Our Team
Meet the people behind The Stanly Independent—the writers, editors, photographers, and community members who bring local stories to life and help make your independent hometown newspaper possible.
Monet Goode
With a vision for building something meaningful, our founder brings a blend of big-picture thinking and hands-on experience. They set the tone for everything we do.
Publisher / Business Manager
Sarah A. Flanagan
Sarah is a mother of two, community organizer, publisher, and storyteller. Born in Charlotte, she moved to Albemarle in 2013 and has spent the years since becoming deeply rooted in the community. She and Tiffany founded The Stanly Independent on a simple belief that community matters. They believe local journalism should listen to the people it serves, tell the stories that shape our communities, and be grounded in facts, truth, accuracy, and accountability. For Sarah, the paper is about more than reporting the news, it’s about helping neighbors better understand, connect with, and care about the place they call home.
Publisher / Layout Editor
Digital Editor / Writer
Logan Kilde
Bio
Columnist
Science a 250
Thomas Lipe
Bio
Saddie Prescott
Bio
Writer
Abyl Dahle
Bio
Columnist
On The Trail With Troop 202Columnist
Stanly County Historical Society
Lewis Bramlett
Bio
Writer
Ashley Miller
Bio
Rose Green
Bio
Columnist
Beyond the StarsCopy Editor
Edward Royston
Edward Royston is an Associate Professor of English at Pfeiffer University and a member of the Stanly County Arts Council.