🗞️ Local News Brief
Monday, July 28, 2025
Brought to you by Friendly Chevrolet and Uwharrie Bank
Voice of the Stanly County Morning – Dave Andrews on WSPC 107.3 FM, 1010 AM & Magic 103.3 FM
🚨 Teen Driver Leads Police on Multi-County Chase
- 19-year-old Darius Gatewood was arrested after leading officers on a high-speed pursuit across Stanly and Cabarrus counties.
- The chase began near Atrium Health Stanly and stretched through Albemarle, Oakboro, Ridgecrest, Frog Pond, Millingport, and into Cabarrus County before returning to Stanly and ending in Badin.
- Gatewood crashed and tried to flee on foot with two juvenile passengers. All three were quickly captured by deputies.
- Gatewood faces numerous charges including:
- Flee to elude arrest
- Reckless driving
- Felony conspiracy
- Attempted larceny
- Possession of marijuana & paraphernalia
- Resisting a public officer
- He is being held at the Stanly County Detention Center.
🔥 Electrical Fire at Troy Church Halts Services
- An electrical fire at Covington Baptist Church in Troy broke out when a contractor drilled into a wall.
- The fire damaged the dining hall, and the building now has no power.
- Officials say services will be canceled until state or county inspectors can assess and approve a restoration plan.
🚓 Speeding Enforcement Steps Up in Albemarle
- The Albemarle Police Department is joining a statewide effort:
“Speeding Catches Up With You” - The campaign targets:
- Excessive speed
- Aggressive driving
- Increased police presence is expected on highways and local roads.
- So far in 2024, speed-related crashes have caused:
- Nearly 400 deaths
- Thousands of injuries statewide
🏛️ Market Station Depot to Gain New Tenant
- Katie Lynn with the Albemarle Downtown Development Corp. said they are finalizing a new full-time tenant for the Depot at Market Station.
- A fire inspection on June 30 prompted the need to:
- Replace expired fire extinguishers
- Add extinguishers at the Market Station Pavilion
- Replace batteries in exit signs
💰 Outdoor Bonanza Payouts Finalized
- Final proceeds from the Outdoorsman’s Bonanza were distributed:
- Stanly County Shrine Club: $58,765.66
- Stanly Health Foundation: $58,765.66
- Albemarle Downtown: $60,546.44
🚒 Albemarle Fire Department Update
- Call Volume (2025 YTD): 1,066 total calls
- 74 fire service calls
- 188 EMS calls
- Mutual Aid:
- Received: 10 times
- Provided: 2 times
- Average Response Times:
- Dispatch: 1:19
- Arrival: 4:45
- All trucks are currently in service, though some apparatus will go out soon for maintenance.
- Progress continues on a fire station location study—results expected soon.
🏆 Mandy Melton Honored as CTE Administrator of the Year
- Ms. Mandy Melton was named CTE Administrator of the Year for the Southwestern Region by the NC Association for Career and Technical Education.
- She has served Stanly County Schools for 26 years.
- Officials praised her “passion, leadership, and commitment to student success.”
👮 New Officer Sworn In for Albemarle PD
- Officer Hudson was officially sworn in at Albemarle PD Headquarters this week.
- The ceremony included staff, family, and friends.
- If you see Officer Hudson around town, be sure to say hello!
📧 Have local news to share?
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