Stanly News Journal Vol. 146, Issue 30

Stanly NewS Journal

THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL

Appeals court orders judge to end contempt investigation of Trump administration deportation ights

A federal judge must end his “intrusive” contempt investigation of the Trump administration for failing to comply with an order over ights carrying Venezuelan migrants to El Salvador last year, a divided appeals court panel ruled Tuesday. Chief Judge James Boasberg abused his discretion in forging ahead with criminal contempt proceedings stemming from the March 2025 deportation ights, according to the majority opinion by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

Pope starts Africa tour in Algeria, calls for peace against Iran war’s backdrop Algiers, Algeria Pope Leo XIV has arrived in Algeria for a rst- ever papal visit, calling for peace amid the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran. His 11- day tour includes four African nations, promoting Christian-Muslim coexistence.

She spent nearly 30 years in local government

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — Former Albemarle Parks and Recreation Director Lisa Kiser was recognized for her nearly three decades of service in local government during a special presentation at the Albemarle City Council meeting on April 6.

Kiser, who led the city’s Parks and Recreation Department for nine years, o cially retired March 1 after a total of 281⁄2 years in municipal government. Mayor Ronnie Michael presented her with a city retirement certi cate honoring her tenure and contributions.

“Lisa has been a valued employee for the city and has been our Parks and Recreation director for several years,” Michael said. “On behalf of the citizens of Albemarle, may-

The o -duty CMPD o cer charged in Stanly County

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

LOCUST — An o - duty Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department o cer was arrested and charged with driving while impaired in Stanly County last week, according to law enforcement o cials.

O cer Dylan Auch, 29, was taken into custody April 8 by the Locust Police Department. He faces charges of driving while im-

or and city council, we have authorized this certi cate and extend best wishes for a well-earned rest and a long

paired, expired registration and operating a vehicle without a valid inspection, authorities said. According to court records, Auch was stopped while driving on West Main Street in Locust. O cers reported he had a strong odor of alcohol, red, glassy eyes and admitted to drinking prior to driving. Documents show he registered a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10, above North Carolina’s legal limit of 0.08. Records also indicate the vehicle Auch was operating had an expired registration and

and happy life. If you don’t know, Lisa is very active in our community. She’s also very active in the Chamber of Commerce, so I’m sure you will continue to see her in our community again.”

Addressing council members and attendees, Kiser reected on a career shaped by a lifelong connection to recreation, beginning with childhood swimming lessons and

The 18-year-old cheerleader’s body was discovered concealed under the cabin bed

By Ed White The Associated Press

A 16-YEAR-OLD BOY has been charged with murder and aggravated sexual abuse in Florida in the death of his 18-year- old stepsister on a Carnival Cruise ship, the U.S. Justice Department said Monday.

Timothy Hudson was indicted March 10. But the entire case was sealed until last Friday, weeks after U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom said he would be prosecuted as an adult at the request of prosecutors.

Anna Kepner had been traveling on the Carnival Horizon ship in November with her family. Before the ship was scheduled to return to Florida, her body was found concealed under a bed in a room she was sharing with two other teens, including the younger stepbrother.

The cause of Kepner’s Nov. 6 death was determined to be mechanical asphyxia, which is when an object or

“He

Alejandra López, Assistant U.S. Attorney

physical force stops someone from breathing.

An email and voicemail seeking comment from Hudson’s attorneys were not immediately returned Monday.

“Our hearts go out to the victim’s family during this unimaginable loss,”

U.S. Attorney Jason Reding Quiñones said in a written statement. “A federal grand jury has returned an indictment charging serious o enses that allegedly occurred aboard a vessel in international waters.”

Kepner was a high school cheerleader at Temple Christian School in Titusville, Florida, some 40 miles east of Orlando. At her memorial service in November, family members encouraged people to

wear bright colors instead of the traditional black “in honor of Anna’s bright and beautiful soul.”

Teens prosecuted in federal court are extremely rare. Hudson was initially charged Feb. 2, and he pleaded not guilty the next day in Miami. He was subsequently seen at the courthouse, wearing a ball cap and a hoodie pulled tightly around his face. But his status was not fully known because his age barred public disclosures by his lawyers, the government or the court.

A judge on Feb. 6 said Hudson must wear an electronic tether while living with an uncle. The order was changed to allow him to join his father for a few days last week at a landscaping business.

Prosecutors objected to Hudson’s release, citing dangerousness, and asked a judge Monday to revisit that order now that he has been charged as an adult. Defense lawyers will have a week to respond.

“He committed these crimes against a victim with whom he had no apparent relational strife, and whom he was being raised to view as a sibling,” Assistant U.S. Attorney Alejandra López said in a court ling.

April 16

April 17

April 18

THE CONVERSATION

Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

Trump is denounced — even by some Republicans — over the ‘war of choice’

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

ABOUT THE WAR against Iran, most polls nd it especially unpopular among Democrats, independents and even some Republicans who feel double-crossed because President Donald Trump campaigned against “endless wars” and promised not to start a new one.

As to Trump’s criticism of “endless wars,” supporters should not have taken it seriously for several reasons. First, we have “endless wars” because we have endless enemies. And they have a vote. Second, one could argue that the war against Iran is not new. After all, Iran’s leaders have been calling for America’s annihilation for 47 years. Third, presidents make decisions based upon events, many of which are unforeseen.

Woodrow Wilson campaigned in 1914 to keep America out of World War I. He ultimately took the country to war. Before our entry into World War II, several Americans supported an anti-war movement called America First. A couple of college students named Gerald R. Ford and John F. Kennedy supported this movement. Then came Pearl Harbor.

Assuming Iran was on the brink of acquiring the ability to make a nuclear bomb — their own negotiators admitted Iran had enough enriched uranium to make 11 bombs — this left Trump a couple of options: do nothing, the route taken by previous presidents, or stop them. Rather than kick the can down the road, Trump chose to stomp on it.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed, prominent lawyer David Boies chastised fellow

COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS

Democrats for opposing the war and letting their animosity against Trump cloud their judgment.

“If (Trump) hadn’t acted, his successor would have been left with an even more dangerous choice than his predecessors left him. ... What is harder to understand, and particularly troubling for our country, is opposition rooted simply in antipathy toward Mr. Trump himself,” he wrote.

As for the war’s unpopularity, opponents call Trump a liar as to the intel purporting to show Iran is an imminent threat. Critics say he failed to consult, let alone get support from, our allies.

But consider the decision President George W. Bush made to go to war. Many now call the Iraq War a blunder of epic proportions. Much of the country believes Bush “lied us into the war.”

Let’s revisit. At rst, 72% of Americans, according to Gallup, supported that war. Bush obtained resolutions in support of the war from both the House and the Senate. The widely held belief that Iraq had stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction was only one of the many reasons set forth in the resolution. The resolution also noted that Iraq used chemical weapons on its own people and on the Iranians; that Iraq was stealing from the United Nations Oil-for-Food Programme and likely using the money for military purposes; that Iraq was shooting at the British and American planes patrolling the southern and northern no- y zones; and that Saddam Hussein had attempted to assassinate President George H.W. Bush.

How to reverse societal decline

Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice.

RETAIL STORES locking up items is the symptom of a much larger problem.

I recently went to Walmart and had ibuprofen on my shopping list. I went to the medicine section and — groan — saw this $5 item locked behind glass. There were a couple of other people already waiting, so I looked around for a call button. That’s when one of the people waiting said an employee was already helping them but needed to get more boxes.

I was utterly confused.

One of the waiting customers remarked that he was from Florida and that stores there didn’t have items behind locked glass. What a di erence having Ron DeSantis as governor makes. I generously spared him a full rundown of how Democrats passed a soft- on- crime bill in 2019. Not punishing criminals led to a dramatic increase in retail theft. Stores are taking steps to stop theft — and I soon learned how inconvenient those measures are for everyone else.

Eventually, a Walmart employee returned carrying clear plastic boxes with locking tops. She removed each customer’s desired item from behind the glass and put it in the locking box. At checkout, another employee unlocked my box so I could pay for my item. This is ridiculous.

I don’t blame Walmart. I wouldn’t want criminals stealing from me either.

But there’s plenty of blame to go around. Criminals are responsible for their own actions. The bill that Democrats passed in 2019, gutting criminal penalties, is

part of the problem. In 2020, the Nevada Supreme Court signi cantly weakened bail in Nevada. That’s played a role. Legislative Democrats have largely resisted Gov. Joe Lombardo’s attempts to put teeth back into Nevada’s crime laws.

The left’s soft- on- crime policies stem from its worldview. A worldview is someone’s underlying beliefs that they use to interpret and make sense of what’s going on. Everyone has a worldview, even if most people don’t think about it consciously. When people talk past each other in a policy discussion, it’s often because their worldviews con ict. You have to dig underneath the surface to expose the root of the disagreement.

The left has embraced critical theory, which divides people into binary groups based on nances, race or other characteristics. This split produces some groups that are more successful than others. Intersectionality is the left’s way of combining and ranking these groups.

Critical theorists believe that the successful group obtained their elevated status by victimizing those in the other group. These supposed oppressors created systems and institutions to entrench their dominance of the victim group.

How a group can get rich robbing poor people is never quite explained.

But you can see the implications. Individual responsibility is thrown out the window since success or failure is a function of group membership, not personal choices.

George W. Bush formed a “coalition of the willing” consisting of 48 nations, including the U.S., U.K., Australia and Poland, that committed troops to the e ort.

The war became unpopular. Many denounced Bush as a liar and a war criminal despite his pre-war e ort to form a coalition, to get buy-in from both Democrats and Republicans and to obtain a unanimous resolution from the U.N. Trump did none of this before going to war against Iran. He is as excoriated as viciously as was Bush, who did all the things critics accuse Trump of not doing. So the real issue comes down to whether Trump is doing the right thing.

During the Iran-Iraq war, the Iranian regime used children to clear mine elds — costing tens of thousands of young lives. There was a term for this. It is a war crime.

Iran is now mobilizing boys as young as 12 to ght the U.S. and Israel. There’s a term for this. It is a war crime.

And it is forcing citizens to form human chains to stand in front of military targets. There is a term for this. It is a war crime.

This is the value the regime places on its own people. Imagine the value it places on the lives of its perceived enemies.

This is why this fanatical regime cannot be allowed to acquire a nuclear weapon. This is why Trump is correct to implore the civilized world to join the ght.

Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host.

(Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

Stealing is proof the system has failed. As such, the government shouldn’t punish a thief for something that’s beyond his control. Government policy should overtly favor oppressed groups, not set an objective standard for individuals to follow.

Further, those objective standards, like “don’t steal,” aren’t neutral principles. They’re tools the powerful use to cement their privilege. One of the deepest roots of this poisonous philosophical plant is a rejection of absolute truth.

Most Democrats won’t fully articulate this. For one, many people haven’t fully thought through their worldview. Outside of a college campus, it also sounds like a conspiracy theory — because it is one.

Critical theory is bogus. For one, you can’t logically reject absolute truth while claiming that your belief system is true. It’s also morally wrong to judge people based on their skin color instead of their character.

Finally, this worldview fails in practice. Going easy on criminals has led to ibuprofen in southern Nevada being behind lock and key — twice. That’s not a success story. In other cities, like San Francisco and Portland, Oregon, stores have shut down entirely over crime.

It is possible to reverse this societal decline — but it requires rejecting the worldview causing the rot.

Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)

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Swalwell’s exit shakes up chaotic California gubernatorial race

Allegations

forced him from the race and Congress

By Michael R. Blood The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES — Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell’s abrupt exit from the race for California governor — then his announcement he would leave Congress — left his rivals scrambling to lock down his former supporters in a crowded contest with no clear leader, injecting more turmoil into the campaign to lead the nation’s most populous state.

Swalwell’s decision to suspend his campaign Sunday followed allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman twice, including when she worked for him, that were published Friday in the San Francisco Chronicle and later by CNN. While pulling out of the race he remained de ant in a post on the social platform X, saying, “I will ght the serious, false allegations that have been made — but that’s my ght, not a campaign’s.”

On Monday, he posted a statement on X, saying he planned to resign from Congress but did not provide a date for his departure. He wrote it was unfair for his constituents to have him distracted from his duties.

For rival candidates in a wide-open race, the key issue is where Swalwell’s supporters will go. He was among the most prominent Democrats in the contest, with mail ballots scheduled to go to voters in early May in advance of the June 2 primary election. Most of the well-known candidates are expected to appear on stage together Tuesday during a forum in Sacramento.

Katie Porter, one of the leading Democrats, posted a line from a San Francisco Chronicle column on X, “Democrats can pull victory from the jaws of defeat by coalescing around Porter.” Billionaire hedge fund manager-turned-liberal activist Tom Steyer said he secured the support of a handful of lawmakers, including Rep. Jared Hu man, a Democrat whose coastal district runs north of San Francisco, not far from Swalwell’s home turf. Antonio Villaraigosa, the former Los Angeles mayor, pitched a new ad promising to lower gas and grocery costs in a state known for its punishing cost of living.

With seven established Democrats and two leading Republicans on a primary ballot with more than 50 candidates, the race remains uid. While Swalwell has suspended his campaign, his name cannot be removed from the ballot.

“Nobody has really caught re,” said Democratic consultant Andrew Acosta, who is not involved in the campaign. Swalwell’s supporters “will scatter out to other candidates.”

Shifting alliances with Swalwell’s departure

In Sacramento, a handful of state lawmakers quickly switched their support from Swalwell to Steyer. Democratic Assemblymember Nick Schultz said he believes Steyer will put in the work to form strong relationships with the legislature. Steyer’s business background — he has nev-

er held public o ce — means he’ll challenge the status quo, Schultz added.

Democratic Assemblymember Corey Jackson — who also shifted to Steyer — said he wanted to back a candidate who had a legitimate chance of winning. He said in a statement that he and Steyer shared a “commitment to building an economy rooted in dignity for working people.”

San Jose’s Democratic Mayor Matt Mahan, running for governor in his rst statewide election, sought to distinguish his record from Steyer and another leading candidate, Republican Steve Hilton, who hosted a show on Fox News for six years and has Trump’s endorsement.

With Swalwell out, “now we have a eld that’s got a billionaire who made his fortune investing in private prisons, ICE facilities, oil and gas companies … and a MAGA-backed TV commentator on the other hand,” Mahan said on MS NOW’s “Morning Joe.”

“California deserves so much better,” Mahan said.

Many voters remain distant from governor’s race

Swalwell is perhaps best known nationally as a House manager in President Donald Trump’s second impeachment trial during his rst term in early 2021. But in a media environment dominated by Trump, the race remains distant from many California voters.

After the publicity about sexual misconduct allegations, “I think there are probably more people who know who Eric Swalwell is than can articulate a Tom Steyer position paper,” Acosta added.

Swalwell was considered a leading contender along with Steyer and Porter and two Republicans, Riverside County Sheri Chad Bianco and Hilton. But Republican activists haven’t rallied around Hilton, despite Trump’s support; at a California Republican Party convention over the weekend the party declined to endorse a candidate in the race.

Democrats have feared the party’s large number of candidates could lead to them getting shut out of the general election in November. That’s because California has a primary system in which only the

top two vote-getters advance to the general election, regardless of party.

Swalwell had become a clear target for his Democratic rivals as he began to lock up institutional support. Some had seized on rumors of sexual misconduct that circulated on social media for weeks before the Chronicle’s report.

The San Francisco Chronicle spoke to a woman who alleged Swalwell sexually assaulted her in 2019, when she worked for him, and again in 2024. The woman said she did not go to police at the time of the assaults because she was afraid she would not be believed. In both cases the woman said she was too intoxicated to consent to sex. CNN reported on allegations that appeared to come from the same woman, and spoke to several other women who accused Swalwell of other sexual misconduct.

Neither outlet named the woman, and The Associated Press has not been able to independently verify her account and identity. Her lawyer declined to comment.

The alleged 2024 incident occurred in New York, and the Manhattan District Attorney’s O ce said it’s investigating. That o ce urged anyone with knowledge to contact its special victims division. The Alameda County District Attorney’s o ce, which covers Swalwell’s California district, said no one has reached out to the o ce with allegations against Swalwell.

House colleagues call for Swalwell to resign

Swalwell’s swift downfall came amid rising pressure for him to leave Congress. He earlier lost the support of powerful labor unions that had backed his candidacy, along with one-time allies like California U.S. Sen. Adam Schi and Rep. Jimmy Gomez. Some representatives had said they would support the rare step of expelling him from the U.S. House should he refuse to step aside. The House Ethics Committee opened an investigation Monday.

Swalwell, who is originally from Iowa, was elected in 2012 and represents a House district east of San Francisco. He launched a presidential run in April 2019 but shuttered it a few months later after failing to catch on with voters.

KISER from page A1

expanding into a profession centered on community impact.

“Recreation has always been a part of my life, and it has shaped who I am,” she said.

“While some people may think my career was all fun and games, it has been so much more than that. It has been rooted in passion, purpose and a deep belief in creating opportunities for others, especially for those who may not have had the same chances I did.”

Kiser emphasized the role of parks and recreation in building community.

“Parks and recreation isn’t just about facilities or programs — it’s about building community, creating memories and o ering opportunities and instilling values that last a lifetime.”

During her time with the city, Kiser oversaw several key projects, including the remodeling of the E.E. Waddell Center gym, the creation of a dog park, installation of new pickleball courts and upgrades to ball eld lighting. The department also launched new after-school programs, introduced Food Truck Friday events and developed a comprehensive parks and recreation master plan.

Along with support from her family and the city government leaders, Kiser credited her sta for the department’s success.

“To my incredible team at Albemarle Parks and Recreation, there are no words big enough to capture what you mean to me. You hold a permanent place in my heart. Together, we accomplished so much.”

The city is currently seeking a new parks and recreation director following Kiser’s retirement.

The Albemarle City Council will hold its next regular meeting on April 20 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.

Artemis II’s record-breaking journey around moon ends with dramatic splashdown

The crew paved the way for a sustainable moon base

By Marcia Dunn

The Associated Press

HOUSTON — Artemis II’s astronauts closed out humanity’s rst lunar voyage in more than half a century with a Pacific splashdown on Friday, blazing new records near the moon with grace and joy.

It was a dramatic grandnale to a mission that revealed not only swaths of the lunar far side never seen before by human eyes, but a total solar eclipse and a parade of planets, most notably our own shimmering Earth against the endless black void of space.

With their ight now complete, the four astronauts have set NASA up for a moon landing by another crew in just two years and a full-blown moon base within the decade.

The triumphant moon-farers — commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Canada’s Jeremy Hansen — emerged from their bobbing capsule into the sunlight o the coast of San Diego.

In a scene reminiscent of NASA’s Apollo moonshots of yesteryear, military helicopters hoisted the astronauts one by one from an in atable raft docked to the capsule, hauling them aboard for the short trip to the Navy’s awaiting recovery ship, the USS John P. Murtha.

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said from the recovery ship.

NASA’s Mission Control erupted in celebration, with hundreds pouring in from the back support rooms. “We did it,” NASA’s Lori Glaze rejoiced at a news conference. “Welcome to our moonshot.”

Their Orion capsule, dubbed

ARREST from page A1

inspection, with the inspection listed as having lapsed on March 31, 2025.

Auch was issued a $1,500 secured bond, which he later posted. He is scheduled to appear in court May 12.

The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department conrmed Auch was o duty at the time of the incident and that the arrest occurred outside of its jurisdiction. CMPD’s Internal A airs Division has launched an internal investigation into the matter.

BILL INGALLS / NASA VIA AP

The Orion spacecraft with Artemis II crewmembers aboard approaches the surface of the Paci c Ocean for splashdown o the coast of California last Friday.

Integrity, made the entire plunge on automatic pilot. The lunar cruiser hit the atmosphere traveling Mach 33 — or 33 times the speed of sound — a blistering blur not seen since the 1960s and 1970s Apollo.

The tension in Mission Control mounted as the capsule became engulfed in red-hot plasma during peak heating and entered a planned communication blackout. All eyes were on the capsule’s life-protecting heat shield that had to withstand thousands of degrees during reentry. Watching the drama unfold nearly 2,000 miles away, the astronauts’ families huddled in Mission Control’s viewing room, cheering when the capsule emerged from its six-minute blackout and again at splashdown.

The last time NASA and the Defense Department teamed up for a lunar crew’s reentry was Apollo 17 in 1972. Artemis II came screaming back at 36,174 feet per second — or

“O cer Auch’s arrest is a serious matter, and our community deserves clear accountability.”

Estella Patterson, CMPD chief

“These were the ambassadors from humanity to the stars that we sent out there right now, and I can’t imagine a better crew.”

Jared Isaacman, NASA administrator

24,664 mph — just shy of the record before slowing to a 19 mph splashdown.

Until Artemis II, NASA’s fresh-from-the-moon homecomings starred only white male pilots. Intent on re ecting changes in society, NASA chose a diverse, multinational crew for its lunar comeback.

Koch became the rst woman to y to the moon, Glover the rst black astronaut and Hansen the rst non-U.S. citizen, bursting Canada with pride. They laughed, cried and hugged

“O cer Auch’s arrest is a serious matter, and our community deserves clear accountability,” Patterson said.

all the way there and back, striving to take the entire world along with them.

Artemis II’s record yby, views of the moon

Launched from Florida on April 1, the astronauts racked up one win after another as they deftly navigated NASA’s long-awaited lunar comeback, the rst major step in establishing a sustainable moon base.

Artemis II didn’t land on the moon or even orbit it. But it broke Apollo 13’s distance record and marked the farthest that humans have ever journeyed from Earth when the crew reached 252,756 miles. Then in the mission’s most heart-tugging scene, the teary astronauts asked permission to name a pair of craters after their moonship and Wiseman’s late wife, Carroll.

During Monday’s record-breaking yby, they documented scenes of the moon’s far side never seen before by the human eye along with a total solar eclipse. The eclipse, in particular, “just blew all of us away,” Glover said.

Their sense of wonder and love awed everyone, as did their breathtaking pictures of the moon and Earth. The Artemis II crew channeled Apollo 8’s rst lunar explorers with Earthset, showing our Blue Marble setting behind the gray moon. It was reminiscent of Apollo 8’s famous Earthrise shot from 1968.

Born a decade after Apollo, Isaacman greeted the astronauts with hugs as they headed from the helicopters to the ship’s medical bay for routine checks. They walked by themselves, refusing the wheelchairs o ered them.

“We are back in the business of sending astronauts to the moon, bringing them back safely and to set up for a series more,” Isaacman said. “This is just the beginning.”

Their moonshot drew global attention as well as star power, earning props from President

Donald Trump; Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney; Britain’s King Charles III; Ryan Gosling, star of the latest space ick “Project Hail Mary”; Scarlett Johansson of the Marvel Cinematic Universe; and even Captain Kirk himself, William Shatner of TV’s original “Star Trek.” Artemis II was test ight for future moon missions

Despite its rich scienti c yield, the nearly 10 -day ight was not without technical issues. Both the capsule’s drinking water and propellant systems were hit with valve problems. In perhaps the most high-pro le predicament, the toilet kept malfunctioning, but the astronauts shrugged it all o .

As for the heat shield, military aircraft crews photographed it from afar during reentry, and divers checked it from underneath as the capsule oated in the Paci c. More detailed examinations are planned.

“We can’t explore deeper unless we are doing a few things that are inconvenient,” Koch said, “unless we’re making a few sacri ces, unless we’re taking a few risks, and those things are all worth it.”

Added Hansen: “You do a lot of testing on the ground, but your nal test is when you get this hardware to space and it’s a doozy.”

Under the revamped Artemis program, next year’s Artemis III will see astronauts practice docking their capsule with a lunar lander or two in orbit around Earth. Artemis IV will attempt to land a crew of two near the moon’s South Pole in 2028.

The Artemis II astronauts’ allegiance was to those future crews, Wiseman said.

“But we really hoped in our soul is that we could for just a moment have the world pause and remember that this is a beautiful planet and a very special place in our universe, and we should all cherish what we have been gifted,” he said.

NOTICE OF ALBEMARLE CITY COUNCIL PUBLIC HEARING

As a result of the arrest, Auch has been placed on unpaid administrative leave pending the outcome of that investigation, o cials said. Auch joined CMPD in February 2023 and is currently assigned to the department’s Hickory Grove Division.

“I expect every member of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to uphold the highest professional and ethical standards, both on and o duty. One individual’s action is not re ective of the dedication and integrity of the many men and women who serve this community every day.”

In a statement, CMPD Chief Estella Patterson addressed the arrest and emphasized expectations for o cer conduct.

No additional details about the circumstances leading up to the arrest have been released.

The incident remains under investigation.

Vernon Wayne Brockwell

June 4, 1945 – April 10, 2026

Vernon Wayne Brockwell, 80, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Friday, April 10, 2026, at his home, surrounded by his loving family.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at Stanly Funeral Home Chapel, o ciated by Pastor Gary Posey. The family will receive friends from 1:00 p.m. until 2:00 p.m., prior to the service.

Born June 4, 1945, in Rowan County, Wayne was the son of the late Vernon and Pauline Brockwell. He lived a full and adventurous life, known for his vibrant personality and passion for entertaining others.

Wayne is lovingly survived by his wife of 20 years, Martha Dale Brockwell of the home. He is also survived by his son, Je Young, stepchildren, Larry James Fowler Jr. (“The Boy”) and Shannon Leann Fowler (“The Girl”); grandchildren, Trinity Brockwell, Tristan Brockwell, David Young, and Christian Young; stepgrandchildren, Chamille Paige Davis and Jeremiah Gage Davis; and special friends, Woodson Stegall, James Messer, and Ronn Posey.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sons, Timothy D. Brockwell in 2014 and Michael Brockwell in 2026.

Wayne was widely known as a talented tribute artist, bringing joy to many through his performances of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash. He loved singing karaoke at local restaurants and had a zest for life that showed in his many interests, including collecting rearms, hunting, scuba diving, and parachuting. Above all, he cherished time spent with his grandchildren and looked forward to his Sunday morning co ee traditions.

The family extends their sincere gratitude to the sta of Tillery Compassionate Care for the compassion and support shown to Wayne during his declining health.

In lieu of owers, memorials may be made to Tillery Compassionate Care, 960 N. 1st Street, Albemarle, NC 28001.

Wayne will be remembered for his larger-than-life spirit, his love of music and adventure, and the deep love he had for his family and friends. His memory will live on in the hearts of all who knew him, and he will be dearly missed.

OBITUARIES

LARRY KENT TROUBLEFIELD

MARCH 3, 1940 – APRIL 8, 2026

Larry Kent Trouble eld, 86, of Midland, passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at Novant Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte.

His funeral service will be 1 p.m. on Wednesday, April 15, 2026, at Stanly Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ron Lo in o ciating. Burial will follow in Fairview Memorial Park. The family will receive friends from noon until 1 p.m. on Wednesday at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle, prior to the service.

Born March 3, 1940, in Stanly County, NC, he was the son of the late Wade Max Trouble eld and Lizzie Whitley Trouble eld. Mr. Trouble eld was a retired truck driver in the steel industry.

He will be remembered by his family as a true country boy at heart. He loved his tractors and was happiest outside working and playing in the yard. He enjoyed gardening, listening to classic country music, especially Loretta Lynn and Perry Como, and sharing the story of how he met Loretta Lynn at the Grand Ole Opry by sneaking in through the back. He also dearly loved his dog, Blue.

Mr. Trouble eld is survived by his wife, Deborah Ward Trouble eld of the home; son, Kent Trouble eld and wife, Nancy, of Garden City Beach, SC; daughter, Michelle Chidester of Conway, SC; sister, Sue Harkey of Locust; grandchildren, Thad Trouble eld and Lindsey Chidester; and step-sons, Brian Murphy and Todd Murphy, both of Kingston, NY. He was preceded in death by his brother, Max Trouble eld, and sister, Shirley Rummage.

Memorial contributions may be made in Larry’s memory to Tillery Compassionate Care at tillerycompassionatecare.org.

NELL WHITLEY JACUMIN

JULY 31, 1934 – APRIL 8, 2026

Nell Whitley Jacumin, 91, of Oakboro, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.

Nell was born July 31, 1934, in Stanly County to the late Richard Rudolphus Whitley and the late Eva Eunice Smith Whitley. She was also preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years, William Lawrence Jacumin Jr.; daughter, Karen Elizabeth Jacumin Carpenter; brothers, Craig Whitley, Crowell Whitley, Lee Whitley, John Whitley, Roy Whitley, and Reece Whitley; sisters, Sunie Odessa Whitley, Myrtle Whitley Hamilton, Wilma Whitley E rd and Gatha Whitley Hartsell. She led her family with a steady hand and an unshakable spirit, the one who made things happen, who held everyone together, and who showed what true dedication looks like. Through her example, she raised daughters who learned to stand on their own, to be strong, independent women who carry her strength within them. As the youngest of 11 siblings, she was the rst daughter to graduate college. She graduated from Kings Business College of Charlotte with an Associate of Medical Assisting. She met her loving husband during a dance held at the American Legion Hut in Valdese, NC, and married six months later. They enjoyed traveling, especially to the beach and Dollywood. She worked for Miller Orthopedic/OrthoCarolina for 50 years as a medical secretary. Nell was an avid prayer warrior and faithful member of Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church, Oakboro. She was also a member of the church choir and always loved listening to Gospel music. After her second retirement, she enjoyed caring for her precious grandbabies and taking them everywhere from the coast to the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. Most of all, she was a wonderful mom, Maw-Maw, and aunt.

Survivors include daughter, Kathryn Jacumin (Robert) High of Norwood; daughter, Lisa (Terry) Kendall of Indian Trail; son-inlaw, Ricky (Tracie) Carpenter; grandchildren, Nicholas Carpenter, Kiersten (David) Goins, Nathan, Madelyn and Meghan Sedberry, Alyssa Boone and William High; great-grandchildren, Tripp and Toby Goins; and beloved nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends from 2-2:45 p.m., Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro. The funeral service will follow at 3 p.m., o ciated by Rev. Ed Lowder. Burial will follow in the church cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to Barbee’s Grove Baptist Church, P.O. Box 679, Oakboro, NC 28129, or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (stjude.org).

MICKEY LOYD CAUBLE

JAN. 31, 1946 – APRIL 8, 2026

Mickey Loyd Cauble, 80, passed away at home on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at 4:30 p.m., while surrounded by his family in prayer.

Mickey was the son of George and Glennie Cauble, who preceded him in death. He was blessed with a loving sister, Brenda Cauble Howell (Marshall) of Norwood.

On June 4, 1967, he married Carol Jean Le er, who survives. Mickey was blessed with four children, including Kendy (Damon) of Love Valley, Carla (Kevin) of Midland, John (Christa) of Kannapolis, and Laura, deceased. Grandchildren include Kenna, Ethan, Chloe, Will, Mary-Elizabeth, Landon, Carlynn, Jay, Xander and Cyrus. Greatgrandchildren are Serena, Chase, Brooks and Ivy. A special “son” to Mickey is Jeremy Bowers.

From an early age, Mickey loved to create items from wood, and it became obvious that this was his calling from God. As he continued, he became a businessman and later a teacher in the woodshop at Albemarle High School, where he found his greatest success, working with young people. He strongly felt God had led him from the beginning, growing from a painfully shy young child to an empowered man who spoke before a lled auditorium at ECU, where he gave help to many others who were struggling to create successful programs for students.

Mickey never forgot that he was led by the Lord to use his Godgiven talents to bring out the best in others.

Services for Mickey Cauble will be on April 18, 2026, at 2 p.m. in First Lutheran Church in Albemarle, NC. Visitation will begin at 12:30 p.m. in the church parlor. Following the service, close friends and family will exit for interment in the columbarium, while all others will exit to the gym for food and fellowship.

JAMES HAROLD LITTLE

JULY 20, 1935 – APRIL 8, 2026

James Harold Little, a longtime pharmacist who served the Stanly County community with kindness and compassion for more than 50 years, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, with his loving family by his side. He was 90 when he was called home to heaven to spend eternity with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

A native of Oakboro, Little co-owned and operated the Davis-Little Drug Company with Jim Davis, where he developed a reputation and legacy as a quintessential hometown pharmacist who not only lled prescriptions but also built deep, caring relationships with the friends and neighbors he served. Even after retiring from the local drug store, Little continued to serve the community by working for national pharmaceutical chains until his mid-70s.

Outside of the pharmacy, Little’s life was anchored by his deep devotion to his faith and to his family. Throughout his life, Little’s faithfulness to the Lord was expressed through his service to the local church. He was a member of Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro, and he previously served as both a deacon and a Sunday School teacher at First Baptist Church of Oakboro, First Baptist Church of Midland and Fairview Baptist Church in Albemarle.

Little’s passion for the gospel extended into his decades of service with the Stanly South Camp of The Gideons International, working to distribute Bibles with a belief that God’s Word could change a life forever. He was also active in prison ministry. In all of his endeavors, Little lived his life by the biblical principle of putting others before himself and valuing their needs above his own.

A lifelong learner with a spirit of fun and adventure, Little was a licensed pilot who enjoyed the freedom of the skies in the cockpit of an airplane, the open road on his motorcycle or the quiet strategy of a game of checkers. He attended Oakboro High School and earned his undergraduate degree from N.C. State University and his pharmacy degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Little also proudly served his country in the U.S. Army.

Born July 20, 1935, Little was the youngest son of the late John Luther Little and Gertie Whitley Little. In addition to his parents, Little was preceded in death by his beloved wife of 62 years, Irene Barbee Little; two brothers, J. Clegg Little and Marvin Little; a son-in-law, Dwayne Nance; and two great-grandchildren, Jeremiah Nance and Joel Nance.

Little is survived by two daughters: Monica E rd and her husband, David, of Sparta; Evette Orcutt and her husband, David, of Wendell; four grandchildren: Katie Nance; David James Orcutt and his wife, Samantha; Dillion Nance and his ancée, Haley; and Daniel Orcutt and his ancée, Lauren; and two great-grandchildren: Iveigh Nance and Everson Nance.

The family will receive friends from 12:30–1:45 p.m. on Monday, April 13, 2026, at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Oakboro. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. in the church, o ciated by Rev. Shad Hicks. Burial will follow at Oakboro Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made in the following ways: CARE Cafe, P.O. Box 1022, Albemarle, NC 28002, where Little enjoyed fellowship, companionship and compassionate care over the past few years; or to Gideons International South Stanly Camp, P.O. Box 182, Albemarle, NC 28002.

DAVID WAYNE LANIER

FEB. 25, 1961 – APRIL 9, 2026

David Wayne Lanier, 65, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Thursday, April 9, 2026. Born on February 25, 1961, in Stanly County, he was the son of the late Leroy Wayne Lanier Sr., and Ethel Dennis Lanier.

David was a hardworking man who spent much of his working life as a cook in the fast food industry.

David was preceded in death by his parents, Leroy Wayne Lanier Sr., and Ethel Dennis Lanier.

He is survived by brothers Wayne Lanier, Eddie Lanier, and Larry Burris, and sister Frances Burris, as well as by family members and loved ones who will cherish his memory. The family will remember David for the life he lived and the memories he leaves behind. He will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.

CHARLES “WHIT” MELBOURNE WHITLEY

JAN. 26, 1936 – APRIL 11, 2026

Charles “Whit” Melbourne Whitley, 90, of Stan eld, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, April 11, 2026.

Whit was born January 26, 1936, in Stanly County to the late Roy Dixon Whitley and the late Maggie Yow Whitley. He was also preceded in death by his son, Charles Steven Whitley; granddaughter, Amy; and four siblings, Clayton, Bill, Doris and Louise.

He loved his Ford Truck, the Tar Heels, deviled eggs, cat shing, gardening, and spending time with family.

Survivors include son, Ricky (Laura) Whitley of Locust; grandchildren, Amber, Dustin and Brian; and several greatgrandchildren. A private memorial service will be held at a later date.

STANLY SPORTS

West Stanly baseball wins Beach Diamond Invitational

The Colts are still undefeated this season

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

RED CROSS — Playing in the Beach Diamond Invitational, West Stanly remained unbeaten and captured the spring tournament title with a 7-6 comeback win over Richmond Senior on April 8.

The Colts (17-0, 6-0 Rocky River) rallied from a 4-3 decit entering the seventh inning, scoring four runs to take control late. Richmond Senior (12-4, 8-1 Mid-South) answered with two runs in the bottom half but fell short as West Stanly held on in Shallotte.

The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Raiders. West Stanly reached the championship game with earlier tournament victories over Randleman and East Bladen.

The Colts, who lead the Rocky River Conference standings, continue a strong run fol-

lowing last season’s 23-8 nish and runner-up showing in the 2A West Regional. West Stanly went a perfect 10-0 in conference play a year ago and has not lost a regular-season league game since 2022. Now competing as a 4A program under the N.C. High School Athletic Association’s eight-class model, the Colts are pursuing a fourth consecutive conference title.

West Stanly returned home to host CATA on Tuesday and was scheduled to host Pinecrest on Wednesday before traveling to CATA for a rematch Friday.

North Stanly 11,

Carolina Forest 0

Over in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the North Stanly Comets (14-3, 5-1 Yadkin Valley) went 4-0 at the Mingo Bay Spring Break Classic, nishing it o with a shutout win over the Carolina Forest Panthers (14-5, 8-1 Region 5) on Friday.

Sitting atop the Yadkin Val-

The

ley Conference standings, the Comets have nonconference matchups at Southeast Guilford on Wednesday and at home versus Community School of Davidson on Thursday before launching into a home doubleheader with Gray Stone on Friday.

South Stanly 13, Central Davidson 3

The South Stanly Rowdy Rebel Bulls (9-9, 5-1 Yadkin Valley) snapped a three-game skid with a 13-3 consolation bracket win over the Central Davidson Spartans (10-6, 8-0

Pfei er men’s lacrosse wins fourth straight USA South title

The Falcons have won 26 conference games in a row

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

MISENHEIMER — For the fourth consecutive season, the Pfei er men’s lacrosse team has secured the USA South Athletic Conference regular-season championship.

The Falcons (12-2, 7-0 USA South) clinched the title Saturday with a 30-4 rout of Wil-

liam Peace at WakeMed Park in Cary, locking up the conference’s top spot ahead of second-place Southern Virginia (6-0, 5-1 USA South).

Pfei er set the tone early against the Pacers (8-7, 1-5 USA South), holding them scoreless in the rst quarter while posting 11 goals, including six in the opening 10 minutes. The Falcons maintained their o ensive surge throughout, adding seven goals in both the third and fourth quarters to put the game out of reach.

“Getting better every single day is our goal.”

Tucker

Nelson, Pfei er coach

Fourteen Pfei er players recorded at least one point in the win.

Sophomore Davis Palombo led the way with six goals and two assists, while senior Tiger Hopkins added ve goals and one assist. Junior Ethan Miles

Wins for West Stanly to start the season

PAC Seven) in the Beach Diamond Invitational in Shallotte on April 8.

Tied with North Stanly at the front of the YVC conference standings, the Bulls hosted Albemarle on Tuesday and will host Mount Pleasant on Wednesday before play-

contributed four goals and three assists, and sophomore Dylan Sullivan nished with three goals and four assists.

The Falcons dominated statistically, outshooting William Peace 69-16 and controlling possession with a 28-of-37 advantage in faceo s.

Under seventh-year coach

Tucker Nelson, Pfei er has now won nine straight games and extended its conference winning streak to 26. The Falcons have not lost to a USA South opponent since April 15, 2023.

Nelson also recently became the program’s all-time winningest coach, now with 82 career victories after this past weekend.

“Getting better every single day is our goal,” Nelson said. “I grew up as a coach’s son, which can be hard but you learn a lot. You learn about doing the little

ing at Albemarle on Thursday. Forest Hills 1, Albemarle 0

With only one win in their past eight games, the Albemarle Bulldogs (3-10, 1-5 Yadkin Valley) came up short again Thursday in Marshville as Forest Hills (7-10, 1-5 Rocky River) pulled out a 1-0 home win.

The Bulldogs played South Stanly in Norwood on Tuesday and will meet the Bulls again Thursday at home, with Albemarle looking for its rst conference victory since an 8-6 road win at North Rowan on March 17.

things that a lot of coaches don’t want to do, especially with building relationships. I have to give a lot of credit — for my philosophies and the way I coach — to my father.”

Pfei er closed out its regular season Tuesday at home against Brevard College at Lefko-Mills Field in Misenheimer.

The Falcons will next turn their attention to the USA South Tournament, which they will host from April 25 through May 2. Pfei er has won each of the past three conference tournaments.

Last season, the Falcons nished 15-4 overall and 8-0 in league play, capturing both the regular-season and tournament titles before advancing to the NCAA Division III Tournament, where they fell to St. Mary’s (Maryland) 18-9 in the opening round.

NCAA HOCKEY

Denver beats Wisconsin 2-1 for its 11th national title, 3rd in 5 years

Las Vegas Kyle Chyzowski tipped in a shot from the point with 5:52 left to back up a sensational performance from goalie Johnny Hicks and rally Denver to a 2-1 victory over Wisconsin for the Pioneers’ third national championship in ve years. The victory also extended the Pioneers’ record to 11 national titles overall. The National Collegiate Hockey Conference remains the sport’s premier league by claiming eight of the past 10 national champions.

MLB

Former major leaguer Garner, who managed Astros’ rst World Series team, dead at 76

Houston Phil Garner, a three-time All- Star in elder who went on to manage the Houston Astros to their rst World Series appearance, died at 76 after a two-plus-year battle with pancreatic cancer. Nicknamed “Scrap Iron” for his blue-collar approach to the game, Garner had a 16-year playing career with the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. He made All-Star teams with Oakland in 1976 and with Pittsburgh in 1980 and 1981.

WNBA

Griner to sign with Connecticut Sun

Phoenix Brittney Griner is nalizing a deal to join the Connecticut Sun. The 10-time All-Star spent last season with the Atlanta Dream after playing the rst 11 years of her career for Phoenix, which drafted her No. 1 in 2013. The 35-year-old Griner is from Houston, and the Connecticut franchise is moving there in 2027. The 6-foot-9 forward won a WNBA title in 2014 with Phoenix and was the league’s leading scorer in 2017 and 2019.

NBA Embiid has appendectomy, leaving former MVP’s status for postseason in doubt

Houston Joel Embiid had an appendectomy in Houston after Philadelphia’s star big man was stricken with appendicitis overnight. The team announced that the surgery had been completed last Thursday night as the 76ers were playing the Houston Rockets. Coach Nick Nurse did not give a timetable for Embiid’s return, but it seems unlikely that the former MVP would be able to return for the play-in tournament or the rst round of the playo s.

BOXING

Pacquiao takes over Mayweather’s old gym amid rematch tension between boxers

Los Angeles

Manny Pacquiao is preparing for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather on Sept. 19 in Las Vegas. The ght is surrounded by controversy, with Mayweather calling it an exhibition, while Pacquiao insists it’s a professional bout. Meanwhile, Pacquiao is transforming a former Mayweather gym in Hollywood into Pacquiao Prime Boxing, a private training center. This move symbolizes a new direction, focusing on performance and athlete development. Beyond boxing, Pacquiao is expanding his business ventures, including a digital wallet platform and plans for more gyms.

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@stanlynewsjournal.com

Weekly deadline is Monday at noon

SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUPS

BASEBALL

SOUTH STANLY (9-9, 5-1 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost vs. Southern Nash 15-13

• Won vs. Central Davidson 13-3

This week’s schedule

• April 14 vs. Albemarle

• April 15 vs. Mount Pleasant

• April 16 at Albemarle

WEST STANLY (17-0, 6-0 IN CONFERENCE)

• Won vs. East Bladen 5-3

• Won at Richmond 7-6

This week’s schedule

• April 14 vs. Central Academy

• April 15 vs. Pinecrest

• April 17 at Central Academy

NORTH STANLY (14-3, 5-1 IN CONFERENCE)

• Won vs. Wellsville 12-0

• Won vs. Tyler 11-0

• Won vs. Chester 12-5

• Won vs. Carolina Forest 11-0

Upcoming schedule

• April 15 at SE Guilford

• April 16 vs. Community School of Davidson

• April 17 vs. Gray Stone Day (2)

• April 16 at South Stanly

• April 20 at Mooresville

NORTH STANLY (3-12, 1-4 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost at Providence Grove 5-4

• Lost vs. High Point Christian Academy 10-0

• Lost at Randleman 7-2

Upcoming schedule

• April 14 at Gray Stone Day

• April 16 at Concord

• April 17 vs. Gray Stone Day

• April 20 vs. North Davidson

ALBEMARLE (0-5, 0-3 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost at South Stanly 1-0 (FF)

Upcoming schedule

• No games scheduled this week

GRAY STONE DAY (3-7, 0-4 IN CONFERENCE)

• No games last week

Upcoming schedule

• April 14 vs. North Stanly

• April 17 at North Stanly

GIRLS’ SOCCER

SOUTH STANLY (3-5, 2-3 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost vs. Gray Stone Day 7-2

The grandson of team owner Joe Gibbs got the win in his 131st Cup start

The Associated Press

BRISTOL, Tenn. — Outdueling two NASCAR Cup Series champions for the rst victory of his career, Ty Gibbs made an emphatic and emotional breakthrough Sunday at Bristol Motor Speedway.

The win came in the 131st Cup start for the grandson of NASCAR Hall of Fame team owner and former Super Bowl-winning coach Joe Gibbs.

Ty Gibbs also is the son of the late Coy Gibbs, who also helped run his father’s team before unexpectedly dying in his sleep on Nov. 6, 2022 — the day after his son won the championship in NASCAR’s second-highest division.

Ty Gibbs, 23, moved to the Cup Series the next year and had multiple near-misses (runner-up nishes at Darlington in 2024 and Chicago last year) before reaching Victory Lane in his fourth season.

“This is one of my best experiences,” Joe Gibbs said.

“When I think about Coy, he brought Ty up the entire time. I know he’s probably watching.”

Ty Gibbs interrupted his grandfather’s postrace interview in the pits with a hug.

“This is the man right here,” said Ty, whose mother, Heather, also is a co-owner of JGR.

“Yeah,

Ty Gibbs

“I’ve never seen somebody work so hard in my life, him and my mom. I come to the shop at 6 a.m. or 7 p.m., and there’s nobody there, but they are always there. They work their (butts) o . He’s a great role model. I wouldn’t be here unless it was for him.”

Gibbs led the nal 25 laps at Bristol, inheriting rst place under caution on a strategy gamble by staying on track in his No. 54 Toyota while Ryan Blaney pitted from the lead along with Kyle Larson, who led a race-high 284 of 505 laps.

Blaney and Larson both restarted outside the top ve, and Gibbs was cruising toward a win before the yellow ew again on the 498th lap to set up the rst overtime restart at Bristol in 11 years.

Despite Blaney and Larson having tires that were nearly 100 laps fresher, Gibbs fended o the star drivers on a two -lap shootout to the checkered ag.

“Honestly, I didn’t really know or care if I was going to win or not,” Gibbs said. “I thought the race was awesome. I really appreciate always racing Ryan Blaney and

Kyle, too. Those guys always run me really well.”

Blaney, the 2023 Cup champion who started from the pole position, nished second after leading 190 laps in the No. 12 Ford.

“Yeah, great battle for sure,” he said. “I fought a lot of different cars. Gave it my best shot on the last restart. Was close but just couldn’t get it done.”

Larson, the defending Cup Series champion who won the rst two stages, nished third and remained winless in the past 32 races with his No. 5 Chevrolet.

The Toyotas of Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe rounded out the top ve.

“Super happy for Ty,” Briscoe said of his Joe Gibbs Racing teammate. “It’s been a long time coming. To do it the way he did it, on old tires, to beat the two guys that dominated all day long, that was impressive. Just super happy for him and the whole family.”

Gibbs became the sixth NASCAR driver to earn his rst Cup victory at Bristol, joining Dale Earnhardt (1979), Rusty Wallace (1986), Ernie Irvan (1990), Elliott Sadler (2001) and Kurt Busch (2002).

“It’s awesome to be with great people,” the younger Gibbs said. “To be in this position is great. I’d love for my father to have seen this. I know he knew it was going to happen and expected it as well. Yeah, it was a great day for us. This is our family, so it’s just such a great deal.”

ALBEMARLE (3-10, 1-5 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost vs. Phillip O. Berry Academy 16-1

• Lost vs. Garinger 7-2

• Won vs. West Charlotte 14-5

• Lost at Forest Hills 1-0 (FF)

Upcoming schedule

• April 14 at South Stanly

• April 16 vs. South Stanly

• April 20 vs. North Mecklenburg

GRAY STONE DAY (5-5, 2-4 IN CONFERENCE)

• No games last week

Upcoming schedule

• April 15 at Ashbrook

• April 17 at North Stanly (2) SOFTBALL

SOUTH STANLY (16-1, 5-0 IN CONFERENCE)

• Won vs. McMichael 4-1

• Lost vs. West Brunswick 1-0

• Won vs. Albemarle 7-0 (FF)

This week’s schedule

• April 15 at East Rowan

• April 16 vs. West Stanly

WEST STANLY

(15-3, 9-0 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost at West Brunswick 1-0

• Won vs. South Point 15-1

Upcoming schedule

• April 14 vs. Forest Hills (2)

This week’s schedule

• April 15 vs. Albemarle

• April 20 vs. North Rowan

WEST STANLY (9-1-1, 6-0 IN CONFERENCE)

• No games last week

This week’s schedule

• April 14 at Central Academy

• April 16 vs. Parkwood

• April 17 at Gray Stone Day

• April 20 vs. Piedmont

NORTH STANLY (0-12-1, 0-5 IN CONFERENCE)

• Lost at Albemarle 4-1

Upcoming schedule

• April 15 at Union Academy

• April 17 at Concord

• April 20 at Gray Stone Day

ALBEMARLE (1-8, 1-4 IN CONFERENCE)

• Won vs. North Stanly 4-1

Upcoming schedule

• April 15 at South Stanly

• April 20 vs. Union Academy

GRAY STONE DAY (6-5, 4-1 IN CONFERENCE)

• Won at South Stanly 7-2

Upcoming schedule

• April 15 at North Rowan

• April 17 vs. West Stanly

• April 20 vs. North Stanly

4

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NOTICE

25-122927 IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE OF NORTH CAROLINA SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION STANLY COUNTY 26SP000035-830 IN THE MATTER OF THE FORECLOSURE OF A DEED OF TRUST EXECUTED BY AYODEJI AKINLABI DATED MARCH 24, 2023 AND RECORDED IN BOOK 1816 AT PAGE 21 IN THE STANLY COUNTY PUBLIC REGISTRY, NORTH CAROLINA

NOTICE OF SALE

Under and by virtue of the power and authority contained in the abovereferenced deed of trust and because of default in payment of the secured debt and failure to perform the agreements contained therein and, pursuant to demand of the holder of the secured debt, the undersigned will expose for sale at public auction at the usual place of sale at the Stanly County courthouse at 11:00AM on May 1, 2026, the following described real estate and any improvements situated thereon, in Stanly County, North Carolina, and being more particularly described in that certain Deed of Trust executed Ayodeji Akinlabi, dated March 24, 2023 to secure the original principal amount of $270,509.00, and recorded in Book 1816 at Page 21 of the Stanly County Public Registry. The terms of the said Deed of Trust may be modi ed by other instruments appearing in the public record. Additional identifying information regarding the collateral property is below and is believed to be accurate, but no representation or warranty is intended. Address of property: 2119 Morgan Hills Drive, Albemarle, NC 28001 Tax Parcel ID: 1542625

Present Record Owners: Ayodeji Akinlabi

The record owner(s) of the property, according to the records of the Register of Deeds, is/are Ayodeji Akinlabi. The property to be o ered pursuant to this notice of sale is being o ered for sale, transfer and conveyance AS IS, WHERE IS. Neither the Trustee nor the holder of the note secured by the deed of trust being foreclosed, nor the o cers, directors, attorneys, employees, agents or authorized representative of either the Trustee or the holder of the note make any representation or warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at or relating to the property o ered for sale. Any and all responsibilities or liabilities arising out of or in any way relating to any such condition expressly are disclaimed. This sale is subject to all prior liens and encumbrances and unpaid taxes and assessments including any transfer tax associated with the foreclosure. A deposit of ve percent (5%) of the amount of the bid or seven hundred fty dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, is required from the highest bidder and must be tendered in the form of certi ed funds at the time of the sale. Cash will not be accepted. This sale will be held open ten days for upset bids as required by law. After the expiration of the upset period, all remaining amounts are IMMEDIATELY DUE AND OWING. Failure to remit funds in a timely manner will result in a Declaration of Default and any deposit will be frozen pending the outcome of any re-sale. If the sale is set aside for any reason, the Purchaser at the sale shall be entitled only to a return of the deposit paid. The Purchaser shall have no further recourse against the Mortgagor, the Mortgagee, the Substitute Trustee or the attorney of any of the foregoing. SPECIAL NOTICE FOR LEASEHOLD TENANTS residing at the property: be advised that an Order for Possession of the property may be issued in favor of the purchaser. Also, if your lease began or was renewed on or after October 1, 2007, be advised that you may terminate the rental agreement upon 10 days written notice to the landlord. You may be liable for rent due under the agreement prorated to the e ective date of the termination.

The date of this Notice is April 10, 2026.

Jason K. Purser N.C. State Bar No. #28031 Ellen Wiggins N.C. State Bar No. #55909 Attorney for LLG Trustee, LLC, Substitute Trustee LOGS Legal Group LLP 8520 Cli Cameron Dr., Suite 330 Charlotte, NC 28269 (704) 333-8107 | (704) 333-8156 Fax | www.LOGS.com

Posted: By: 25-122927

FOR SALE

Hinkle, good condition, $1,200.00 Call 704-438-5132.

3tp

YARD SALE

ESTATE YARD SALE – MAY 1ST & 2ND – 8-Until 8037 RIVER RD. STANFIELD, NC

NOTICES

NOTICE

17630 Stokes Ferry Road New London, NC 28127 Executrix Information John W Webster 146 North 4th Street Albemarle, NC 28001 Attorney Information

NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000237-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Administrator of the estate of Kevin Bernard Almond deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Kevin Bernard Almond to present them to the undersigned on or before June 27, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This the 25th day of March 2026. John Thomas Almond 24806 Bost Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Administrator

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

STANLY COUNTY NORTH CAROLINA 26E000134-830.

The undersigned, having quali ed as Executor of the estate of SHARON HUNEYCUTT WADE AKA SHARON H WADE, deceased, late of Stanly County, North Carolina, hereby noti es all persons, rms, and corporations having claims against the decedent to present to the undersigned on or before June 30, 2026 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

Jennifer Clemmer aka Jennifer Lynne Wade c/o Paula J. Yost PO Box 1385 Mt. Pleasant NC 28124.

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE STANLY COUNTY SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000151-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Ronald Craig Whitley, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Ronald Craig Whitley to present them to the undersigned on or before July 2, 2026, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment.

This the 1st day of April, 2026.

Derek Shaun Whitley 1025 Speight Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Administrator Information

John W Webster 146 North 4th Street Albemarle, NC 28001 Attorney Information

NOTICE

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000155-830

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Co-Executors of the estate of Beulah J. Huneycutt deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Beulah J. Huneycutt to present them to the undersigned on or before July 3, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 1st day of April 2026.

Michael L. Huneycutt 10454 Island Creek Road Stan eld, NC 28163 Co-Executor Cathy H. Mcswain 2020B Saint Martin Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Co-Executor NOTICE

Pursuant to G.S. 105-322(f), notice is hereby given that the Board of Equalization

make defense to such pleading not later than May 26, 2026 to the Stanly County Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 668, Albemarle, NC 28002, Attn: Civil Division. Upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought on the next hearing date of June 2, 2026 at 11:30 AM in Courtroom 403. This the 15th day of April, 2026. Brown & Senter, PLLC James L. Senter Attorney for Plainti PO Box 400 Albemarle, NC 28002 PUBLISH: April 15, 2026; April 22, 2026; and April 29, 2026

NOTICE OF SERVICE OF PROCESS BY PUBLICATION STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA, STANLY COUNTY In the District Court Division MARIA OFELIA YAM YAM, Plainti Vs. JESUS MARTINEZ VAZQUEZ, Defendant.

TO: JESUS MARTINEZ VAZQUEZ, DEFENDANT: TAKE NOTICE that a pleading seeking relief against you was led September 24, 2025 in Stanly County, North Carolina in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: COMPLAINT FOR CHILD CUSTODY AND ABSOLUTE DIVORCE (25CV001319-830 You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than May 26, 2026 to the Stanly County Clerk of Court, P.O. Box 668, Albemarle, NC 28002, Attn: Civil Division and upon your failure to do so, the party seeking service against you will apply to the Court for the relief sought. This the 15th of April, 2026.

PUBLISH:

NOTICE

the stream

‘Love Island: Beyond the Villa,’ ‘Beef,’ Glen Powel, Elle Fanning

“Big Mood” returns to Tubi for a second season

The Associated Press

SADIE SANDLER starring in the Net ix comedy “Roommates” and fresh tunes from Zayn Malik are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time this week: Elle Fanning playing a single mom who creates an OnlyFans account in “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Capcom’s Pragmata o ering gamers a moon-based adventure, and Net ix’s critically acclaimed series “Beef” is back for a second season with a new cast.

MOVIES TO STREAM

Sadie Sandler, eldest daughter of Adam, is starring in the new Net ix comedy “Roommates,” about a college freshman and her boundaryless dormmate (Chloe East). Nick Kroll and Natasha Lyonne play her parents in a cast that also includes Francesca Scorsese, Carol Kane and Storm Reid. It’s streaming Friday.

Edgar Wright’s new take on Stephen King’s dystopian 1982 novel “The Running Man,” starring Glen Powell, will be streaming on Prime Video on Friday. The movie opped at the box ofce, making less than $69 million on a reported budget of $110 million. Reviews weren’t the greatest either. The Associated Press’ Jake Coyle wrote that, “from the start, the darkest shades of King’s book have been snu ed out of this blandly entertaining remake that swaps out the brutalist 1980s nihilism of the Arnold Schwarzenegger movie for a satirical portrait of America lacking in bite and prescience.” But, Coyle added, “if there’s one aspect of Wright’s lm that feels genuinely connected to today, it’s the movie’s media metaphor.”

A young girl (Sophie Sloan) hires her hitman neighbor (Mads Mikkelsen) to kill the monsters she thinks ate her family in the R-rated “Dust Bunny,” the debut feature from “Hannibal” series creator Bryan Fuller. The lm, streaming on HBO Max starting Friday, got generally good reviews, with Manohla Dargis writing in The New York Times that it

is “a blast of delightful, visually sumptuous nonsense.”

MUSIC TO STREAM

It has been exactly 10 years since Malik became the rst member of One Direction to release a solo record. His 2016 album “Mind of Mine” was a declaration of autonomy for the young performer, ambitious R&B tracks from a strong singer known for his breathy falsetto. He was playing to his strengths then and has continued to do so in the decade

that followed. On Friday, that arrives with the release of “Konnakol,” his fth full-length record. He’s one of the biggest names on the planet to the contemporary electronic dance music fan in your life: The house superstar John Summit will release “Ctrl Escape” on Friday via Experts Only and Darkroom Records. It’s an equal opportunity record, one for the ravers and those who prefer to watch Ultra Music Festival performances on YouTube from the comfort of their own living room, alike.

The English disco-pop singer Jessie Ware will release “Superbloom,” also on Friday. She’s as ready to soundtrack a late night on the dance oor as she’s ever been — like on the single “Ride,” which interpolates the theme from the 1966 spaghetti Western lm “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly” and melts into her sequined synths. “Come be my cowboy, baby, come, let’s ride,” she sings, more discotheque than honky-tonk. “You know I want you, I need you tonight, tonight.”

SERIES TO STREAM

In the Apple TV dramedy “Margo’s Got Money Troubles,” Fanning plays a young mom who had an a air with a college professor, got pregnant and is raising the baby on her own. She launches an OnlyFans persona to make money. Michelle Pfei er and Nick O erman play her parents. The series is based on a bestselling novel of the same name. Cast members from last summer’s iteration of “Love Island USA” take front and center in a second season of “Love Island: Beyond the Villa.” After returning home from Fiji, cameras resumed following the contestants, including winners and former couple Ama-

“If there’s one aspect of Wright’s lm that feels genuinely connected to today, it’s the movie’s media metaphor.”

Jake Coyle, AP Film Writer

ya Espinal and Bryan Arenales. Guess what? The drama followed them home. The rst two episodes are streaming now on Peacock.

Net ix’s critically acclaimed series “Beef” is back for a second season with a new cast. The show, which was originally intended to be a limited series, is now an anthology. The new episodes star Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, Charles Melton, and Cailee Spaeny. It premieres Thursday.

Nicola Coughlan’s contemporary dark comedy “Big Mood” returns for a Season 2 on Tubi on Thursday. Coughlan and Lydia West star as Maggie and Eddie, longtime co-dependent best friends living in East London. Their friendship fell apart after Maggie, who su ers from bipolar disorder, decided to stop taking her medication and Eddie felt increasingly neglected. Season 2 picks up one year later.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

The moon has been in the news a lot lately, so it’s a good time to pay a visit courtesy of Capcom’s Pragmata. Unfortunately, the lunar base where it’s set has been rocked by a massive moonquake — and some parts of it have been weirdly altered by a mysterious substance called Luna lament. Two heroes emerge from the rubble: a guy named Hugh who’s skilled with rearms, and an android named Diana who’s a master hacker. Blast o Friday on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S, Switch 2 or PC.

Nintendo’s Switch has become the console of choice for people who like to build cozy communities, thanks to hits like Animal Crossing and Pokémon Pokopia. But perhaps you’d like your neighbors to look more like your friends and family. Welcome to Tomodachi Life: Living the Dream, which lets you populate an island with humanoid Mii avatars. Of course, these people can be fussy, so you’ll need to make them happy with food, clothes and furniture while building more places for them to play. Before you know it, they’ll be making friends, falling in love and having kids. And you can send your character to visit another human’s Switch. Get to know

Thursday.