VOLUME 146 ISSUE 17 | WEEKEND EDITION, FEB. 28 – MARCH 1, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
KENNY HOLSTON / THE NEW YORK TIMES VIA AP
The best of U.S. U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer Eric Slover received the Congressional Medal of Honor — the nation’s highest military award — during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday. Slover is a member of the Army’s “Night Stalkers” 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment, stationed at Fort Bragg. Read more on page A7.
WHAT’S HAPPENING FBI searches Los Angeles school district headquarters, superintendent’s home Los Angeles The FBI served search warrants at the Los Angeles Unified School District’s headquarters and the home of its superintendent. The nature of the federal investigation involving the nation’s second-largest school district and Superintendent Alberto Carvalho’s home was not immediately clear. Affidavits laying out details for the basis for Wednesday’s searches were under seal. A third location near Miami was also searched. Carvalho previously led public schools in that area.
Cuba says 4 killed in speedboat shooting were attempting to infiltrate the country Havana Cuba says the 10 passengers on a boat that opened fire on its soldiers were armed Cubans living in the U.S. who were trying to infiltrate the island and unleash terrorism. The announcement late Wednesday came hours after Cuba said its soldiers killed four people and wounded six others aboard a Florida-registered speed boat that had entered Cuban waters and opened fire on the soldiers first. Cuba’s government says the majority of the 10 people on the boat “have a known history of criminal and violent activity.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio says the U.S. is gathering its own information.
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Albemarle Police welcomes new officers, announces promotions The department formalized the changes on Feb. 17 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle Police Department recently held a swearing-in and promotion ceremony, marking the addition of five new officers and the rank advancement of eight others. Elected officials, community leaders and family members attended the event on Feb. 17, where Judge T. Thai Vang administered the oath of office to the department’s newest officers.
The newly sworn officers are James Alexson, a former U.S. Marine Corps member who began his law enforcement career in Union County; and Tanner Lang, Christopher Linker, Marcus Patrick and Trenton Scott, all of whom graduated from Basic Law Enforcement Training in December 2025. The department also announced a series of officer promotions. Elevated to sergeant were Douglas Austin, who has more than 20 years of law enforcement and military service; Douglas Edwards, an APD member since 2016; Cody See POLICE, page A5
COURTESY UWHARRIE BANK
The Stanly Arts Guild’s new location is 152 W. Main St. in downtown Albemarle.
Stanly Arts Guild to celebrate grand reopening in downtown Albemarle The event is scheduled for March 7 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — One of Stanly County’s leading arts organizations has a new place to call home. On March 7, the Stanly Arts Guild will celebrate a ribbon-cutting ceremony and grand reopening at its new gallery at 152 W. Main St. in downtown Albemarle. Hosted in partnership with the Stanly County Chamber of Commerce, the event — scheduled for 11 a.m. — will signify the unveiling of the guild’s new gallery space as the pub-
lic is invited to explore exhibits and shop local artwork. The guild, whose previous gallery was located at 330 N. Second St., held a soft opening Tuesday at its new location. In a statement released afterward, the organization thanked supporters. “What a lovely welcome from so many during our soft opening today!” the statement said. “There are so many to thank. Thank you, Uwharrie Bank for believing in us. Thank you, Stanly Arts Council and NC Arts Council for your unwavering support. Thank you to those who have worked tirelessly to make the swift move. Thank you to our See ARTS, page A8
“It is truly a gift to be able to continue the legacy of art in our community.” Stanly Arts Guild