VOLUME 146 ISSUE 3 | WEEKEND EDITION, JAN. 10 – JAN. 11, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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New year, new day Lake Tillery was shrouded in fog Wednesday morning, but the rising sun was determined to shine on Stanly County.
WHAT’S HAPPENING Rubio plans to meet with Danish officials next week to talk about U.S. interest in Greenland U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio says he plans to meet with Danish officials next week after the Trump administration reiterated its intention to take over the strategic Arctic island. Rubio has told U.S. lawmakers that the administration wants to eventually purchase Greenland, rather than use military force to take over the self-governing territory of Denmark. Tensions escalated after the White House declined to rule out the use of military force to acquire Greenland. Denmark’s prime minister has warned that a takeover would threaten NATO. Some Republican senators say they see strategic value in Greenland but are stopping short of supporting military action to acquire it.
DeSantis calls for special session in April to redraw Florida’s congressional districts Gov. Ron DeSantis on Wednesday called for a special session in April for Florida’s legislature to redraw congressional districts. DeSantis wants to wait for a possible U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Voting Rights Act before proceeding. The ruling could impact Section 2, which bars discrimination in voting systems. Nationwide, Republicans believe they can gain more seats with new maps, but ongoing litigation could impact the final outcomes.
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School board highlights South Stanly Holocaust literature class The class hosted a commemoration ceremony last semester By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — South Stanly High School English teacher Meredith Howell and six of her students used Tuesday night’s Stanly County Board of Education meeting to spotlight the impact of their Holocaust literature course. The course emphasizes historical understanding, empathy and civic responsibility, with students each sharing how the class shaped their perspectives on antisemitism and moral decision-making.
Howell was joined at the lectern by students Anna Amaya, Marley Cox, Jane Lee, Marla Flores Vera, Kendall Anderson and Layla Brown. “The opportunity to have this class at South Stanly has not only impacted our students, but it’s reached beyond our walls,” Howell said. “It’s building a community of younger generations who are becoming more aware about the Holocaust, as well as encouraging them to be upstanders instead of bystanders. I’m honored and completely humbled that I have the opportunity to teach this class.” Students described the course as both academically demanding See HOLOCAUST, page A5
COURTESY STANLY COUNTY SCHOOLS
South Stanly High School English teacher Meredith Howell presents students, from left to right, Layla Brown, Kendall Anderson, Marla Flores Vera, Jane Lee, Marley Cox and Anna Amaya at the Stanly County Board of Education meeting on Tuesday.
East Side Volunteer Fire Department cleared to finance new fire truck The fire department’s most modern truck is a 2006 model By Jesse Deal Stanly County Journal ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a low-interest, tax-exempt loan Monday night to help the East Side Volunteer Fire Department purchase a new fire truck. The board voted 6-0 following a required public hearing, with Vice Chairman Bill Lawhon recusing himself from the agenda item. Fire Chief Alan
Beasley presented the request to commissioners. “We’re in desperate need of a new fire truck,” Beasley said. “Our newest fire truck right now is a 2006 model. If you go back and look at the National Fire Protection Association standards, they recommend that we rotate fire trucks every 20 years.” After placing a $150,000 down payment, the department sought approval to finance up to $493,000 for a custom pumper fire truck. Under Internal Revenue Code Section 147(f), the public hearing and board approval were See TRUCK, page A8
“We’re in desperate need of a new fire truck.” Alan Beasley, East Side Volunteer Fire Department fire chief