VOLUME 146 ISSUE 80 | WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 2026 | STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM
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Stanly NewS Journal THE STANLY COUNTY EDITION OF NORTH STATE JOURNAL
WHAT’S HAPPENING Trump signs order extending tax-free use of red-dyed diesel during midterm rally Grand Island, Neb. At a campaign rally Monday, President Donald Trump signed an executive order to ease limits on the tax-free use of red-dyed diesel. He says the decision will save “millions” for farmers and drive down the cost of all goods with just four weeks to go until the elections. Trump was campaigning for GOP Sen. Pete Ricketts, who is running in Nebraska against an independent candidate backed by national Democrats. Diesel fuel prices have spiked in the aftermath of the war in Iran. As Trump campaigned in Nebraska, Vice President JD Vance was in Fairbanks, Alaska, to rally voters for GOP Sen. Dan Sullivan.
Cornell brings in ex-Justice official Yates to review handling of sex assault claims Ithaca, N.Y. Cornell University trustees have announced that former Deputy Attorney General Sally Yates will review how the university handles sexual misconduct complaints. Tuesday’s announcement comes after days of outrage over allegations of a 2024 gang rape at a fraternity house. The review will cover how the university investigates reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment, how the disciplinary process works and more. Cornell officials have been heavily criticized for their response to a complaint from a woman who told campus police in 2024 that she had been sexually assaulted by multiple fraternity brothers. New York’s attorney general is conducting a criminal investigation, and the governor called for an independent review.
IOC confirms India, Qatar among 7 bidders who want to host 2036 Olympics India and Qatar have finally got some clarity for their long-held ambitions to host the 2036 Olympics. The International Olympic Committee says it has seven interested candidates to host the 2036 Games. The others are South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Hungary and Turkey. All seven are in talks with the IOC about a future hosting option with the 2040 edition and even 2044 also in view. The IOC has set an Oct. 31 deadline for others to join the 2036 contest.
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Gone fishin’ A lone fisherman sits quietly with his thoughts at City Lake Park in Albemarle last Friday evening, presumably so as not to scare the fish.
Albemarle loop, Norwood bypass removed from transportation plan The changes follow concerns over farmland and private property By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Stanly County Board of Commissioners unanimously voted Monday night to remove proposed Albemarle loop and Norwood bypass recommendations from the county’s
to the county’s rural character. Designed to identify transportation and growth needs over the next 25 to 30 years, the Comprehensive Transportation Plan (CTP) was developed by the N.C. Department of Transportation, Rocky River Rural Planning Organization and local planning partners with assistance from the Stanly County CTP Steering Committee. The document includes more than 130 recommendations in-
Albemarle police report shows fifth straight year of crime decline “I’m proud of the achievements of our department that we’ve accomplished in 2025.” Ryan Manley, Albemarle Police chief
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long-range transportation plan. Looking ahead, the amended proposal will return to Albemarle and Norwood for approval and public hearings because both municipalities previously adopted the plan. Monday’s decision came during a packed meeting with an outpouring of opposition, with numerous residents raising concerns about the potential loss of farmland, impacts to private property and changes
The city’s crime rate fell by 8% in 2025 By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The Albemarle Police Department recorded its fifth consecutive year of declining overall crime in 2025, according to the department’s newly released annual report. Police Chief Ryan Manley presented the report to the Albemarle City Council during its meeting Monday night, highlighting trends in
crime, traffic enforcement, staffing and calls for service. According to data compiled through the National Incident-Based Reporting System, overall crime in Albemarle fell 8% from 2024 and was 7% below the city’s five-year average. “These numbers show longterm progress as they highlight our ongoing commitment to addressing violent crime,” Manley said. “These results reflect strong teamwork amongst our patrol officers, detectives, record staff See CRIME, page A4
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volving highways, transit, bicycle routes and pedestrian improvements. However, much of Monday’s discussion centered on potential bypass routes near Albemarle and Norwood. Albemarle resident and property owner Jacob Faggart told commissioners he was frustrated that he had not received direct notification about a proposal that could potentially affect his property. See BOARD, page A2
inside Unbeaten North Stanly routed rival Albemarle 55-0 behind six rushing touchdowns and a shutdown defense. For more, turn to page B1.
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, October 7, 2026
WEDNESDAY
10.7.26 #151
Jordan commits $10M to UNC School of Social Work to honor mother
STANLY
happening Here’s a quick look at what’s coming up in and around Stanly County.
The largest single gift in the school’s history renames a center for Deloris P. Jordan
“Join the conversation” North State Journal (USPS 518620) (ISSN 2471-1365) Trip Hoffend Publisher Jim Sills VP of Local Newspapers Cory Lavalette Senior Editor Jordan Golson Local News Editor Shawn Krest Sports Editor Dan Reeves Features Editor Lauren Rose Design Editor Jesse Deal Reporter Stan Gilliland Photographer ADVERTISING Kateland Treece Advertising Representative Published Wednesday and Sunday as part of North State Journal 1548 NC 24-27 BYP W Albemarle NC 28001 TO SUBSCRIBE OR PLACE LEGAL NOTICE: 704-982-2121 STANLYNEWSJOURNAL.COM Annual Subscription Price: $100.00 Periodicals Postage Paid at Albemarle N.C. and at additional mailing offices POSTMASTER: Send address changes to: North State Journal 1201 Edwards Mill Rd. Suite 300 Raleigh NC 27607
Oct. 10
By Steve Reed The Associated Press SIX-TIME NBA champion and former UNC Tar Heels star Michael Jordan has made a $10 million commitment to the UNC School of Social Work in honor of his mother, Deloris P. Jordan. It’s the largest single gift in the School of Social Work’s history and will expand the reach and impact of the Global Social Development Innovations Center, according to a release Monday. The center will be renamed the Deloris P. Jordan Global Social Development Innovations Center and the Jordan Institute for Families. It will provide financial scholarships for master’s in social work students. Jordan played for the Tar Heels from 1981-84, making the game-winning shot in the 1982 NCAA Championship game as a freshman. He earned a bachelor’s degree in 1986. “My mother has always believed in the power of helping children, families and communities, and she has spent her life putting that belief into action,” Jordan said in a release. “Honoring her through this gift to the UNC School of Social Work is truly meaningful to my family and to me.” Jordan said that North Carolina will always be home for him. “I’m proud to support the social workers who are on the
Autumn at the Acres 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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Team owner Michael Jordan looks on during a NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington in September. ground each and every day helping people navigate challenges, find opportunities “Honoring her through and build stronger communi- this gift to the UNC ties,” Jordan said. “I hope this gift helps make it possible for School of Social Work more students to pursue this is truly meaningful to important work.” my family and to me.” UNC Chapel Hill Chancellor Lee H. Roberts said the Michael Jordan school is grateful for Jordan’s generous investment. “Deloris Jordan’s lifelong the inaugural Jordan Famdedication to children and ily Scholars during the celefamilies is reflected in this in- bration. Each will receive a vestment, which will strength- $12,500 scholarship. The Jordan Institute for en the School of Social Work’s ability to improve lives across Families (JIF) was founded in North Carolina and beyond,” 1996 by Jordan and his family “to help cultivate safe, stable, Roberts said. The gift also establish- nurturing families over the es the Jordan Family Schol- life course,” according to the ars program, which will pro- school. The Global Social Devide scholarship support to velopment Innovations center master’s in social work stu- was later established in 2017 dents facing increased finan- to advance innovative, evicial barriers to graduate edu- dence-informed approaches that strengthen the well-being cation, the release said. Ten students will be named of youth and their families.
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“I don’t think there’s a single soul in here that received anything through the mail,” Faggart said. “I own seven properties in Albemarle, and I didn’t get anything. I don’t understand how it’s for the growth of the community, but at the same time, you’re going to push out the people that live here and have lived here forever.” Lee Snuggs, director of the Rocky River Rural Planning Organization, emphasized that the loop is not a funded construction project and has appeared in previous transportation planning. “The loop is just one project in the CTP, which is updated every 10 to 15 years,” Snuggs said. “This proposed loop was in the last CTP in 2012.” He added that the current map does not establish an exact roadway alignment and that a loop, if ever pursued, would be discussed again many years in the future. NCDOT representative Roger Castillo similarly described the CTP as a flexible planning document rather than a commitment to build the projects shown on its maps. “This is a local vision plan,”
“Our citizens have overwhelmingly responded that they don’t want farmland cut with new highways.” Vice Chairman Bill Lawhon Castillo said. “This is very malleable, and you can adjust it as you’d wish. The main purpose of this plan is just to identify needs.” Castillo advised commissioners that rejecting the updated CTP outright would leave the county’s 2012 plan in place, which included an even larger loop around Albemarle. Instead, he recommended amending the new document to specifically remove the recommendations. The 2012 transportation plan included a full loop around Albemarle, while the latest version proposed northern and southern bypass concepts covering only portions of that route. One recommendation called for a new two-lane Albemarle Bypass North between U.S. Highway 52 North and N.C. Highway 24/27, with bicycle lanes and sidewalks. Anoth-
er recommendation proposed a bypass around Norwood, largely intended to address truck traffic. “Our citizens have overwhelmingly responded that they don’t want farmland cut with new highways,” Vice Chairman Bill Lawhon said. “Our citizens, and I think most of them would agree, want farmland in Stanly County to stay farmland.” Lawhon said he also opposed allowing development to transform Stanly County into neighboring, more heavily developed counties. “We don’t want to be Cabarrus County. We don’t want to be Mecklenburg, and we don’t want to be Union County,” he added. “We have some nice highways now. If we need to do some expansion, look at those.” The CTP was developed during the past two years using traffic analysis, public surveys, alternative studies, projecting Stanly County’s population to grow from 64,153 in 2022 to 99,275 by 2055. The Stanly County Board of Commissioners will hold its next regular meeting Oct. 19 at 6 p.m. in the Gene McIntyre Meeting Room at Stanly County Commons.
Sprouting Acres hosts a free fall festival with more than 40 local craftsmen, food trucks, pumpkin painting, a bouncy house, a corn pit and mini Highland cows. Admission and parking are free; the rain date is Oct. 17. Sprouting Acres Farm Store 16489 Silver Road Oakboro
Dolly’s Songbook: A Tribute Concert 7 p.m. The Stanly County Historical Society presents a free outdoor evening of Dolly Parton songs with Suzanne Holshouser and friends Maegan Coble Sloan and Bradley Eudy. Bring a lawn chair or blanket; Social District beverages are welcome. The rain date is Oct. 17. 1852 Isaiah Snuggs House 112 N. Third St. Albemarle
Oct. 16 Locust Monthly Cruise-In 5-8 p.m. Classic cars, muscle cars and street rods gather around the town green for the final third-Friday cruise-in of the season. Admission is free; bring a lawn chair. Locust Town Center 186 Ray Kennedy Drive Locust
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, October 7, 2026
THE CONVERSATION Trip Hoffend, publisher | Frank Hill, senior opinion editor
VISUAL VOICES
COLUMN | MICHAEL BARONE
Toward the final stretch — and beyond
Republican pollster Patrick Ruffini points out that polls in the last four congressional elections have understated Republicans’ actual election performance by wide margins in the summer.
HAVEN’T WE SEEN this movie before? Voters, weary of a Republican president whose foreign or domestic policies don’t seem to be delivering as promised, seem on the verge of a massive rejection of his party. Polls show Democrats surging. The generic ballot — which party’s candidates would you favor for the House of Representatives? — shows Democrats far ahead of Republicans. Statewide polls show Democrats ahead in large states that had voted Republican for president and threatening incumbents in historically Republican states such as Kansas and Nebraska. That’s pretty much the picture today. Donald Trump’s job approval has slipped below 40%, below his numbers at the end of September 2018 and similar to George W. Bush’s in September 2006. Republicans trail in the generic vote by about as much as in 2018 and by wider margins than 2006. All of which provides a strong basis for the professional prognosticators’ predictions that Democrats will overturn the Republicans’ current narrow majority in the House and some justification for those who say they have a majority chance of gaining the four seats that would give them control of the Senate. But there are a couple of caveats here. Republican pollster Patrick Ruffini points out that polls in the last four congressional elections have understated Republicans’ actual election performance by wide margins in the summer, then narrowed in the fall. But this year, there is little sign of such narrowing yet. But perhaps the polls are consistently understating Republican support, as analyst Nate Silver says they have in the last three presidential elections. Many pollsters report it’s much harder to reach Republican respondents, who tend to mistrust media pollsters.
And this year, many Republicans seem unhappy with the president and his party. Does that mean they’re just unwilling to be polled or that they will skip voting as well? No one knows the answer. American voters generally, and Democratic politicians in particular, tend to look to government to cure various ills. In that perspective, you can argue — and certainly public opinion polls would suggest most people would — that the nation’s performance in this first quarter of the 21st century has been suboptimal. But the mostly unanticipated performance of the private sector has been better, in technological devices and communication and in fracking technology, which has made the U.S. once again the world’s greatest oil producer, as it was at the outset of World War II. Elon Musk has outperformed the heavily regulated Detroit Three in making a profitable business of building electric cars while outperforming government-run NASA at producing reusable space rockets. Looking back over the century so far, the historian Niall Ferguson admits, “My prophetic vision of decline and fall 25 years ago clearly has not been fulfilled. In relative terms, America is still Number One by any measure except maybe the number of robots.” That despite the disappointments and demerits of successive administrations and Congresses. Whether the Democrats sweep the off-year elections next month or the Republicans once again outpoll the polls, the winners — and losers — might want to keep that perspective in mind. 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.” (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)
COLUMN | DAVID HARSANYI
A leaner federal workforce is a win for taxpayers
Barely anyone, one suspects, has noticed that the federal workforce has shrunk by around 11%.
ONE OF THE MOST unheralded policy successes of President Donald Trump’s second term has been the purging of many unnecessary federal jobs. The federal government has reduced its workforce by 300,000 jobs since Jan. 20, 2025, bringing it down to a still-bulky 2.7 million employees. Not since President Lyndon Johnson’s Great Society vastly expanded the scope of the national government has the federal workforce been at this level. It’s not merely that the feds have shed superfluous jobs — there are still more than 4 million contract workers, after all. It’s that the White House has been targeting all the right institutions. The bloated War Department, with more than 61,000 departures, and the equally bloated State Department, with 37% of its staff gone, experienced the biggest reductions. But most of the buyouts were aimed at agencies and departments that should have been shuttered a long time ago. Take the U.S. Agency for International Development, which, for years, was used to funnel billions to hard-left ideological projects around the world. Virtually its entire staff is gone. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the unaccountable bureaucratic brainchild of progressive Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), has lost roughly 88% of its workers, though it’s still far too big. The Agriculture Department, which, despite its name, is principally a welfare agency that has little to do with farming, experienced tens of thousands of departures. So has another welfare-state institution, the Department of Housing and
Urban Development, whose most notable achievement has been helping inflate housing prices. Not every agency is being clipped fast enough, though. Early in his term, Trump signed an executive order directing the dismantling of the Education Department. Yet this intrusive agency, which spends its time propping up unions and undermining local initiatives, has lost only 40% of its staff. Every time Republicans threaten to cut federal jobs, though they rarely follow through, Democrats predict that society will be plunged into chaos and high unemployment. The unemployment rate in September 2024 was 4.1%. In September 2025, it was 4.4%. It’s at 4.1% today. Barely anyone, one suspects, has noticed that the federal workforce has shrunk by around 11%. They probably wouldn’t notice if it shrank by another 11%. What Democrats really fear is losing power. Federal agencies, government employees and public-sector unions are all bases of political influence for the Left. “This is an attempt at intimidation,” Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) complained when the Office of Management and Budget released a memo instructing agencies to plan for large-scale layoffs. “Donald Trump has been firing federal workers since day one — not to govern, but to scare.” Why would Democrats be “scared” of a leaner federal workforce? We don’t know how government employees vote, but we can make an educated guess. Around 84% of campaign donations from federal workers went to
Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in 2024. Federal civilian jobs rose by more than 130,000 under the Biden administration. Around 11% of the approximately 16 million jobs added during Biden’s term were federal, state and local government jobs. Roughly 15% of the total workforce, around 24 million people, still work for the government at all levels. There is more that can be done, not only in trimming the federal workforce but also in decentralizing and dispersing it. The Trump administration promised to relocate more federal jobs out of the Washington area. The political class entrenched around the capital in Virginia and Maryland keeps voting to empower itself. It should be dispersed as much as possible. In 2001, antitax activist Grover Norquist famously proclaimed that his goal was to shrink the federal government until it was small enough to “drag it into the bathroom and drown it in the bathtub.” We’ve learned over the years that it doesn’t work that way. Neither party has any plan to curb spending, and voters don’t seem to be clamoring for one. Shrinking the federal bureaucracy and workforce isn’t going to restrain massive deficit spending and our economy-threatening, turbocharged debt. Still, paring down the size, scope and intrusiveness of a swollen federal government, even if it’s just temporary until Democrats come back into power, is a win for taxpayers. David Harsanyi is a senior writer at the Washington Examiner. (Copyright 2026 Creators.com)
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, October 7, 2026
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Outgoing NC senator Tillis calls vote for Hegseth ‘biggest regret of my career’ in new book The Republican senator says in his book he also “should’ve stopped” RFK Jr. By Mary Clare Jalonick The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — Republican Sen. Thom Tillis says in a new book that his deciding vote to confirm Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth in January 2025 is the “biggest regret of my career” and that he also “should’ve stopped” Robert F. Kennedy Jr. from becoming Health and Human Services secretary in the early days of President Donald Trump’s second term. In “How to Lose Friends and Antagonize Presidents,” out Tuesday, the North Carolina senator defends his decision at the time to not be “the lone voice in the wilderness” preventing Trump’s nominees from confirmation. But he makes clear he was always skeptical about allegations about Hegseth’s turbulent management style, treatment of women and excessive drinking — all of which Hegseth denied. “I know for a fact that there are others like me,” Tillis writes, “Republicans who agreed to go along with the early demands of the Trump team no matter how ridiculous they were, believing that failing to do so would mean the end of their political career, and who now see that things have gone way too far.” He writes that he can count at least 30 of his GOP colleagues who have “expressed reservations (to put it mildly) about many of the president’s actions in private. Then, when the reporters showed up with their cameras and microphones, they’d have nothing but nice things to say.” Tillis, who announced last year that he would not run for reelection in a “breaking point” with the president on his sweeping tax and spending cuts package, is publishing the book in his final months in office. He joins a long list of Republicans who have ratcheted up their public denunciations of Trump once they had less to lose politically. Still, Tillis mostly deflects full blame from Trump, saying, “my beef is not with him, but the idiots he’s got working for him.” He calls the president “an amazing political talent.” At the same time, he warns of a slippery slope toward authoritarianism and urges his
MARK SCHIEFELBEIN / AP PHOTO
Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) arrives for a hearing on Capitol Hill on July 30, in Washington, D.C.
“I had no intention of letting my colleagues outsource their courage to me while they pretended to go along with the questionable nomination President Trump had put forward.” Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) colleagues to “wake up” and push back on Trump more often, for their own political good. Executive overreach, he says, doesn’t work and sooner or later, “comes back to bite the majority party in the ass.” Tillis also predicts a “bloodbath” for Republicans in November’s midterm elections. “All along, we’ve had multiple chances to get off the path and avoid the giant bronze monster chasing us down,” he writes. The book is filled with cuss words and condemnations. He criticizes Trump’s tariffs, the aggressive immigration raids that Tillis says were an effort to “intentionally sow disorder” and the Iran war, which he initially supported. He said the war can only end with a coalition of willing nations and if Trump gets “Pete Hegseth the hell out of the way.” Tillis pushed Hegseth’s confirmation vote late into the evening on Jan. 24, 2025, as he weighed his decision, talking to the White House, people who had worked with Hegseth and Hegseth himself. In the end, he said he couldn’t corroborate the worst allegations and would support Hegseth’s confirmation. His vote brought the total to 50-50, and Vice Pres-
ident JD Vance broke the tie. On his vote for Kennedy, Tillis writes, “I guess it’s easy to say now, but I’m the one who has to live with that vote and all the havoc Kennedy’s tenure has caused the country as a result.” On both votes, he says he didn’t want to be the deciding factor. “I had no intention of letting my colleagues outsource their courage to me while they pretended to go along with the questionable nomination President Trump had put forward,” he writes. If you oppose Trump on everything, “you lose all influence,” Tillis says. “If you oppose him and lose, you are in even worse shape.” He strongly criticizes several of Trump’s other initial picks for the Cabinet in the book, including former Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick. Tillis’ surprise announcement in June 2025 that he wouldn’t be running for reelection came as he escalated criticism against Trump and his “Big Beautiful Bill” of tax and spending cuts. Trump attacked Tillis on social media after the senator said he couldn’t support the bill’s cuts to Medicaid. Tillis says he thought to himself, “I’m done.” “Everyone reaches a breaking point,” he writes. He texted the president asking him to look for his replacement in the Senate, to which Trump replied “I am! DJT.” In May 2026, Trump again attacked Tillis, calling him a “QUITTER!” on social media, among other insults. Tillis ends the book with a profanity-laced text he sent to the president in response.
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CRIME from page A1 and our community partners.” The department reported 121 violent crimes in 2025, up slightly from 119 the previous year but 1% below the five-year average. Aggravated assaults increased 8%, while the city recorded two homicides, nine robberies and three rapes. Property crime declined 15% from 2024. Larcenies fell 14%, burglaries decreased 7% and were 4% below the five-year
average, and motor vehicle thefts dropped from 28 to 23. The department also reported three arsons and 1,086 total arrests. “While the numbers are important, each figure in this report represents the resident who called 911, the officers who responded, the victims who entrusted us to investigate their case, the young people who we engaged in our programs and the community partners that worked alongside
Pete Hegseth, then-President-elect Donald Trump’s choice to be Defense secretary, appears before the Senate Armed Services Committee for his confirmation hearing at the Capitol on Jan. 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
us,” Manley said. “I’m proud of the achievements of our department that we’ve accomplished in 2025.” APD responded to 28,483 calls for service during the year, a 4% increase from 2024. Officers conducted 4,778 traffic stops and issued 4,948 traffic violations, including 1,026 speeding violations, 38 reckless driving charges and 24 seat belt violations. Officers also made 55 DWI arrests. The department investigated
938 vehicle collisions, including one fatal crash and nine alcohol-related crashes. APD currently has 53 sworn officers, filling the department’s full allotment authorized by the city council, along with seven civilian employees. It remains the only law enforcement agency in Stanly County accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. Councilmember Bill Aldridge credited Manley with improving confidence in the de-
partment, pointing to officers’ recent response to a series of vehicle break-ins. “You have elevated the level of professionalism and confidence in that department like nothing I’ve ever seen before,” Aldridge said. “I’ve served on this council since 2014, and I can tell you, I feel more confidence about that department than I ever have.” The Albemarle City Council will hold its next regular meeting Oct. 19 at 6:30 p.m. in the City Hall Council Chambers.
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, October 7, 2026
US Air Force removes all bombers from British air base targeted by a suspected terror attack The redeployment follows an investigation into a suspected terror plot linked to Tehran
“Iran’s been decimated. So the only question is — it’ll either be the easy way, or the hard way.”
By Konstantin Toropin The Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Air Force has brought home its bombers stationed at a U.S.-run military air base in England used to strike Iran following an investigation into a planned terror attack at the RAF Fairford base. The bombers were redeployed to their home bases in the United States, according to a Pentagon official who was not authorized to discuss sensitive military movements and spoke Sunday on condition of anonymity. Aviation watchers such as the Military Air Tracking Alliance have observed dozens of B-52 and B-1 bombers operating out of RAF Fairford since the opening days of the Iran war. Observers noticed a host of B-1 bombers fly out of the base on Sunday. The move comes as President Donald Trump weighs options for his war on Iran — including
President Donald Trump
ALASTAIR GRANT / AP PHOTO
A B-1 bomber takes off from RAF Fairford in Fairford, England, on Sept. 29. new strikes — despite his initial promises to Americans that the campaign would last a matter of weeks. “We have decisions that I’ll make about Iran. Iran’s been decimated. So the only question is — it’ll either be the easy way, or the hard way,” Trump told reporters Saturday as he left the White House for a rally in Ohio.
A dual British-Iranian national was arrested in central London last week on suspicion of plotting a terror attack following a security incident at RAF Fairford in late September. In total, six people have been taken into custody and then released on bail during the investigation. British authorities have linked the incident to Teh-
ran. Iran has denied involvement, but it has previously said it considers any base used to attack its territory a legitimate target. U.K. officials say proxies linked to Iran have been behind a string of arson and other attacks in Britain and other countries, many of them targeting the Jewish community and intended to sow fear. They have
previously warned that Tehran could expand its targets in the U.K. if conflicts in the Middle East continue. RAF Fairford, located 100 miles west of London, has been used by American bombers during decades of conflicts in the Middle East. The U.S. military still maintains a sizable presence in the Middle East. Last Thursday, a U.S. official said the recently deployed USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, as well as the USS Malkin Island amphibious readiness group — a group of ships that together carry more than 7,000 sailors and 2,000 Marines — are heading for the region. The official said the move could result in three carriers in the region as early as the end of October.
Indian pilot hailed as Russia reports worker hero recalls FlyDubai at Siberian plague institute cockpit attack got pneumonia from unknown cause and died His flying experience allowed him to sense the aircraft’s descent despite being critically injured
Unconfirmed reports suggest the worker may have died from pneumonic plague
By Sheikh Saaliq The Associated Press NEW DELHI — The Indian airline captain who helped thwart an apparent attempt to crash a FlyDubai flight described last week how he fought for his life in the minutes after his co-pilot stabbed him and the plane began a steep descent. Capt. Smit Machchhar, who is recovering in an Abu Dhabi hospital, told Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a televised video call that he knew he had to get back on his feet to save his passengers. “I had so many wounds. I had fallen down,” he said from the hospital, his head bandaged and tubes in his nose, before breaking down as he recalled the attack. “I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realized that if I didn’t get up … then passengers would lose their lives,” he told Modi. Machchhar, who is from Mumbai, was seriously injured in last Wednesday’s attack but managed to open the cockpit door, allowing passengers to enter and restrain the attacker as the Boeing 737 descended sharply, witnesses and Israeli authorities said. He has been hailed as a hero, with world leaders saying he helped avert a disaster. The flight, carrying 182 people from Dubai to Tel Aviv, was diverted to Tabuk in northwestern Saudi Arabia for an emergency landing. FlyDubai said last Wednesday that the jet was secured by on-duty crew members “who diverted and landed the aircraft safely.” A regional official said the crew members were pilots in training. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacker, an Omani national, was arrested in Saudi Arabia and was undergoing interrogation there. The motive for the attack was not immediately clear. Modi told Machchhar his “courage, patience, and presence of mind” saved many lives. Machchhar said his flying experience allowed him to sense the plane’s steep descent even after he was knocked down by the attacker. “I have been flying planes for 17 years and serving as a captain for the last 11 years. I can sense exactly what is happening
The Associated Press
ISRAEL’S FOREIGN MINISTRY VIA AP
Capt. Smit Machchhar
“I was fighting for my life. At one point, I realized that if I didn’t get up … then passengers would lose their lives.” Capt. Smit Machchhar, FlyDubai with the aircraft even with my eyes closed. When I was down, I could feel that the aircraft was plummeting,” he said. Machchhar said that during those difficult moments, he recited the Hanuman Chalisa, a Hindu devotional hymn dedicated to Lord Hanuman, the monkey god, and traditionally recited as a prayer for strength and courage. “Lord Hanuman gave me courage,” he told Modi. Machchhar, who is married and has two children, has worked for FlyDubai for about four years, according to his LinkedIn profile. Before joining the airline, he spent 11 years with SpiceJet, an Indian low-cost carrier, where he served as a senior commander and line training captain. He logged more than 9,750 flying hours with SpiceJet. Philip Kean, CEO of Mainland Air, the New Zealand flight school where Machchhar trained, said pilots are taught how to take over if a fellow crew member becomes incapacitated. But the training does not typically prepare them for a stabbing attack by a colleague, he told The Associated Press last Friday. “I don’t think there’s much in the handbook for being stabbed,” Kean said. “You’re friends and you’re flying together,” he said. “Nobody would expect … a person to have a go at you like that.”
RUSSIAN AUTHORITIES have quarantined a hospital and are monitoring contacts of an employee at a plague research institute in Siberia who contracted pneumonia of an “unknown” cause. Local state TV said the woman died last week. Russian authorities said they found no evidence that her illness was caused by any of the pathogens she worked with. But the case has raised alarm in Russia after unconfirmed media reports suggested she might have died of pneumonic plague — a less common but severe form of plague that can spread from person to person. The woman worked at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and the Far East in Irkutsk, southeastern Siberia. A state TV station in Irkutsk reported Monday that she died last week in a hospital in Shelekhov, a town just outside Irkutsk. The hospital has been placed under quarantine, Mayor Maxim Modin said last Friday, is no longer admitting or discharging patients, and its laboratory has halted carrying out routine tests. The hospital’s outpatient clinic kept operating as usual, he said. Anna Popova, head of Russia’s public health watchdog, Rospotrebnadzor, flew to Irkutsk and met with Gov. Igor Kobzev and other officials last Friday. Kobzev said everyone who came into contact with the woman is under medical supervision. He didn’t identify the infection and called it a suspected case of “a particularly dangerous infection.” Rospotrebnadzor was implementing “a full range of anti-epidemic measures,” he added. Rospotrebnadzor said Sunday the woman was diagnosed with “pneumonia of unknown etiology,” or origin, and said “extensive” testing found “no microorganisms associated with the patient’s professional activities.”
THE IRKUTSK ANTI-PLAGUE RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF SIBERIA AND FAR EAST VIA AP
People work in a lab at the Irkutsk Anti-Plague Research Institute of Siberia and Far East. A worker at the facility is feared to have died from pneumonic plague.
“In the event of a potential laboratory exposure, it would be normal to identify individuals who might have been exposed and to monitor them according to the assessed level of risk.” Dr. Malick Gibani, Imperial College London clinical associate professor The agency also said it didn’t uncover any incidents at the institute “involving pathogenic microorganisms.” Two people who were in contact with the woman tested positive for a virus that causes a common cold and two others for COVID-19, the agency said, adding that others who were tested were all negative. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday he doesn’t think there is cause for alarm, but the U.S. is watching the case closely, aware that “it could spread quickly” despite the quarantine and other public health protocols. Independent local news outlet Lyudi Baikala quoted sources it did not identify as saying the 28-year-old lab technician died from pneumonic plague and that several Irkutsk hospitals were placed under quarantine. Asked Monday to comment on the case, Kremlin spokes-
man Dmitry Peskov said the public and media should follow official statements from Rospotrebnadzor rather than “rumors or speculation.” Rospotrebnadzor did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Irkutsk Aluminum Plant in Shelekhov required staff to wear masks as a precaution, its director Artyom Fominykh said Saturday on Telegram, calling for calm and adding: “Better be safe than sorry.” The World Health Organization describes pneumonic plague as a less common but severe form of plague — a disease caused by Yersinia pestis, a bacterium usually found in small mammals and their fleas. “In the event of a potential laboratory exposure, it would be normal to identify individuals who might have been exposed and to monitor them according to the assessed level of risk,” said Dr. Malick Gibani, clinical associate professor in bacterial vaccinology at the Imperial College London. The scale of any monitoring program would depend on “the circumstances of the exposure and the number of people potentially affected,” Gibani said in a written comment. Ian Jones, professor of virology at the University of Reading, said that “plague carries a huge history and is still present in many parts of the world, including Russia,” although because of modern living conditions and antibiotics, “its potential is therefore limited.”
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, October 7, 2026
OBITUARIES IN MEMORY
RICHARD “RICK” WILLIAM ARNOLD
MICHAEL GENE SMITH
MIRIAM PLOWMAN FERRELL
MARCH 22, 1958 – SEPT. 23, 2026
SEPT. 1, 1963 – SEPT. 26, 2026
JAN. 3, 1946 – SEPT. 28, 2026
Richard “Rick” William Arnold, 68, passed away on September 23, 2026. He was born on March 22, 1958, in Ohio, to Richard Morton Arnold and Grace Johanna Arnold. Richard was a 1977 graduate of Ashtabula High School in Ashtabula, Ohio. Rick was a loyal member of New London United Methodist Church, where he faithfully served his Lord and remained devoted to his faith. His faith was an important part of his life and was reflected in the way he cared for those around him. Rick was a one-of-a-kind man who could truly do just about anything he put his mind to. He had an incredible talent for working with his hands and could fabricate and build nearly anything. He especially loved tinkering on cars and was in the process of restoring a 1964 Ford Falcon Futura, a project that reflected his patience, creativity, and love of automobiles. His daughter, Sarah, has promised to carry on his work and complete the restoration of the Falcon in his memory. Rick also had a special love for his dogs, who were an important part of his life. His most recent companion was Fred, a Labrador-Basset Hound mix, who will spend the rest of his life with Sarah, where he will continue to be loved and cared for. Outside of the garage, Rick enjoyed riding motorcycles, camping, shooting, and listening to old rock music. He appreciated the freedom of the open road, the simplicity of being outdoors, and the satisfaction of taking something apart and figuring out how to make it work again. Rick will be remembered for his remarkable ability to create, repair, and build, but most of all, he will be remembered by the people who loved him. His hands may have been happiest covered in grease and working on his latest project, but his greatest legacy will live on through his family, his beloved dogs, his faith, and the memories they carry with them. Rick was preceded in death by his father, Richard Morton Arnold, a niece Sadie Schaubert, and his wife, Kathy Stegall Arnold. He is survived by his beloved mother, Grace Johanna Arnold; his daughter, Sarah Clay (Michael); his siblings, Robert Arnold (Teresa), Johanna Slepsky (Greg), Jill Serpico (Randy), and Terri Carter (Brian); two nieces, one nephew, three great-nieces, and one great-nephew; his stepdaughter, Maggie Lowder (David); stepgranddaughters, Hannah Dial and Brooklyn Hunter (John); and four step-great-grandchildren. Rick will be cremated, and his family will honor his life with a Celebration of Life at a later date. Details regarding the Celebration of Life will be shared with family and friends once arrangements have been finalized. Though his time with us has come to an end, what Rick built, the lives he touched, and the memories he created will remain. His stories, laughter, music, and the things he taught those around him will be shared for years to come. Rest easy, Dad. You can finally put down your tools and take that long ride home. You will be deeply missed and forever loved. Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Arnold family.
Michael Gene Smith age 63, entered eternal rest on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Tucker Hospice House in Kannapolis, NC. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at Lakeview Baptist Church in Albemarle, with Rev. Trent Drye, Rev. Don Burleyson, and Rev. Tab Whitley officiating. Entombment will follow at Stanly Gardens of Memory. The family will receive friends Thursday evening from 5:00 pm until 7:00 p.m. at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle. Michael was born September 1, 1963 in Stanly County to the late Ray Junior Smith and Bessie Rae Furr Smith. Michael was a quiet, easy-going, and soft-spoken man that could find the good in anyone. He was a graduate of West Stanly High School and was employed as a Manager of Plant Operations with Atrium Health Main in Charlotte, NC for 25 years: a job that he truly loved and valued. Michael’s faith was one of the key factors in his life. He was a devoted member of Lakeview Baptist Church where he faithfully and honorably served as a deacon. He was a humble, hardworking, kindhearted, down-to-earth man that cherished every moment in life, especially those spent with his family. In his leisure, he enjoyed watching westerns and Andy Griffith, listening to 80’s rock music, and taking family trips to the beach. Above all Michael loved his family. The time spent with those he loved meant more to him than anything else, especially his grandchildren who were his pride and joy. He is lovingly survived by his wife, Elizabeth Ann Smith; his children, Matthew Smith of Concord, Kodi Smith (Sydney) of Albemarle, Logan Smith (Gracien) of Albemarle, and Rylei Smith (Hailey) of New London NC; and his grandchildren, Cadence Smith, Adelyn Smith, and Brodie Smith. He will also be lovingly remembered by his brothers, Donald Smith (Joyce) of Monroe and Todd Smith (Karen) of Oakboro; sisters, Elaine Coley of Oakboro, Sue Smith of Locust, Marie Sells and Evon Jordan (Jerry) of Albemarle; brother-in-law Mike Goodman of Albemarle; as well as many other extended family, coworkers and friends. In addition to his parents, Michael was preceded in death by his sister, Janice Goodman. Michael lived his life with his priorities centered around what mattered most; he put God first in all he did and had such a deep love for his family. He was compassionate and had a heart full of love, tenderness, humbleness, and kindness. He epitomized these qualities through his actions and through living a life of service. His steadfast faith, devotion to those he loved, and appreciation for life’s simple moments will remain a lasting part of the legacy he leaves behind. Though his presence will be greatly missed, his family takes comfort in the faith that guided his life and the assurance that when he opened his eyes, he saw the face of Jesus Christ. Memorials may be made to Lakeview Baptist Church (32496 Pennington Rd. Albemarle, NC 28001)
Miriam Rose Plowman Ferrell, 80, of Norwood, passed away on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Aldersgate in Charlotte. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, September 30, 2026, at Norwood First Baptist Church, with Pastor Mark Forrest and Pastor Todd McSwain officiating. Burial will follow in Plyler Baptist Church Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, September 29, 2026, from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. at Stanly Funeral and Cremation Care of Albemarle. Miriam was born January 3, 1946, in Stanly County to the late Willis and Nellie Plowman. She is lovingly survived by her children, Damon Cotton of Charlotte and Angela Forrest (Mark) of Norwood; grandchildren, Matthew Forrest (Savanna) and Heather Carhart (Eric); and great-grandchildren, Braxton, Bentley, Brooks, Bella, Luke, Lincoln, Lainey, and Liam. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Arthur Junior Ferrell; and siblings, David Plowman, Joel Plowman, Lonnie Plowman, Bruce Plowman, and Merrita Plowman. Miriam was a devoted mother and grandmother whose greatest joy was found in the family she loved so dearly. She especially treasured time spent with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and enjoyed cooking for her family and bringing everyone together around the table. Her faith and church family were also an important part of Miriam’s life. She was an active and faithful member of Norwood First Baptist Church for as long as her health permitted, and she greatly valued the friendships and fellowship she found there. Miriam spent her working career in the banking industry, where she was known for her dedication and strong work ethic. Above all, Miriam will be remembered for the love she had for her family and the simple joy she found in caring for those closest to her. Her life was one centered on faith, family, and service to others, and the love she gave so freely will continue to live on through the generations of her family. Though her presence will be deeply missed, those who loved Miriam will carry with them the treasured memories, lessons, and love she leaves behind. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Aldersgate for the compassionate care, kindness, and support provided to Miriam and her family during her declining health. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Norwood First Baptist Church, P.O. Box 535, Norwood, NC 28128, or Levine & Dickson Hospice House at Aldersgate, 1825 Eastway Drive, Charlotte, NC 28215.
DONALD GEORGE PAGE MARCH 18, 1957 – SEPT. 27, 2026
GLORIA TIPPETT SAUNDERS JULY 8, 1940 – SEPT. 26, 2026 Gloria Tippett Saunders, 86, of Richfield, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Atrium Health Cabarrus Hospital. Gloria was born July 8, 1940, in North Carolina to the late William Russell Tippett and the late Bess Alice Tippett. She was also preceded in death by husband, Roger Duane Saunders. Gloria enjoyed being a first grade reading teacher. She loved serving at her church as piano and organ player. Gloria was known in the community as a kind and loving person with a big smile on her face. She was a wonderful wife, mother and the best Nana to her grand and greatgrandchildren. The family will receive friends from 1pm:1:45pm, Saturday, October 31, 2026, at New London Methodist Church. The funeral service will be on Saturday at 2:00 pm at New London Methodist Church in New London. Burial will follow at the New London Cemetery at 331 Spring Street, New London. Survivors include daughter, Natalie Carroll (Joe) of Melbourne, FL, son, Adam Saunders(Sian) of Clyde, NC, 4 grandchildren Charity Bowman, Spencer Bishop, Ashton Davidson, Bennett Carroll; 5 great grandchildren; Amelia Bowman, Alice Bowman, Addison Bishop, Avery Bowman, Samuel Davidson and brother Bill Tippett (Charlanne). She is also survived by her Significant other Larry Drye. In Lieu of flowers memorials may be shared to The Taylor House 319 Palmer St, Albemarle, NC 28001 . Hartsell Funeral Home of Albemarle is serving the Saunders family.
Donald George Page, 69, of Mooresville, NC passed away Sunday, September 27, 2026. Donald was born March 18, 1957 in Albemarle, NC to the late George Lee Page and the late Ruth Almond Page. He was also preceded in death by an infant son. Survivors include his son, Jeffrey Donald Page and wife Jaime; daughter, Lundie Page Schleng and husband Jeff; daughter, Sarah Elizabeth Page and husband William Talley; grandchildren, Madison, Morgan, Elizabeth, Luke, Lacey and Charlie; sister, Myra Poplin and husband Wayne; brother, Lanny O. Page and wife Angela; sister, Sandra Lambert and husband Kyle; and the mother to his children, Angela B. Page. Donald loved his children and grandchildren dearly. He was always passionate about lending a hand and helping others. Donald enjoyed animal auctions, gardening, canning and crocheting. He retired from Charlotte Transit after more than 30 years. He was a true jack of all trades both in his workshop and in the kitchen. Donald will be dearly missed by all those who loved him and knew him. The family will receive friends from 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm, Thursday, October 1, 2026 at Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland, 13575 Broadway Avenue, Midland, NC 28107. The funeral service will be on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 11:00 am at Plyler Baptist Church, 25958 Austin Road, Albemarle, NC 28001, officiated by Pastor Rusty Shumate. He will lie in state from 10:30 am - 11:00 am prior to the funeral. Burial will follow at the Plyler Baptist Church Cemetery. Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Page family.
SUSAN POPLIN NOV. 18, 1943 – SEPT. 28, 2026 Susan Claire Poplin, 82, of Albemarle passed away on Monday, September 28, 2026 at Trinity Place in Albemarle. A memorial service will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 10:00 AM at Trinity Place. Susan was born on November 18, 1943 in Stanly County to the late James Wesley and Mary Estelle Poplin. She worked as the assistant Librarian for South Stanly High School. She was a member of Aquadale Baptist Church. In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband Tom Poplin, and her brother and sister: Jimmy Poplin and Lisa Poplin. She is survived by her son Anthony Thomas Poplin (Rene), grandchildren: Alex Poplin (Boris), and Matthew Poplin (Shelby), and her great granddaughter Everly Poplin. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Tillery Compassionate Care.
BETTY CRUMP HINSON JAN. 11, 1935 – SEPT. 28, 2026 Betty Crump Hinson, 91, of Albemarle, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 28, 2026, at Woodhaven Court with her loving family by her side. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at Norwood First Baptist Church with Pastor Todd McSwain officiating. Burial will follow at Norview Gardens. The family will receive friends Thursday morning at the church from 9:00 until 10:45 a.m., prior to the service. Betty was born January 11, 1935, in Stanly County to the late Bill and Louise Crump. She is lovingly survived by her daughter, Carolyn McLaurin (Bobby Tucker); grandsons, Charles McLaurin and Christopher McLaurin; and brother, Dub Crump. In addition to her parents, Betty was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Herman Boone Hinson, who passed away in 2015; and her brothers, Edgar Crump, Wayne Crump, and Bid Crump. Betty was a devoted mother and grandmother whose greatest happiness came from spending time with those she loved. She enjoyed the simple pleasures of life and was always ready for a good yard sale, never knowing what special treasure she might find. She had a tender heart for animals and especially cherished the companionship of her beloved dogs throughout the years. Trips to the beach held a special place in Betty’s heart. She loved walking along the shore searching for seashells and enjoying the beauty and peacefulness of the coast. She also appreciated life’s little treats, including a good hot dog, and found joy in familiar traditions, treasured outings, and time spent with family. The family would like to express their sincere gratitude to the staff of Woodhaven Court and Via Health Partners Hospice and Palliative Care, as well as Vicki Drye, Connie Almond, and Carol Coley, for the kindness, compassion, love, and support shown to Betty and her family. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Via Health Partners, 7600 Little Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28226. Betty will be remembered for her love of family, her caring heart, and her ability to find happiness in life’s simple moments. From afternoons spent searching for a yard-sale treasure to days at the beach gathering seashells, she leaves behind countless cherished memories. Though she will be deeply missed, the love she gave so freely will remain in the hearts of her family and all who were blessed to know her.
STANLY SPORTS
COURTESY LESLIE GRANT PHOTOGRAPHY
West Stanly’s players rejoice together on the field after making a big play.
West Stanly prepares for conference battle in Monroe The Colts are .500 through six games this season By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — The eighth week of the high school football season has arrived with conference play in full swing for the county’s four teams. Only one local squad maintains a winning record, while another is sitting at 3-3 and two
more have dropped multiple games below .500. The importance of the shifting conference standings brings another dynamic to the importance of each and every matchup from here on out. West Stanly at Monroe Looking to improve to 2-0 in Rocky River Conference action, the West Stanly Colts (3-3, 1-0 RRC) are heading to Monroe this week to square off with the Redhawks (4-2, 1-0 RRC). The Colts, fresh off a
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Margin of victory in Monroe’s recent win over Parkwood come-from-behind 24-21 win over Anson in Red Cross, are now trying to stack consecutive wins for the first time this season. However, they will be facing a Monroe squad that has won
three games in a row, including last weekend’s 49-18 home win over Parkwood. South Stanly at North Stanly One week after a landslide 55-0 win in Albemarle, North Stanly is returning home for another Yadkin Valley Conference matchup against a county foe. The Comets (5-0, 2-0 YVC) will host the South Stanly Rowdy Rebel Bulls (1-5, 1-2 YVC), whose only victory this season was a home win over Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy. North Stanly has outscored its opponents by a margin of 170-42 through five games this fall, picking up right where it left off from a 10-2 campaign. Meanwhile, South Stanly has already surpassed the three losses it had
in an eight-win 2025 season. Meetings between the two teams have proven to be unpredictable — the Bulls shocked the then-undefeated Comets last fall with a 40-0 win in Norwood, handing North Stanly its largest loss of the season. Union Academy at Albemarle The Albemarle Bulldogs (2-4, 0-1 YVC) has suffered two shutout losses in a row — both on their home field — and will get a visit from the Union Academy Cardinals (4-2, 2-1 YVC). Albemarle defeated the Cardinals by a touchdown in Monroe last year. Winners of four of its past five, Union Academy recently recorded victories over South Stanly and Bonnie Cone following a road loss to North Rowan.
North Stanly overwhelms Albemarle in 55-0 win The Comets remained unbeaten with a shutout victory By Jesse Deal Stanly News Journal ALBEMARLE — North Stanly’s football team remained unbeaten Friday night with a dominant performance against county rival Albemarle, rolling to a 55-0 road win. Improving to 5-0 overall and 2-0 in Yadkin Valley Conference play, the Comets continued their perfect start to the 2026 season while handing the Bulldogs (2-4, 0-1 YVC) a lopsided defeat in their own conference opener. North Stanly took control immediately, scoring 28 points in the first quarter before adding 20 more in the second to build a 48-0 halftime lead. The early surge put the game firmly in the Comets’ hands well before the break. The Comets added their final touchdown in the third quarter, and neither team scored in the fourth. The shutout was North Stanly’s second against a Stanly County opponent this season, coming five weeks after a 41-0 home win over West Stanly. Albemarle, mean-
while, has dropped four of its past five games. North Stanly scored in nearly every phase, finishing with six rushing touchdowns, one passing score and a special teams touchdown. Senior quarterback Brady Lowder completed 3 of 4 passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. Senior Kylan Dockery contributed in several ways, rushing four times for 49 yards and two touchdowns, catching a 30-yard pass and completing passes for a team-high 83 yards. Sophomore running back R.J. Brooks carried five times for 89 yards and two touchdowns, while junior J.J. Crute scored on a 14-yard run and also returned a kickoff 72 yards for a touchdown. Senior running back Jaden Little added a 6-yard touchdown run. North Stanly spread the ball around through the air, with six players recording receptions. Sophomore wide receiver Malakhi Blackmon had two catches for 33 yards and a touchdown, while senior Nathan Helms led the Comets with 46 receiving yards on two catches. The stout Comets defense kept Albemarle off the scoreboard throughout the night, as senior linebacker Maddox Cody led North Stanly with 11
COURTESY DAWN LUCAS PHOTOGRAPHY
North Stanly’s Kylan Dockery, left, and Maddox Cody share a celebratory leap during a game earlier this season. tackles and junior defensive tackle Colton Martin recorded two sacks to go with five tackles. On Monday night, North Stanly traveled to Mount Holly for a makeup road game at Mountain Island Charter, set-
ting a quick turnaround before the Comets return home to New London on Friday to host South Stanly. Albemarle will also be at home on Friday, facing Union Academy in the Bulldogs’ second YVC game of the season.
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Rushing touchdowns for the Comets against the Bulldogs
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, October 7, 2026
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Giants release receiver Beckham Jr. after 3 games, zero catches
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Odell Beckham Jr.’s return to the New York Giants lasted just three games with no catches. The Giants released Beckham and signed receiver/returner Braxton Berrios, a Raleigh native, off the practice squad. The 33-year-old Beckham was thrown at just once during his brief cameo back with the team that drafted him. Beckham made the roster out of training camp after being out of football for more than a year. Berrios was out of practice squad promotions, hence the need to clear a spot.
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Former Falcons center Van Note, 6-time Pro Bowl center, dead at 80
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Atlanta Jeff Van Note, a six-time Pro Bowl center who spent all 18 seasons of his NFL career with Atlanta and was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2006, died at 80. A cause of death was not released. Van Note was selected out of Kentucky in the 11th round of the 1969 NFL Draft. He originally joined the Falcons as a linebacker before being moved to center by then-coach Norm Van Brocklin.
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NCAA FOOTBALL
Barstool’s Portnoy pulled from Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” appearance Dave Portnoy and Barstool Sports will no longer make appearances on Fox’s “Big Noon Kickoff” pregame show, a person familiar with the situation told The Associated Press. The Athletic was the first to report on Fox Sports’ decision. The Barstool Sports founder said on social media that it was Ohio State and coach Ryan Day who forced Fox Sports to take them off the show
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NCAA HOCKEY
Arizona State asks former state chief justice to lead review of hockey player’s collapse
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Arizona State asked a former chief justice of the Arizona Supreme Court to lead an independent review of the collapse of hockey player Matthew Mayich during an outdoor workout in August. Scott Bales will review Arizona State’s findings and information provided by attorneys representing the Mayich family and hockey team members, as well as by law enforcement. The 21-year-old Mayich collapsed during a workout on the first day the NCAA allows official activities. He suffered from exertional heat stroke that reduced flow of oxygen to his brain and is unlikely to recover.
SOCCER
Sullivan — just 17 — becomes youngest USMNT player to score in 3-0 win vs. Mexico Glendale, Ariz. Cavan Sullivan became the youngest player to score for the U.S. men’s national team, leading them to a 3-0 victory over Mexico. At 17, Sullivan scored in the 62nd minute, intercepting a pass from Mexico’s goalkeeper. Fellow teenager Julian Hall added a goal in the 28th minute, marking his third international goal in three games. Malik Tillman capped the scoring in the 84th minute. This match was the first meeting between the rivals since Mexico’s 2025 Gold Cup win.
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, October 7, 2026
NASCAR shrugs off fisticuffs, swearing, heads back to old tracks as it embraces rugged past The organization seems to have lightened penalties on drivers fighting By Dave Skretta The Associated Press CARSON HOCEVAR traded a few haymakers with popular driver Ryan Blaney in a pit-road fracas at Bristol in September. The two tangled in the closing laps, the contact sending Blaney into the wall and ending his race — and maybe his title hopes. When Hocevar pulled his car onto pit road after a third-place finish, his foil was standing there waiting for him. Hocevar got the better of the dust-up, leaving Blaney with a shiner under his right eye. Thousands of fans who had stuck around to watch Joey Logano take the checkered flag seemed to roar even louder for the postrace fight. “I was surprised, and so was everybody else. But luckily, I have a height advantage on Ryan, I guess,” Hocevar said later. “If we were in a running competition, I’m screwed. No matter who it is, I can’t run. So luckily, standing still, I can do OK and defend myself.” Perhaps even more surprising was what NASCAR did in the aftermath: nothing. No penalties. No fines. Not even a slap on the wrist. “We’re not going to encourage fighting, but what we are going to encourage is passion,” NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell said during an appearance on former driver Kevin Harvick’s podcast before adding: “We’ll watch what happens the rest of the way.” The decision was seen by many as NASCAR embracing a “Boys, have at it” attitude that had been displaced for a generation by a squeaky clean corporate image that somehow seemed out of place. It harkened back to the 1979 Daytona 500, when Cale Yarborough and the Allison brothers, Donnie and Bobby, got into perhaps the most famous fistfight in NASCAR history, and the days when Dale Earnhardt Sr. was using the bumper of his famed
COLIN E. BRALEY / AP PHOTO
Carson Hocevar, right, interacts with fans before a NASCAR Cup Series race. black No. 3 to drive rivals out of his way on the way to seven Cup Series championships. Intentional or not, the Bristol fight was another example of NASCAR turning back to its roots. “I feel like we’ve kind of gone that direction quite a bit here recently,” Logano said. “It seems like the American pride is definitely in the game, and I feel like the drivers, the brands they have right now, are more that direction than they have been in the past. It was there for a moment when a lot of drivers were, I don’t know, a little more higher society, if you will, right? It seems like everyone is more into their hotrods again, and you know, being a little more blue collar, I guess.” Many drivers still trace the roots of NASCAR to the short tracks of the South, which
the series seemed to abandon during the 1990s and early 2000s, when races moved to purpose-built, almost cookie-cutter tracks amid a northern and westward expansion. The move may have briefly fed a popularity explosion, but in the long run, it also might have alienated some of its base that treasures NASCAR’s historical ties to the moonshine runners of old and the outlaw image the sport has long embraced. North Wilkesboro is a prime example. The fan-favorite track in rural North Carolina opened in 1947, almost simultaneous to NASCAR’s founding, and hosted Cup Series races until 1996, at which point it sat idle for decades. But it has made a comeback in recent years, hosting the All-Star race from 2023-25, and Logano was victorious in
“We’re not going to encourage fighting, but what we are going to encourage is passion.” Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR CEO July when the series returned with a regular-season race. “The community just loved having the race there,” driver Michael McDowell said. “You could just feel that when you got there.” Or take the Clash, which from 1979-97 led into the Daytona 500 every February. NASCAR took the exhibition race from Florida to the Los Angeles Coliseum for a three-year stretch beginning in 2022, but the novelty wore off after just
one year. So, the organization took the race to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem for the past couple of years and will take it back to Daytona in February. “We’ve all been very fortunate in the garage area to make it to top-level motorsports,” driver Chris Buescher said. “But we all came from that short-track racing background in some way, shape or form. This is all our background.” For many, so is dirt-track racing on bullrings scattered across the country. Those small-town stock car races were once a proving ground for guys like Earnhardt, whose first race car was a 1956 Ford Victoria that “The Intimidator” ran on dirt tracks around North Carolina. Turns out NASCAR is starting to feel dirty again.
Shesterkin becomes 18th NHL goaltender to score goal The goalie was the first New York Rangers goalie to do it
New York Rangers goaltender Igor Shesterkin reacts after scoring a goal against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
By Stephen Whyno The Associated Press NEW YORK — Igor Shesterkin shot the puck down the ice toward the empty net like he has done so many times before. Then his view was blocked by players standing in the way. “I didn’t see the puck land,” Shesterkin said, “so I didn’t know can I celebrate or not.” It landed perfectly and bounced into the net with 2:34 left on the clock. The crowd went crazy and his New York Rangers teammates mobbed him in celebration as Shesterkin became the 18th goaltender in NHL history to score a goal and first to do it for the Rangers. “I feel like probably a dozen times I’ve been on the bench thinking, ‘OK, this one goes in,’ and he barely misses,” longest-tenured Rangers player Mika Zibanejad said after Shesterkin’s goal capped off a 5-1 victory over Tampa Bay on Thursday night in the home opener at Madison Square Garden. “Just seeing this one go in, the way he played today and obviously the amount of chances that he’s had to do that and now finally get it, it was great.” The first goal of his career is the 21st by an NHL goalie, counting the playoffs. After trying often over his first seven seasons, he thought he would celebrate differently, but getting screened made him hesitate. “I was just a little bit shy and didn’t know what I can do,” Shesterkin said. “Maybe next
PAMELA SMITH / AP PHOTO
time. I will keep trying to score one more time.” Serenaded by chants of “Igor! Igor!” from fans delighted to see him finally cash in, Shesterkin got to lead the parade of players skating to the bench to fist-bump smiling teammates. “It’s pretty nice,” Shesterkin said. “I never did it before, so it’s a lot of fun.” The goal tied Shesterkin with Zibanejad, Gabriel Perreault and newcomers Pavel Dorofeyev and Eeli Tolvanen for the team
lead in goals through two games. “He’s not just a great goalie — he’s a great goal-scorer right now,” Dorofeyev said. “I have a serious competitor right now, so got to keep an eye on him.” Shesterkin had the opportunity because Lightning coach Jon Cooper pulled Andrei Vasilevskiy off and on the ice during the third period for an extra attacker. The goal was the first by a goalie since friend and fellow Russian Ilya Sorokin of the Islanders got credit last season
when he was the last to touch the puck before it went into Nashville’s net. “Yeah, this one counts,” said Shesterkin, who was also terrific at the other end, stopping 24 of 25 Lightning shots. Hall of Fame Rangers goaltender Henrik Lundqvist on social media called him “Igor the goal scorer” and said, “It was just a matter of time.” Coach Mike Sullivan knew the shot had a chance to go in by the time it was at center ice.
He’s glad Shesterkin finally accomplished the feat. “Obviously one of his strengths is his ability to handle the puck,” Sullivan said. “When those moments occur for a team, they are great moments. You can see the raw emotion on the players on the bench. Shesty, he’s such a great goalie. He makes so many timely saves for us. When he has a moment like that, I think the guys, they get pretty fired up about it. It was a lot of fun.”
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, October 7, 2026
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NOTICE TO CREDITORS The undersigned, having qualified as Administrator for the Estate of James Franklin Heglar, Jr, deceased, late of Stanly County, NC hereby notifies all persons, firms, and corporations having claims against the said decedent to present to the undersigned on or before January 10, 2027 or this notice will be pleaded in bar of their recovery. All persons, firms and corporations indebted to said estate are notified to make immediate payment. Mamie Hensley, Administrator for the Estate of James Franklin Heglar, Jr Estate File 26E000440-830, 37606 Old Country Road, Mt. Pleasant, NC 28124.
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NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000446-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of Virginia Cagle Eury a/k/a Virginia C. Eury a/k/a Evelyn V. Eury deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Virginia Cagle Eury a/k/a Virginia C. Eury a/k/a Evelyn V. Eury to present them to the undersigned on or before January 8, 2027 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 October 2026. Brenda B. Eury 24205 Saint Martin Road Albemarle, NC 28001 Administrator
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000394-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administratrix of the Estate of Ricky Dale Lisenby deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Ricky Dale Lisenby to present them to the undersigned on or before December 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 23rd day of September 2026. Amanda Lisenby Cranford 6700 Kluttz Road Concord, NC 28025 Administratrix
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000413-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Executor of the Estate of Teressa Strawn Martin deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina, this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said Teressa Strawn Martin to present them to the undersigned on or before December 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 23rd day of September 2026. Rachel Rhodes Perry 5927 Morris Woods Drive Stanfield, NC 28163 Executor
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IN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF EMANUEL COUNTY STATE OF GEORGIA C.A. NO. 26CV00128 CODY GARDINIER, Petitioner, v HAILEY WILLIAMS, Respondent. NOTICE OF PUBLICATION By order for service by publication dated the 1st day of September, 2026, and filed on the 10th day of September, 2026, you are hereby notified that on June 18, 2026, Cody Gardinier filed a Petition for Legitimation in the Superior Court of Emanuel County, Georgia. You are required to file with the Clerk of the Superior Court of Emanuel County and serve upon Petitioner’s attorney, whose name and address are: Courtney Joiner Anderson, C. Joiner Anderson, Law, P.C., P.O. Box 1488, Lyons, GA 30436, an Answer to the Petition within sixty (60) days of the date of the Order for Publication. The Court has scheduled a hearing in this matter for November 4, 2026, at 10:00 a.m., in the courtroom of the Honorable Robert S. Reeves, located at 25 S Main Street, Swainsboro, GA 30401. If you fail to answer or appear for hearing, judgment may be entered against you, and the Court may grant the relief requested in the Petition. This notice shall be published once a week for four consecutive weeks. This 16th day of September, 2026. Courtney Joiner Anderson Attorney for Petitioner Signed as Officer of the Court
NOTICE NORTH CAROLINA STANLY COUNTY IN THE GENERAL COURT OF JUSTICE SUPERIOR COURT DIVISION BEFORE THE CLERK FILE NO. 26E000428-830 NOTICE TO CREDITORS Having qualified as Administrator of the Estate of David Glenn Thomas, deceased, of Stanly County, North Carolina this is to notify all persons having claims against the Estate of said David Glenn Thomas to present them to the undersigned on or before January 8, 2027 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 October, 2026. David Michael Thomas 474 Woodgate Way Summerville, SC 29485 __________________________________________ Administrator Information John W Webster 146 North 4th Street Albemarle, NC 28001 __________________________________________ Attorney Information
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, October 7, 2026
the stream
REBECCA BLACKWELL / AP PHOTO
Pitbull performs between World Cup matches at a public watch party at Bayfront Park in downtown Miami on June 13. His new album, “Pitcoin” drops Friday.
Oasis doc, Pitbull, ‘Carrie’ series, ‘Gears of War: E-Day,’ ‘Disclosure Day’ One of Stephen King’s classics gets the TV treatment on Netflix By Lindsey Bahr The Associated Press “DISCLOSURE DAY” and a new album from Pitbull 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, as selected by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists: “Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger,” Troye Sivan’s fourth album and the highly anticipated game “Gears of War: E-Day.” MOVIES TO STREAM Even if you don’t think you care much about Oasis or the long feud between Noel and Liam Gallagher that led to the band’s very abrupt breakup in 2009, you might be surprised to find yourself drawn in by the documentary “Oasis: Don’t Look Back in Anger,” coming to Hulu and Disney+ on Friday. At the Venice Film Festival, more than a few nonfans, including me, found themselves fighting back tears during the film, which chronicles their 2025 reunion tour. It’s not hard-hitting or even terribly revelatory, but its portrait of forgiveness, of fandom and of the music, all adds up to something quite moving. Steven Spielberg’s “Disclosure Day” is finally beaming onto Peacock. Josh O’Connor and Emily Blunt star in the sci-fi thriller, which builds on Spielberg’s longstanding fascination with extraterrestrials. In her review, AP Film Writer Lindsey Bahr wrote that it’s “a classic, big-hearted Spielberg adventure through and through, with ordinary people rebelling against shadowy secret keepers in the name of the truth … blowing the whistle, in classic paranoid conspiracy thriller style.” Ben Affleck directed, co-wrote and stars in the kidnapping thriller “Animals,” about a Los Angeles mayoral candidate (Affleck) and his wife (Kerry Wash-
EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION / AP PHOTO
Josh Hartnett, from left, Dakota Johnson and Anne Hathaway attend the premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ “Verity” at AMC Lincoln Square on Sept. 29 in New York. ington) who are scrambling to figure out a ransom payment for their son’s kidnappers. Debuting on Netflix, Gillian Anderson co-stars. John Cena plays an undercover CIA agent who brings his childhood friends, including Jessica Biel, Sam Richardson, Arturo Castro and Teyonah Parris, on a globe-trotting action adventure in “Matchbox: The Movie,” streaming on Apple TV. Yes, that’s Matchbox as in the Mattel toys. MUSIC TO STREAM It’s always summertime in the heart of a new Pitbull record. Mr. Worldwide will release “Pitcoin” on Friday — 24 songs of good time bangers and an impressive list of collaborators. (A small sampling includes Lil Jon, Jason Derulo, Enrique Iglesias, Wiz Khalifa and Bon Jovi. You read that last one correctly — and yes, the song features a strong sampling of “It’s My Life.”) Grab a drink — or
EVAN AGOSTINI / INVISION VIA AP
Steven Spielberg attends the “Disclosure Day” premiere at David H. Koch Theater on June 8 in New York. a bald cap — and hit play on “Damn I Love Miami.” In the decade-plus since Sivan emerged a multilayered, experimental pop talent on his debut, “Blue Neighbourhood,” the Australian singer has only
grown more inventive. His forthcoming fourth studio album, “She’s the Best,” further establishes him as the thinking person’s club musician of choice — avant-garde in some moments, stunningly convention-
al in others (see: the sample of Madonna’s “Music” on the single “Party.”) Set the lights to low. SPOOKY SERIES TO STREAM Mike Flanagan, the horror storyteller behind Netflix’s “The Haunting of Hill House,” has adapted Stephen King’s 1974 debut novel “Carrie” for television. Summer H. Howell stars as Carrie White, a high school outcast with telekinetic powers. Samantha Sloyan, a frequent Flanagan collaborator, whose credits include “Hill House,” “Midnight Mass” and “The Fall of the House of Usher,” plays her mother, Margaret White. Flanagan wrote and executive produced the eight-episode series and directed four episodes. The full run is now streaming on Prime Video. Josh Hartnett has a busy October. The actor is one of the stars of the thriller “Verity” in theaters now and leads Netflix’s “Below.” He plays a Newfoundland fisherman whose family and neighbors come under threat from a sea creature lurking offshore. Mackenzie Davis and Charlie Heaton co-star in the six-episode limited series. It premieres Thursday. VIDEO GAMES TO PLAY When Microsoft’s “Gears of War” debuted in 2006, humanity’s fight against the vicious Locust Horde was well underway. “Gears of War: E-Day” takes us back at long last to the Locusts’ emergence — that’s what the “E” stands for — on the planet Sera. Franchise heroes Marcus Fenix and Dominic Santiago are there for the eruption, and you can team up with a friend to take on the prequel storyline. You can also join forces in co-op survival mode or enjoy competitive combat against other online teams. The campaign begins on Xbox X/S and PC. Annapurna Interactive has become a prominent advocate of small-scale, narrative-heavy games by switching focus with every release. May’s “Mixtape” was about three teenagers; “Forever Ago” stars a 70-something man named Alfred. To deal with a broken heart, he sets out on a road trip with his dog and his camera. Indie studio Third Shift promises a tale that balances grief and regret with hope and new friendships. Hit the road Thursday on Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox X/S and PC.
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Stanly News Journal for Wednesday, October 7, 2026
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