Stanly News Journal Vol. 146, Issue 8

Stanly NewS Journal

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 gures 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.”

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 playo s. 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

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 E rd, 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

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

FRIDAY JAN.

SATURDAY JAN.

Rogers named Albemarle Rotary Club’s Rotarian of the Year

Stanly News Journal sta THE ALBEMARLE Rotary Club named Mandi Rogers its 2026 Rotarian of the Year on Jan. 15.

Rogers, a club member for nearly two decades, was recognized by last year’s honoree, Louisa Jane Hartsell, for embodying the Rotary motto of “Service Above Self.”

During her 2023–24 term as president, Rogers created and launched the Red Dress Gala, a fundraiser supporting Gift of Life International. She also helped launch the club’s Harlem Wizards basketball game fundraiser. Rogers serves in the North Carolina Air National Guard and works as a senior vice president at Uwharrie Bank. She also co-owns Livi Bug’s Boutique in downtown Albemarle with her daughter Olivia.

At the district level, Rogers serves on the District 7680 Governor Selection Committee and will become assistant district governor for the

Jan. 23

Jan. 19

• Anissa Jeanise Smith, 31, was arrested for felony larceny, felony breaking and entering, simple assault and injury to personal property.

• Arnelle Dion Smith, 30, was arrested for attempted felony larceny.

Jan. 21

• Tristan Matthew Barnett, 25, was arrested for simple assault, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

• Gregory Luis Bustamante, 39, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine, possession of marijuana paraphernalia, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting a public o cer.

• Jessica Leigh Donahue, 21, was arrested for felony larceny and felony conspiracy.

Jan. 22

• Edward Lee, 40, was arrested for obtaining property by false pretense, felony common law forgery and resisting a public o cer.

• Anthony Samuel Walker, 27, was arrested for simple assault.

Mandi Rogers, right, receives the Albemarle Rotary Club’s 2026 Rotarian of the Year Award from last year’s honoree, Louisa Jane Hartsell, at the club’s Jan. 15 meeting.

Pee Dee area in July. She also does mission work with Samaritan’s Feet, traveling overseas to deliver shoes to children.

• Samuel Joshua Jackson, 43, was arrested for larceny of motor vehicle parts, felony larceny and conspiracy to commit felony larceny.

Jan. 24

• Cristian Javior Cruz, 30, was arrested for simple assault and criminal contempt.

• Holli Ann E rd, 28, was arrested for domestic violence, simple assault and criminal contempt.

• Jimmy Ian Furr, 23, was arrested for domestic violence and assault on a female.

• Jose Maria Hernandez, 27, was arrested for simple assault.

• Tory Lee Rushing, 20, was arrested for resisting a public o cer causing serious injury, identity theft and breaking and entering into a motor vehicle with theft.

Jan. 25

• Thomas Leroy Gildersleeve, 49, was arrested for felony breaking and entering.

• Jose Flores Gonzalez, 31, was arrested for driving while impaired.

• Caleb Shane Whitley, 50, was arrested for possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County:

Jan. 29

“Washington: The Will to Win and Conquering Adversity 1732-1799”

A special lecture given by historian Steven Campbell as part of the Stanly County America 250th Celebration. Admission is free, but advance registration is required and can be completed online at Stanly County Celebrates America250! .

Central United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall 172 North Second St. Albemarle

Jan. 30

NeedleBugs

A social group speci cally for those who love needlework. Bring your own supplies. Stanly County Public Library 207 Pee Dee Ave. Norwood

Now through Feb. 7

Stanly Arts Guild Members’ Show

This annual exhibition features the work of Stanly Arts Guild members working in a variety of media and genres. The show awards a rst-, second- and third-place prizes, along with honorable mention ribbons given at the judge’s discretion. Admission to the exhibit is free.

Stanly Arts Guild & Gallery 330 N. 2nd St. Albemarle

THE CONVERSATION

Trip

Ho end, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor

VISUAL VOICES

| NEWT GINGRICH

Argentina’s Election and 2026

Argentina was once one of the wealthiest countries in the world.

ARGENTINE PRESIDENT Javier Milei’s extraordinary electoral victory in October could be a good omen for American Republicans in 2026.

Milei’s party, La Libertad Avanza, won 64 seats in the House of Deputies. His party and allied groups also won 14 seats in the nation’s Senate. Before the election, they only had 37 deputies and six senators.

If Republicans win a similar victory in 2026, it would mean something like 290 Republicans in the House (a roughly 140-vote majority) and 73 Republican Senators (a 36-vote majority).

Of course, a swing like that is impossible in America. Only one-third of the Senate is up for election in any given year, and gerrymandering has created some near disaster-proof House seats.

However, Milei’s victory has proven a reform movement can undertake deeply disruptive, painful changes and still increase its share of power.

Like President Donald Trump, Milei is a dedicated reformer who is determined to profoundly change a system that has been crippling his country for at least eight decades.

It is easy to forget that Argentina was once one of the wealthiest countries in the world. In 1913, the average Argentinian had about 80% of the income of the average American. It took several generations of socialist politicians to destroy Argentina’s wealth. Today, the average

COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE

Argentinian has about 30% of the income of the average American.

This is a lesson that followers of Zohran Mamdani, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders should consider. If the American big government socialists do for the United States what Juan Peron and the Argentinian socialists did for their country, every American will rapidly become poorer.

Milei brought an intellectual understanding of conservative economics, a great television personality and a willingness to dismantle the old order. Elon Musk’s antics with the chainsaw was actually a tribute to Milei — who had won the presidency with that as his symbol. His pledge was to take a chainsaw to the bureaucracy, regulations and political machines crippling Argentina’s economy.

And Milei implemented his campaign promises. In his rst two years, he slashed spending by 30%, cut regulations and shrunk the bureaucracy by 55,000 workers (a 15% reduction). He has also cut the number of ministries from 19 to nine, lowered taxes, and encouraged economic growth and investment in Argentina. All this led to a budget surplus for the rst time in 14 years.

Milei clearly intends to build on this victory. He told an election night crowd, “Today marks the beginning of building a great Argentina. This result is nothing more and nothing less than the con rmation of the mandate we

assumed in 2023.” He attributed the victory to the voters’ “determination to change the destiny of the nation irreversibly.”

Milei has an ambitious follow-on reform program. He plans to change labor laws, make contracts more exible — and make even deeper cuts to federal spending and regulation. He plans to have more tax cuts and to dramatically streamline bureaucratic procedures. His major goal is to increase the economy and boost salaries and jobs. To achieve this he wants to make it much easier to start new companies.

As Milei summarized it election night: “Argentines showed that they don’t want to return to the model of failure. … We want to be a country that grows. We want to make Argentina great again.”

No wonder Trump took great pleasure in Milei’s victory — and why he and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent went all in to help him.

Every Republican should take heart. Faced with a choice between reform or decay, free enterprise or big government socialism, and freedom or bureaucratic rule, voters will side with what works. They did in Argentina.

Newt Gingrich is former speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. He is the founder of Gingrich360, where he writes syndicated columns and comments on politics and current events.

Trump’s outrageous threats get practical results

Trump has proved that the border can be controlled under current legislation.

THINK ABOUT IT. Heads of government do not normally reveal the texts of private communications from other heads of state. Yet that is what Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store of Norway two Sundays ago on the rst weekend of the World Economic Forum in Davos, where the international press would have no di culty nding appalled foreign leaders to comment.

You could think of this as a hostile act of a statesman appalled that the American head of government does not know that the government of Norway does not decide who gets the Nobel Peace Prize. It is probably better to think of it as an intervention by a sympathetic observer who has noticed that Donald Trump backs down from untenable positions in response to ructions in political and nancial markets.

Which is what Trump has done between the publication of his letter and his speech at Davos last Wednesday. The Sunday before he seemed to be threatening war with Denmark, and European commentators, not without reason, lamented that he was risking breaking up the NATO alliance out of pique of not being awarded a prize by a committee that was never going to honor a nonleftist American president.

Proof of which was the granting of that prize to Barack Obama in 2009 for what even Obama himself admitted was for no tangible accomplishment. And Trump has never forgotten the ridicule heaped on him by Obama at the 2011 White House Correspondents’ Association dinner, ridicule that led directly to that ride down the Trump Tower escalator four years later.

Actually, Trump has some valid points on Greenland. It sits astride missile, drone and air transport routes between North America and western Russia and eastern Europe. The United States would have even more exibility than it does under current agreements with Denmark if it were to become U.S. territory.

That’s one reason the U.S. holds on to Guam in the west Paci c and has spent billions upgrading military facilities there.

All that said, Trump’s usual negotiating technique of starting o with extravagant demands was, in the careful words of social scientist Charles Murray, “next-level crazy.” Denmark has been an active ally of the United States in Afghanistan and Iraq, has increased its rate of defense spending above levels Trump demanded, and has adopted immigration policies in line with Trump’s advocacy.

With Denmark as with Canada, as with fellow Republicans in Georgia and other states, Trump’s obnoxious maximalist demands have alienated him from sympathy and empowered the forces against him. Other leaders have gured out that he requires gushers of praise to permeate every dialogue, and they’re probably ready with encomiums for his avowals in his Davos speech that he won’t use violence to obtain Greenland.

It has to be said that Trump’s bluntness and braggadocio have had some of its intended e ect. The American Enterprise Institution’s Yuval Levin, in an interview with The New York Times’ Ezra Klein, made the point that many of Trump’s lurching policy changes, not codi ed into law, can easily be wiped away by the next Democratic administration, perhaps even by a Democratic House of Representatives next year.

But despite his own preference for procedural regularity in making institutional change, Levin admits that “they’ve driven a lot of change that will be durable.” Initial polling reaction to Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, has been negative. But there’s no doubt that Trump has proved that the border can be controlled under current legislation — which would increase the political cost of any subsequent administration adopting the open border policy of Joe Biden’s.

It is also telling that the best estimates of both pro- and anti-immigration analysts are that the substantial numbers of ICE deportations from within the United States, far above those of other recent administrations, are orders of magnitude lower than the numbers of self-deportations. As on other issues (like military recruitment), Trump is uninterested in institutional change but interested in sharply changing the behavior of the larger public.

The e ect of Trump policies, and the possibility that they may be put back in place at some later date, will likely discourage many illegal aliens from living in this country more or less permanently, as some 10 million have been up through January 2025. As I wrote last fall, “Who will want to make long-term plans that can be ruined by sudden deportation or hurried self-deportation?”

We learn from experience, and just as the former real estate developer sometimes seems to accept discipline from nancial markets, so the former reality TV show host sometimes seems to accept discipline from the ratings. On Greenland, he has responded to the cues of the markets and the ratings and backed o from threats of force while retaining the possibility of increasing the already signi cant U.S. presence there. Meanwhile, the NATO alliance remains in place, with its increased number of European members spending increasing percentages of their economies on defense. Three more years of this Trump administration will strain and irritate foreign leaders and American politicians, with wild threats and childish petulance driving one crisis after another. But it may continue to get them, often grudgingly, doing things Trump’s way.

Michael Barone is a senior political analyst for the Washington Examiner, resident fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and longtime co-author of “The Almanac of American Politics.”

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AFPENC o cials maintain they had authority to move the a liation forward

By A.P. Dillon Stanly News Journal

RALEIGH — Members of a teacher’s association in North Carolina are questioning the transparency and consent process involved in a merger with a national teacher’s union.

Last fall, the board of Professional Educators of North Carolina (PENC) unanimously approved an a liation with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), a national labor union representing 1.8 million educators.

PENC rebranded as the American Federation of Professional Educators in North Carolina (AFPENC), with the change announced Oct. 14, 2025, in Charlotte.

AFT President Randi Weingarten and AFPENC President Joanna Loftis signed the agreement, framing it as a “historic” move to amplify advocacy for teacher pay, working conditions and public education funding in a right-to-work state that prohibits collective bargaining and strikes.

Public statements from AFT and AFPENC describe the afliation as the culmination of years of member-driven organizing, aimed at addressing declining membership and limited statewide in uence.

PENC had about 2,082 members in 2022-23, down nearly 4% year over year.

Bene ts touted for the merger include enhanced resources like professional development, legal support, disaster relief, classroom tools and stronger lobbying e orts in Raleigh while emphasizing AFPENC’s continued autonomy as a North Carolina-focused entity governed by local educators.

However, internal pushback has highlighted concerns about the process’ legitimacy. Past PENC President Tim Barnsback has criticized the a liation as lacking proper member consent.

“I got involved because leadership changes raised legitimate questions about governance and stability, and I believed members deserved clear answers so the organization could remain a strong advocate for public education in North Carolina,” Barnsback told North State Journal. “I support a strong, nonpartisan collective voice for teachers, but any a liation needs to be handled transparently so it strengthens, rather than weakens, educators’ ability to defend public education in North Carolina.”

AMERICA from page A1

educational materials, advertising, social media promotion and commemorative items to be distributed at America 250 events throughout the county.

Bain Jones, chair of the Stanly County America 250 Committee and president of the Stanly County Historical Society, told commissioners that the committee has received a $10,000 grant from the state’s America 250 program, making additional local funding necessary to deliver the full scope of planned programming.

One of the centerpiece events will be a large-scale drone show with electronic projections and music scheduled for June 5 at City Lake Park in Albemarle. The presentation is designed to use visual storytelling and music to commemorate the nation’s founding.

“One of the principal things we’re going to be doing is a drone show, a great part of this grant is going to be used in terms of publicizing it,” Jones said. “We want to also publicize all of the events that are going to be across the county. As you’ve heard in the prior meeting, they’re going to

pro t Corporation Act to enter a liations without amending governing documents or triggering a member vote, deeming the action preliminary.

“I’m not trying to stop the afliation,” said Barnsback. “My concern has always been about process and trust. If educators are going to stand together to protect public education in North Carolina, the organization representing them has to be transparent, accountable and member-driven.

“If the a liation is done properly, with transparency, clear documentation and informed member consent, it has the potential to strengthen educators’ ability to push back against e orts that undermine public schools and teaching.”

A request for a membership list was rejected as unrelated, since o cials asserted no member notice was required for board decisions. Barnsback argued this breached statutory transparency standards andduciary duties.

A Dec. 19, 2025, letter to members extended a Google Form feedback period and promised draft bylaw revisions for a January annual membership vote on amendments. The feedback form originally ran for three days in mid-December.

Critics view this as retroactive legitimization of a done deal, especially after the rebranding and public claims of nality.

Barnsback also noted the disabling of the internal member communication portal amid rising questions, limiting discussion.

“I’ve invested nearly 20 years in PENC as a member and served as board president during some of the organization’s most successful and in uential years,” Barnsback said. “Watching it unravel because of mismanagement and poor legal and ethical practices has been heartbreaking, especially knowing how much it once meant to educators across North Carolina.”

In formal emails starting Oct. 20, 2025, Barnsback requested key records: pre- and post-a liation bylaws, board vote details (including quorum and motion), explanations of rati cation requirements, full minutes, con ict-of-interest policies, the a liation agreement, and the membership list to verify notice and participation.

Responses from leadership from AFTPENC o cials, including Loftis, O ce Administrator Catherine Coleman and Executive Director Donnell McLean, involved initial delays, partial ful llment and some denials.

O cials asserted board authority under the state’s Non-

be in Norwood, Albemarle and a variety of places.” Jones previously outlined initial plans for the yearlong celebration at the board’s Jan. 5 meeting, describing a series of public art installations, educational activities, live music performances and community events spread across multiple municipalities. A major focus of the program is engaging young residents. Jones said the committee plans to distribute educational fact sheets with interactive elements for children and provide commemorative items

Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers, testi es during a House subcommittee hearing in April 2023 in Washington, D.C.

with the PENC bylaws and North Carolina Nonpro t Corporation Act,” Loftis wrote in an email.

“All board decisions toward the a liation were made unanimously at o cial board meetings where a quorum was present. Through the process AFPENC has remained compliant with all state statutes and remains in constant communication with our legal consult.

“The a liation with AFT maintains PENC’s autonomy in governance and leadership. Membership will vote on amended bylaws and articles of incorporation wherein all proper notices will be sent to the general membership as required by our bylaws and state law.”

On Saturday, a virtual town hall was held for members to vote on amendments to the organization’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws but also ostensibly to address PENC member issues with the merger.

Loftis, McLean and most board members were in attendance, as well as former Democratic State Superintendent candidate Jen Mangrum and current General Assembly House candidate Kelly Van Horn, who changed her party a liation to Republican to challenge Rep. Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenburg) in this year’s primary.

Attendees indicated to North State Journal that AFPENC leadership didn’t take objections seriously and that questions were de ected or left unanswered.

When members asked about dues increases, they were told the board said that was still undecided. Members were unhappy with that position, saying they were still being asked to vote yes on the merger and trust the board.

Members also asked about union activity in North Carolina, citing an AFT article that says AFPENC has joined picket lines, participated in national political protests and engaged in activities that have never occurred in North Carolina.

As of Jan. 9, AFPENC’s website presents the a liation as complete and positive, highlighting its legacy since 1979 and new AFT-backed strengths, with no public acknowledgment of disputes.

North State Journal reached out to AFPENC o cials with several questions regarding voting processes, quorum of the board vote and the board’s authority to enter into the afliation, as well as questions about member feedback and record transparency raised by Barnsback.

Loftis responded to North State Journal, o ering a statement in email, but no detailed answers to the questions posed.

“The executive board of PENC (doing business as AFPENC) engaged in an a liation with AFT with the general governing powers of the organization in pursuance

at key events, including the drone show.

“We want to engage young people,” Jones said. “We’re going to be doing informational and historical fact sheets with coloring aspects to it. We want to engage our young citizens of Stanly County. Speci cally at the drone show, we want to hand out a magnet that is going to basically commemorate the 250th celebration for Stanly County at that time. This all has to do with totally engaging the public in regards to the program that has been established.” A full guide to America

Members were then told PENC would be “strengthened by a national union.” Certain union activity, like organized strikes, is illegal for public employees in North Carolina.

The AFT article also says that AFPENC conducted a book giveaway for students in North Carolina that apparently never happened. When asked about it, Loftis said that a book giveaway was planned but admitted it has not yet taken place.

AFT has also sent newsletters containing content focused on AFT President Weingarten’s statements on anti-Immigration and Customs Enforcement protests.

AFPENC’s annual board meeting is scheduled for Jan. 31 via video conference, at which time the board will vote on the amendment changes presented at the previous Saturday’s meeting.

250 events in Stanly County is currently being nalized and will be published online on the Stanly County Historical Society’s website.

“I support this 100%, and I appreciate all the hard work that you’ve done so far,” Crump said to Jones. “I can’t wait to be part of it and see what is going to be at all the di erent locations I plan to attend.”

The Stanly County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting on Feb. 2 at 6 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.

Rowan Big Band to perform at Agri-Civic Center

The concert is scheduled for Feb. 14

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

ALBEMARLE — An 18-piece community big band will help set the mood for Valentine’s Day with a live concert in Albemarle next month.

Presented by the Stanly County Concert Association, the Rowan Big Band is scheduled to perform Feb. 14 at 7 p.m. at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center.

Tickets are $25 for adults and $10 for students, and are available at stanlyconcert.com. Stanly County Concert Association members will be admitted free with a current season pass.

Based in Landis, the Rowan Big Band performs jazz in the classic style of Glenn Miller, Count Basie and Duke Ellington, featuring big band and swing music alongside favorites from the Great American Songbook.

The ensemble is known for its expansive repertoire, which includes ballads, swing standards, pop selections, vocal features and solo instrument showcases.

As a nonpro t organization, the band pairs its musical mission with community service.

Founder Ron Turby ll envisioned the group as both a tribute to a uniquely American musical tradition and a way to give back, with members volunteering their time and performance proceeds supporting charitable causes.

“First organized in 2006, we

MONKS from page A1

there are still 20 days to go, likely the coldest and most choked with crowds that they’ve encountered yet. And every person they pass, every day, is seeing them for the rst and only time.

More than 70 people emerge from the apartment complexes on both sides of the street, interrupting their storm prep to see them. Some drove from their apartment and parked in the entrance driveway — taking their car the tenth of a mile to see these men walking across the country.

Police o cers stop tra c, turning cars back to take another route. Most drivers unroll their window to explain why they should be allowed to pass.

A van approaches slowly, with ashing lights, and cell phones are held aloft. “Here they come,” someone shouts, but it’s a false alarm. The van, advertising a local radio station, honks, and the passengers wave.

People go back to waiting. A news helicopter hovering nearby gives a good estimate of how close they are. Someone has a live stream up on their phone, reporting that they “just went under the bridge.” Someone else complains that the online map isn’t updating. One woman talks on her cell phone, explaining to a friend where the nearest shopping center is so she can park.

Finally, police motorcycles appear, lights ashing. Again,

have dedicated ourselves to performing for the enjoyment of our audiences, to preserve this authentically American form of music and to help raise money for worthwhile local charities in the community,” the Rowan Big Band says in its mission statement. “The net proceeds from our musical performances are used to support worthwhile local charities.”

Over the years, the band has performed at bene ts for a wide range of organizations, including Communities in Schools, Speedway Children’s Charities, the United Service Organizations,

“The net proceeds from our musical performances are used to support worthwhile local charities.”

Rowan Big Band

the American Cancer Society, The American Legion Auxiliary and the W.G. Hefner Salisbury VA Medical Center.

The Valentine’s Day concert

has been promoted as both a musical outing and a date-night option.

“Already making plans for a special evening with your valentine? After a delicious meal, head out to the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center to hear the Rowan Big Band in concert,” the Stanly County Arts Council said in an advertisement. “They will be bringing their special variety of familiar tunes Saturday, Feb. 14th, at 7 p.m.”

In addition to the concert, attendees will have a chance to win door prizes, including a $100 gift certi cate to 73 and Main in

Mount Pleasant and a $50 gift certi cate to Yadkin Valley Steakhouse in Albemarle.

The performance will mark the third of four concerts in the Stanly County Concert Association’s 2025-26 season, with the series concluding April 12 at 4 p.m. in a performance by the Salisbury Brass Ensemble.

Established in 1947, the Stanly County Concert Association has presented local live music for nearly eight decades, rst at Albemarle High School, later at Pfei er College and now at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center for the past 37 years.

cell phones pop up, at the ready, to capture the striking image of the monks coming over the hill, in a group, walking for peace.

Except there is no striking image. It’s easy to see the police lights, the long line of trafc trailing behind and the people lining the road, crowding in front of them to get a good picture. The small cluster of monks, however, doesn’t stand out.

As they get closer, their earth-tone robes are visible. They walk, single le. The lead monk carries a sta . Another carries a ag. They walk quickly. People trying to catch up to the group after they pass have to jog to make up the ground. Their arms swing. They say nothing. There’s no message, no sermon, no

wisdom. They just walk. They are the embodiment of the cliché — a calm in the storm of chaos swirling around them, both on the street and in the nation they just crossed.

One shyly returns a wave to a child. Several people step forward with owers. One monk near the back accepts a bouquet from a bystander. He walks on, and after going a short distance, he begins peeling owers out of the bouquet, one at a time, and handing them to people watching them pass.

The crowd begins to break up. There is a storm to prepare for, photos and videos to post. People rave about how moving the experience was, including many who may have missed the point entirely. They walk on.

Bobbie Ann Lowder Lee Frick

Dec. 21, 1940 – Jan. 15, 2026

Bobbie Ann Lowder Lee Frick, 85, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026 at the SECU Hospice House of Brunswick County. A Celebration of Life service will be held on April 4, 2026, at 1540 NC 24/27, Albemarle, North Carolina from 2 until 4 PM.

Born on December 21, 1940, in Stanly County, North Carolina, Bobbie was the daughter of the late Sherman Lowder and Lucille Barringer Lowder. She was a graduate of New London High School and later

OBITUARIES

earned a Master’s Degree in Psychology. Bobbie had a lifelong love of learning and a deep interest in understanding and caring for others. She is survived by her devoted husband, Larry Frick; her daughters, Lesia Mayhew and husband Bobby, and Leslia Lee; and her stepchildren, Melanie Frick, Marsha Frick Dick, Lawrence Frick, Kenneth Frick, and Raymond Frick. She was a proud grandmother to Kolt Whitley (Anna), Tyler Mayhew (Ginny), Darea Mayhew, and Brad Mayhew (Anna), and stepgrandmother to Lauren Frick, Lydia Frick, Joseph Garcia (Stacy), Chase Calloway, Chandler Frick (Danielle), Chelsea Frick, and Chaeden Frick. She is also survived by four great-grandchildren and six stepgreat-grandchildren, all of whom brought her great joy. Bobbie will be remembered for her intelligence, compassion, and the love she shared with her family and friends.

Her legacy of kindness and devotion will live on through all who knew her.

Memorial contributions may be made in Bobbie’s memory to Tillery Compassionate Care at tillerycompassionatecare.org or to Monarch at monarchnc.org/ giving-to-monarch/

Celebrate the life of your loved ones. Submit obituaries and death notices to be published in Stanly News Journal at obits@ stanlynewsjournal.com

Dr. William Foege, leader in smallpox eradication, dies

He was CDC director in the ’70s and ’80s

By Mike Stobbe The Associated Press

ATLANTA — Dr. William

Foege, a leader of one of humanity’s greatest public health victories — the global eradication of smallpox — has died.

Foege died Saturday in Atlanta at the age of 89, according to the Task Force for Global Health, which he co-founded.

The 6-foot-7 inch Foege literally stood out in the eld of public health. A whip-smart medical doctor with a calm demeanor, he had a canny knack for beating back infectious diseases.

He was director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the late 1970s and early 1980s, and later held other key leadership roles in campaigns against international health problems.

But his greatest achievement came before all that with his work on smallpox, one of the most lethal diseases in human history. For centuries, it killed about one-third of the people it infected and left most survivors with deep scars on their faces from the pus- lled lesions.

Smallpox vaccination campaigns were well established by the time Foege was a young doctor. Indeed, it was no longer seen in the United States. But infections were still occurring elsewhere, and e orts to stamp them out were stalling.

Working as a medical missionary in Nigeria in the 1960s, Foege and his colleagues developed a “ring containment” strategy, in which a smallpox outbreak was contained by identifying each smallpox case and vaccinating everyone who the patients might come into contact with.

The method relied heavily on quick detective work and was born out of necessity. There simply wasn’t enough vaccine

available to immunize everyone, Foege wrote in “House on Fire,” his 2011 book about the smallpox eradication e ort. It worked and became pivotal in helping rid the world of smallpox for good. The last naturally occurring case was seen in Somalia in 1977. In 1980, the World Health Organization declared smallpox eradicated from the Earth.

“If you look at the simple metric of who has saved the most lives, he is right up there with the pantheon,” said former CDC director Dr. Tom Frieden, who consulted with Foege regularly. “Smallpox eradication has prevented hundreds of millions of deaths.” Foege was born March 12, 1936. His father was a Lutheran minister, but he became interested in medicine at 13 while working at a drugstore in Colville, Washington. He got his medical degree from the University of Washington in 1961 and a master’s in public health from Harvard in 1965. He was director of the Atlanta-based CDC from 1977 to 1983, then held other international public health leadership roles, including stints as executive director at The Car-

“If you look at the simple metric of who has saved the most lives, he is right up there with the pantheon.”

Dr. Tom Frieden, former CDC director

ter Center and senior fellow at the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

In 2012, President Barack Obama presented Foege with the Medal of Freedom, the nation’s highest civilian honor. In 2016, while awarding Foege an honorary degree, Duke University President President Richard Brodhead called him “the Father of Global Health.”

“Bill Foege had an un agging commitment to improving the health of people across the world, through powerful, purpose-driven coalitions applying the best science available,” Task Force for Global Health CEO Dr. Patrick O’Carroll said in a statement. “We try to honor that commitment in every one of our programs, every day.”

Geo rey Mason, TV producer for coverage of 1972 Munich Olympics hostage crisis, dead at 85

The Duke graduate worked in sports TV for decades

By Joe Reedy

The Associated Press

GEOFFREY MASON, who had a ve-decade career in sports television and was best known as the coordinating producer for ABC’s coverage of the 1972 Munich Olympic Games hostage crisis, has died. He was 85. ESPN said Mason died Sunday in Naples, Florida. He died of natural causes, according to his family.

“Geo was a giant visionary in television, never seeking credit,” former ESPN President Steve Bornstein said. “He preferred leading and mentoring teams, connecting people to projects, and was devoted to people and recovery of all sorts. He was a great teacher and mentor to everyone who came in his orbit.”

Over the course of his career, Mason worked on eight Olympics. As a young producer on Sept. 5, 1972, he was in the control room in Munich, Germany, when the Palestinian militant group Black September stormed the Olympic village and took Israeli Olympic team members hostage.

ABC provided continuous coverage for 22 hours, culminating in a failed rescue at-

tempt where six Israeli coaches and ve athletes died. Jim McKay broke the news with, “They’re all gone.” Mason was a consultant on the script and every aspect of production for the 2024 feature lm “September 5,” which recreates what it was like in the ABC control room that day. The international broadcast center in Munich was 100 yards away from where the hostage crisis was taking place in the Olympic village. The movie recreates the moment when West German police stormed the control room and pointed guns at Mason’s face. This happened because one of ABC’s cameras was showing a tactical squad taking position on the roof above the hostages. Mason ended up

cutting o the camera’s feed.

It is estimated that nearly 900 million people worldwide at some point viewed ABC’s coverage.

“Geo told me that day there was no chance to think,” said John Magaro, who played Mason, in 2025. “Their singular goal was to stay on the air to keep the story going, to do their job as sports broadcasters. Once the clock starts ticking, there’s no chance to think.”

Mason’s career was largely spent with ABC and ESPN, but he also worked for NBC, Fox, NFL Network and other television entities. He began as a production associate at ABC Sports in 1967, working on “Wide World of Sports” and the 1968 Winter and Summer Olympics. Over the years, he earned 24 Emmy Awards and was inducted into the Sports Broadcasting Hall of Fame in 2010.

He also worked on Super Bowl 25, “Monday Night Football”, the World Series, horse racing’s Triple Crown, the Indianapolis 500, and the FIFA Men’s and Women’s World Cup tournaments.

He is also known for his coverage of the 1986-87 America’s Cup from Fremantle, Australia.

“Geo Mason was a friend and a colleague who had a storied career, touching just about every corner of the sports television industry,” said Bob Iger, CEO of The Walt Disney Com-

Sept. 5,

pany, which owns ABC and ESPN. “He had a passion for the business, which was evidenced in his prodigious work ethic and the constant love and enthusiasm he exhibited on everything he worked on.

Mason was selected by Jim Valvano as a founding board member of the V Foundation for Cancer Research and a longtime board member of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. He delivered a eulogy during Betty Ford’s funeral in 2011.

“Geo rey was a force of nature in our industry for six de -

cades, but more important is all the help he gave to so many people through his association with the Betty Ford Center. He changed so many lives personally and professionally,” said former CBS Sports chairman Sean McManus, who worked with Mason at both ABC and NBC. Mason was a veteran of the U.S. Navy and graduated from Duke University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 1963. Survivors include wife Chris, son Geo Jr. and brother David.

STANLY SPORTS

North Stanly boys defeat Albemarle to win eighth straight

The Comets are 5-0 in conference play

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

MISENHEIMER — Now riding an eight-game winning streak, the North Stanly boys’ basketball team improved to 18-1 overall with a 48-45 road victory over Albemarle on Friday night.

The two Yadkin Valley Conference teams squared o at Pfei er University’s Merner

Gym in Misenheimer, where the Comets held o the Bulldogs to remain unbeaten in league play.

North Stanly improved to 5-0 in YVC action and continues to sit alone in rst place in the conference standings, while Albemarle fell to 6-11 overall and 2-2 in conference play with the narrow loss.

The Bulldogs came close to handing the Comets their second loss of the season; North Stanly’s lone defeat came Dec. 30 in a 52-36 home loss to Lexington Senior. In 18 victo -

ries this season, only three opponents have nished within three points of the Comets.

Friday’s win also marked a milestone for North Stanly coach George Walker, who earned his 200th career victory. Walker was presented with a commemorative basketball following the game and posed for photos with his players.

North Stanly needs four more wins to match the win total from last season’s 22-7 campaign, which was its best nish in seven years. The Comets will visit Union Academy on

Wednesday and Gray Stone on Friday. Albemarle visits South Stanly on Thursday before hosting Union Academy in conference action this week.

South Stanly 67, Gray Stone 46

Following a stretch where South Stanly lost six out of nine games, the Rowdy Rebel Bulls (7-11, 1-3 YVC) have now won two in a row after defeating the Gray Stone Knights (1-18, 0-5 YVC) by

67- 46 in Norwood on Friday. The Bulls have matchups with Albemarle (Thursday) and North Rowan (Friday) ahead, while the Knights will look for their second win of the season as they challenge Montgomery Central (Wednesday) and North Rowan (Thursday).

West Stanly 74, CATA 62

Playing in Monroe on Friday, West Stanly (7-11, 2-5 Rocky River Conference) defeated the CATA Cougars (6-13, 0-7 RRC) by a dozen as the Colts snapped a six-game losing streak.

West Stanly is set to host Parkwood on Wednesday before hitting the road to face Monroe on Friday. With a 2-5 conference record, the Colts still have a chance to climb back into the top half of the RRC standings if they can reel o a group of wins.

Falcons will be able to generate income through In uxer

By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal

MISENHEIMER — Pfei er University student athletes across all 19 athletic programs now have a new avenue to market themselves through name, image and likeness (NIL) opportunities.

Pfei er’s athletic department announced Monday that it has partnered with In uxer as its rst o cial NIL partner, a move that will allow every Falcons student athlete to create a personal online store featuring Pfei er-branded merchandise.

With the partnership, Pfei er joins Southern Virginia University as the only two USA South Athletic Conference institutions currently working with In uxer.

“We are excited to partner with In uxer to give Pfei er student-athletes an entry point into their own NIL space,” said Je Childress, Pfei er’s interim athletic director. “All current student-athletes at Pfei er have the same opportunity to build their award-winning brand with access to the resources that In uxer o ers. This will allow our Falcon student-athletes to continue not only to bene t using their own name, image and likeness, but will also boost and enhance Pfei er’s pro le in our area

“We are excited to partner with In uxer to give Pfei er student athletes an entry point into their own NIL space.”

Je Childress, Pfei er’s interim athletic director

and throughout the region.”

As part of the agreement, student athletes will have access to one-on-one coaching with In uxer sta , as well as

paid internships to gain experience in marketing, graphic design, business and other industry-related areas.

Once a student athlete opts in, fans will be able to purchase their apparel through the o cial Pfei er In uxer store and individual personalized sites. All merchandise designs are approved by the university and are made available across each sport’s athlete stores.

The product lineup includes hats, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jerseys, tumblers and other items, with additional designs

and products planned to release throughout the year. Founded in Dallas, Texas, in 2022, In uxer was created to connect student athletes with resources needed to succeed in the evolving NIL market.

“In uxer is excited to work with Pfei er University because the Athletics Administration as well as the University Communications and Marketing sta understand not only the immediate bene ts of working with us but also the long-term resources for their student athletes,” In uxer Vice President Keith

Miller said in a statement.

“NIL is not simply transactional, but an opportunity which In uxer wants to further into the development process for their student athletes.”

In uxer currently works with more than 50,000 student athletes at over 590 universities nationwide, providing opportunities for athletes to sell personalized merchandise using o cially-licensed school branding.

The o cial Pfei er In uxer online store is now accessible at in uxermerch.com/colleges/pfei er-university.

NCAA FOOTBALL

College Football Playo to remain at 12 teams

The College Football Playo will remain at 12 teams after the commissioners of the Southeastern Conference and Big Ten couldn’t come up with a compromise for expansion. The CFP Management Committee announced the 12-team format would stay the same for the 2026-27 season, providing additional time for evaluation and discussion on potential changes in the future. The CFP went from four teams to 12 teams for the 2024 season, and the two most powerful conferences favored further expansion but could not agree on a number.

NBA

Former Heat security o cer gets 3 years in prison for selling stolen memorabilia

Miami

A former Miami Heat security o cer has been sentenced to three years in federal prison and ordered to pay nearly $1.9 million in restitution for stealing hundreds of game-worn jerseys and other sports memorabilia while working for the team. Marcos Thomas Perez, 62, was sentenced earlier this month. He pleaded guilty last August to transporting and transferring stolen goods in interstate commerce. The 25-year retired veteran of the Miami Police Department worked for the Heat from 2016 to 2021 and as an NBA security employee from 2022 to 2025.

NFL

Former 49ers quarterback, MVP Brodie dead at 90

Former MVP and longtime San Francisco 49ers quarterback John Brodie died at the age of 90. Brodie had a stroke in 2000. Brodie played for the 49ers from 1957-73 after breaking every major passing record at Stanford. He later played on the Senior PGA Tour and won the 1991 Security Paci c Senior Classic. Brodie’s 17 seasons still represent a 49ers franchise record, and his 31,548 yards passing rank second to Joe Montana on San Francisco’s career passing list.

NCAA BASKETBALL

Bediako makes immediate impact in return for Alabama

Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Alabama’s Charles Bediako had four dunks, two steals and two blocks in his rst college action in nearly three years against Tennessee. Playing two days after a Tuscaloosa judge temporarily reinstated his college eligibility and blocked the NCAA from retaliating for his return, the 23-year-old 7-footer nished with 13 points and three rebounds in a 79 -73 loss to the Volunteers. Bediako helped the 17th-ranked Crimson Tide score 26 points in the paint while building a 39-36 lead at the break.

NFL

Packers o ensive tackle Walker arrested on gun possession charge at LaGuardia Airport

Green Bay Packers o ensive tackle Rasheed Walker has been arrested after police say he presented a rearm for inspection without proper credentials at LaGuardia Airport. Port Authority police said Walker was arrested Friday morning after they responded to a request for a rearms check. Arthur Aidala, the lawyer representing Walker said his client voluntarily disclosed an unloaded, secured rearm upon his arrival at the airport. Aidala said Walker was arrested because his license wasn’t valid in New York and “we are con dent the matter will eventually be dismissed.”

Share with your community! Send us your births, deaths, marriages, graduations and other announcements: community@stanlynewsjournal.com | Weekly deadline is Monday at Noon

SOUTH STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL

7-11, 1-3 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A

Last week’s scores:

• Won 49-39 at West Stanly

• Won 67-46 vs. Gray Stone Day

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 29 vs. Albemarle

• Jan. 30 vs. North Rowan

• Feb. 3 at North Stanly

SOUTH STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

5-10, 1-4 in Yadkin Valley 2A/3A

Last week’s scores:

• Lost 71-64 at West Stanly

• Won 55-51 vs. Gray Stone Day

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 29 vs. Albemarle

• Jan. 30 vs. North Rowan

• Feb. 3 at North Stanly

WEST STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL

• Jan. 30 at Gray Stone Day

• Feb. 3 vs. South Stanly

NORTH STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

14-3, 5-0 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores:

• Won 58-32 at Anson

• Won 43-41 (OT) at Albemarle

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 28 at Union Academy

• Jan. 30 at Gray Stone Day

• Feb. 3 vs. South Stanly

ALBEMARLE BOYS’ BASKETBALL

6-11, 2-2 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores:

• Won 58-56 at Christ the King

• Lost 48-45 vs. North Stanly

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 29 at South Stanly

• Jan. 30 vs. Union Academy

• Feb. 3 vs. North Rowan

ALBEMARLE

GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

By Jenna Fryer

The Associated Press

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Felipe Nasr’s time in Formula 1 had ended after two underwhelming seasons and the Brazilian was left with little to do as an open-wheel racing driver.

He migrated to sports cars and spent four seasons driving for the team owned by NASCAR chairman Jim France. Then came an opportunity he couldn’t turn down: a clandestine meeting with Roger Penske to discuss developing a new sports car program with the factory backing of Porsche.

They met in a parking lot, and Penske was immediately impressed.

“He showed up in a blue suit, and I said, ‘That’s my kind of guy,’” the 88-year-old team owner said.

Team Penske opened the 60th anniversary of its organization with a win in the rst race of the year — a three -peat, no less — in the Rolex 24 at Daytona.

“The driving he’s done for us, at the end, that was probably one of the best drives I’ve ever seen,” Penske said.

The Penske squad became the third team in the 64-year history of the most prestigious endurance race in the United States to win three in a row. His Porsche Penske Motorsports team joined Chip Ganassi Racing and Wayne Taylor Racing as the only teams

“The driving he’s done for us, at the end, that was probably one of the best drives I’ve ever seen,” Roger Penske on Felipe Nasr

to win three straight sports car races at Daytona International Speedway.

It was the fth overall Rolex victory in the event for Porsche and the 46th overall IMSA victory for Penske.

What’s most impressive for Penske is that the team has won three years in a row with three di erent lineups; Nasr, the Penske closer, is the only mainstay on all three entries, and he was openly weeping in Victory Lane.

“It’s a moment I dreamed of — the desire to win is what makes you go beyond and further,” Nasr said. “I love this sport, I love this series, and the 24-hour (race) being decided in the last few minutes is just incredible.”

“The Penske was in a good form from beginning to end,”

Nasr said. “The winning feeling — they are special — it’s hard to pick a favorite one. I have no words to describe it, it’s just a unique feeling.”

Nasr actually has four Rolex titles — except his fourth was not in the top class.

This one didn’t come easy for Nasr, driving in front of the largest Rolex crowd in race history, as he held o his former team, the Cadillac from Action Express Racing, over the nal hour to win the

overall title. The Action Express car originally won the pole but was disquali ed in post-qualifying inspection.

That forced the No. 31 Cadillac to start last in class, and the lineup of Jack Aitken, Earl Bamber, Mercedes Formula 1 driver Fred Vesti and NASCAR rising star Connor Zilisch weaved their way to second.

Nasr and Aitken closed the races for their respective teams, and Aitken got several good looks at passing Nasr for the win in the nal 25 minutes, but Nasr closed the door on him at every chance.

Nasr cruised to victory in an overhauled No. 7 Porsche 963 with teammates Julien Andlauer and Laurin Heinrich. The Porsche beat the Cadillac by 1 minute, .569 seconds.

The No. 24 BMW M Team WRT nished third in the top GTP class with the quartet of Sheldon van der Linde, Dries Vanthoor, Robin Frijns and Rene Rast.

The caution was thrown for foggy conditions shortly before 1 a.m. and lasted for a race-record 6 hours, 33 minutes, 25 seconds covering 120 laps. The caution was so long that Penske, who prides himself on staying awake and on the pit stand the entire 24 hours, actually took a midrace break.

The Rolex marks the unofcial start of the motorsports season, and this year’s race featured 60 cars from 12 different automakers, 228 drivers from 32 countries and no clear favorite aside from the two-car Penske e ort.

7-11, 2-5 in Rocky River

4A/5A

Last week’s scores:

• Lost 74-46 at Mount Pleasant

• Lost 49-39 vs. South Stanly

• Won 74-62 at Central Academy

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 28 vs. Parkwood

• Jan. 30 at Monroe

• Feb. 3 at Forest Hills

WEST STANLY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

9-9, 4-3 in Rocky River 4A/5A

Last week’s scores:

• Lost 53-45 at Mount Pleasant

• Won 71-64 vs. South Stanly

• Won 49-29 at Central Academy

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 28 vs. Parkwood

• Jan. 30 at Monroe

• Feb. 3 at Forest Hills

NORTH STANLY BOYS’ BASKETBALL

18-1, 5-0 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores:

• Won 50-36 at Anson

• Won 48-45 at Albemarle

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 28 at Union Academy

8-10, 2-3 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores:

• Lost 55-35 at Christ the King

• Lost 43-41 (OT) vs. North Stanly

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 29 at South Stanly

• Jan. 30 vs. Union Academy

• Feb. 3 vs. North Rowan

GRAY STONE DAY BOYS’ BASKETBALL

1-18, 0-5 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores:

• Lost 58-39 at Math & Science Academy

• Lost 78-36 at Sun Valley

• Lost 67-46 at South Stanly

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 28 vs. Montgomery

• Jan. 29 at North Rowan

• Jan. 30 vs. North Stanly

• Feb. 3 at Union Academy

GRAY STONE DAY GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

2-12, 0-5 in Yadkin Valley

Last week’s scores:

• Lost 43-38 at Sun Valley

• Lost 55-51 at South Stanly

This week’s schedule:

• Jan. 29 at North Rowan

• Jan. 30 vs. North Stanly

• Feb. 3 at Union Academy

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NOTICES

NOTICES NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000020-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Administratrix of the estate of Florence Irene Haywood, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Florence Irene Haywood to present them to the undersigned on or before April 23, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 21st day of January 2026. Angela Irene Thornburg 139 Meadow View Drive Saluda, NC 28773 Administratrix

NOTICES

Having quali ed as Administrator of the Estate of Robert J. Nabet, late of 114 Deer eld Lane, Locust, Stanly County, North Carolina, the undersigned does hereby notify all persons, rms and corporations having claims against the estate of said decedent to exhibit them to the undersigned c/o attorney Kelly Rains Jesson at 5821 Fairview Road, Suite 218, Charlotte, North Carolina, 28209, on or before April 14, 2026, or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, rms and corporations indebted to the said estate will please make immediate payment to the undersigned.

This 14th day of January, 2026. Austin Nabet, Administrator of the Estate of Robert J. Nabet Kelly Rains Jesson, Esq. Jesson & Rains, PLLC 5821 Fairview Road, Suite 218 Charlotte, NC 28209

26E000009-830

(For Publication: Dates 01/14/2026, 01/21/2026, 01/28/2026, and 02/04/2026)

NOTICES

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000002-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS

Having quali ed as Administratrix of the estate of Mary Guill Holsinger, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Mary Guill Holsinger to present them to the undersigned on or before April 15, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 14th day of January 2026. Wendy Holsinger Salisbury 790 Sunderland Road Concord, NC 28027 AdministratrixS

NOTICES

NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 24E0000435-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Bruce C. Nance, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said to present them to the undersigned on or before April 13,2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 7th day of January 2026. Kheknoy Sisavath, Executor 250 Nance Rd Stan eld NC 28163

NOTICES

IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE DISTRICT COURT – JUVENILE DIVISION FILE NORTH CAROLINA – STANLY COUNTY

To the UNKNOWN FATHER of a FEMALE

NOTICES NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000023-830

NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having quali ed as Executor of the estate of Janice Anderson Williams, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Janice Anderson Williams to present them to the undersigned on or before April 23, 2026 or the same will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons indebted to said Estate please make immediate payment. This the 21st day of

NOTICE

CHILD, L.A.C. born on April 19, 2025 to mother Queena Lashalle Shanta Clayton in Stanly County. Ms. Clayton is an African American female approximately 37 years old. Take notice that a Petition to TERMINATE PARENTAL RIGHTS of you has been led in the above-entitled action. The nature of the relief being sought is to terminate the parental rights of the father to the minor child L.A.C. You are required to answer the petition within 30 days after the date of the rst publication of this notice, exclusive of such date, and upon your failure to do so, Petitioner will apply to the Court for the relief sought, and your parental rights to the juvenile will be terminated. This the 16th day of January, 2026. Valeree Adams, Attorney for Stanly County DSS, 1000 N. First St, Suite 2, Albemarle NC 28001 – 704-982-6100

arrive for the world premiere of “Bridgerton” Season 4 on Jan. 14 in Paris. Part 1 lands on Net ix on Thursday.

‘Bridgerton,’

Chevy Chase, Rose Byrne,

The 68th annual Grammy Awards air Sunday on CBS

The Associated Press

KENDRICK LAMAR and Bad Bunny live at the Grammy Awards and Rose Byrne’s Oscar-nominated performance in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” are some of the new television, lms, music and games headed to a device near you.

Also, among the streaming o erings worth your time this week: Highguard is the latest entry in the ever-growing eld of multiplayer shooters, Jason Momoa and Dave Bautista star in “The Wrecking Crew,” and the third season of “Shrinking” checks in on Apple TV.

MOVIES TO STREAM

If you haven’t seen Rose Byrne’s Oscar-nominated performance in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” Mary Bronstein’s psychological drama arrives Friday on HBO Max. Byrne plays the stressed-out mother of a young, unseen child who’s struggling with a mystery illness. In her review, the AP’s Jocelyn Noveck wrote that the lm “has given Byrne, an actor of e ortless appeal in lighter lms, a chance to display versatility and grit in surely the toughest dramatic role of her career.”

Momoa and Bautista star in “The Wrecking Crew” (Prime Video) as estranged half-brothers who reunite after their father’s mysterious death. The action comedy is directed by Angel Manuel Soto, who made 2023’s “Blue Beetle.”

Ira Sachs’ “Peter Hujar’s Day,” the lead nominee to the Independent Film Spirit Awards, is a marvel of historical yet intimate dramatic resurrection. The lm (Criterion Channel) is based on a transcript from a 1974 interview by the writer Linda Rosenkrantz (Rebecca Hall) and her friend, the photographer Peter Hujar (Ben Whishaw). Rosenkrantz had planned a book about how artists spend their time. But the book never happened,

‘The

Wrecking Crew’

and Sachs, after coming across the transcripts, dramatizes their dialogue. In “I’m Chevy Chase and You’re Not,” the lmmaker Marina Zenovich pro les the irascible “Saturday Night Live” and “Fletch” star. For the lm (HBO Max, Saturday), Zenovich interviews the complicated and sometimes combative comedian about his career, with glimpses of his daily life. Perspectives are o ered by Dan Aykroyd, Beverly D’Angelo, Goldie Hawn, Lorne Michaels, Ryan Reynolds and Martin Short.

MUSIC TO STREAM

’Tis the season — the 2026 Grammy Awards season, that is. On Sunday, the 68th annual award show will air live on CBS. Watch as Lamar, Bad Bunny, Lady Gaga and many more go head to head in the top prize categories. Plus, the show doubles as a kind of be -

spoke live concert viewing experience — and who doesn’t like that? The 2026 Grammys can also be watched through live TV streaming services that include CBS in their lineup, like Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV and FuboTV. Paramount+ premium plan subscribers will be able to stream the Grammys live; Paramount+ essential subscribers will have on demand access the next day. California power pop-punk bands Joyce Manor return with their seventh full-length album Friday, the all-too-appropriately titled “I Used to Go to This Bar.” Spoken like a gently aging band whose penchant for hooks knows no bounds.

SERIES TO STREAM

Benedict, the second eldest Bridgerton, takes center stage in season 4 of the Net ix romance series, It’s about the love stories of a large family in London during the Regency Era.

Season 4 has “Cinderella” vibes with Luke Thompson’s Benedict looking for an enchanting “woman in silver” who is actually Sophie, a housemaid (Yerin Ha) working for his family. Part 1 drops Thursday with the remaining episodes arriving in February.

The third season of “Shrinking” is now streaming on Apple TV. The series follows Jason Segel as a therapist named Jimmy, a widowed dad to a teenage girl, who shares a practice with characters played by Harrison Ford and Jessica Williams. Between Jimmy’s colleagues, neighbors and friends, he forms a new kind of family. Season 3 features guest stars Michael J. Fox, Je Daniels, Sherry Cola, Isabella Gomez and Candice Bergen. School’s back in session. “School Spirits” starring Peyton List, that is. The Paramount+ series has returned for a third season. List stars as a teen trapped in the afterlife,

“If I Had Legs I’d Kick You” has given Byrne, an actor of e ortless appeal in lighter lms, a chance to display versatility and grit in surely the toughest dramatic role of her career.”

Jocelyn Noveck, AP Film Writer

which happens to be her high school. She’s there with other ghosts who are also former students that help Maddie to investigate the circumstances surrounding her death.

Kaley Cuoco and Sam Clain star in a new mystery for MGM+ called “Vanished.” Cuoco plays a woman whose boyfriend (Cla in) goes missing on a train to France. The four-part limited-series premieres Sunday.

VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY

Highguard is the latest entry in the ever-growing eld of multiplayer shooters, o ering yet another way to get online with your friends and blow stu up. In this case, you are Wardens — “arcane gunslingers sent to battle for control of a mythical continent.” Judging by the trailer, you’ll be able to ride mythical beasts and wield magical powers along with the typical arsenal of weapons. It comes from a new studio called Wildlight Entertainment, whose founders have worked on hits like Call of Duty, Apex Legends and Titanfall. And it’s free-to -play, so you might as well give it a shot on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S on PC. Bandai Namco’s Code Vein, from 2019, tried to answer the question: What if you took the demanding combat of Dark Souls and added vampires? The bloodsuckers — known here as Revenants — are back in Code Vein II, but a mysterious force is turning them into mindless monstrosities. Your job is to travel back in time and prevent the damage before all the Revenants get stupid. The good news is that you can still drain blood from your enemies and use it to upgrade your own ghting skills. Quench your thirst Friday, Jan. 30, on PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S or PC.