United Arab Emirates to leave OPEC, dealing blow to oil cartel
Dubai, United Arab Emirates
The United Arab Emirates announced that it will leave OPEC e ective May 1, stripping the oil cartel of its third-largest producer and further weakening its leverage over global oil supplies and prices.
The UAE’s decision had been rumored as a possibility for some time, as it pushed back in recent years against OPEC production quotas it felt had been too low. Regional politics are also likely at play. The UAE has had increasingly frosty relations with Saudi Arabia, OPEC’s largest producer, even after both came under attack by fellow OPEC member Iran during the war.
Republicans in Congress push for Trump’s White House ballroom after shooting at event Republicans in Congress have launched new e orts to approve and pay for President Donald Trump’s proposed ballroom at the White House. They argue it would help avert security breaches like the shooting at Saturday’s White House Correspondents’ Association dinner. A bill introduced by Republican senators would authorize $400 million for construction and security infrastructure underneath. Trump has said that private money would pay for the ballroom. Sen. Lindsay Graham said at a news conference that it is necessary to allow the president to hold events safely and avoid much less secure venues like the Washington Hilton.
Trumps call for ABC to re Kimmel — again — after morbid joke about rst lady
Both President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, are calling on ABC to re Jimmy Kimmel after the late-night comic joked last week that the rst lady had “the glow of an expectant widow.” Kimmel made the joke while delivering a mock comic routine for the White House Correspondents’ Association dinner — two nights before that event was cut short when a man tried to rush the ballroom where the Trumps and other leaders were. The president said Kimmel’s words were “beyond the pale.” Kimmel described the joke during his Monday night monologue as a light roast about the rst couple’s age di erence.
Norwood unveils Battle of Colson’s Mill mural
Albemarle seeks developer for former police headquarters
The city is seeking proposals for the historic downtown redevelopment
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — A 90-year-old building that once served as Albemarle’s police headquarters is now available for redevelopment, as the city seeks a private partner to help shape the next chapter of the property.
The city issued a request for proposals this month for
The dedication was a highlight of the 32nd Arbor Day festival
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
NORWOOD — The town of Norwood’s annual Arbor Day Festival carried added signicance this year with the unveiling of a new mural commemorating a Revolutionary War battle fought locally more than two centuries ago.
Serving as the focal point of the 32nd Norwood Arbor Day Festival, the Battle of Colson’s Mill mural was unveiled Saturday morning at the town’s out-
the sale and redevelopment of the former Albemarle Police Department building at 203 N. Second St., which has been vacant since 2020.
Built in 1936 as a post o ce under the Works Progress Administration, the two-story, 7,800-square-foot structure is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Colonial Revival design elements include original masonry, terrazzo oors, 14-foot ceilings and tall windows.
Appraised at $665,000 in December 2025, the property
door art gallery near the Farmers Market area between Main and Campbell streets.
While festivalgoers enjoyed the usual slate of events and live entertainment, this year’s celebration also emphasized the historical signi cance of the July 21, 1780, battle, which resulted in a Patriot victory in what is now Norwood.
“This Arbor Day is particularly special since it’s being celebrated in conjunction with the festivities leading up to the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 2026,” Norwood Mayor Linda Campbell said. “As part of these observances, the town is very pleased to include the unveiling of the newest mural in our downtown gallery, which depicts the Battle of Colson’s Mill.”
The mural depicts Patriot militia forces led by William Lee Davidson routing a group of
STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Prosecutors say he suppressed alternative COVID-19 origin theories
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. — A former senior adviser to Dr. Anthony Fauci was indicted on federal charges alleging he conspired to hide his communications related to COVID-19 research as the pandemic raged across the country, the Justice Department said Tuesday. Dr. David Morens, 78, is accused of using his private email account to intentionally circumvent public records laws while employed at the National Institutes of Health.
The Justice Department alleges that he concealed or destroyed records of discussions related to COVID-19 research grants, including an e ort to revive a controversial coronavirus grant.
“These allegations represent a profound abuse of trust at a time when the Ameri-
CRIME LOG THURSDAY
April 20
• Heidi Lynn Wise, 58, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia and driving on a revoked license, and other charges.
April 21
• Charles Jarmall Battle, 35, was arrested for second degree kidnapping, false imprisonment and interfering with emergency communication.
• Eric Paul Moore, 60, was arrested for assault on a female and misdemeanor crime of domestic violence.
can people needed it most — during the height of a global pandemic,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement Tuesday. “Government o cials have a solemn duty to provide honest, well-grounded facts and advice in service of the public interest — not to advance their own personal or ideological agendas.”
Morens faces charges of conspiracy against the United States; destruction, alteration or falsi cation of records in federal investigations; concealment, removal or mutilation of records; and aiding and abetting, according to a Justice Department news release. If convicted, he could face decades in prison. An attorney for Morens declined to comment.
The indictment re ects Republicans’ long-held belief that the federal government covered up key information about COVID-19 as the pandemic unfolded. Despite numerous probes, the origins of COVID have never been proven. Sci-
• Brittany Faith Mauldin, 34, was arrested for possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver methamphetamine; possession with intent to manufacture, sell or deliver a controlled substance; and possession of a controlled substance on prison/ jail premises, and other charges.
April 22
• Eric Walter Wilhite, 41, was arrested for assault in icting serious injury, possession of a rearm by a felon and assault by pointing a gun, and other charges.
• Colleen Inez Kelly, 44, was
entists are unsure whether the virus jumped from an animal, as many other viruses have, or came from a laboratory accident. A U.S. intelligence analysis released in 2023 said there is insu cient evidence to prove either theory.
Blanche said Morens’ alleged conduct was part of an e ort to “suppress alternative theories” about COVID-19’s origins. The Justice Department also accused Morens of having an improper relationship with a collaborator, including allegedly accepting a gift of wine and discussing COVID-19 research and potential publications in a prominent medical journal.
The indictment follows a probe by House Republicans into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic that scrutinized Morens’ email communications and accused him of intentionally concealing records. In congressional testimony, Morens denied attempting to evade federal transparency laws by using his personal email.
arrested for misdemeanor child abuse.
• Jadasia Mone Richardson, 24, was arrested for communicating threats and show cause.
April 23
• James Everette Foster, 43, was arrested for assault on a female, misdemeanor crime of domestic violence and communicating threats.
April 25
• Miguel Perez Gomez, 38, was arrested for driving while impaired, reckless driving with wanton disregard and no operator's license, and other charges.
with your community!
Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County.
April 30
“Our American Journey in Music”
7 p.m.
The
of America,” a specially commissioned work by North Carolina composer Bruce W. Tippette, celebrating American heritage as part of the America 250 observance. Free or low-cost admission.
Stanly County Agri-Civic Center 26032 Newt Road Albemarle
America 250 Patriotic Composition Premiere
The Stanly County Chorale and Stanly County Concert Band will debut a commissioned patriotic composition as part of the county’s America250 bicentennial celebration programming.
Stanly County Agri-Civic Center 26032 Newt Road Albemarle
May 2
Camp Forget-Me-Not
Tillery Compassionate Care hosts a free grief day camp for children ages 5 through 18 and their families who have experienced a loss. The program combines grief support, grief education and activities; each child receives a memory bear.
Camp Joshua 29387 Pennington Road Albemarle
THE CONVERSATION
Trip Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
COLUMN | LARRY ELDER
On CNN, Democrat ‘election deniers’ get a pass
Comparable or higher percentages of Democrats expressed doubts about the legitimacy of Trump’s 2016 win compared to Republican doubts about 2020.
CNN’S JAKE TAPPER recently denounced Trump administration judicial nominees because, at their con rmation hearing, they refused to say “yes” when asked, “Did Biden win the 2020 election?” Instead, the nominees replied, “Biden was CERTIFIED as the winner.”
For Tapper, this was an unacceptable dodge. He said, “What oath is going to be administered in those judges’ courtrooms? Will it be, ‘Do you swear to tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help me God ... unless they are truths that o end Donald Trump?’”
On MS Now, co-host Michael Steele, the former head of the Republican National Committee, argued the nominees’ failure to answer “yes” disquali ed them from serving. He said, “If you cannot ask a fundamental question, right, this is a civics test, did the president of the United States lose the election in 2020, and if you do that kind of an answer, then you are not t to serve in government, period. Because no matter what else you say or do after that, it exposes who you are, and it exposes how you will lead.”
Let’s set aside questions about the 2020 election integrity in Georgia, Michigan, Wisconsin and Pennsylvania. California took away attorney John Eastman’s license to practice law because Eastman represented Donald Trump and raised factual and legal questions about the 2020 election. If you consider Eastman’s objections and legal arguments devoid of merit, please watch Eastman’s American Freedom Alliance speech on Rumble.
Did Tapper or any other CNN “reporters” ask former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, former President Jimmy Carter,
COLUMN | EMILY STACK
former Democratic National Committee
Chairman Terry McAuli e or former Vice President Kamala Harris — to name a few “election- denying” Democrats — “Did Donald Trump win the 2016 election?”
About the 2016 election, former Obama Secretary of Homeland Security Jeh Johnson testi ed that, while the Russians tried to manipulate voting machines, there is no evidence that a single vote tally was changed. Not one. Yet, a 2018 YouGov poll found 66% of Democrats believe Russia “changed vote tallies to elect Trump in 2016.”
CNN politics editor Chris Cillizza wrote that “76% of self-identi ed Republicans in a new national Quinnipiac University poll. That’s the number of Republicans who said they believe there was ‘widespread fraud in the 2020 election.’” But what about Democrats and their concern about the integrity of the 2016 election?
A 2018 Gallup poll found 78% of Democrats believe that Russian interference in 2016 “changed the outcome of the election” in favor of Trump. Never mind that Johnson testi ed there’s no way of knowing whether the interference altered the outcome. And a New York University study on the e ect of Russian interference found “no measurable changes in attitudes, polarization, or voting behavior among those exposed to this foreign in uence campaign.”
The bottom line is that comparable or higher percentages of Democrats expressed doubts about the legitimacy of Trump’s 2016 win compared to Republican doubts about 2020. Furthermore, House Democrats have disputed the certi cation of every Republican presidential victory since 2000.
In January 2001, nearly a dozen black House Democrats voted against certifying the election results of 2000. Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) said in a joint session of Congress: “The objection is in writing, and I do not care that it is not signed by a member of the Senate (as is necessary to force a Senate vote on the challenge.)”
As for the 2004 election, Jan. 6 Committee Chairman Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.) in January 2005 joined 30 other House Democrats and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) to object to the certi cation of Ohio’s presidential election results, claiming “voter suppression.”
As for 2016, Hillary Clinton consistently called the presidential election “stolen” and described President Donald Trump as “illegitimate.” Jimmy Carter, in 2019, said: “I think a full investigation would show that Trump didn’t actually win the election in 2016. He lost the election, and he was put into o ce because the Russians interfered on his behalf.” New York Attorney General Letitia James said she “will never be afraid to challenge this illegitimate president.”
One more thing about “election interference.” There are polling data suggesting the suppression of the Hunter Biden laptop story — in which CNN, particularly Brian Stelter, whom you rehired, was complicit — may have changed the outcome of the 2020 election.
All of this makes Tapper look like fake news, a hypocrite and a partisan.
Larry Elder is a bestselling author and nationally syndicated radio talk-show host.
(Copyright 2026 Creators.com)
If China restricts these products at home, why are they flooding our communities?
China has taken signi cant steps to restrict avored vape products.
AS PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP prepares to meet with President Xi, much of the conversation will center on tari s, trade de cits and global competition. But there is another issue, one far closer to home for millions of American families that deserves urgent attention: the ood of illicit Chinese vapes into our communities.
Across the country, moms are watching a troubling trend unfold. Products that are unregulated, often illegal and clearly designed to appeal to young people are showing up in gas stations, convenience stores and even online marketplaces with little resistance. These aren’t the carefully reviewed products that went through federal approval processes. Many are unauthorized, mislabeled or smuggled into the United States altogether.
Overwhelmingly, they are coming from China.
What makes this even more concerning is the double standard. China has taken signi cant steps to restrict avored vape products and tighten oversight within its own borders. Yet at the same time, these same types of products are mass-produced for export, many ultimately ending up in the United States through illicit channels.
American families are left dealing with the consequences.
This is not just a regulatory issue. It’s a fairness issue. And for moms, it’s a safety issue.
Parents should not have to wonder whether the product their child was exposed to was
legally sold, properly vetted or even safe. They should not have to compete with a black market that thrives on bright packaging, youth-targeted marketing and a lack of accountability.
At its core, this is about protecting our kids while enforcing laws already on the books.
For years, policymakers have debated how best to approach vaping. But there should be broad agreement on at least one point: Products that are illegal, unregulated and deliberately targeting minors should not be allowed to ood our markets unchecked.
Yet that is exactly what is happening.
Bad actors are exploiting gaps in enforcement, mislabeling shipments and routing products through complex supply chains to evade detection. Meanwhile, small businesses trying to follow the rules are undercut by a steady stream of illicit competition. And families are left navigating a marketplace that feels increasingly out of control.
This is where leadership and leverage matter.
As Trump enters discussions with China, this issue should be on the table. Not as a secondary concern, but as part of a broader conversation about trade, accountability and reciprocity.
If a product is deemed harmful enough to warrant strict controls domestically, it should not be exported in ways that undermine the health and safety of families abroad. And if it is being exported illegally, there must be consequences.
This is not about punishing innovation or limiting adult choice. It is about enforcing
the law, protecting children and ensuring that American communities are not treated as a dumping ground for products that other countries have chosen to restrict.
Moms understand trade may be complex. But this issue is not.
We teach our kids that rules matter. That fairness matters. That you don’t get to play by one set of rules at home and another somewhere else.
It’s time for our trade policy to re ect those same values.
The United States has the tools to address this problem, through stronger enforcement, better coordination and a clear message to foreign manufacturers that illegal activity will not be tolerated. But it also requires raising the issue at the highest levels.
Because when it comes to protecting our kids, this isn’t just a domestic challenge. It’s an international one.
And it’s one we can’t a ord to ignore.
Emily Stack serves as the executive director of Moms for America Action.
(Copyright Daily Caller News Foundation)
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Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell addresses students at Harvard University in Cambridge, Massachusetts, last month.
Tillis says he’s ready to move ahead with con rming
Warsh
as Trump’s pick as Fed chair
The Senate Banking Committee was set to vote after the DOJ closed its inquiry of Jerome Powell
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON, D.C. —
The Republican senator who had e ectively blocked conrmation of President Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Federal Reserve said Sunday he was dropping his opposition after the Department of Justice ended its investigation of the current central bank chair.
The announcement by Sen. Thom Tillis of North Carolina removes a big hurdle to Trump’s e ort to install Kevin Warsh, a former high-ranking Fed o cial, in the job in place of Jerome Powell, long under White House pressure to lower interest rates. Tillis’ opposition was enough to stall the nomination in the GOP-controlled Senate Banking Committee as Powell neared the scheduled end of his term on May 15.
“I am prepared to move on with the con rmation of Mr. Warsh. I think he’s going to be a great Fed chair,” Tillis told NBC’s “Meet the Press” two days after the U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia said her o ce’s investigation of the Fed’s multibillion-dollar building renovations was over. Powell’s brief congressional testimony last summer about that work was also under review.
MURAL from page A1
British loyalists near the junction of the Rocky and Pee Dee rivers. The project is part of the county’s broader America 250 initiative, which is organizing local events and historical recognitions tied to the nation’s 250th anniversary.
State Rep. Cody Huneycutt attended the unveiling and later praised the project.
“Enjoyed the morning at the 2026 Arbor Day Festival in the Town of Norwood, NC, for the unveiling and dedication of the Colson Mill mural in honor of our nation’s America 250
celebrations,” Huneycutt said.
“Thank you to the Williams brothers for creating this mural for our community to enjoy.”
The accompanying plaque provides historical context:
“At daybreak, July 21, 1780, six miles south of here near Colson’s Mill, Colonel William Lee Davidson’s Patriot militias surprised and scattered a band of Loyalist recruits who supported the King of England. Colson’s Mill was one of the rst Patriot victories in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolution and encouraged other colonists to support the
The Fed’s internal watchdog is scrutinizing a project, now at $2.5 billion after earlier estimates had put it at $1.9 billion, that the Republican president has criticized for cost overruns. Powell had asked in July for the inspector general’s review.
“I believe that there will not be any wrongdoing,” Tillis said. “Maybe we nd a little stupid here in terms of somebody responsible for the project making a decision they shouldn’t? Maybe. But it doesn’t rise to a criminal prosecution. That was my problem to begin with because I feel like there were prosecutors in D.C. that thought this was going to be a lever to have Mr. Powell leave early,” he said.
Tillis, who infuriated Trump in June for opposing his big tax and spending cuts bill over Medicaid reductions
American War of Independence.
“After the victory at Colson’s, the winds of war shifted with subsequent victories at Kings Mountain and Cowpens. The wider campaign continued through Guilford Courthouse and ultimately Yorktown, where the British surrendered.”
Local Albemarle artists Jack and Eli Williams of WMS Brothers, who have painted numerous murals across Stanly County, created the piece.
In a statement, they described the work as an abstract interpretation of the historic battle.
“Our inspiration came from
and then announced he would not seek reelection in 2026, added that he had received assurances from the Justice Department that “the case is completely and fully settled … and that the only way an investigation would be opened would be a criminal referral from one of the most respected inspector generals.”
Important
week for Fed leadership
The committee on Saturday said it planned to vote Wednesday on Warsh’s nomination. The ranking Democrat, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, responded with a statement that “no Republican claiming to care about Fed independence should support moving forward the nomination of Kevin Warsh, who proved in his nomination hearing to be nothing more than President Trump’s sock puppet.” Also Wednesday, Fed policymakers will meet and are expected to keep their key interest rate unchanged for the third straight meeting, shrugging o Trump’s demands for a cut. At a news conference, Powell could indicate whether he will remain on the Fed’s board of governors after his term as chair ends, an unusual but not completely unprecedented step that would deny Trump the opportunity to ll another seat on the seven-member board. Powell’s term as a governor lasts until January 2028.
At a hearing last week, Warsh told senators he never promised the White House that he would cut interest rates and pledged to be “an independent actor” if con rmed as chair. Hours before that, Trump had been asked in a CNBC interview whether he would be disappointed if Warsh did not immediately cut rates. “I would,” the president said.
Without the constraints of a political campaign, Tillis has spoken out forcefully about Powell, decrying the inquiry by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, a longtime Trump ally, as a “vindictive prosecution” and suggested it threatened the Fed’s longtime independence from day-to-day politics. Tillis told NBC that he had gotten assurances from the Justice Department that he needed “to feel
the cubist art style, using sharp angles, broken shapes and bold color blocks to capture the chaos, speed and intensity of the battle, feeling loud and full of motion. The blue forms with white lines represent the patriot militia, while the reds and oranges symbolize the loyalists. The mill sits at center, and the owing shapes along the bottom represent the meeting point of the Pee Dee River and Rocky River.”
The mural was funded by the Stanly County Convention and Visitors Bureau and the America 250 N.C. Stanly County Committee.
like they were not using DOJ as a weapon to threaten the independence of the Fed. So this will allow Mr. Warsh to move on with his con rmation.”
On Saturday, Trump was asked by reporters whether there was now smooth sailing for Warsh with the end of the Justice Department’s investigation. “I imagine it’s smooth,” Trump said, adding that his nominee “is going to be fantastic.” The president said he still wanted to nd out “how can a building of that size cost ... whatever it’s going to be.”
Trump visited the Fed building in July and, in front of television cameras, said the renovations would run $3.1 billion. Powell, standing next to him, said after looking at a paper presented to him by Trump, that the president’s latest price tag was incorrect.
Justice Department pursues Trump adversaries
The investigation was among several undertaken by the Justice Department into Trump’s perceived adversaries. For months it had failed to gain traction as prosecutors struggled to articulate a basis to suspect criminal conduct. Other e orts by the department to prosecute Trump’s adversaries, including New York state Attorney General Letitia James, a Democrat, and former FBI Director James Comey, have also been unsuccessful. Last month, a federal judge quashed Justice Department subpoenas issued to the Fed in the investigation, describing their purpose as “to harass and pressure Powell to resign” and open the path for a new chair. A prosecutor handling the Powell case had acknowledged at a closed-door court hearing that the government had not found any evidence of a crime. Pirro said last Friday on X that she “will not hesitate to restart a criminal investigation should the facts warrant doing so.” The acting attorney general, Todd Blanche, told NBC on Sunday that ”there is no doubt that we will investigate” if the inspector general nds evidence of criminal conduct. Warsh is a nancier and former member of the Fed’s board of governors. Trump nominated him in January.
“Our inspiration came from the cubist art style, using sharp angles, broken shapes and bold color blocks to capture the chaos, speed and intensity of the battle.”
Jack and Eli Williams of WMS Brothers
CHARLES KRUPA / AP PHOTO
US soldier charged with using classi ed intel to win $400K on Maduro raid being released on bond
The case fuels a bipartisan push to regulate increasingly popular prediction markets
By Gary D. Robertson
The Associated Press
RALEIGH — A U.S. spe -
cial forces soldier who took part in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro will be released on bond on charges accusing him of using classi ed information about the operation to win more than $400,000 in an online prediction market, a federal magistrate said last Friday.
The magistrate in North Carolina said he would allow Gannon Ken Van Dyke to be released and told him to report to a New York federal courthouse by Tuesday to continue his case there.
Bearded with arm tattoos, Van Dyke said little during the nearly hourlong hearing, during which he was appointed a federal public defender who declined to comment afterward.
Christ the King Christian Academy is registering students for the school year through
The sites allow people to trade on almost anything — from the Super Bowl to U.S. elections and even the winners of the TV reality shows.
A publicly listed phone number listed for Van Dyke isn’t in service.
righteous military operation,” FBI Director Kash Patel said in a social media post.
Polymarket, one of the largest prediction markets, said it found someone trading on classi ed government information, alerted the Justice Department and “cooperated with their investigation.”
Massive pro ts from well-timed bets aroused public attention days after the raid in Venezuela and brought bipartisan calls for stricter regulation of the markets.
“This involved a U.S. soldier who allegedly took advantage of his position to pro t o of a righteous military operation.”
Kash Patel, FBI Director
parallel complaint against Van Dyke.
The $250,000 unsecured bond did not require Van Dyke to put up any money.
Hot dogs, fixings, drink, and cookie available
Federal prosecutors say Van Dyke used his access to classi ed information about the operation to capture Maduro in January to win money on the prediction market site Polymarket.
Van Dyke, who is stationed at Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, was charged last Thursday with the unlawful use of con dential government information for personal gain, theft of nonpublic government information, commodities fraud, wire fraud and making an unlawful monetary transaction.
He could face up to 10 years on four of the criminal counts, and up to 20 years on a fth, the government said Friday.
For more information, call
Van Dyke, 38, was involved for about a month in the planning and execution of capturing Maduro, according to the New York federal prosecutor’s o ce. He signed nondisclosure agreements promising to not divulge “any classi ed or sensitive information” related to the operations, but prosecutors say he used what he knew to make a series of bets related to Maduro being out of power by Jan. 31.
The sudden rise of these markets has led to growing scrutiny by Congress and state governments. Some lawmakers alarmed by highly speci c, well-timed trades on the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran and wagers on President Donald Trump’s next moves have pushed for guardrails against insider trading.
Located at 210 N. Ferry Rd, New London. Follow the signs.
“This involved a U.S. soldier who allegedly took advantage of his position to pro t o of a
The Trump administration has been supportive of the industry’s expansion. The president’s eldest son is an adviser for both Polymarket and its main competitor, Kalshi, and is a Polymarket investor. Trump’s social media platform, Truth Social, is launching its own prediction market called Truth Predict.
The Commodity Futures Trading Commission, the federal agency that regulates prediction markets, announced Thursday that it had led a
Christ the King Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school. It does not discriminate based on race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school -administered programs.
Christ the King Christian Academy is registering students for the school year through
Christ the King Christian Academy is registering students for the school year through
Christ the King Christian Academy is registering students for the school year through
Christ the King Christian Academy is registering students for the school year through
Hot dogs, fixings, drink, and cookie available
Hot dogs, fixings, drink, and cookie available
Hot dogs, fixings, drink, and cookie available
Located at 210 N. Ferry Rd, New London. Follow the signs.
Located at 210 N. Ferry Rd, New London. Follow the signs.
from page A1
sits on approximately 0.28 acres at the corner of North Second Street and West North Street.
“This building has served Albemarle across generations, from a WPA-era post o ce to a cornerstone of public safety, and now it’s ready for its next chapter,” said Lindsey Almond, the city’s economic development director. “You just can’t replicate this kind of character. For the right developer, especially someone experienced in historic preservation, this is a truly unique opportunity.”
That complaint alleges that Van Dyke moved $35,000 from his personal bank account into a cryptocurrency exchange account Dec. 26 — a little over a week before U.S. forces ew into Caracas and seized Maduro.
Van Dyke made a series of bets on when Maduro might be removed from power, according to the complaint. He placed those bets between Dec. 30 and Jan. 2, with the vast majority occurring the night of Jan. 2 — just hours before the rst missiles struck Caracas.
The bets resulted in “more than $404,000 of pro ts,” the complaint says.
“The defendant was entrusted with con dential information about U.S. operations and yet took action that endangered U.S. national security and put the lives of American service members in harm’s way,” said Michael Selig, the commission’s chairman.
and increase downtown activity.
“Downtown Albemarle is evolving quickly,” Almond said. “You’re surrounded by signi cant recent investment, new housing, small business growth and the Pfei er University Health Sciences Center. City Council is very intentional about encouraging development that builds on this momentum, especially projects that support walkability, generate foot tra c and help create a vibrant destination into the evening hours.”
Almond encouraged developers and investors to weigh whether the site ts their vision ahead of the deadline.
For more information, call
Hot dogs, fixings, drink, and cookie available
For more information, call
Located at 210 N. Ferry Rd, New London. Follow the signs.
Christ the King Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school. It does not discriminate based on race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
Located at 210 N. Ferry Road, New London. Follow the signs. For more information call,
For more information, call
The property is eligible for federal, state and local historic tax credits, along with additional grants and incentives. Permitted uses include commercial, residential, o ce or institutional development.
The city has provided developers with market data, an economic opportunities report and the building’s appraisal as part of the RFP package. Priority will be given to proposals that support job creation, address market gaps
“For someone who values historic character and wants to be part of shaping a downtown on the rise, this is the kind of project that doesn’t come around often,” Almond said. “We encourage developers and investors to review the RFP, determine whether the site ts their vision and consider submitting a proposal.”
King Christian Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at this school. It does not discriminate based on race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
Nicholas Fasul Finch February 27, 1988 – April 28, 2020
New London. Follow the signs.
New London. Follow the signs.
New London. Follow the signs.
Proposals are due May 6 at noon; additional information about the RFP process is available at albemarlenc.gov/RFP.
JENNY KANE / AP PHOTO
A phone displays sports trades on Polymarket on April 16 in Portland, Oregon.
POLICE
OBITUARIES
VIVIAN EDWARDS TALBERT
FEB. 2, 1942 – APRIL 22, 2026
Vivian Edwards Talbert, 84, of Albemarle, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2026, at Atrium Health Stanly.
A memorial service will be held on Sunday, April 26, 2026, at 2 p.m. at Edwards Funeral Home in Norwood. Brandi Edwards will o ciate. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Vivian was born on February 2, 1942, to the late Hubert Beagle and Geneva Lee Edwards.
She was a devoted member of Union Chapel Methodist Church, serving in their Missions Program. Vivian was a volunteer member of the Stanly County Christian Ministry serving at both the Food Table in Albemarle and Norwood location. She also volunteered for the Back Pack program providing after school meals for Elementary School as well as for the Girl Scouts of America for over 30 years, particularly the Hornets Nest Council. She was also the Chair for the Pray Shaw Ministry at Union Chapel. Vivian enjoyed the Thursday morning Bible Study at Parkway House Restaurant. She was one of Elvis’ biggest fans, and on two of her birthdays, she was serenaded by an Elvis impersonator.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband: Terry Brown Talbert, grandchild Abigail Slater and her siblings: Benji Edwards, Leon Edwards, Don Edwards, and Jean Webb.
She is survived by her children: Sharon Taylor, Michael Beachum (Cindy), and Angie Slater (Chris), grandchildren: Heather Poythress (Robby), Nicki Mauldin (David), Dudley Beachum (Kianna), Jennie Slater, and Ian Slater, great-grandchildren: Skylar, Drake, Connor, Olive, MacKenzie, and Raylin, her sister Miriam Evans, and numerous nieces and nephews.
SANDY HUNT
OCT. 22, 1970 – APRIL 27, 2026
Sandy Michele Taylor Hunt, 55, of Stan eld, passed away on Monday, April 27, 2026, at Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis.
Sandy was born on October 22, 1970, to Tommy Randall and Hilda Helms Taylor. She worked as a travel nurse and was a member of Fellowship Baptist Church in Albemarle.
She is preceded in death by her brothers: Tommy Randall Taylor Jr. and Michael Shane Taylor.
In addition to her parents, she is survived by her husband, Glen Hunt, children, Leslie Dabbs, Marc Dabbs, and Michael Dabbs, and two grandchildren, Ryan and Jayce. Memorials may be made to the Stanly County Humane Society, 2049 Badin Road, Albemarle, NC 28001.
Dirk Kempthorne, former Idaho governor and US Interior secretary, dead at 74
He went from mayor of Boise to the president’s Cabinet
By Gene Johnson The Associated Press
FORMER IDAHO Gov. and U.S. Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne has died at age 74, his family said in a written statement Saturday.
Kempthorne died last Friday evening in Boise, the statement said. No cause was given. He had been diagnosed with colon cancer last year.
“Beyond his public service, he was a devoted husband, father, and grandfather whose greatest joy came from time spent with family and the people he met along the way,” his family said. “He had a rare gift for truly seeing others — remembering names, stories, and the small details that made each person feel known and valued.”
Kempthorne, a moderate Republican, was elected mayor of Boise in 1985 at age 34, and he was credited with revitalizing the downtown by securing an agreement to build a convention center and promoting other development. He served seven years before winning the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Steve Symms in 1992.
During his time in Washington, he authored legislation — signed by Democratic President Bill Clinton — to end unfunded federal mandates on state and local governments.
Rather than run for reelection in 1998, he entered an open election for governor, trouncing his Democratic opponent by garnering more than two-thirds of the vote.
ing his e orts to push oil and gas development in the Gulf of Mexico and o Alaska. More than 100 conservation groups opposed his nomination as Interior secretary, saying that as a senator he had voted to eliminate federal money for recovery of the endangered wolf, to open the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to oil and gas exploration, and to sell o federal public lands. Yet in 2008, he bucked other advisers in the White House by insisting that the polar bear should be listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act because of the loss of sea ice in the Arctic. He was prepared to resign over it when Bush decided to back him.
support of diplomatic channels to charter buses and an Airbus A340 to help resettle the evacuees in the U.S. and Canada. He helped Afghan refugees
At one point, with the ight fully booked, the organizers received a list of more people who needed to leave urgently.
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@stanlynewsjournal.com
President George W. Bush appointed him Interior secretary in 2006, a position he held until the end of Bush’s presidency — and during which he lived on a houseboat docked in the Potomac River.
“Dirk was one of the nest public servants I ever knew because he was one of the nest men,” former President George W. Bush said in a written statement Saturday. “He was considerate, smart, and capable. Dirk loved our lands and waters, and as Secretary of the Interior, he was an e ective steward of our natural resources.”
He protected polar bears
Environmentalists often found Kempthorne too accommodating to industry, cit-
“As Governor, Dirk left an enduring mark on our state,” Idaho Gov. Brad Little said in a written statement. With the partnership of his wife, Patricia, Kempthorne “championed children and families, strengthened public education, and led transformational investments in our transportation system that will bene t Idahoans for generations.”
After leaving the federal government, he became the chief executive of a trade association of life insurance companies.
In a 2023 question-and-answer session with the George W. Bush Presidential Center, Kempthorne recalled helping evacuate nearly 400 U.S. citizens and Afghan allies from Afghanistan two years earlier, as many were being sought by the Taliban following the U.S. military’s chaotic withdrawal. Kempthorne and others worked frantically for months to raise money and garner the
Donald Riegle, represented Michigan in Congress under 7 presidents, dead at 88
He switched from Republican to Democrat and led Senate opposition to NAFTA
The Associated Press
SAN DIEGO — Donald W. Riegle, who represented Michigan in Congress for nearly three decades under seven presidents, has died, his family said Sunday. He was 88. Riegle, who began his career as a Republican and later became a Democrat, died Friday of cardiac arrest at his home in San Diego, according to a family statement.
“The cornerstone of our family, Don was a kind, loving, courageous leader who taught us to stand up for justice, economic opportunity, and fairness for everyone,” the statement said.
His family said Riegle was proud of ghting for the rights of working people and leading the Senate opposition to NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement that resulted in the loss of many jobs in his home state. He pushed for economic development and the expansion of health insurance in Michigan.
The native of Flint, Michigan, was rst elected to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Republican in 1966 at age 28. As a congressman, he challenged President Richard Nixon’s policies on the Vietnam War and crossed the aisle to join the Democratic Party in 1973. Three years later, he was elected to the U.S. Senate, where he served until 1994.
As chair of the Senate Banking Committee, Riegle pushed for nancial reforms of the sav-
“That night, at a total loss for answers, alone, I knelt in prayer,” Kempthorne recalled. “I said, ‘Dear God, we cannot leave these people behind, please give a path forward.’ ” He said he then had a vision of Mother Mary holding the infant Jesus. It gave him an idea: The babies on the ight didn’t need their own seats, as their parents could hold them. The organizers con rmed that with the airline and were able to add an additional 50 people to the ight, Kempthorne said.
Kempthorne was born in San Diego and grew up in Spokane, Washington. His father was a regional representative for Maytag, the appliance company. His mother, a homemaker, once worked as a secretary for the Legislature in Nebraska, her home state.
Kempthorne attended San Bernardino Valley College in California before transferring to the University of Idaho, where he served as student body president and met his future wife, Patricia. After graduation he worked as executive assistant to the director of the Idaho Department of Lands before joining the Idaho Home Builders Association as the executive vice president.
Kempthorne is survived by his wife, as well as their children Heather and Je and their families.
ings and loan industry. Later, he was instrumental in getting treatment for Gulf War syndrome for military veterans who fought in the Persian Gulf in 1991.
Riegle was caught up in the Keating Five controversy, when he and four other senators faced Ethics Committee hearings in 1990 about whether they pressured federal regulators to go easy on savings and loan kingpin Charles Keating after receiving campaign contributions from him. The committee found Riegle did not break any federal laws or Senate rules but determined his conduct gave the appearance of being improper.
In 2001, Riegle became chairman of government relations for public relations rm APCO Worldwide.
In retirement, he spent time with his grandchildren and other family at his homes in Michigan and California, his family said. His wife of 48 years, Lori Hansen Riegle, was by his side when he died, the statement said.
Memorial services are pending.
MANUEL BALCE CENETA / AP PHOTO
Former Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne testi es in front of Congress in 2010.
AP PHOTO
President Jimmy Carter, right, shakes hands with the Michigan delegation in Washington, D.C., on April 24, 1980, who were present for the signing by Carter of a bill that would enable Volkswagen to operate an auto assembly plant in a Detroit suburb. Sen. Don Riegle (D-Mich.), next to Carter, and Michigan Senate Majority Leader William Faust, seated center, look on.
STANLY SPORTS
West Stanly, South Stanly softball teams win regular-season titles
The Colts and Bulls have a combined 19-0 conference record
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — West Stan-
ly and South Stanly capped o dominant seasons with undefeated conference records, giving Stanly County two regular-season softball champions for the 2026 season.
The Colts and Rowdy Rebel Bulls combined to go 19-0 in conference play, each securing outright titles while nishing
ahead of their top challengers.
West Stanly (20-4, 12-0 Rocky River) clinched its rst regular-season conference championship since 2023 last Friday with a 10-2 road win over Mount Pleasant, which nished second in the league standings at 10-2.
South Stanly (19-2, 7-0 Yadkin Valley) also sealed its rst regular-season title since 2023 by defeating second-place Union Academy last Friday in Norwood to complete a perfect conference slate.
Both teams showed a progression from last season. West Stanly nished 21-5 overall and 11-1 in conference
Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame to induct 2026 class
Three former local athletes will be added
By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal
ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame announced its 2026 class as part of its 34th annual induction ceremony.
The ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. on June 16 at Pfei er University’s Stokes Student Center. This year’s inductees are Donnie Poplin, David Smith and the late Roger Whitley.
Poplin, a South Stanly High graduate, was a three-sport athlete for the Rebels but made his biggest mark on the diamond, earning All-Rocky River Conference honors and team MVP from 1983 to 1985. He was the Rocky River Conference Player of the Year in 1984 before becoming the rst signee in UNC Charlotte’s 1985-86 recruiting class.
Poplin was a three-year team
captain with the 49ers, earning All-Sun Belt Conference rst-team and team MVP honors in 1989. His professional scouting career spans 34 years, including stints with Seattle, Atlanta and Cleveland. He currently serves as special assistant to the general manager for pro personnel strategy with the Kansas City Royals. Smith, an Albemarle High School standout in the 1960s, helped lead the Bulldogs to the only WNCHSAA basketball championship in program history in 1966. In tennis, Smith went 30-3 as the Bulldogs’ No. 1 player, earning All-Conference honors all three years. At Pfei er College, Smith earned three All-Conference and two All-District tennis selections, won two conference titles and quali ed for the NAIA Nationals in 1968. He was later ranked fth in North Carolina in the early 1980s and was inducted into the Pfei er Sports Hall of Fame in 2019. Smith, who also served as a
play in 2025 but placed second in the Rocky River Conference.
South Stanly made the county’s biggest turnarounds, improving from a 13-14 overall record and fourth-place 4-6 YVC nish last year to conference champion status.
West Stanly coach Emily Smith praised her senior leaders following the championship run.
“What a week,” Smith said. “We were able to celebrate our three seniors, Payton (Watson), Nevaeh (Alexander) and Saylor (Edwards), for their senior night and then nish the week with a conference championship. We are thankful for our seniors and all the time and e ort they have
“We are looking forward to the conference tournament this week.”
Emily Smith, West Stanly coach
poured into our program. They are three amazing young ladies. We are looking forward to the conference tournament this week.”
The postseason now becomes the focus for both programs as they pursue deeper playo runs. Conference tournaments were scheduled for this week, with the
NCHSAA state playo brackets set to be released Monday and rst-round games beginning Tuesday. In 2025, both West Stanly and South Stanly advanced past their rst-round state playo opponents but fell short in the second round.
Elsewhere in Stanly County, the remaining three softball programs all nished below .500 this season.
North Stanly (6-12, 3-4 YVC) placed third in the YVC, a notable decline after four consecutive winning seasons. The Comets went 18-7 overall and nished second in conference play last year.
Gray Stone (5-11, 1-6 YVC) nished fourth in the conference and remains in search of its rst winning season since 2017, while Albemarle (0-6, 0-4 YVC) endured another di cult season and nished winless after posting just one victory in 2025. The Bulldogs have recorded four total wins since 2018.
championship team under Coach H.T. Webb, averaging nearly 185 yards and two touchdowns per game that season.
number of individual inductees currently in Stanly County Sports Hall of Fame
Pfei er tennis coach and vice president, remains active in community leadership across Stanly County.
Whitley was a star fullback on Albemarle High School’s 1957 WNCHSAA football
He earned All-South Piedmont Conference, All-State honors from three newspapers and All-American recognition from World Week and Scholastic magazines, and was selected to play in the Shrine Bowl.
Whitley continued his career at Ferrum Junior College and Mars Hill College — earning Hall of Fame honors at both — before a 44-year career in law enforcement that included 27 years as director
of the Criminal Justice Academy at Gaston College, where he trained nearly 2,500 ocers. He died Oct. 16, 2025, at age 85.
Induction ceremony tickets — scheduled to go on sale May 11 — are $35 in advance and jump to $50 on the day of the event. They will be available online at albemarle.recdesk.com and in person at the Jesse F. Niven Community Center, E.E. Waddell Community Center in Albemarle, Starnes-Bramlett Jewelers, Locust City Hall and Oakboro City Hall.
West Stanly’s Laney Tucker takes a swing during the Colts’ home win over East Rowan on April 22.
COURTESY STANLY COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME
Donnie Poplin
David Smith Roger Whitley
NFL
“Hot pick” at No. 257: Broncos made Murdock latest Mr. Irrelevant
Pittsburgh University of Bu alo linebacker Red Murdock is this year’s “Mr. Irrelevant.” He was the nal pick of the NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Murdock expressed gratitude after being selected 257th on Saturday. The Broncos also picked Utah tight end Dallen Bentley just before Murdock. Denver became the only team to hold the last two picks since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. Broncos coach Sean Payton praised Murdock’s instincts and tackling skills. Both players will attend the traditional celebration for the nal draft pick.
MLB Bauer dominates with 7-inning no-hitter for Atlantic League’s Long Island Ducks Lancaster, Pa. Trevor Bauer threw a no-hitter for the Long Island Ducks against the Lancaster Stormers in the Atlantic League. Bauer allowed just one baserunner in seven innings, striking out seven on 84 pitches. The Ducks won 13-0. The former Cy Young Award winner is trying to revive his career after a 194-game suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy. He was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in January 2023. Bauer pitched in Japan and Mexico, where he was named the Mexican Baseball League’s pitcher of the year in 2024.
PGA
Furyk returning as U.S. Ryder Cup captain for 2027 with Woods out
Houston The PGA of America con rmed Jim Furyk is the next U.S. Ryder Cup captain. Furyk will be the fourth American captain to get another chance. Furyk was the choice after Tiger Woods took his name out of the mix following his March 27 arrest on suspicion of DUI in Florida. Europe has been dominating the matches for three decades. That includes last year at Bethpage Black when it built a record lead and held on. Furyk was captain in a losing e ort in France in 2018.
TENNIS
Reigning two-time champ Alcaraz out of French Open due to wrist injury
Madrid Carlos Alcaraz won’t play for a third successive French Open title due to a right wrist injury. No. 2-ranked Alcaraz was injured at the Barcelona Open this month during his rst-round win and withdrew the day after. He also pulled out of this week’s Madrid Open. He con rmed he was a no -go for Paris after undergoing more medical tests on Friday. Alcaraz said “It’s a complicated moment for me, but I’m sure we’ll come out stronger from here.”
NBA
Wolves’ Edwards has bone bruise in left knee, likely to miss weeks
The left knee of Minnesota guard Anthony Edwards remained structurally intact when he was injured during Game 4 of his team’s rst-round playo series, but he is likely to miss multiple weeks. Edwards has a bone bruise and hyperextended the knee. The Wolves also lost Donte DiVincenzo in that game with a torn Achilles tendon, meaning his season is over.
Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@stanlynewsjournal.com Weekly deadline is Monday at noon
He became the 13th driver to earn their rst win on the track
The Associated Press
TALLADEGA, Ala. — Carson Hocevar ensured the Talladega Superspeedway fans who witnessed his rst NASCAR Cup Series win would remember it.
After outdueling Chris Buescher with a last-lap pass Sunday, Hocevar celebrated with one of NASCAR’s most unconventional victory laps. While sitting on the windowsill of his No. 77 Chevrolet to salute the crowd with st pumps and waves, the lanky Hocevar managed to keep his left hand on the wheel while driving down the frontstretch.
He steered the car nose- rst into the outside wall to perform a burnout before climbing onto the roof.
“He looked like Shamu hanging out the window,” said Je Dickerson, a co-owner of Hocevar’s Spire Motorsports car.
The unique revelry was appropriate for the rising star who has made headlines by angering veterans with aggressive moves.
“I’ve had this thought up for a while,” Hocevar said after becoming the 13th driver to earn his rst Cup win at Talladega.
“I’ve messed it up every which way to not be able to do it. I was
“I’ve messed it up every which way to not be
to do it. I was going to gure out how to do it.”
Carson Hocevar
going to gure out how to do it. It took me a while.
“I’m so thankful. This is the biggest dream I’ve ever thought of. Thank you, everybody. I couldn’t have done it any better way.”
Hocevar joined Ty Gibbs
— who won two weeks ago at Bristol Motor Speedway — as the second rst-time winner this season by winning his 91st start in NASCAR’s premier series.
The 23-year-old from Portage, Michigan, used a drafting push from Alex Bowman’s No. 48 Chevrolet to edge past Buescher’s No. 17 Ford by 0.114 seconds.
Buescher had been getting drafting help from Erik Jones, who spun after contact from Hocevar while battling for second with seven laps remaining.
Jones’ No. 43 Toyota stalled to bring out the nal yellow and set up a three-lap shootout in which Buescher and Hocevar ran side by side virtually all the way to the checkered ag.
“That was a fun race,” Buescher said. “I felt really good where we were at coming
BASEBALL
SOUTH STANLY (15-9, 9-1 IN CONFERENCE)
• Won at Union Academy 6-2
• Won vs. Carson 5-4
• Won vs. Union Academy 10-7
This week’s schedule
• April 28 vs. Gray Stone Day (conference tournament)
• TBD
WEST STANLY (21-2, 9-1 IN CONFERENCE)
• Won vs. Mount Pleasant 10-3
• Lost at Hickory Ridge 11-10
• Won at Mount Pleasant 13-0
This week’s schedule
• TBD (conference tournament)
NORTH STANLY (20-4, 9-1 IN CONFERENCE)
• Lost at Reagan 7-6
• Won at North Rowan 15-0
• Won at North Rowan 21-0
Upcoming schedule
• April 28 vs. Union Academy (conference tournament)
• TBD
ALBEMARLE (3-16, 1-9 IN CONFERENCE)
• Lost vs. Gray Stone Day 9-8
• Lost at Gray Stone Day 12-1
• Lost at Gray Stone Day 11-1 (conference tournament)
o Turn 4. Felt like we were in a spot to take this Ford Mustang into victory lane. Man, it was close.”
Bowman nished third — his best nish since missing four races with vertigo — followed by Chase Elliott and Zane Smith.
“To be blunt, it just feels good to get out of here without crashing,” Bowman said.
“I’m getting old and don’t have much of that left in me. Glad to get out of here clean.”
Big wreck
With tight packs at nearly 200 mph, Talladega is known for massive wrecks, and some contact at the front involved 26 of the 40 cars in the eld.
Bubba Wallace was leading on Lap 115 when he lost control of his No. 23 Toyota on a push by the No. 1 Chevrolet of Ross Chastain. Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, Brad Keselowski and Kyle Larson were among those eliminated from contention in the crash, along with Wallace, who nished outside the top 30 for the third time in ve races.
“It’s a bummer,” said the 23XI Racing driver, who was making his 300th Cup start.
“But we’ve got to gure out how to be pushed better, so I take responsibility on that. And we’ll have a good debrief and gure out what we can do to make our Toyotas a little bit better at being pushed and maybe not have that happen.”
Upcoming schedule
• TBD
GRAY STONE DAY (8-9, 4-6 IN CONFERENCE)
• Won at Albemarle 9-8
• Lost at Central Davidson 10-0
• Won vs. Albemarle 12-1
• Won vs. Albemarle 11-1 (conference tournament)
Upcoming schedule
• April 28 at South Stanly (conference tournament)
• TBD SOFTBALL
SOUTH STANLY (19-2, 7-0 IN CONFERENCE)
• Won at Union Academy 3-0
• Won vs. Union Academy 10-0
This week’s schedule
• April 29 vs. Gray Stone Day (conference tournament)
• TBD WEST STANLY (20-4, 12-0 IN CONFERENCE)
• Won vs. East Rowan 11-1
• Won at Mount Pleasant 10-2
Upcoming schedule
• TBD (conference tournament)
NORTH STANLY (6-12, 3-4 IN CONFERENCE)
• No games scheduled
Upcoming schedule
• April 29 at Union Academy (conference tournament)
ALBEMARLE (0-6, 0-4 IN CONFERENCE)
• Lost at Gray Stone Day 1-0
No games scheduled
GRAY STONE DAY (5-11,1-6 IN CONFERENCE)
• Won vs. Albemarle 1-0
• Won vs. South Davidson 10-6
• Lost at Carson 8-2
• Lost at Greater Cabarrus 11-10
Upcoming schedule
• April 29 vs. South Stanly (conference tournament)
GIRLS’ SOCCER
SOUTH STANLY (5-7, 4-5 IN CONFERENCE)
• Lost at North Stanly 2-1
• Lost vs. Union Academy 9-0
This week’s schedule
• April 29 at Gray Stone Day
• May 5 at Anson
WEST STANLY (14-2-2, 8-1-1 IN CONFERENCE)
• Won at Monroe 4-1
• Won vs. Forest Hills 9-0
• Won vs. Montgomery 6-0
This week’s schedule
• April 28 at Anson
• May 4 at Concord SPRING SPORTS ROUNDUPS
• April 30 at Union Academy
• May 4 at Mount Pleasant
NORTH STANLY (2-15-1, 2-7 IN CONFERENCE)
• Won vs. South Stanly 2-1
• Won at North Rowan 4-1
Upcoming schedule
• April 29 vs. Albemarle
ALBEMARLE (1-12, 1-8 IN CONFERENCE)
• Lost vs. North Rowan 2-0
• Lost at Gray Stone Day 5-1
Upcoming schedule
• April 29 at North Stanly
• May 4 at Anson
GRAY STONE DAY (9-7, 7-2 IN CONFERENCE)
• Lost at Union Academy 10-0
• Won vs. Albemarle 5-1
Upcoming schedule
• April 29 vs. South Stanly
Carson Hocevar celebrates after winning
Lot Number Eleven [11] in Block Number Eight [8] as the same is shown and designated upon the Tallassee Power Company’s Plan of Lots No. 1, dated January 1, 1919, and filed in Plat Book No. 2, Page 80-K, Records of Stanly County, North Carolina. For reference see Deed Book 1214, Page 374, Stanly County Registry. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record.
Said property is commonly known as 85 Maple St, Badin, NC 28009. A Certified Check ONLY (no personal
We are eager to welcome individuals who are dedicated to our mission and committed to enhancing our community. Interested candidates are invited to browse our open full and part time positions via the website below to nd out how to apply for one of our job openings at SCC.
checks) of five percent (5%) of the purchase price, or Seven Hundred Fifty Dollars ($750.00), whichever is greater, will be required at the time of the sale. Following the expiration of the statutory upset bid period, all the remaining amounts are immediately due and owing. THIRD PARTY PURCHASERS MUST PAY THE EXCISE TAX AND THE RECORDING COSTS FOR THEIR DEED.
Said property to be offered pursuant to this Notice of Sale is being offered for sale, transfer and conveyance “AS IS WHERE IS.” There are no representations of warranty relating to the title or any physical, environmental, health or safety conditions existing in, on, at, or relating to the property being offered for sale. Substitute Trustee does not have possession of the property and cannot grant access, prior to or after the sale, for purposes of inspection and/or appraisal. This sale is made subject to all prior liens, unpaid taxes, any unpaid land transfer taxes, special assessments, easements, rights of way, deeds of release, and any other encumbrances or exceptions of record. To the best of the knowledge and belief of the undersigned, the current owner(s) of the property is/are Frank Rivers and Debra Anne Rivers.
An Order for possession of the property may be issued pursuant to G.S. 45-21.29 in favor of the purchaser and against the party or parties in possession by the clerk of superior court of the county in which the property is sold. Any person who occupies the property pursuant to a rental agreement entered into or renewed on or after October 1, 2007, may, after receiving the notice of sale, terminate the rental agreement by providing written notice of termination to the landlord, to be effective on a date stated in the notice that is at least 10 days, but no more than 90 days, after the sale date contained in the notice of sale, provided that the mortgagor
has not cured the default at the time the tenant provides the notice of termination [NCGS § 45-21.16A(b) (2)]. Upon termination of a rental agreement, the tenant is liable for rent due under the rental agreement prorated to the effective date of the termination.
Pursuant to NCGS §45-21.25A, this sale may be subject to remote bids placed by bidders not physically present at the place of sale, which may be accepted by the person conducting the sale, or their agent”. If the trustee is unable to convey title to this property for any reason, the sole remedy of the purchaser is the return of the deposit. Reasons of such inability to convey include, but are not limited to, the filing of a bankruptcy petition prior to the confirmation of the sale and reinstatement of the loan without the knowledge of the trustee. If the validity of the sale is challenged by any party, the trustee, in their sole discretion, if they believe the challenge to have merit, may request the court to declare the sale to be void and return the deposit. The purchaser will have no further remedy.
If the transaction is subject to the FinCEN Residential Real Estate Reporting Rule (“RRE”) issued pursuant to the Bank Secrecy Act, information necessary to comply with the RRE Rule must be obtained and provided to the Reporting Person, as defined in the RRE Rule, prior to closing.
Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC Substitute Trustee Brock & Scott, PLLC Attorneys for Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC 5431 Oleander Drive Suite 200 Wilmington, NC 28403
PHONE: (910) 392-4988 File No.: 25-21218-FC01
FOR SALE
4 piece Solid Cherry Bedroom suite made by Young-Hinkle, good condition, $1,200.00 Call 704-438-5132. 3tp
YARD SALE
Saturday, May 2nd from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, 614 Park Ridge Road, Albemarle. Glassware, small kitchen appliances, ladies dresses, clothes & shoes. Men’s dress shirts (size Large), 4-piece solid cherry bedroom suite, Lots of costume jewelry, push-lawn mower, dog beds & dog toys, New Ford Bronco Carpet Mats and lots of miscellaneous items. (Rain date will be scheduled for May 9th.)
NOTICES
NOTICE OF
STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF STANLY IN THE DISTRICT COURT DIVISION
RUBEN MONGRAGON CASAS, Plainti , Vs. COURTNEY ANN LEDFORD, Defendant.
TO: COURTNEY ANN LEDFORD, Defendant
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
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. PARNELL AND SCALES, PLLC Cameron S. Vick Attorney for Plainti P.O. Box 2300 Albemarle, NC 28002
PUBLISH: April 15, 2026, April 22, 2026 and April 29, 2026
Public Hearing Notice
The Town Council of the Town of Red Cross will hold a Public Hearing on Monday, May 11, 2026 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall. The purpose of this public hearing is for the rst reading of the Proposed Budget for the 2026-2027 scal year. This public hearing is also to hear citizens’ comments for or against, the Proposed Budget for 2026-2027 scal year for the Town of Red Cross. A copy of the proposed budget has been submitted to the town council and is available to the public at the Red Cross Town Hall, and online at www.townofredcross.com. For additional information contact the Red Cross Town Hall at 704-485-2002.
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA
STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000200-830
NOTICE TO CREDITORS
Having quali ed as Co-Executor of the
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Tommy Dewayne Rushing 13526 Brooks Road Stan eld, NC 28163 Co-Executor Tracy Howard Rushing PO Box 1023 Locust, NC 28097 Co-Executor
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK File No.: 26E000116-830 IN THE MATTER OF THE ESTATE OF MARY FREE AKIN
NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having
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Michael B. Jordan, Kacey Musgrave, Tori Amos, double dose of Matthew Rhys
Kacey Musgraves drops “Middle of Nowhere” on Friday
The Associated Press
MICHAEL B. JORDAN voicing a tiny woodland creature who switches bodies with a majestic bird in the animated movie “Swapped” and Kacey Musgraves’ seventh studio album, “Dry Spell,” 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: a TV adaptation of Isabel Allende’s beloved novel “The House of the Spirits” on Prime Video, the anime hit “Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc” on Crunchyroll and two Matthew Rhys projects — the movie thriller “Hallow Road” and the Apple TV horror comedy “Widow’s Bay.”
MOVIES TO STREAM
Newly minted Oscar winner Jordan voices a tiny woodland creature who switches bodies with his sworn enemy, a majestic bird (voiced by Juno Temple) in “Swapped,” streaming on Net ix on Friday. “Tangled” lmmaker Nathan Greno directs the movie, which also features the voices of Cedric the Entertainer and Tracy Morgan. If it sounds a bit like “Hoppers,” remember, that was an “Avatar” situation. This is “Freaky Friday.” The anime hit “Chainsaw Man — The Movie: Reze Arc” will be streaming on Crunchyroll on Thursday. Tatsuya Yoshihara directed the lm, based on the manga series by Tatsuki Fujimoto about a teenager who was murdered by the Yakuza and reborn with a unique ability: transforming body parts into chainsaws, which he uses to help ght devils now. It’s also a romance! And rated R.
“Conbody vs Everybody,” about an ex-con attempting to rebuild his life in New York, might not technically be a movie (OK, it’s a ve-part docuseries), but it’s from the great Debra Granik (“Winter’s Bone” and “Leave No Trace”) and it’s debuting exclusively on the Criterion Channel on Friday.
And nally, in the eerie “Hallow Road,” streaming on Hulu on Saturday, Rosamund Pike and Rhys play parents rushing to help their daughter after an accident
“‘Hallow Road’ is an e ectively minimalistic thriller that leaves much room for interpretation and debate.”
Lindsey Bahr, AP lm writer
late one night. AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr wrote that “it’s an e ectively minimalistic thriller that leaves much room for interpretation and debate.”
MUSIC TO STREAM
Hold her beer, Sabrina Carpenter. It’s time. Musgraves has returned to corner the market on too-clever, comedic country-pop songs about arousal. Such is the case of Musgraves’ “Dry Spell,” the rst single from her highly anticipated seventh studio album, “Middle of Nowhere,” out Friday. But a one-trick pony she is not. The release was inspired by her home state of Texas, as evidenced by a song she premiered at Coachella earlier this month: “Uncertain, TX,” which on the album features the patron saint of the Lone Star State, Willie Nelson. Yeehaw and carry on. Many might know the Irish-language, Belfast-based hip-hop trio Kneecap from the headlines they inspire: From criticism for their political statements, which previously saw
them banned in Canada and Hungary — they’ve accused critics of trying to silence them because of their support for the Palestinian cause throughout the war in Gaza — to their BAFTA award-winning self-titled biopic. But Kneecap is a hip-hop group with a DIY ethos, and a hip-hop group with a DIY ethos they remain. On Friday, listeners will be able to form their own opinions: They’ll release another new album, titled “FENIAN,” a reference to the 19th-century Irish revolutionaries dedicated to independence from British colonial rule.
Even if you haven’t heard of them, you’ve heard them — or the results of their legacy. American Football, like the cult classic lm version of a rock band, have been undeniably in uential in independent music circles for the last three decades. That’s namely for their role as progenitors of a very distinct guitar sound often referred to as “twinkly,” or with the genre term “Midwest emo.” It is an immediately recognizable sound, de ned by its characteristics: An unusual, complex
time signature, intricate ngerpicking and tapping but with a clean tone, no distortion, generous reverb and so on. If that’s too technical an explanation, just press play on their latest album, “LP4.”
A new high-concept album from Tori Amos? Why not! On Friday, she’ll release “In Times of Dragons,” a 17-track release that sees the singer performing an alternative universe version of herself as she “continues her ight from a dangerous and powerful billionaire husband,” according to the record’s o cial press materials. It’s allegorical and political, to be sure, and she’s not going it alone. She’s joined by the “Gasoline Girls” — there’s power in numbers — which is also a jaunty piano number about not giving up the good ght.
SERIES TO STREAM
Roku has a new program for younger rst-time home buyers. “This First House” follows millennial and Gen Z families as they go through the daunting process of buying a home. They’re guided by renovation experts Zack and Camille Dettmore. The show is a spino of the PBS staple “This Old House.”
The TV adaptation of Allende’s beloved novel “The House of the Spirits” is available now on Prime Video. The Spanish-lan-
Kacey Musgraves performs during the rst weekend of the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in 2025. The country star’s latest album, “Middle of Nowhere,” drops Friday.
guage series follows the trials and tribulations of a multigenerational Latin family. The cast includes Alfonso Herrera, Dolores Fonzi and Nicole Wallace with Allende and Eva Longoria among executive producers.
Rhys plays the mayor of a small coastal town that’s more creepy than charming in a new horror comedy for Apple TV called “Widow’s Bay.” He wants to make the island a tourist destination, but the locals aren’t on board. The reason? They think it’s haunted. The series is streaming now.
VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
Artemis II made space travel look fun, but things get scarier the farther you get from Earth. Take Carcosa, the setting of Sony’s Saros. Not only is it lled with hostile life-forms, but the planet itself is a shape-shifter — meaning its geography changes with each new mission. Fortunately, you have an arsenal of high-tech weapons as well as a nifty shield that absorbs alien projectiles and sends them back as missiles. Housemarque, the Finnish studio that helped launch the PlayStation 5 with 2021’s Returnal, calls it “bullet ballet, evolved.” Start dancing Thursday on PS5.
MARK HUMPHREY / AP PHOTO
Tori Amos performs during the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in 2010 in Manchester, Tennessee. Her new album, “In Times of Dragons,” comes out Friday.
