VOLUME 146 ISSUE 59 | WEEKEND EDITION, JULY 25-26, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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Some gave all President Donald Trump, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and others salute as a U.S. Army carry team moves a transfer case containing the remains of Staff Sgt. Michael Emmanuel Swinton of Fayetteville on Wednesday at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware. Swinton was killed last Sunday in Iraq.
WHAT’S HAPPENING US filings for unemployment aid fall to 187,000 last week, fewest since 1969 Washington, D.C. U.S. applications for jobless benefits tumbled to the lowest level in decades last week as layoffs remain historically low despite global economic uncertainty. The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits in the week ending July 18 declined by 22,000 to 187,000, the Labor Department reported Thursday. That’s well below the 215,000 new applications forecast by analysts.
Average 30-year US mortgage rate climbs to 6.58%, highest level in nearly a year The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate climbed this week to its highest level in nearly 12 months, pushing up borrowing costs for prospective homebuyers at a time when rising oil prices are already squeezing household budgets. Mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday that the benchmark 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate rose to 6.58% from 6.55% last week. One year ago, the average rate was 6.74%. Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, often sought by borrowers refinancing a home loan, also rose this week. Mortgage rates are influenced by several factors, from the Federal Reserve’s interest rate policy decisions to bond market investors’ expectations for the economy and inflation.
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Albemarle Historical Resources Commission elects new officers Commissioners were sworn in for the 2026-27 term By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle Historical Resources Commission swore in its commissioners and selected a new leadership slate during its July 14 meeting at City Hall. Stephen Trudeau, Daniel Beck, Jayda Contreras, Razan Brown, Lori Baucom, Ronald Perine and John Williams took the oath of office for the 2026-27 term. Commissioners Benjamin Lisk and Lauren Wagoner were absent from the meeting. All nine seats on the commission are currently filled
COURTESY CITY OF ALBEMARLE
Albemarle Historic Resources Commission members were sworn in at their July 14 meeting. heading into the new term. The commission is a city-appointed board charged with helping preserve the historic character of Albemarle and its extraterritorial zoning juris-
diction. Its work includes making recommendations involving local historic districts and broader beautification efforts. City guidelines require members to live within Al-
NC MedAssist to hold free medicine giveaway in Albemarle The mobile pharmacy will visit Albemarle on Aug. 14 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Stanly County residents can receive free over-the-counter medications next month as NC MedAssist’s Mobile Free Pharmacy returns to Albemarle. Atrium Health Stanly and NC MedAssist are scheduled to hold an over-the-counter medicine giveaway and community event from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Aug. 14 at the E.E. Waddell
Community Center, located at 621 Wall St. The event is open to all North Carolina residents. Participants must be 18 or older to receive medication, but adults may also pick up items for family members. Walk-ins are welcome, and no registration, identification, proof of residency or income verification is required. Available products are expected to include pain relievers, cold, cough and allergy medications, digestive aids, vitamins and children’s See GIVEAWAY, page A5
“Please help us spread the word so more families in our community can take advantage of this valuable resource.” Atrium Health Stanly and NC MedAssist
bemarle’s jurisdiction and demonstrate a special interest, experience or education in history, architecture, archaeology, landscape design, horticulture, city planning or a closely related field. The commission entered the new term with a revised membership that had begun taking shape by its June 9 meeting. Former Chair Tim Johnson and Commissioner John Crawford completed their second terms June 30 and were ineligible for reappointment. The Albemarle City Council appointed Perine and Contreras on June 15 to replace Johnson and Crawford on the board. Following the swearing-in ceremony, Albemarle Planning See OFFICERS, page A8