VOLUME 146 ISSUE 33 | WEEKEND EDITION, APRIL 25 – 26, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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Safe! West Stanly sophomore Makayla Crayton dives into third as part of an 11-1 rout of East Rowan, bringing the Colts to 19-4 on the year.
WHAT’S HAPPENING Trump reclassifies state-licensed medical marijuana as less-dangerous drug Washington, D.C. A cannabis industry group called President Donald Trump’s reclassification of state-licensed medical marijuana as a less-dangerous drug “the most significant federal advancement in cannabis policy” in decades. The American Trade Association for Cannabis and Hemp said the Trump administration action recognizes “cannabis is medicine.” The order the Republican president’s acting attorney general signed Thursday largely legitimizes medical marijuana programs in the 40 states that have adopted them and allows state-licensed medical marijuana companies for the first time to deduct business expenses on their federal taxes.
Navy Secretary leaving in latest departure of top defense leader Washington, D.C. The Pentagon abruptly announced that Navy Secretary John Phelan is leaving his job. Phelan is the first head of a military service to depart during President Donald Trump’s second term but is just the latest top defense leader to step down or be ousted. No reason was given for the unexpected departure of the Navy’s top civilian official. Undersecretary Hung Cao will take over as acting secretary.
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America 250 student art winners recognized by county commissioners The students were honored for county flag and banner designs By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Local winners of the America 250 student art contests were honored Monday during a formal presentation at the Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting. The students were first announced last month during the Celebration of the Arts event at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, hosted by the Stanly County Arts Council and promoted by the America 250 NC Stanly County Committee. On Monday, the official recognition included winners
from the fourth grade county flag and essay contest and the America 250 banner design contest. Caroline Shelton of Norwood Elementary School was recognized as the overall winner of the fourth grade flag and essay competition, while Riley Niven of Locust Elementary School was selected as runner-up. Within Stanly County, more than 200 fourth grade student entries were submitted, with judges narrowing the field to 10 finalists; all of those entries will be displayed at the Stanly County History Center beginning May 1. Shelton’s and Niven’s submissions were also forwarded for consideration at the See WINNERS, page A5
COURTESY STANLY COUNTY SCHOOLS
From left, America 250 NC Stanly County Committee Chair Bain Jones, Norwood Elementary School student Caroline Shelton and Stanly County Arts Council Executive Director Renee VanHorn pose for a photo.
Albemarle council approves zoning amendments The changes are tied to Envision Albemarle 2045 passed on 5-2 votes By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — At its meeting Monday night, the Albemarle City Council approved three zoning ordinance text amendments, advancing a series of development updates tied to the city’s long-range growth plan. The changes are part of an effort to align future development with Envision Albemarle 2045, the city’s comprehensive land use plan that guides infrastructure, investment and growth decisions over the next two decades.
Planning and Development Director Alysia Steadman said the amendments represent a shift from vision to execution. “The plan sets the vision for how Albemarle should grow — our zoning ordinance is the tool that makes the vision real,” Steadman said. “These amendments are about aligning our development standards with the goal that the council has already established. Put simply, this is the work of moving from planning to implementation.” The first measure, Ordinance 26-08 (TA 26-01), has updated development standards, including design elements, buffer requirements and pedestrian amenities, while Ordinance 26-09 (TA 26-02) See COUNCIL, page A8
“These amendments are about aligning our development standards with the goal that the council has already established.” Alysia Steadman, Albemarle Planning and Development director