📰 Today’s Local News from WSPC 107.3 FM & 1010 AM
Also heard on Magic 103.3 FM
📅 Wednesday, September 17, 2025
🕙 Your mid-morning briefing from Dave Andrews in the WSPC newsroom
Brought to you by Friendly Chevrolet and Uwharrie Bank
🚨 Factory Explosion in New London
Four people injured after blast at Fiberon plant
- An explosion Friday evening at the Fiberon factory on Random Drive in New London injured four employees.
- Multiple 911 calls came in just before 6 pm., and fire crews from across the region responded.
- Stanly County EMS:
- Two victims were treated at Atrium Health Stanly in Albemarle.
- Two were transported to the Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem.
- All injuries were described as non-life-threatening.
- Fire Marshal Daniel Barham: “There’s quite a bit of damage to the building and some of the equipment used in their manufacturing process.”
- The fire was declared under control around 11:45 p.m., though crews stayed overnight.
- Cause of the explosion remains under investigation by local, state, and federal agencies.
🚓 Locust Police Report for August
Busy month of enforcement and patrols
- 355 calls for service
- 2,725 business and neighborhood patrols
- 331 traffic stops
- 42 arrest charges (including 7 DWIs)
- 18 traffic crashes
Officer of the Month – August: Adam Hartsell
- Led the department with 80 traffic stops, 30 citations, 47 warnings, and 15 arrest charges (5 for DWI).
- In just two months as traffic enforcement officer, Hartsell has made 9 DWI arrests.
🏛️ Albemarle City Council Updates
City Manager Darren Rhodes provided key updates:
- Fire Station Location Study: Report available in October.
- Doppler Power Outage Reporting System: Improvements made, performing better after high-volume incident.
- Large Vehicle Ordinance Enforcement: No calls yet, but police prepared to respond.
- Emergency Training Center Ribbon Cutting:
- 📅 Tuesday, October 14
- 🕛 Lunch at Noon, Ceremony at 1 p.m.
- 📍 Training Center
- RSVP by October 6
🎨 Downtown Albemarle Mural Project
Call for artist proposals now open
- New mural to be installed on the east-facing wall at 119 West Main Street in Courthouse Plaza.
- Katie Lynn, Main Street Manager: “By adding a large-scale work of public art, we’re not only enhancing a space that’s already improved, but creating a destination that will draw visitors and support local businesses.”
- Up to 3 semi-finalists will receive a $500 stipend to develop concepts.
- Applications and full details available at: albemarlenc.gov/muralproject.
🎉 A Century of Life in Albemarle
WWII veteran Jim Nance celebrates 100th birthday
- Honored at Albemarle City Council by Councilman Bill Aldridge.
- Nance, born September 14, 1925, has lived in Albemarle since 1953.
- Owned and operated the local Chevrolet dealership until 2007.
- Married to wife Helen for 75 years.
- Served in World War II (1943–1945).
- Aldridge described him as: “A true gentleman… humble, kind, and very blessed.”
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