VOLUME 146 ISSUE 21 | WEEKEND EDITION, MARCH 14 – MARCH 15, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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Bridge to golden hour The sun sets over Lake Tillery and the James B. Garrison Bridge, looking southwest from Montgomery County toward Stanly County on March 7. The bridge carries N.C. 24/27/73 across the lake between the two counties.
WHAT’S HAPPENING Long-serving Democrat Clyburn of South Carolina to run for 18th term in Congress Long-serving South Carolina Democrat Jim Clyburn says he’s running for an 18th term in Congress. The 85-year-old Clyburn is one of the oldest Democrats in Washington and the only member of the last Democratic leadership team who’s looking to stick around. He had served as majority whip and assistant Democratic leader. He says he’ll keep going as long as his health holds and his family supports him. He won reelection in 2024 by a wide margin.
Wealthy nations pledge record release of emergency oil reserves in bid to calm prices The International Energy Agency has agreed to release the largest volume of emergency oil reserves in its history, in a bid to counter the effects on energy markets of the war in the Middle East. The Paris-based organization said Wednesday that it will make 400 million barrels of oil available from its members’ emergency reserves. It’s a larger stock than the 182.7 million barrels that were released in 2022 by the IEA’s 32 member countries in response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. During a videoconference of G7 leaders Wednesday, French President Emmanuel Macron praised the release, saying it amounts to 20 days of the volume exported through the Strait of Hormuz.
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Catalyst grants awarded to 9 downtown Albemarle projects The grant awards distribute $90,000 in total funding By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Nine new projects have been selected to receive funding through Albemarle’s Downtown Catalyst Grant Program, a public-private initiative designed to spur redevelopment and investment in the city’s downtown area. At the Albemarle City Council meeting on March 2, the council revealed the program’s fiscal year 2025-26 award report containing the latest group of funding recipients. Established in 2022 through a partnership between Albemarle, Uwharrie Bank and the
COURTESY CITY OF ALBEMARLE
The Albemarle City Council unveiled its list of Downtown Catalyst Grant Program award recipients on March 2. Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation, the program serves as an economic development tool aimed at
building rehabilitation and business expansion within the municipal services district. The FY 2025-26 grant See PROJECTS, page A5
Tillis to speak at Pfeiffer University event Friday Tillis is the featured speaker for the 2026 Eugene I. Earnhardt Speaker Series By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal MISENHEIMER — A United States senator will be visiting Stanly County next week. Republican U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis will serve as the featured speaker for the 2026 Eugene I. Earnhardt Speaker Series at Pfeiffer University, the university announced Monday. The public event is scheduled for Friday from 10-11 a.m. in Pfeiffer’s Merner Gymnasium at 48380 U.S. Highway 52
N. in Misenheimer. Doors will open at 8 a.m. Large bags and backpacks will not be allowed. “Pfeiffer University is honored to welcome Senator Tillis as the 2026 Eugene I. Earnhardt Speaker Series guest,” the university said in a press release. “His experiences in public life and commitment to respectful dialogue promise to inspire meaningful engagement for the campus community and guests. “Senator Tillis’ long career in public service, bipartisan engagement and leadership on nationally significant issues reflects the spirit of the Earnhardt Series, which invites See TILLIS, page A8
awards distribute $90,000 in total funding — including $50,000 from the city, $20,000 from Uwharrie Bank and $20,000 from the Albemarle Downtown Development Corporation — and are projected to leverage approximately $560,500 in private investment in downtown Albemarle. Applications for the most recent grant cycle opened this past October, with the seven-member Albemarle Downtown Catalyst Grant Committee meeting on Dec. 1, 2025, to review submissions and determine the funding recipients. “Out of 13 applicants, we awarded nine grant recipients,” Councilmember Dexter Townsend said. “At this point, eight have actually completed
“Pfeiffer University is honored to welcome Senator Tillis as the 2026 Eugene I. Earnhardt Speaker Series guest.” Pfeiffer University