December to pressure then-President Nicolás Maduro before his capture. Venezuela faced U.S. sanctions on its oil for several years, relying on a shadow fleet of falsely flagged tankers to smuggle crude into global supply chains.
Supreme Court rules Postal Service can’t be sued A divided Supreme Court has ruled that Americans can’t sue the U.S. Postal Service, even when employees deliberately refuse to deliver mail. By a 5-4 vote Tuesday, the justices ruled against Texas landlord Lebene Konan, who alleged her mail was intentionally withheld for two years. Konan is black and claims racial prejudice played a role in postal employees’ actions. Justice Clarence Thomas wrote in his majority opinions the federal law that generally shields the Postal Service from lawsuits over missing, lost and undelivered mail includes “the intentional nondelivery of mail.” Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote in dissent the immunity doesn’t apply to situations when the decision not to deliver mail “was driven by malicious reasons.”
Louvre Museum’s director resigns in wake of jewels heist in Paris French President Emmanuel Macron has accepted the resignation of the Louvre Museum’s director, Laurence des Cars. She’d been under fire in the wake of a stunning and embarrassing heist of the French Crown jewels. Macron praised des Cars’ resignation decision as “an act of responsibility at a time when the world’s largest museum needs calm and a strong new impetus to carry out major projects.” Thieves took less than eight minutes in October to steal $102 million worth of crown jewels.
NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO
Making the play Charlotte infielder and former West Stanly Colt Teagan Ritchie, left, forces out a Clemson baserunner last Wednesday in Charlotte. The 49ers beat the Tigers 8-3 and improved to 12-4 on the season.
Auria to expand Albemarle plant with $9M investment The project will create 13 new jobs By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Global automotive supplier Auria is expanding its Albemarle manufacturing facility, creating 13 jobs and investing more than $9 million in equipment, the Stanly County Economic Development Commission announced Thursday. The project reinforces the company’s long-term commitment to the region. Auria, which operates a plant on Bethany Road off U.S.
“The city is pleased to once again work with Auria and Stanly County to grow our local economy.” Ronnie Michael, Albemarle mayor
Local officials said the incentives reflect the community’s commitment to attracting quality jobs and strengthening the tax base. “The city is pleased to once again work with Auria and See PLANT, page A4
Uwharrie Players to present “The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!” “Everyone here is familiar with the accommodations that it takes to perform for a young crowd.” Director Christian Payne
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Highway 52, produces engineered systems for automotive flooring, acoustics, soft trim and cargo management for gas and electric vehicles. The expansion will result in at least $9.06 million in new taxable investment in machinery and equipment over the next eight years. The 13 new positions will offer salaries above the county average, according to the county’s EDC. To support the project, the Stanly County Board of Commissioners and Albemarle City Council approved a property tax–based Business Development Grant equal to 75% of the new taxable investment for eight years.
The youth theater production opens Friday By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — An interactive retelling of a classic tale is coming to downtown Albemarle this weekend. For its fourth annual Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) production, the Uwharrie Players will be presenting “The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs!” at the Albemarle Neighborhood Theatre. The community theater
group’s stage play opens Friday at 7 p.m., with additional performances scheduled for Saturday at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and Sunday at 3 p.m. Based on the children’s book by Jon Scieszka and Lane Smith, the show brings familiar fairy-tale characters to life with a courtroom twist. In Piggsylvania’s “Trial of the Century,” the Big Bad Wolf takes the stand while the audience serves as the jury. Unlike past TYA plays, this show features an interactive element in which the See PRODUCTION, page A4
Now Serving Cabarrus, Stanly & Montgomery Counties LOCATIONS
• Albemarle-West/ Coble Ave. • Albemarle-East/ Anderson Rd. • North Oakboro/ Red Cross Rd. • South Oakboro/ Rocky River Rd. • Mt. Pleasant • Biscoe • Locust
Stanly County to grow our local economy,” Albemarle Mayor Ronnie Michael said in a press release. “Our residents have told us they want more career opportunities close to home, and our city council listened. We made community and economic growth a key goal in the city’s strategic plan. Supporting Auria’s expansion reflects our commitment to delivering on those goals and creating a stronger future for our residents.” Scott Efird, chairman of the Stanly County Board of Commissioners, echoed that sentiment. “Auria’s expansion is a strong endorsement of Stanly County’s workforce, infrastructure and pro-business climate,” Efird said. “These new jobs and significant capital investment will have a meaningful impact on our community.
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inside See what new movies, TV shows, music and
video games are debuting online this week in The Stream on page B5.
RICHARD DREW / AP PHOTO