VOLUME 146 ISSUE 28 | WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING Paul faces protective order hearing in Utah after “Bachelorette” cancellation A Utah judge is expected to hear arguments on a protective order sought by a former partner against Taylor Frankie Paul, star of Hulu’s “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives.” Paul and Dakota Mortensen were expected to participate remotely Tuesday while their lawyers appear in person. Mortensen is the father of Paul’s 2-year-old son. He is asking the court to extend a protective order. About three weeks ago, ABC opted not to air a new season of “The Bachelorette” with Paul at its center. Production has also been paused on her Hulu series. It often featured Paul and Mortensen’s tumultuous relationship.
Ford recalls more than 422K trucks, SUVs because windshield wipers can fail Ford Motor Co. is recalling 422,613 vehicles because the windshield wiper arms can break, causing reduced visibility and increasing the risk of a crash. The recall covers 2021-23 Ford Expeditions and Lincoln Navigators and a range of F series Super Duty trucks, model years 2022-2023. Letters notifying owners of the safety risk are expected to be mailed on April 13. Once a remedy is determined, additional letters will be mailed. Dealerships will eventually inspect and replace the wiper arms free of charge.
Former Australian soldier charged with committing 5 war crime murders in Afghanistan Australia’s most decorated living veteran, Ben Roberts-Smith, faces war crime charges on allegations that he killed five unarmed Afghans while serving in Afghanistan from 2009 to 2012. Police have not confirmed the name of the 47-year-old former soldier who was arrested on Tuesday. But he was been widely reported in the media as the former Special Air Service Regiment corporal who was awarded both the Victoria Cross and Medal of Gallantry for his service in Afghanistan. Police says he will remain in custody overnight and will make his first court appearance on Wednesday. Roberts-Smith is only the second Australian veteran of the Afghanistan campaign to be charged with a war crime.
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Earthset The Artemis II crew captured this view of an Earthset on Monday as they flew around the moon. The image is reminiscent of the iconic Earthrise image taken by astronaut Bill Anders 58 years earlier as the Apollo 8 crew flew around the moon. NASA
Albemarle outlines development overhaul, ordinance updates A unified development ordinance is expected By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
on ordinance changes and a broader regulatory overhaul. “What we’re doing is really about aligning the community that we want to see with our toolbox, and how to implement the things that we want to see,” Steadman said. “Many of those things are outlined in our comprehensive plan, which you adopted in December. After extensive community engagement and internal work on that document, we now have a blueprint for how we want to grow and develop.” Albemarle’s comprehensive land use plan, Envision Albemarle 2045, is designed to
ALBEMARLE — As the city continues to grow, Albemarle officials are moving forward with a series of development updates aimed at aligning future growth with the vision outlined in its comprehensive plan. At Monday night’s Albemarle City Council meeting, the council received an administrative report from Planning and Development Director Alysia Steadman, who presented a department update centered See ALBEMARLE, page A5
COURTESY CITY OF ALBEMARLE
Alysia Steadman, Albemarle’s Planning and Development director, speaks at the Albemarle City Council meeting Monday night.
Stanly commissioners inside approve incentive grant for Michelin plant upgrades
Former North Stanly star Rhett Lowder delivered six scoreless innings for the Reds in his latest start. Turn to Sports for more.
“The grant request is 75% for 10 years for a business that is expanding its operations in the town of Norwood with an additional manufacturing line.” Elizabeth Kazimir, EDC director
The project is expected to create 30 new jobs By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — An expansion to the Michelin North America aircraft tire plant in Norwood has gained financial backing from the local county government. At its meeting Monday night, the Stanly County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved an economic development incentive grant equal to 75% of new taxes generated by the project over a 10-year period.
Operating under the planning name “Project NORRAD,” the company plans to invest $4.4 million in real property improvements and $25.7 million in machinery and equipment, totaling $30.1 million. The project is expected to create 30 new jobs over the next three years with an average annual salary of $50,083. Elizabeth Kazimir, director of the Stanly County Economic Development Commission, presented the request following a required public hearing that drew no comments. See PLANT, page A5
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