VOLUME 146 ISSUE 8 | WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 28, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
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Two dozen monks are walking from Texas to Washington, D.C., including past Jordan Lake in Chatham County last week.
WHAT’S HAPPENING Judge orders ICE chief to appear in court or risk contempt over denial of due process The chief federal judge in Minnesota says the Trump administration has failed to comply with orders to hold hearings for detained immigrants. As a result, the judge ordered the head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement to appear before him Friday to explain why he shouldn’t be held in contempt. In an order dated Monday, Chief Judge Patrick J. Schiltz said Todd Lyons, the acting director of ICE, must appear personally in court. Schiltz took the administration to task over its handling of bond hearings for immigrants it has detained.
Activists say Iran’s crackdown has killed at least 6,159 people Activists say at least 6,159 people have been killed in Iran’s crackdown on nationwide protests, and many more are still feared dead. The new figures on Tuesday came from a U.S.-based NGO, which has been accurate in multiple rounds of unrest in Iran. The Iranian government has put the death toll at a far lower 3,117 — including 2,427 civilians and security forces, and the rest labelled “terrorists.”
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Walking through the storm: Buddhist monks’ journey of peace The Theravada monks’ Walk for Peace brought their message through Raleigh By Shawn Krest Stanly News Journal HEADS DOWN, they walk, keeping a brisk pace. A winter storm bears down on them, and many have hoods drawn in the 28-degree weather. Two dozen monks left the Theravada Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, Texas, in late October and started walking. Most
of us have celebrated Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s. We’ve done holiday shopping and watched more than half of the NFL season and playoffs. They’ve been walking. Some of them wear sandals, a nod to the weather. A few had been barefoot for much of the walk. Their journey will take them through eight states, 2,300 miles and 110 days, from Texas to D.C. They eat one meal a day, food donated to them. It’s called the Walk for Peace, but their mission doesn’t sound politically charged.
“We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us.” Statement from Theravada Buddhist temple in Fort Worth, Texas “We walk not to protest, but to awaken the peace that already lives within each of us,” a written statement from the temple explains. “The Walk
County commissioners approve $10K grant for America 250 events “We want to engage our young citizens of Stanly County.” Bain Jones, America 250 N.C. Stanly County Committee chair
The board voted 5-2 in favor of the funding By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — Stanly County commissioners have approved funding to support local programming for the America 250 commemoration of the nation’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. At the Stanly County Board of Commissioners meeting on Jan. 20, the board voted 5-2
to approve a $10,000 grant for the Stanly County America 250 Committee. Chairman Scott Efird, Vice Chairman Bill Lawhon, and Commissioners Patty Crump, Trent Hatley and Billy Mills voted in favor of the funding, while Commissioners Mike Barbee and Brandon King voted against it. According to the committee’s request, the grant will be used for outreach and engagement expenses, including event signage, printed See AMERICA, page A4
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for Peace is a simple yet meaningful reminder that unity and kindness begin within each of us and can radiate outward to families, communities, and society as a whole.” By late morning, they’ve already traveled from Apex to Raleigh. They turn from Tryon Road onto Gorman Street, heading for Dorothea Dix Park, where they’ll eat today’s meal. It’s the 91st day of their journey. They’ve lost a walker to a car accident in Houston and their dog to a leg injury, and See MONKS, page A5
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Student athletes in all 19 of Pfeiffer’s sports have a new opportunity. The school announced a new NIL partner to help the athletes earn additional revenue. Read more on page B1.