VOLUME 146 ISSUE 58 | WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
Electricity in the air Storm clouds gathered on Saturday night, pictured above looking east over Lake Tillery.
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WHAT’S HAPPENING Trump imposes 50% tariffs on Canadian goods, citing disputes over autos, alcohol, cheese President Donald Trump has imposed 50% tariffs on most Canadian goods, declaring that Canada has unfairly discriminated against American autos, alcohol and dairy products. The move, announced Monday, could unleash a new wave of economic chaos, with risks of higher inflation and further fraying of relations.
Trump opens investigation into Harvard’s aid to international students The Justice Department is investigating whether Harvard University is allowing Chinese donors to create scholarships that exclude American students. The inquiry adds to a barrage of federal probes the Trump administration has opened in its battle against the Ivy League school. Justice Department officials announced the new review Monday, saying Harvard’s foreign funding disclosures “raised concerns” about possible discrimination against U.S. students.
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Norwood starts work on streetscape improvement project Funding will replace aging sidewalks and streetlights By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal NORWOOD — The town of Norwood has begun work on a downtown streetscape project supported by a $787,500 grant from the North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Rural Economic Development Division.
The project covers North Main Street between Pee Dee Avenue and Whitley Street. Plans call for aging sidewalks and streetlights to be replaced with decorative sidewalks and lighting intended to improve the downtown corridor. Grant funding will also pay for cast-iron tree grates, allowing Norwood to plant street trees in the center of downtown for the first time. The upgrades are expected to improve the experience for visi-
tors, customers and businesses. Construction is currently underway, with an estimated completion date set before the end of October. Crews are starting on the west side of North Main Street and will finish that section before moving to the east side. Norwood officials said they will work to reduce disruptions during construction, although some inconvenience is expected. “Every effort will be made
LOCATIONS
• Albemarle-East/ Anderson Rd. • North Oakboro/ Red Cross Rd. • South Oakboro/ Rocky River Rd. • Mt. Pleasant • Biscoe • Locust
See PROJECT, page A4
inside Locust concert series continues with Gump Fiction
Pickleball takes the stage in new Apple TV comedy “The Dink.” See more about it and other movies hitting screens this week in The Stream, page B5.
“Don’t miss our next nostalgiapacked show coming up on July 25 in Locust.” Gump Fiction
The music series will span from June to September By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal LOCUST — The second installment in Locust’s free 2026 Summer Concert Series will bring a 1990s-themed party to the backyard of Locust City Hall this weekend. Charlotte-based cover band Gump Fiction is scheduled to take the stage at 7 p.m. on Saturday with a setlist featuring a variety of rock and pop hits from the decade. “Don’t miss our next nostalgia-packed show coming up on July 25 in Locust,” the band announced last week.
Gump Fiction has toured nationally since 2012, branding itself as “the ultimate ’90s experience.” The group includes vocalists Natalie Lacy and Nick Loder, guitarist Doug Kush, bassist Ken Shufelt and drummer Sean Hartis. The band has performed at festivals, corporate gatherings and sporting events, including Charlotte Hornets and Charlotte Knights games, as well as citywide festivals attended by more than 25,000 people. Its repertoire includes than 100 songs, ranging from rock acts such as Nirvana and Oasis to pop performers including Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys. See CONCERT, page A5
Now Serving Cabarrus, Stanly & Montgomery Counties • Albemarle-West/ Coble Ave.
to lessen any impacts on businesses and customers,” the town said in a statement. “The town asks for patience and understanding during construction since some inconvenience is unavoidable.” The N.C. Department of Commerce originally announced Norwood’s grant on June 20, 2024, as part of a funding package approved by the N.C. Rural Infrastructure
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