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WHAT’S HAPPENING Mich. reports first 2 U.S. deaths related to cyclospora parasite Detroit State health officials say two people have died in the cyclospora outbreak in Michigan. They are the first confirmed deaths in the U.S. related to the microscopic parasite. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said Monday that both had underlying health conditions that may have been impacted by the intestinal illness and dehydration. The CDC says cyclospora is a microscopic, spherical parasite that commonly causes watery diarrhea “with frequent and sometimes explosive bowel movements.” The parasite spreads through feces. In the past, people have been infected by consuming fruits or vegetables that were exposed to contaminated irrigation water.
Divided federal appeals court says Trump administration wrong to terminate climate funds Washington, D.C. A federal appeals court has ruled that the Trump administration improperly ended a multibillion-dollar program for clean energy projects. This decision supports a lower court’s ruling that nonprofits chosen to run the Biden-era effort should have access the funds. The ruling is temporarily on hold, allowing the Environmental Protection Agency time to appeal to the Supreme Court. The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, known as a “green bank,” was designed to finance small energy projects. The Trump administration accused the nonprofits of mismanagement and fraud, freezing the funds. The groups denied wrongdoing and sued, claiming legal violations.
Guard deployment to Washington, D.C., into 2029 will cost roughly $1.4B, estimate shows The extension of the National Guard deployment in Washington, D.C., until January 2029 will cost roughly $1.4 billion, according to a Defense Department estimate provided to Congress. The figure offers a glimpse of how much taxpayer money will be spent on a deployment that has been criticized by local officials as an infringement of their city’s autonomy and by Democrats who say it has militarized the streets of nation’s capital.
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Stump speech Stanly County Sheriff Jeff Crisco, center, and other North Carolina law enforcement officials endorsed Republican Senate candidate Michael Whatley at an event in Harrisburg last month, saying the election is “about the kind of North Carolina we want to leave behind for our kids and our grandkids.” Crisco is running for election unopposed.
SCC trustee resigns amid scrutiny over Facebook posts, comments Kelly Lowder’s term was set to continue through 2028 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Kelly Lowder resigned last Thursday from the Stanly Community College Board of Trustees amid controversy over his recent Facebook activity. The resignation came one
week after Lowder published a July 23 Facebook post about race and a racial slur; he later commented that “people are suffering from black fatigue.” It also came three days after the college released a statement saying trustees’ personal social media activity does not represent the institution or its board. The board did not provide a reason for Lowder’s resignation or indicate whether it was related to his Facebook remarks.
“In a called meeting this afternoon, the Stanly Community College Board of Trustees accepted Trustee Kelly Lowder’s resignation from the Board,” the board said in a statement. “We thank Trustee Lowder for his service and will now work with the North Carolina General Assembly as it follows policy and procedures to select a new Board member.” The General Assembly See LOWDER, page A2
Albemarle council appoints Poplin to ABC Board “My motion is based on the fact that we have three very qualified candidates.” Councilmember Bill Aldridge
Split vote follows debate over interviewing three applicants By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle City Council appointed Gerald Poplin to the Albemarle ABC Board on Monday after rejecting a proposal to interview the three applicants for the vacancy. The appointment, originally tabled at the council’s July 20 meeting, fills the remainder of a term expiring March 16, 2029. The seat had been held by John McIntyre, former chairman of the ABC Board,
who died June 16. He was 68. Poplin was one of three applicants, along with Keith Doucette and John Williams. The council first considered a motion to appoint Poplin before Councilmember Dexter Townsend offered a substitute motion to delay the appointment until a five-member panel could interview the candidates. “We hardly ever make an appointment to the ABC Board,” Townsend said. “I think this may be only the second or third time that we’ve had to do this.” Townsend suggested that interviews would promote transparency and help the See COUNCIL, page A4
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inside Ted Lasso returns for its fourth season this week on Apple TV. See what other TV shows and movies are hitting screens in The Stream on page B5.
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, August 5, 2026
WEDNESDAY
8.5.26 #133
Brasseur Trains and STANLY Hobbies opens in Albemarle happening Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County:
The store sells and services model trains and other hobby supplies
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ALBEMARLE — Brasseur Trains and Hobbies held its grand opening in its new location this spring at 154 S. First St. in Albemarle. Brasseur Electric Train Repair grew out of a home business, and Katie Brasseur feels they have found the perfect location to continue offering superior repair services and a hobby shop where enthusiasts of varied interests can find the supplies they need, from paints and painting supplies to model kits and rocketry. A love for model trains and restoring them has passed through three generations of the family. Brasseur’s father-in-law was fascinated by trains since he got his first one at the age of 6. He ran a repair shop in Michigan for years, and his son Dean and grandson Jacob assisted him with the work there. Katie and Dean relocated to Concord when he took a job with Lionel Retail Store at Concord Mills Road. Jacob also worked there as a technician before returning to Michigan to help his grandfather. When the business in Michigan closed, Jacob returned to North Carolina, his dad came out of retirement, and the two began working together. The partnership works well because Dean is an expert in repairing and restoring older trains, while Jacob is knowledgeable about newer electronic models. “They make a great pair,” Katie Brasseur said. “As long as they’re together, they’re an unbeatable team.” The new location is spacious and has given the family the room they need to do repair work and expand to include not only the hobby shop but also an area where kids are encouraged
Summer Movie Series: “National Treasure” 6:30-10 p.m. The America 250 Celebration continues with the screening of the family-friendly, modern classic that combines an interesting retelling of our nation’s roots and the reasons that led to the fight for Independence. Attendees are encouraged to shop local at various beverage, food and arts and crafts vendors before and after the movie. The Backyard 186 Ray Kennedy Drive Locust
Now through Aug. 8 PHOTO BY KATIE BRASSEUR
Dean Brasseur shown repairing a model train. to play and learn more about trains. The area has been very receptive to the new store, with Katie Brasseur noting there are “lots of collectors in the Albemarle area,” and the business also takes repair orders from across the country. Brasseur says she feels “absolutely blessed” by the way the family and its business have been embraced by the community. “The downtown association and the chamber have both worked so hard to help promote us and help make us feel welcome and given us pointers on what we should look at doing and some things to avoid and whatnot,” she said.
LOWDER from page A1 appointed Lowder to the 12-member board in 2024 for a term scheduled to run through 2028. Under state law, the General Assembly appoints eight trustees, while the county commissioners select four. “I resigned because I don’t want the calumnious attack against me to distract the college from their mission,” Lowder told SNJ on Friday. “That’s my final statement on the matter.” Lowder’s original post contrasted Shiloh Hendrix’s then-ongoing disorderly conduct trial, stemming from an incident in which she used a racial slur, with a first-degree murder case against Decarlos Brown Jr. When questioned by SNJ on July 27, Lowder confirmed that the account was his and that he wrote the post and his own comments but excluded the displayed “liked” reactions from that confirmation. The post remained public, drawing more than 1,700
“I resigned because I don’t want the calumnious attack against me to distract the college from their mission.” Kelly Lowder comments, before he limited it to friends and said he had received death threats. In the post, Lowder alleged a “double standard” surrounding the N-word, warned of consequences if white people were to “lose” in the United States and wrote that “maybe the world needs a good purge,” which he later said meant starvation following genocide against food producers. In a comment about the Hendrix case, Lowder wrote, “People are suffering from black fatigue. White people get called racists daily, so why fight it?” He later said the
“The downtown association and the chamber have both worked so hard to help promote us and help make us feel welcome and given us pointers on what we should look at doing and some things to avoid.” Katie Brasseur, Brasseur Trains and Hobbies
Summer Art Explosion Exhibition and Competition Tuesday and Wednesday noon to 4 p.m. Thursday and Friday noon to 6 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. All genres are welcome in this open art exhibition and competition with awards in two categories, 2D Art and 3D Art. Admission is free. Stanly Arts Guild 152 W. Main St. Albemarle
Aug. 11-27 The Art of the Quilt Three Rivers Quilt Guild displays small quilts — all under 36 inches wide — in a free public exhibition.
phrase had gone viral and reflected his analysis of social media. While the post remained public, Facebook displayed reactions labeled “Liked by Author” — with “Author” referring to Lowder’s account — on other users’ comments and images, including material disparaging black people, black neighbors and black single mothers. One reaction labeled “Liked by Author” appeared on a meme depicting a black person with a small brain and the caption, “Ashamed of nothing, offended by everything, contributes nothing, entitled to everything.” Lowder did not confirm that he made the displayed reactions. Instead, he called Facebook’s reaction system “very buggy” and said reactions may be “mis-clicked” and difficult to locate later. With Lowder’s resignation leaving a vacancy, the General Assembly will select his replacement on the SCC Board of Trustees.
Stanly Arts Guild & Gallery 152 W. Main St. Albemarle
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, August 5, 2026
THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor VISUAL VOICES
COLUMN | VICTOR JOECKS
The inadequacy of opposing socialism
It’s like someone who takes $20 from your wallet and then claims he’ll make you better off by giving you $10 back.
DON’T ASSUME socialism’s inevitable failures will stop it from spreading. New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani recently announced that his government-run grocery stores will offer products at a 30% discount. The appeal of this plan is obvious. Everyone would like to pay less for milk, eggs and meat. That this plan won’t work is equally obvious to anyone who understands basic economics. Unfortunately, that excludes many New Yorkers and college graduates. Take a look at the details of Mamdani’s plan. He doesn’t want the city to run these stores. He’s seeking proposals from “qualified grocers or firms to serve as operators” of the stores. “The City sets the mission, the standards and the store design; experienced third-party operators run the stores day to day under those requirements,” a release from Mamdani’s office states. Further, “operators will be required to provide family-sustaining wages and benefits and commit to a Labor Peace Agreement so that workers who want to organize can do so without interference.” That Mamdani doesn’t trust NYC’s bureaucracy to run his grocery stores is smart, but it also shows why the government shouldn’t run grocery stores. Mamdani may want to seize the means of production, but he appears to recognize that government doesn’t do a great job of producing. His premise is also absurd. Most
grocery stores have profit margins of 1% to 3%. Mamdani wants an operator to run his stores with 30% discounts on major items and to allow a union to inflate worker pay. Maybe Mamdani can hire fairies to stock the shelves with products delivered by unicorns. But Mamdani doesn’t expect these operators to lower prices by 30%. The city’s request for proposals states the city “will provide financial support to the Operator(s) to mitigate operating deficits attributable to discounted Core Basket sales and enable cost-effective program delivery.” This subsidy would be in addition to NYC taxpayers paying $70 million to build five stores and then cover their rent and property taxes. Mamdani’s grocery store scheme won’t prove the superiority of socialism because he’s not even trying to lower costs. He’s content to disguise them with crony capitalism. It’s like someone who takes $20 from your wallet and then claims he’ll make you better off by giving you $10 back. If the grocery stores are “successful,” they’ll drive nearby privately run stores out of business, which will erode the tax base. That will require more government-subsidized grocery stores, driving more grocery stores out of business and further reducing tax revenues. This spiral will continue until New Yorkers come to their electoral senses or run out of toilet paper — proof a
country has fully implemented socialism. These are important arguments to make. But they aren’t enough. Mamdani gives his followers specifics that create a clear narrative. According to him, the problem is high prices — the villains are rich people, and the solution is government-run grocery stores. Now, Mamdani is wrong — very wrong — on the details. But conservatives need to imitate his model. For instance, electricity prices are too high — the villain is the left’s push for expensive and unreliable green energy, and the solution is ending federal subsidies for wind and solar. States also need to repeal their renewable portfolio standards. Car prices are too high — the villain is anti-fossil fuel regulations pushed by Democrats, and the solution is requiring Congress to authorize any restrictions on gas-powered vehicles. Now one challenge for conservatives is that real solutions can take years to work, while socialists promise quick fixes and gimmicks. But by identifying the root cause of a problem, conservatives make a much stronger argument. It isn’t enough to point out the many problems with socialist proposals. Conservatives also need to provide villains and solutions. Victor Joecks is a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)
COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI
Fauci’s cowardly Fifth Amendment evasion
The long-term consequences of blanket pardons are exceptionally corrosive.
THERE’S NOTHING inherently wrong with invoking the Fifth Amendment. The perception that anyone who pleads the Fifth to protect themselves from self-incrimination is only hiding guilt is wrong. Innocent people are often intimidated or tricked by those in power into implicating themselves. Others might get nervous under oath and worry about misspeaking under pressure. Former Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Anthony Fauci, who appeared before the Senate committee investigating the government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, is not one of those people. There is some legal question as to whether a person who has received a pardon loses his ability to plead the Fifth since the assertion is predicated on shielding them from future crimes, like lying to Congress. Fauci, after all, could admit to personally creating COVID-19 in a lab and then spreading it himself, and there is still nothing the government could do to him. Former President Joe Biden gave him an unprecedented pardon for any federal offenses related to any pandemic-era actions between Jan. 1, 2014, and Jan. 19, 2025. The long-term consequences of blanket pardons are exceptionally corrosive. It’s difficult to imagine anything that could incentivize criminality and abuse of power with the government more than knowing a president will give you a get-out-of-jail-free card at the end of a term. The entire point of the hearings, Fauci
contends, is to trap him. Fauci says Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.), who released a cache of diary entries and emails earlier this week, says he is obsessed with prosecuting him, evident by his “repeated slanderous comments” and release of unredacted personal documents, which were aimed at “embarrassing and intimidation.” Perhaps. But Fauci, who was employed by the federal government for 54 years, director of the NIAID for 38, has likely delivered thousands of speeches and appeared in front of Congress somewhere around 250 times. If he can’t offer clear and honest testimony under oath, who can? The fact is that being truthful under oath would mean explaining several things: Why, though Fauci knew COVID-19’s fatality rate was likely at 0.2%-0.3% and “acting like a bad influenza,” he told Congress that it was “10 times more lethal than the seasonal flu.” Why, after privately expressing frustration regarding the efficacy of lockdowns in flattening the curve, Fauci not only advocated closing businesses and schools nationally but framed anyone who was skeptical as villains. Why Fauci publicly contended that he had absolutely nothing to do with school closings yet privately took credit for frightening the mayor of New York, the governor of California and others into shutting down their states. Why Fauci privately acknowledged that the wet market in Wuhan “was not the source” of the virus but the “amplifier”
and yet continued contending, with great scientific certitude, that the virus jumping from bats to humans was “absolutely totally compatible” with the available evidence, but the theory of the virus being created in the Wuhan Institute of Virology was a “very, very, very, very remote possibility.” Committee Democrats, incidentally, declined to rebut any Republican criticisms aimed at Fauci or speak on any of the problems of the pandemic response. Many of these Democrats had not treated Fauci’s word as indisputable truth and smeared anyone who questioned his authoritarian remedies as if they were members of a death cult. Instead, Democrats used their time to highlight the spread of measles cases under anti-vaccine activist and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. It’s an important topic. The problem, though, is that Fauci and other public health officials who lied and manipulated the public under the banner of “science” have a lot to do with the collapse of trust in the institutions that help fight measles outbreaks. Failing to get any accountability or full transparency from those who botched the COVID pandemic response only fuels more suspicion and skepticism about vaccines. And, make no mistake, avoiding accountability and transparency are the real reasons Fauci took the Fifth. David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)
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President Donald Trump holds up the Ratepayer Protection Pledge after signing it March 4 at the White House.
Stein, Jackson plan to hold Duke Energy ‘accountable’ in data center pledge More than 200 organizations have signed the Ratepayer Protection Pledge By Jessica Taylor For Stanly News Journal RALEIGH — Gov. Josh Stein and Attorney General Jeff Jackson urged Duke Energy to create a legally binding contract to abide by the promises it has made after joining the federal administration’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge. “Duke just promised the federal government that it won’t shift the cost of data centers onto families,” said Jackson in the press release. “We agree, but a promise in Washington doesn’t lower a power bill in North Carolina. We’re calling on Duke to make that same promise to the Utilities Commission, in writing, where it can be enforced.” “I am pleased to see that Duke Energy has signed on to the Ratepayer Protection Pledge,” added Stein. “Now, Duke Energy must make that voluntary pledge real. “The North Carolina Utilities Commission and Duke Energy must create a legally binding large load tariff to charge data centers their full freight, and they must establish a program that allows data centers to directly select and pay for their generation,” said Stein. “North Carolinians are struggling to make ends meet, and data centers must pay their own way to protect families from rising electricity costs.” Duke Energy is the largest investor-owned electric utility in North Carolina, serving about 8.7 million electric customers and 1.6 million natural gas customers. Last week, Duke Energy Carolinas, the Utilities Commission’s Public Staff and others reached a settlement to establish large load tariffs and new rules for data centers,
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city select the strongest candidate for a board that makes an annual distribution to the city, preferring that councilmembers ask questions before deciding among the three applicants. “We have to make sure that we have some candidates that can really front some numbers,” Townsend added, noting that the ABC Board had lost valuable financial expertise. Aldridge opposed singling out the ABC Board for interviews when the council does not typically interview applicants for other boards. “We’ve had these names
according to the press release. Jackson will participate in the process and has urged the Utilities Commission to create a separate rate class for data centers and large energy users. The attorney general has further asked Duke to make realistic projections about data center growth and ensure that Duke will propose rules to have large companies bear the cost of infrastructure upgrades. Duke is additionally being urged to work with the Utilities Commission to establish its own means of generating power, given that its contracts are confidential. Earlier this month, Duke Energy lowered its proposed rate increase for residential customers, which received pushback from Jackson and consumers. The increase was lowered from 18% to 11.6%. The Ratepayer Protection Pledge was issued March 4 to ensure the growth of data centers does not increase electricity costs for American households and ratepayers. It asks that large energy users, such as data centers, generate and pay for their own power. Leading U.S. hyperscalers, including Amazon, Google, Meta, OpenAI and xAI, have signed on to the pledge. The pledge drives home five points: that companies will build, bring or buy new power supply and pay the full cost; pay for new power delivery infrastructure upgrades; pay whether or not they use the power; invest in local commu-
nities where they build data centers; and coordinate with grid operators to contribute to a more reliable grid. Several companies across Michigan, Indiana, Georgia, Mississippi, Iowa, Louisiana and Texas have reached agreements that project billions in customer savings over the years or ensure that companies cover 100% of costs. “Big tech companies are committing to fully cover the cost of increased electricity production required for AI data centers, and that would be prices for American communities will not go up, but in many cases will actually come down,” said President Donald Trump during a roundtable about the pledge. Alongside corporations, 23 Republican governors announced their support for the pledge and signed it. When asked why Stein did not follow suit, senior press secretary Onotse Omoyeni explained that Stein’s office “did not receive outreach from the administration about signing this pledge.” Omoyeni emphasized that “the pledge aligns closely with the recommendations of the Governor’s Energy Policy Task Force” and that “Governor Stein believes data centers need to pay their way so that North Carolina residents don’t bear the costs of their massive energy consumption.” The Energy Policy Task Force is a bipartisan group established by Stein in August 2025. The task force recommends developing options for large load tariffs, facilities bringing in their own local power resources and load flexibility programs to keep ratepayers from paying infrastructure expansion costs. Omoyeni added that when Stein signed the state budget, it eliminated the sales and use tax exemption for data centers’ electricity use. She also stated that Stein supports phasing out the exemption in place for equipment purchases.
for quite a while now, and we also encouraged people in the community to get involved,” Aldridge said. “My motion is based on the fact that we have three very qualified candidates.” He questioned whether the council would begin interviewing applicants for the Historic Resources Commission or Parks and Recreation Board, for example, if the change set a new precedent. The substitute motion failed 4-3 as Councilmembers Aldridge, David Hunt, Chris Bramlett and Benton Dry voted against it; Mayor Pro Tem Martha Sue Hall joined Councilmembers Townsend Mar-
tha and Hughes in voting aye. The original motion to appoint Poplin then passed 4-3 along the same voting lines. In a July 20 letter, Albemarle ABC Board General Manager Cathryn Clayton and the board’s members had recommended Williams for the vacancy. They cited his education career, civic involvement and previous service as an ABC Board clerk, saying the experience gave him knowledge of store operations and board governance. The Albemarle City Council will hold its next regular meeting on Aug. 17 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
“North Carolinians are struggling to make ends meet, and data centers must pay their own way to protect families from rising electricity costs.” Gov. Josh Stein
Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Jackson joins lawsuit against DHS, FEMA over funding threat States must comply with federal election rules to receive counterterrorism funding
“The last time they tried this, we took them to court and won. … I expect we’ll beat them — again.”
By Jessica Taylor For Stanly News Journal RALEIGH — Last week, Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a multistate lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security for alleged threats to withhold 20% of state counterterrorism funding. According to grant requirements issued by FEMA, states must provide proof of compliance with federal election rules to receive full funding. “FEMA is threatening our counterterrorism funding again,” said Jackson in a press release. “The last time they tried this, we took them to court and won. Now they’re trying again, and I expect we’ll beat them — again. “Hopefully they get the message: Don’t threaten our first responders unless you’re ready for a fight.” North Carolina received more than $17 million through counterterrorism and emergen-
Jeff Jackson, North Carolina attorney general
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North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson, pictured last month, joined several states in a lawsuit against FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security. cy preparedness programs last year. The money funds bomb squad equipment, active shooter exercises, cyberattack resistance, hurricane and natural disaster response, flood risk mitigation, wildfire management and search-and-rescue operations. The election security compliance mandates include:
• States must submit plans to use equipment that accepts hand-marked paper ballots rather than electronic systems using barcodes and QR codes. • Jurisdictions must conduct a manual audit of at least 5% of all cast ballots after every federal election. • States must use the federal Systematic Alien Verification
for Entitlements (SAVE) database to verify the citizenship of every voter and remove verified noncitizens. • States must use the SAVE database to verify the citizenship of individuals working at polling places or operating election systems. • Jurisdictions must match the number of participating voters with the total number of ballots counted. At the center of the issue is DHS needing to verify proof of compliance with the rules. If DHS fails to do so, FEMA will withhold 20% of a recipient’s total Homeland Security Grant Program funding. Additionally, DHS has a condition allowing the cancellation or withdrawal of grants if projects do not align with federal priorities. According to the press release, the requirements for ad-
A5 ministering elections would interfere with the authority of the North Carolina State Board of Elections and county boards. The mandates would also require voting equipment in 13 rural North Carolina counties to be replaced after they had been certified by the state board. Jackson argues that the federal government could pull money during a response, which would hinder states’ planning public safety operations. He additionally stated that FEMA has no authority over elections, and that FEMA and DHS are violating the Administrative Procedure Act (APA) and the Spending Clause of the U.S. Constitution. The APA regulates how U.S. government agencies make regulations, handle legal disputes and listen to public feedback. The Spending Clause gives Congress the power to collect taxes and spend money to pay debt, defend the country and provide for general welfare. Previously, FEMA and DHS were sued in November 2025 and December 2025 by a coalition of states over withheld emergency management, public safety and climate resiliency grants. More than $17 million for North Carolina was withheld, and the court ordered FEMA to reinstate $200 million in canceled climate resiliency grants for North Carolina. The court rejected the conditions DHS and FEMA put on the funds, stating they were not “consistent with Congressional intent or FEMA’s mission.”
FBI investigates as Ethics panel recommends states report water House censure for NC’s Edwards over conduct with aides systems cyberattacks The committee said his pattern of intimate attention resembled thinly veiled advances By Kevin Freking The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The House Ethics Committee recommended Monday that Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.) be censured after finding that he engaged in persistent unprofessional and inappropriate conduct toward two young female aides in his congressional office. A censure registers the House’s deep disapproval of a lawmaker’s conduct that does not meet the threshold for expulsion. Edwards has denied that any of his conduct was intended as a sexual or romantic advance, but the committee said his behavior would “lead a reasonable observer to interpret it as such.” It also described his actions as “beyond inappropriate.” The panel highlighted numerous examples of actions it considered improper, including Edwards providing the young women with lavish and recurrent gifts, making comments regarding their appearance and dress, inviting them to intimate dinners and vacations, and sending notes regarding his affection. Report found Edwards made aides “uncomfortable” The Ethics panel found no evidence Edwards explicitly propositioned any person under his employ or engaged in any sexual activity with them. But it also said he failed to adhere to “the spirit of rules prohibiting sexual harassment of and unwanted advances to House staffers.” “Both women were uncomfortable with his behavior (which they attempted to communicate) but were put in an untenable position by virtue of his status as their boss and a Member of Congress,” the Ethics Committee said in its 25-page report. “Representative Edwards was at minimum blind to that reality, and at worst, dismissive of the impact his inappropriate conduct had on the careers and well-being of two women on his staff.” In a 15-page response to the
NELL REDMOND / AP PHOTO
“Representative Edwards was at minimum blind to that reality, and at worst, dismissive of the impact his inappropriate conduct had on the careers and well-being of two women on his staff.”
Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.)
House Ethics Committee
report, Edwards’ attorneys argued that the committee’s findings “exonerate” the congressman, pointing to the conclusion that he did not engage in sexual activity or explicitly proposition any staff member. His attorneys said the recommendation of censure was an “extraordinarily harsh and infrequent punishment” that is based on vague standards and adherence to the spirit of House rules, “not based on a direct violation of House rules addressing sexual misconduct.” Paul Shumaker, a spokesperson and strategist for Edwards’ reelection campaign, said the Ethics Committee’s staff took it upon themselves to write rules inconsistent with the written rule of law or House rules. “Representative Edwards looks forward to having his name cleared and will work to ensure that the full light of day is brought on this process and that every member of Congress and the public can see the attempt to harm the Congressman who has brought no harm to others,” Shumaker said in a written statement. House members are prohibited from engaging in sexual harassment or making unwanted advances toward their subordinates.
mack (R-Fla.) and Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) to lead a bipartisan effort to combat sexual misconduct in Congress. Their work is focused on making Capitol Hill a safer job environment for women. The Ethics panel said Edwards cooperated with the investigation and acknowledged to them that at least some of the behavior at issue could be viewed as inappropriate. However, he has not acknowledged or taken responsibility for the harm he caused, the committee said. In his interview with the committee, the panel said Edwards repeatedly asserted that he knows well what constitutes “sexual harassment,” and seemed to believe he had immunized himself from such a charge by avoiding inappropriate touching and sexual comments and occasionally telling the staffers that they were free to put up boundaries. “Despite the absence of an explicit proposition, a reasonable person could interpret Representative Edwards’ intimate and effusive attentions, where he prioritized the personal over the professional, as thinly veiled advances,” the committee wrote.
House rules in place to protect staff The Edwards investigation came at a time of heightened scrutiny of lawmakers’ behavior toward female staffers following the resignations of Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell and Republican Rep. Tony Gonzales. Both were facing calls for their expulsion before they stepped down earlier this year. In May, House leadership designated Reps. Kat Cam-
House would have to approve Edwards’ censure The full House will have to vote before any censure would occur. Traditionally, a lawmaker who is censured must stand in the well of the House while the speaker or presiding officer reads the censure resolution as a form of public rebuke. Lawmakers are back in their home districts for almost the rest of the month, so a vote on whether to censure Edwards won’t occur for a few weeks at the earliest.
The attacks come amid federal warnings about Iranian hackers targeting water systems By Michael Casey The Associated Press MICHIGAN on Saturday joined Minnesota in reporting cyberattacks on nine of the state’s water systems, but an official said all systems were operating “safely.” Earlier this week, authorities said cyberattacks targeted more than 30 water systems in Minnesota. The source of the attacks is being investigated, but they came amid warnings that Iranian hackers have been focused on such systems. The reports in Michigan surfaced after the state received a federal cyber alert Tuesday about attempts to tamper with operational technology at water systems. Soon after, the state received “a small number of reports from Michigan communities indicating activity consistent with what federal agencies described,” said Dale George, the director of communications at the state’s Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy. He later said nine systems were impacted. “All systems continued to operate safely, issues were addressed by local operators, and there are no known impacts that posed a public health concern,” George said in a statement. The FBI, which is investigating, has not publicly identified a culprit, and a spokesperson declined to say last Thursday who the bureau thought might be responsible. The FBI, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and other agencies warned in an advisory last week that Iranian hackers have been targeting water and wastewater systems and the operational controls of other critical infrastructure sectors. “The FBI is aware of recent public reporting around Water and Wastewater (WWS) sectors,” the agency said in a statement Saturday. “The FBI and our interagency partners are fully engaged to protect critical infrastructure and we
remain well-equipped to protect against cyber threats of all varieties.” Digital warfare has become ingrained in military conflict, and local water plants or healthcare facilities often lack the funds and know-how to install the latest software patches or take other security steps. That has made them a favorite target, both because of the relative ease of penetrating them and because of the panic such disruptions can cause. Iran’s interest in the operations of water systems inside the U.S. dates back years. In 2016, the Justice Department charged a group of Iranian hackers in connection with a cyberattack targeting a small dam near New York City. Minnesota IT Services said that as of last Thursday, there were no active requests from Minnesota communities for residents to modify usage of their drinking water. The state agency said most of the confirmed attacks involved technology that water systems use to remotely monitor and control equipment. It said that being impacted meant investigators confirmed there was malicious activity involving the system’s technology and didn’t mean every impacted community had their water service disrupted. For a few hours Monday, the city of Braham asked residents to minimize water use as it tried to determine why the water plant was offline. The city of about 1,700 people, located about 70 miles north of Minneapolis, said in a news release that the water plant outage was due to a cyberattack, but it didn’t cause any issue with water quality. The city said the attackers shut down the operating controls that shut down the well and water treatment plant. That left the city for a time only able to provide residents with the water held in the water tower. In Plymouth, a city of about 80,000 located outside of Minneapolis, officials said on social media that their water infrastructure communications had been restored by Tuesday afternoon following a cyberattack.
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, August 5, 2026
OBITUARIES
Christina Barbee Huneycutt July 30, 2026 Mrs. Christina Barbee Huneycutt, following a recent illness, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Monroe, NC. A native of Stanly County, NC, she was the daughter of Grover and Estelle Barbee who preceded her in death. Mrs. Huneycutt was a 1965 graduate of West Stanly High School. In the Winter of 1968 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, she wed Ronald James Huneycutt (also a Stanly County native who preceded her in death) with whom she shared her life for 53 years. Mrs. Huneycutt spent years of her professional life assisting the residents of Stanly County at Albemarle’s “tag office.” Grocery shopping was an extended endeavor because she would often be stopped to answer questions, to which she always responded. Later in her career, she served as office administrator at the dental office of Dr. Bill Hatley, Jr., from
where she retired to spend more time with her husband. She was an engaged member of the Republican Party and assisted with local level campaigns. Mrs. Huneycutt enjoyed life’s simple pleasures: working outside with her plants and flowers, riding the golf cart to visit the farm, frequenting Southport, NC with her husband, making the absolute best coconut cake, and spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Huneycutt is survived by daughter, Amee H. Odom of Wingate, NC; brother, Hilton Barbee, of Oakboro, NC; niece, Kristie B. Nixon (Derrick), of Summerville, SC; greatniece, Danielle A. Huber (Zac Ezzell), of Goldsboro, NC, and family friends Rita Cook of Albemarle, NC and Todd Holt of Albemarle, NC. Mrs. Huneycutt will lie-inrepose from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Friday, August 7, 2026, at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The graveside service, officiated by Mr. Kevin Winchester, MFA, and the Reverend Dr. Shad Hicks will be Saturday, August 8, 2026, at 10:00 am at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery at 17236 Frog Pond Road, Oakboro. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (17236 Frog Pond Road, Oakboro, NC 28129) or the Union County Library Foundation (316 East Windsor Street, Monroe, NC 28112). Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Huneycutt family. Online condolences may be made at www.hartsellfh.com
Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@stanlynewsjournal.com
IN MEMORY
CHRISTINA BARBEE HUNEYCUTT DEC. 13, 1946 – JULY 30, 2026 Mrs. Christina Barbee Huneycutt, following a recent illness, passed away on Thursday, July 30, 2026, in Monroe, NC. A native of Stanly County, NC, she was the daughter of Grover and Estelle Barbee, who preceded her in death. Mrs. Huneycutt was a 1965 graduate of West Stanly High School. In the Winter of 1968 at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church, she wed Ronald James Huneycutt (also a Stanly County native who preceded her in death), with whom she shared her life for 53 years. Mrs. Huneycutt spent years of her professional life assisting the residents of Stanly County at Albemarle’s “tag office.” Grocery shopping was an extended endeavor because she would often be stopped to answer questions, to which she always responded. Later in her career, she served as office administrator at the dental office of Dr. Bill Hatley, Jr., from where she retired to spend more time with her husband. She was an engaged member of the Republican Party and assisted with local-level campaigns. Mrs. Huneycutt enjoyed life’s simple pleasures: working outside with her plants and flowers, riding the golf cart to visit the farm, frequenting Southport, NC with her husband, making the absolute best coconut cake, and spending time with family and friends. Mrs. Huneycutt is survived by: daughter, Amee H. Odom of Wingate, NC; brother, Hilton Barbee, of Oakboro, NC; niece, Kristie B. Nixon (Derrick), of Summerville, SC; great-niece, Danielle A. Huber (Zac Ezzell), of Goldsboro, NC, and family friends Rita Cook of Albemarle, NC and Todd Holt of Albemarle, NC. Mrs. Huneycutt will lie-in-repose from 4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, Friday, August 7, 2026 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle. The graveside service, officiated by Mr. Kevin Winchester, MFA, and the Reverend Dr. Shad Hicks, will be Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 10:00 am at Pleasant Grove Baptist Church Cemetery at 17236 Frog Pond Road, Oakboro. In lieu of flowers, memorials should be directed to: Pleasant Grove Baptist Church (17236 Frog Pond Road, Oakboro, NC 28129) or the Union County Library Foundation (316 East Windsor Street, Monroe, NC 28112).
CHANG VANG JAN. 11, 1986 – JULY 30, 2026 It is with a heavy heart that we share the passing of our beloved brother, Chang Vang, on July 30, 2026. Born on January 11, 1986, Chang was not only a brother but our greatest supporter and confidant. Growing up, we shared countless adventures, from going fishing to watching his favorite sports team, the Green Bay Packers. Chang had an infectious laugh and a heart of gold, always ready to lend a hand. His presence in our life was a gift, and his memory will continue to guide us. He is survived by our mother, Pa Vue Vang; 2 brothers, Kou Vang and Poan Hue Vang; and 4 sisters, Yua Mai Xiong, Michelle Vang, Lisa Vang, and Amy Vang; and nieces and nephews. Chang Vang will be dearly missed by all who knew him.
BRENDA MARIE MCLENDON NOV. 11, 1949 – JULY 31, 2026 Brenda Marie McLendon, 76, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 31, 2026, at Trinity Place. Her funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, in the Stanly Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Monty Clark officiating. Burial will follow at Union Chapel Methodist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 until 11:00 a.m., prior to the service, at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle. Born November 11, 1949, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Brenda was the daughter of the late Charles Cyril McLendon and Helen Kirk McLendon. She was a faithful member of Union Chapel Methodist Church and retired after many years of dedicated service with Stanly Regional Medical Center. Brenda will be remembered for her joyful spirit, warm heart, and genuine love for others. She never met a stranger and had a remarkable gift for making everyone she encountered feel like a friend. Her infectious smile, outgoing personality, and caring nature left a lasting impression on all who knew her. Although she was private about her faith, she lived it steadfastly each day through her kindness, generosity, and compassion for others. She found great happiness in shopping, spending time at the beach, and, most of all, showering her nieces and nephews with love and generosity. One of the many ways she quietly honored those she loved was by devotedly placing flowers on the graves of her family members, a simple but meaningful expression of her enduring love and devotion. She is survived by her brother, Sid McLendon and wife, Karen, of Albemarle; her sister-in-law, Patricia McLendon of Albemarle; four nephews, Charles C. McLendon III (Pam) of Salisbury, Kent McLendon (Meggan) of Stanfield, Brian McLendon (Kristin) of Albemarle, and David McLendon (Anne) of Albemarle; her niece, Kelly Jaquish (Justin) of Midland; and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews, all of whom she loved dearly. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, Charles Cyril McLendon, Jr. Brenda’s legacy is one of kindness, generosity, and unwavering love for her family and friends. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered by all who were blessed to know her.
Arlene Smith, lead singer of pioneering ’50s girl group the Chantels, dead at 84 She proved girls could do what guys did and opened doors for everyone else By Hillel Italie The Associated Press NEW YORK — Arlene Smith, one of the first “girl group” stars, who as a teenager and a founder of the Chantels co-wrote and sang lead on the 1950s doo-wop classic “Maybe,” has died at 84. Smith’s manager and close friend, Paul Errante, told The Associated Press that she died of a heart attack Wednesday at a New York City hospital. Male harmony groups from the Drifters to Dion and the Belmonts were common in the early years of rock ’n’ roll. But female acts — especially black female acts — were rare until the late 1950s, when performers such as the Chantels and the Bobbettes broke through and helped make possible a wave of girl groups in the next decade, including the Shirelles, the Ronettes and the Crystals. “My thing was, ‘The guys are
not the only ones that can do this,’” Smith told the authors of the 2023 oral history “But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” “Maybe,” recorded in a makeshift studio in a Manhattan church, was a spare, pleading ballad that Smith sang with weary force, in part because the group had to run through it more than 50 times. The 1958 release was a Top 20 hit that eventually sold more than 1 million copies and was covered by Janis Joplin and the Three Degrees, among others. Smith and the Chantels were voted into the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in 2002, a year before Rolling Stone ranked “Maybe” at No. 199 on the magazine’s list of the 500 best songs. “The Chantels forced listeners to reconsider doo-wop as something more than a man’s domain, and the reality of a girl group holding forth on guys’ turf laid out cultural possibilities in an entirely new way,” NPR music critic Tim Riley wrote in his book “Fever,” published in 2004. “With ‘Maybe,’ Arlene Smith infused her vocal with so much determined na-
iveté that she transformed all the anxiety of a doomed relationship into a fervent wish for its revival.” The Chantels had a handful of other hits, including “Every Night (I Pray)” and “Look In My Eyes,” but never matched the success of “Maybe.” Smith left the group in 1959, around the time their record label went bankrupt, and she worked briefly with producer Phil Spector, recording the single “Love, Love, Love.” But her career soon faded and, by the 1970s, estranged from the other original Chantels, she was touring with a new lineup of backing singers. Smith eventually received a master’s degree in education and taught music to elementary school students in New York City before retiring in the 2000s. She never married or had children, Errante said. The Chantels ahead of their time The Chantels were pioneers sometimes trapped in the conventions of the era. Smith’s name was initially left out of
the credits to “Maybe,” a theft of copyright common in the music industry in the ’50s. The cover of their first album, “We Are the Chantels,” originally featured a group photograph but was changed to show an image of two young white people leaning over a jukebox. “Things were going on in the country,” Smith told The New York Times in 1995. “There was a lot to transcend.” In “But Will You Love Me Tomorrow?” Smith said she never wanted to sing “girl songs” and instead was drawn to male groups whose “harmonies were so rich and full.” She was in high school when “Maybe” came out, but had been performing for years, influenced by Etta James, among others. As a girl, Smith attended the St. Anthony of Padua School in New York’s Bronx borough and began singing with fellow choir members Sonia Goring, Renée Minus, Jackie Landry and Lois Harris in the early 1950s, when all were in their early teens or younger. They named themselves after a nearby school and basketball rival, St. Frances de
Chantal, and honed an intricate singing style in part by mastering Gregorian chants. “We navigated toward each other. We used to sit in choir practice and make up parts,” Smith told the publication Catholic New York in 2019, around the time they were honored with a Bronx street sign that read, “The Chantels — Hit Record ‘Maybe’ 1958.” The Chantels sang at various local talent shows and broke through professionally in 1957, when Richard Barrett, producer and leader of the male harmony group the Valentines, recommended them to End Records owner George Goldner. Their debut single, “He’s Gone,” came out that summer. “Maybe” — widely believed to have been written by Barrett and Smith — was released months later and helped lead to the group’s touring with everyone from Chuck Berry to Ike and Tina Turner. “It was fun,” Smith later told ClassicBands.com. “You just take your books, get ’em packed. You don’t have a thing to do all day. You sit next to your buddy on the bus, read, crochet, do your homework, look out at scenery, sleep, eat. C’mon, it was wonderful! I didn’t have a thought or care in the world. It was really a nice time in my life, because I was doing exactly what I wanted to do.”
STANLY SPORTS
JEFF DEAN / AP PHOTO
Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle B.J. Hill looks on during a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 16, 2025, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Hill opens training camp with Bengals on PUP list The former West Stanly Colt is preparing for his ninth NFL season By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Former West Stanly standout B.J. Hill has spent the opening stretch of Cincinnati Bengals training camp sidelined while recovering from an undisclosed injury. Cincinnati placed the 31-year-old defensive tackle on the active/physically unable
to perform (PUP) list July 25, four days before the team’s first training camp practice. Players on the active/PUP list may attend meetings and use team facilities but cannot practice until cleared by the club’s medical staff. Hill can be activated at any point during the preseason. While the Bengals did not identify the injury in their roster announcement, Hill dealt with a foot injury last season and underwent a procedure during the offseason, according to team officials. On July 27, Bengals coach
“He’s doing as well as we had hoped, and we’ll just continue to take it day to day with him.” Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor offered an encouraging update, saying he did not expect Hill to remain sidelined for all of training camp. “He’s doing as well as we had hoped, and we’ll just continue
to take it day-to-day with him,” Taylor said. Bengals director of player personnel Duke Tobin also said Hill was “getting very close” to returning but that the team planned to remain cautious as he continued his recovery. Hill, an Oakboro native, has become a fixture on Cincinnati’s defensive front since the Bengals acquired him from the New York Giants before the 2021 season. As a team captain, the 6-foot-3, 311-pound lineman started all 17 games in 2025 and finished with 66 tackles, four sacks and five tackles for loss. His tackle total ranked sixth on the team, while his four sacks were third. In five seasons with Cincinnati, Hill has appeared in 81 games, making 67 starts. He has recorded 291 tackles and 20 sacks during that span. The Bengals signed Hill to a
Pfeiffer hires Oxendine as tennis coach The new Falcons coach will begin his duties Aug. 17 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal MISENHEIMER — Pfeiffer University announced Monday that Chad Oxendine has been hired to lead its men’s and women’s tennis programs. Oxendine, a Rose Hill native with more than three decades of coaching, player development and tennis industry experience, will begin his duties Aug. 17. “I am excited about coming to Pfeiffer University and plan to build on the successful tradition of Pfeiffer tennis,” Oxendine said in a university news release. “I am so thankful to the Pfeiffer leadership team for this great opportunity to lead our men and women to success on the courts.” Oxendine arrives in Misenheimer after serving as a tennis coach at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida, since 2022. At the academy, he worked with athletes pursuing opportunities in college and professional tennis. “Chad’s experience developing players at every level of the game, combined with his passion for mentoring young peo-
three-year contract in March 2025 that keeps him under contract through the 2027 season. Cincinnati enters camp with greater depth at defensive tackle after acquiring three-time Pro Bowl selection Dexter Lawrence II from the Giants during the offseason. Lawrence and Hill played together in New York during the 2019 and 2020 seasons. The Bengals hope the reunited veterans can anchor an improved interior defensive line once Hill returns. In the meantime, his absence should provide more practice opportunities for Cincinnati’s younger defensive tackles and players competing for roster spots. Cincinnati’s public training camp schedule continues through Aug. 16. The Bengals are set to open their preseason schedule against the Detroit Lions at Paycor Stadium on Aug. 13.
“I am so thankful to the Pfeiffer leadership team for this great opportunity to lead our men and women to success on the courts.” Chad Oxendine
COURTESY PFEIFFER ATHLETICS
Chad Oxendine is the new coach of the Pfeiffer men’s and women’s tennis programs. ple, makes him an outstanding fit for Pfeiffer University,” interim athletic director Jeff Childress said. “His reputation throughout North Carolina and the national tennis community speaks for itself, and we are excited about the future of our men’s and women’s tennis programs under his leadership.” Before joining IMG Acade-
my, Oxendine spent 20 years as the owner of AMPTENNIS in Concord. Through a partnership with Concord Parks and Recreation, he directed youth and adult tennis programs, oversaw academy training and organized USTA-sanctioned tournaments. The programs served hundreds of players each year and
created playing opportunities for athletes of varying ages and skill levels. Oxendine also brings collegiate playing experience to Pfeiffer. He competed at Pembroke State University before transferring to UNC Wilmington, where he later graduated. During the 1994-95 season, he played at the No. 1 singles
and doubles positions for the Seahawks. At Pfeiffer, Oxendine will oversee recruiting, player development, practice planning, scheduling and in-match coaching for both programs. He succeeds Justin Fainter, whose resignation became effective July 31 after becoming the winningest coaching tenure in program history. Fainter finished with a combined record of 208-89, a .700 winning percentage, including a 98-48 mark with the men and a 110-41 record with the women. Fainter was named head coach in 2020, returning to Misenheimer after a five-year break from his Falcons stint. Both teams remained competitive in Fainter’s final season. The men finished 15-4 overall and 4-1 in USA South play, with four players earning all-conference honors. The women posted a 13-5 overall record and went 3-2 in conference competition.
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, August 5, 2026
NCHSAA selects next commissioner The transition for the governing body will take place across a couple of months
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Stanly News Journal staff CHAPEL HILL — Brad Alford will be the next commissioner of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association, replacing retiring Que Tucker on Oct. 1. Alford is Director of the Office of Athletics for the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, where he oversees statewide governance and administration of interscholastic athletics for North Carolina’s public schools. He also serves as the state superintendent’s designee for interscholastic athletics and represents NCDPI on the NCHSAA board of directors. Beginning as an intern in 2010, Alford spent nearly 15 years in various roles with the NCHSAA. Alford will be part of a transition period beginning Aug. 24, working alongside Tucker. He’ll be the association’s eighth commissioner for an organization that is more than
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Brad Alford 100 years old. Tucker has been commissioner since 2015. According to the NCHSAA, Alford helped oversee championship operations, sport administration, compliance, governance, and major statewide initiatives during his previous time with the association. He’s a Southern Durham High School graduate before earning an undergraduate degree from Mount Olive and master’s degree in sport management from East Carolina.
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SIDELINE REPORT NBA
Green agrees to 1-year, $27.7M contract to remain with Warriors San Francisco Draymond Green has reportedly agreed to a one-year, $27.7 million deal to return to the Golden State Warriors. Green will sign the deal that essentially matches the deal he opted out of last month before the Warriors made an unsuccessful bid to sign LeBron James. Green is now set to play his 15th season with the Warriors. If he plays in 51 games, he will join Stephen Curry as the only players in franchise history to appear in at least 1,000 contests.
NFL
Vikings suspend new DB coach Alexander for 3 weeks following drunken driving charge The Minnesota Vikings suspended defensive backs coach Gerald Alexander for three weeks without pay following a drunken driving charge in April. Alexander’s suspension will be in effect until Aug. 13, two days before their first preseason game. Alexander, a Carolina Panthers player in 2010, pled guilty July 16 to a gross misdemeanor charge of third-degree driving while impaired. He was arrested at about 4 a.m. after his vehicle was stopped in the middle of an intersection in a Minneapolis suburb. He was allegedly unresponsive and failed field sobriety tests.
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, August 5, 2026
Dodgers land Cy Young ace Skubal in deadline deal Los Angeles sent three prospects to Detroit By Josh Dubow The Associated Press SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Los Angeles Dodgers have acquired the biggest prize on the trade deadline market, getting two-time reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. Skubal got the news during the game and was emotional after the game as he prepared to leave the team that drafted him in 2018 and developed him into a star to join the two-time defending World Series champions. “I’m excited to be a Dodger,” he said. “I’m excited to get down there and meet all those guys and chase three championships in a row. That’s hard to do, so I’m so excited to be a part of that. It’s a lot of different emotions. Definitely kind of a roller coaster a little bit.” Skubal is the latest star to join the high-priced roster for the Dodgers that already has big-name players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Mookie Betts. The Dodgers are in first place in the NL West and were already the favorites to become the first team to three-peat since the New York Yankees from 1998-
2000 before adding Skubal. They began the season with a $323.3 million opening-day payroll for their 40-man roster and a $163.7 million tax for a $487.1 million total. They will pay Skubal about $9.5 million for the remainder of the season. The Tigers would receive three minor league prospects in right-handers River Ryan and Brady Smith and outfielder Zyhir Hope. Skubal is eligible for free agency after the World Series. He has a $32 million salary, a record total in arbitration and is expected to sign a massive contract in the offseason. The 29-year-old lefty said in July it was his preference to finish the season with the Tigers and to compete for a World Series. Skubal took the loss in the decisive Game 5 of the division series against Cleveland in 2024 and then got a no-decision in a 15-inning loss to Seattle in Game 5 of the division series last year. He said it was “very tough” to leave the Tigers having fallen short of the goal of winning a title. “Ever since that ’24 Game 5, the failure that I experienced on the mound, I’ve used that as fuel to try and bring a World Series to the city of Detroit. I truly did,” he said. “That whole offseason I’ve never been more motivated and then go in and
“I’m excited to get down there and meet all those guys and chase three championships in a row.” Tarik Skubal we lose Game 5 again. That failure kind of sparks some more motivation, just to dig deeper and see how good you can truly be. The goal was always to win a World Series for the city, for the organization that took a chance on me. It’s tough. I love all those guys in there. They’re some of my best friends.” The Tigers got off to a rough start and are currently 21⁄2 games out of the last wild-card spot in the American League. “It’s crazy. Going into the season, this isn’t what I planned on doing,” Skubal said. “But circumstances change, situations change, and I’m very appreciative of everything the Tigers have done for me.” “I’ve watched this guy rise to the top of the sport,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “He’s carried us a lot. I’ll forever be grateful that our paths crossed and the things that he did for this organization and for a couple of playoff teams. His presence, his work ethic, his example, his dominance. There’s so
PAUL SANCYA / AP PHOTO
Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal walks to the dugout after leaving his final start with the team before getting traded. much to go through, it’s hard to capture in one quote or kind of one setting. But I’m very grateful that I was able to manage him for the time that I did.” Skubal is 7-5 this season with a 2.79 ERA and 116 strikeouts in 962⁄3 innings. He is 6142 with a 3.04 ERA over seven seasons, all in Detroit. In two
postseasons, Skubal is 2-1 with a 2.04 ERA in six starts. Skubal had a minimally invasive surgery May 6 to remove a loose body from his pitching elbow and returned to pitch on June 13. “The way the surgery went is exactly how it was supposed to go,” he said in July. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tarik Skubal walks to the dugout after warming up Monday before a game against the Cubs in Chicago.
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B4
Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, August 5, 2026
CLASSIFIEDS
Since 1965
“WE SELL TO SELL AGAIN” 250 West Main Street Albemarle, NC • 704-982-3610
RONKEITH & KEITH BURRIS RON, & SETH BURRIS www.stanlymotors.net www.stanlymotors.net
AWD WHITE 27K OFF RD PACKAGE
EDITION AWD 52K 1 OWNER 2023 CHEV EQUINOX LT 19K ALL WHEEL DIAMOND WHITE GRAY .................... 35,995 DRIVE 4CLY PRETTY JUST ..... $25,995 2024 HONDA ACCORD EX 4CLY GRAY 2022 FORD F150 CREW CAB 4X4 5.0 V8 FX4 MET 15K ONE OWNER ....... TOO LATE! PACKAGE WHITE SHARP ............... $35,995 2023 HONDA CRV EX DIAMOND 2022 HONDA CIVIC TOURING LEATHER WHITE 27K SUNROOF 4CLY CLEAN SUNROOF DIAMOND WHITE LOOK ... $25,995 ............................................ TOO LATE! 2021 JEEP GLADIATOR OVERLAND 4X4 37K 2023 NISSAN FRONTIER SV CREW 1 OWNER MED RED MET SHARP ..... $36,995 CAB 4X4 V6 WHITE 18K NICE 2021 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL 43K LEATHER .................................................. 35,995 SUNROOF NEW TIRES CLEAN ......... $33,995 2023 FORD BRONCO SPORT 4X4 2021 FORD BRONCO SPORT BADLANDS OUTER BANKS LEAHTER SILVER 1 4X4 WHITE NC ONE OWNER “8K”.... $31,995 OWN ................................... TOO LATE! 2021 TOYOTA TACOMA SR5 V6 WHITE 2021 JEEP GLADIATOR OVERLAND DOUBLE CAB 56K BLACK WHEELS ... $31,995 4X4 37K 1 OWNER MED RED MET 2021 TOYOTA RAV4 XLE 49K WHITE ..................................... “NOW” 32,995 LOCAL TAN INTERIOR NICE ............ $27,995 2022 HONDA ODYSSEY EXL V6 2021 JEEP CHEROKEE LATITUDE V6 LEATHER PRETTY BLUE NC LUX 1 OWNER NEW GRAY COLOR 15K SHARP ....... $25,995 ONLY......................................... 24,995 2021 NISSAN ALTIMA SREX WHITE 16K 3RD 2022 KIA SORENTO LEATHER 4CLY LOW MILES NICE ................. $24,995 SEAT WOLF GRAY LOW MILES “21K” 2021 SUBARU IMPREZA SPORT 29,995 .................................................. WAGON 4CLY ALL WHEEL DRIVE 2021 HONDA CIVIC SPORT TOURING 1 0WNER 23K ............................ $23,995 HATCHBACK SONIC GRAY PEARL 2020 HONDA CRV EXL DIAMOND WHITE ............................................ TOO LATE! LIGHT BEIGE INTERIOR “21K” ........ $29,995 2021 HONDA CRV EXL 67K MED 2019 SUBARU FORESTER LIMITED DIAMOND GRAY LEATHER SUNROOF VERY WHITE 59K 59K LEATHER .............. $25,995 CLEAN ...................................... 25,995 2019 BLAZER PREMIER V6 ALL WHEEL 2020CHEV FORD RANGER XLT CREW CAB DRIVE 62K SILVER LEATHER .......... $24,995 4X4 FX4 OFF RD PKG MED RED 22K 2019 FORD FUSION SE 4CLY 65K RUBY RED .................................................. 29,995 MET NICE AND SHARP ONLY .......... $18,995 2020 CHEVY SILVERADO CREW 2019 3 PREMIUM CABMAZDA Z71 4X4 LEATHERLEATHER 6.2 ENG 4X4 SUNROOF DIAMOND WHITE 43K “NOW” ................................... 36,995 JUST ....................................... $19,995 2020 NISSAN FRONTIER SV CREW 2019 TOYOTA CAMRY SE 4CLY POWER SEAT CAB 4X4 58K BLACK EDITION PRETTY BLUE SPORT WHEELS ....... $19,995 ............................................ TOO LATE! 2019 HONDA CIVIC LX WHITE 2019 CHEV COLORADO LT CREW CAB LOCAL 1 OWNER TRADE NEW TIRES V6 Z71 73K 4X4 “RED HOT” SHARP JUST ....................................... $12,995 ...................................................27,995 2018 FORD EXPLORER XLT V6 LEATHER 2018 TOYOTA 4 RUNNER SR5TOO LATE ! SILVER “LOW MILES 21K” ........ PREMIUM 4X4 SILVER 63K LEATHER 2018 HONDA CRV EXL LEATHER SUNROOF 3RD SEAT................................. 32,995 50K ALL WHEEL DRIVE TAN ........ TOO LATE! 2018 CHEV COLORADO LT CREW CAB 2018 HONDA CRV AWD TOURING DIAMOND Z71 4X4 LEATHER 80K PRETTY GRAY WHITE 84K LOCAL ONE OWNER ...... $22,995 .................................................. 25,995 2018 TOYOTA COROLLA LE WHITE 2019 CHEV BLAZER PREMIER V6 ALL “26K” GREAT GAS MILEAGE .......... $18,995 WHEEL DRIVE 62K SILVER LEATHER 2017 TOYOTA TACOMA DOUBLE CAB .................................................. 24,995 LIMITED 4X4 WHITE 70K ............... $34,995 2018 KIA SOUL 4CLY MED GRAY 92K 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER XLE LEATHER LOCAL TRADE “BEST BUY” ....10,995 SILVER 3RD SEAT 79K LOOK .......... $26,995 2017 TOYOTA HIGHLANDER LIMITED 2016 FORD F150 CREW CAB XLT V6 BLACK BLIZZARD PEARL AWD V6 98K ALL POWER CHROME WHEELS ....... $21,995 .................................................. 24,995 2016 F150 TACOMA CREW CABDOUBLE XLT V6 RUBY 2017FORD TOYOTA CAB RED 112K 2 WHEEL DRIVE............. $19,995 TRD OFF RD PKG 4X4 V6 GRAY 2016 HONDA CRV TOURING TOO LATE! ............................................ WHITE DIAMOND 77K 2017 HONDA RIDGELINE RTL-T LEATHER SUNROOF..................... $19,995 WHITE DIAMOND 27K LOCAL 1 2016 HONDA ACCORD EX MED GRAY 4CLY OWNER..................................... 25,995 71K 1 OWNER HARD TO FIND ......... $18,995 2017 CHEV COLORADO Z71 2016 HONDA CRV SE AWD SILVER 107K EXTENDED CAB 4X4 V6 WHITE 60K NICE AND CLEAN JUST ................. $16,995 .................................................. 23,995 2016 FORD MUSTANG V6 SILVER 86K 2014 FORD F150 XLT CREW CAB V6 LOW MILES SPORTY BUY IT........ TOO LATE! SILVER 94K “CHECK HER OUT” 2015 JEEP UNLIMITED RUBICON 4X4 SILVER ...................................................15,995 69K LOADED NC 1 OWNER ............ $26,995 2014 BUICK LACROSSE V6 CXL LEATHER SEATS CHAMPAGNE COLOR “66K”...................................... $16,995 2013 HONDA ACCORD EXL V6 LEATHER PEARL WHITED 125K NOTICE OF........................... SERVICE OF PROCESS$12 BY,995 LOCAL TRADE 2010 FORD F150PUBLICATION LARIAT
CREWOF CAB DIAMOND WHITESTANLY 5.4 ENGCOUNTY STATE NORTH CAROLINA KIND” .............................. $17,995 In“THE the Superior Court PLANET HOME LENDING, LLC v. CRISTEL P. CASTILLO; ANY SPOUSE OF CRISTEL P. CASTILLO; UNITED STATES OF AMERICA ACTING BY AND THROUGH ITS AGENCY THE DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT; GODDARD & PETERSON, PLLC; 25CV001608-830 Party to be served: CRISTEL P. CASTILLO; ANY SPOUSE OF CRISTEL P. CASTILLO Take notice that a pleading seeking relief against you has been filed in the above-entitled special proceeding. The nature of the relief being sought is as follows: Plaintiff is seeking the foreclosure of real property at 1120 FREEMAN VIEW DR., ALBEMARLE, NC 28001. You are required to make defense to such pleading not later than Monday, August 31, 2026, and upon your failure to do so the party seeking service against you will apply to the court for the relief sought. This, the 10TH day of July, 2026
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NOTICES
• Director, Emergency Medical Sciences Program
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Crane
Full-Time
AKC-Registered English Bulldog Puppies for Adoption We have AKC-registered male and female English Bulldog puppies available for adoption. They are looking for loving, responsible forever homes. If you’re interested or would like more information, please contact: malyschristine65@outlook.com 2tc
• Coordinator, Clinical Nursing Level II (9 month)
2023 NISSAN FRONTIER SV CREW CAB 2025 JEEP COMPASS TRAILHAWK 4X4 WHITE V6 12K LIKE NEW ......... $34,995
Gregory P. Cowan NC Bar #39608 Attorney for Petitioner Robertson, Anschutz, Schneid, Partners, PLLC 13010 Morris Road, Suite 450 Alpharetta, GA 30004
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NORTH CAROLINA, STANLY COUNTY Under and by virtue of a Power of Sale contained in that certain Deed of Trust executed by Brian Keith Williams and Renea G. Williams a/k/a Renea O Williams to Hutchens & Senter, Trustee(s), which was dated March 31, 2007 and recorded on April 11, 2007 in Book 1172 at Page 567, Stanly County Registry, North Carolina. Default having been made of the note thereby secured by the said Deed of Trust and the undersigned, Trustee Services of Carolina, LLC, having been substituted as Trustee in said Deed of Trust, and the holder of the note evidencing said default having directed that the Deed of Trust be foreclosed, the undersigned Substitute Trustee will offer for sale at the courthouse door of the county courthouse where the property is located, or the usual and customary location at the county courthouse for conducting the sale on August 18, 2026 at 11:00 AM, and will sell to the highest bidder for cash the following described property situated in Stanly County, North Carolina, to wit: LYING AND BEING ON THAT EAST SIDE OF NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY #8, NORTHWEST OF NEW LONDON, NORTH CAROLINA, AND MORE PARTICULARLY DESCRIBED AS FOLLOWS: BEGINNING AT A NEW RAILROAD SPIKE IN THE CENTERLINE OF NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY #8 (THIS IS THE SOUTHWEST CORNER OF A 2.351 ACRE TRACT DEEDED TO LITTLE AME ZION CHURCH; THIS BEGINNING POINT IS LOCATED N. 10-58-36 W. 380.53 FEET FROM THE INTERSECTION OF THE CENTERLINES OF NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY #8 AND HERLOCKER ROAD) AND RUNS THENCE WITH THE SOUTH LINE OF THE CHURCH LOT N. 79-01-24 E. 250.01 FEET TO A NEW IRON PIPE; THENCE, A NEW LINE S. 18-28-40 W. 146.53 FEET TO A NEW IRON ROD; THENCE WITH THE NORTH LINE OF JAMES WILLIAMS, JR. (DEED BOOK 227, PAGE 510) N. 81-44-52 W. 188.46 FEET TO A NEW RAILROAD SPIKE IN THE CENTERLINE OF NORTH CAROLINA HIGHWAY #8; THENCE WITH THE CENTERLINE OF SAID HIGHWAY N. 1058-36 W. 65.53 FEET IN THE POINT OF BEGINNING, AND CONTAINING 0.5 ACRE, MORE OR LESS. Save and except any releases, deeds of release or prior conveyances of record. Said property is commonly known as 44058 NC 8 Hwy, New London, NC 28127. A Certified Check ONLY (no personal 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
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000055-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the estate of Phyllis Ann Graney a/k/a Phyllis Graney deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Phyllis Ann Graney a/k/a Phyllis Graney to present them to the undersigned on or before October 24, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 22nd day of July 2026. David Eugene Graney 116 Cardinal Drive Rockwell, NC 28138 Executor
Oakboro, NC 28129 JEREMY D. GRIFFIN MORTON AND GRIFFIN LAW FIRM, PLLC 161 Ray Kennedy Dr., PO Box 422 Locust, North Carolina 28097 Telephone: 704-888-2311 Stanly News Journal Publish: July 29, August 5, 12 and 19, 2026.
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000353-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executrix of the Estate of Beatrice Love Blackwelder deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Beatrice Love Blackwelder o the undersigned on or before October 31, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 29th day of July 2026. Mary Kimrey 13036 Robert Drive Stanfield, NC 28163 Executrix
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 25E000331-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executrix of the estate of Charles David Booth, Sr. deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Charles David Booth, Sr. to present them to the undersigned on or before October 24, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 22nd day of July 2026. Heather Renee Booth Edwards 8045 Rocky River Road Oakboro, NC 28129 Executrix
NOTICES 26SP000117-830 NOTICE OF FORECLOSURE SALE
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA, STANLY COUNTY. NOTICE TO CREDITORS In the General Court of Justice Superior Court Division File No. 26E000352-830 Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of JUDY COBLE TUCKER, Deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the decedent, or her estate, to exhibit them to the undersigned, on or before the 29th day of October, 2026, or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to the said estate should make immediate payment to the Administrator. This the 23rd day of July, 2026. Larry T. Tucker Estate of JUDY COBLE TUCKER 19268 Sandbar Road
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 Brian Keith Williams and wife, Renea G. Williams. 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.: 26-07337-FC01
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000359-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administratrix of the Estate of Linda Harwood Burleson deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Linda Harwood Burleson to present them to the undersigned on or before November 6, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 5th day of August 2026. Cheri Lindsay 2223 Kenwood Drive Kannapolis, NC 28081 Administratrix
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000319-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Carol Lefler Cauble deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Carol Lefler Cauble to present them to the undersigned on or before October 31, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 29th day of July 2026. Mary Moore Clark 413 Park Ridge Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Executor
Notice to Creditors Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Ruth Ann Goodwin, late of 604 N 6th Street, Albemarle, Stanly County, North Carolina 28001, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the estate of same decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned at 2610 Hwy 218 E, Monroe, NC 28110, on or before the 6th day of November 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms, corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned. This the 5th day of August, 2026 Cindy G. Fisher Administrator of the Estate of Ruth Ann Goodwin 2451 Roundabout Lane Charlotte, NC 28210 Barry R. Howard Attorney for the Estate PO Box 176 Monroe, NC 28111
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000343-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Rosaland Elaine Efird a/k/a Rosaland Almond Efird deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Rosaland Elaine Efird a/k/a Rosaland Almond Efird to present them to the undersigned on or before October 31, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 29th day of July 2026. Jeffrey Paul Efird 620 Lower Stone Church Road Rockwell, NC 28138 Executor
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000356-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Co-Executor of the Estate of Joseph Harold Copple deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Joseph Harold Copple to present them to the undersigned on or before October 31, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 29th day of July 2026. James Ivan Copple 221 E. 3rd Street Oakboro, NC 28129 Co-Executor Angelena Copple 221 E. 3rd Street Oakboro, NC 28129 Co-Executor
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000330-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Co-Executor of the estate of John Parrish McIntyre deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said John Parrish McIntyre to present them to the undersigned on or before October 17, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 15th day of July 2026. Meredith McIntyre Curran 304 Castlestone Lane Matthews, NC 28104 Co-Executor John Robert McIntyre 1614 Arbor Way Albemarle, NC 28001 Co-Executor
NOTICE
NOTICE
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 23E000112-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administrator of the estate of Riva Denise Mason deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Riva Denise Mason to present them to the undersigned on or before October 17, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 15th day of July 2026. Tamela Mason 2108 Waymeet Drive Apt. 105 Charlotte, NC 28216 Administrator
NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000334-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the estate of James Floyd Walton, Jr. deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said James Floyd Walton, Jr. to present them to the undersigned on or before October 17, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 15th day of July 2026. Teresa Walton Lowder 1102 Greenwood Street Albemarle, NC 28001 Executor
B5
Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, August 5, 2026
the stream
UNIVERSAL PICTURES / PARAMOUNT PICTURES / NETFLIX VIA AP
“You, Me & Tuscany,” left, the concert film “Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live),” center, and science fiction thriller “The Last House” are all streaming this week.
‘Ted Lasso,’ Billie Eilish, Stray Kids, ‘You, Me & Tuscany,’ ‘The Shards’ Ravyn Lenae drops “Blue Island” The Associated Press THE RETURN of “Ted Lasso” and Billie Eilish’s immersive concert film are some of the new television, films, music and games headed to a device near you. Also, among the streaming offerings worth your time this week: The rom-com “You, Me & Tuscany,” a new mini-album from Stray Kids and the new series based on Bret Easton Ellis’ “The Shards.” MOVIES TO STREAM A family is trapped inside their home for years in the new science-fiction thriller “The Last House,” streaming Friday on Netflix. Greta Lee and Wagner Moura play parents to two children who find themselves in the mysterious predicament in the Louis Leterrier-directed movie. James Cameron and Eilish share the directing credit on the concert film “Billie Eilish — Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour (Live),” which hits Paramount+ on Thursday. In her review, AP music writer Maria Sherman wrote, “While no movie can serve as the perfect replica of a transformative live music experience … (this) works an immersive magic. Every seat is the best seat in the house in these shots.” Halle Bailey plays a professional house sitter who impulsively takes up residence in an Italian villa in the romantic comedy “You, Me & Tuscany,” streaming on Peacock starting Friday. Equal parts picturesque and improbable, the movie involves a case of mistaken identity and a lie about an engagement that gets in the way of a potentially real romance with Regé-Jean Page. Jocelyn Noveck, in her review for The Associated Press, wrote that it is “a movie as frothy and insubstantial as the foam on a nice cappuccino.” Colombian filmmaker Simón Mesa Soto won a prize from last year’s Cannes Film Festival in the Un Certain Regard section for “A Poet,” about a failed writer named Oscar, that will be streaming on Mubi on Friday. AP film writer Jake Coyle, in his review, wrote, “While ‘A Poet’ might remind you of some other films — one would be Cord Jefferson’s ‘A merican Fiction’ — it is, like Oscar, steadfastly its own thing. Filmed on grainy 16mm, it’s even rough and dirty around the edges. … But if Soto’s
ANDY KROPA / INVISION VIA AP
Regé-Jean Page, from left, Halle Bailey, director Kat Coiro and Will Packer attend the premiere of the romantic comedy “You, Me and & Tuscany” at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 8 in New York.
ter City. He then resigned to return home to Kansas to spend more time with his son, Henry. Now, the Emmy-winning series resumes, with Lasso returning to the U.K. to coach AFC Richmond’s new women’s team. Hannah Waddingham, Brett Goldstein, Juno Temple, Jeremy Swift and Brendan Hunt return with Sudeikis for this continuation of the Lasso universe. Ryan Murphy has teamed up with “American Psycho” and “Less Than Zero” author Ellis to adapt Ellis’ autofiction novel “The Shards” for FX. Set in 1981 in Los Angeles, it stars Igby Rigney as a privileged high school senior named Bret, who finds himself both suspicious of and obsessed with a new student (played by Homer James Jigme Gere). At the same time, a serial killer is targeting teens in the area, and the kids are becoming increasingly paranoid. The show has a roster of rising talent including Kaia Gerber, Hayes Warner and Graham Campbell. It is available now on FX on Hulu. It’s gonna be a minute until Prime Video is ready to release “The Summer I Turned Pretty” movie or Season 2 of “Off Campus,” so it’s churning out the YA shows to keep viewers swooning in the meantime. “Sterling Point” is the latest offering from Josh Schwartz and Stephanie Savage (“The OC,” “Gossip Girl”), who are co-showrunners alongside buzzy up-and-coming director and actor Megan Park (“My Old Ass”). It’s about a teen named Annie who inherits her grandfather’s island after his death. The drama begins is streaming now. VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY
RICHARD SHOTWELL / INVISION VIA AP
Above, Jason Sudeikis arrives at the season four premiere of “Ted Lasso” on July 27 in Los Angeles. Right, Ravyn Lenae’s third album, “Blue Island,” releases Aug. 7. film is loose and gritty, its satire is remarkably precise. This is a farce of creative life where the only pure artistic intention is a joke.” MUSIC TO STREAM The British girl-group greats FLO have found “Therapy at the Club.” At least, that is the promise — and title — of their sophomore album. Expect 16 tracks of R&B-pop bliss. If there’s any wisdom to be learned on the
ATLANTIC VIA AP
dance floor here, it is because their silky-smooth, three-part vocal harmonies delivered the message. It’s hard to underscore just how massive Ravyn Lenae’s 2024 single “Love Me Not” was in 2025. The swoony song went mega-viral on TikTok and became the centerpiece of a lot of online conversation, much of which positioned Lenae as contemporary R&B’s saving grace. But a one-hit wonder with only a dance trend to her name she is
not. “Blue Island,” her forthcoming third album, pushes boundaries — of genre, of expectation and public perception. SERIES TO STREAM Hard to believe, but it’s been three years since “Ted Lasso” concluded its third season on Apple TV. The lovably folksy soccer coach (played by Jason Sudeikis) led AFC Richmond to become No. 2 in the Premier League, behind Manches-
Dogs have been part of video games since 1984’s “Duck Hunt,” but you don’t often get to control them. Koo, the costar of “Beast of Reincarnation,” wants to change that. The feisty mutt and his human pal Emma are fighting bloodthirsty mutants and killer robots in a postapocalyptic Japan in the year 4026. Emma swings a mean katana, but she can call upon Koo to leap in and take a bite out of an enemy — or just sniff out treasure. Fetch it now on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC. In “Big Walk,” you and up to 11 friends are dropped on a mysterious island where your goal ... well, I’m not sure what your goal is. You can team up to solve puzzles. You can go for walks. You can sit and watch the sunset. Sometimes you’ll lose the ability to chat with your buddies, so you’ll need to figure out other ways to communicate. Australian developer House House is best known for 2019’s preposterous “Untitled Goose Game,” and its new release aims to transfer that cult hit’s sense of whimsical chaos to a co-op package. Begin the hike on PlayStation 5, Switch 2 and PC.
B6
Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, August 5, 2026
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