Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

We sure do have some talented people who are doing great things inside and outside of Stanly County.

That is no secret, as we’ve known about our famous broadcasters, musicians, writers, athletes, artists, entrepreneurs, bankers and others for years.

But today I want to speak of three of our native Stanly Countians who have made the news lately.

Badin native and former co-host of “The View” Star Jones is back on TV as the new host of “Divorce Court.”

Jones was supposed to be a guest at the Best of Badin Festival back in 2001. She did not make it to the festival as plans changed following 9-11.

I don’t know if she’ll ever be back for a public appearance, but we’d love to see her.

Louis Cato has been named leader of the band for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.”

Cato, who has been a member of the band for the last few years, was promoted to band leader upon departure of Jon Baptiste, who has been on a roll with his own music.

We also have the renaming of a five-mile stretch of North Carolina Highway 740 in honor of jazz saxophone legend Lou Donaldson.

Donaldson’s daughter Carol told me she attended a virtual meeting of the NC DOT about Lou Donaldson Boulevard.

“He asked me to tell the members of the Naming Committee how humbled he is and how, at age 95, it is truly the highlight of his life to receive such a monumental honor and in his beloved hometown.”

I know this is a big if, but what if we could get Louis Cato to perform one of Sweet Poppa Lou’s hits at the unveiling ceremony for Lou Donaldson Boulevard?

B.J. Drye is editor and general manager of The Stanly News & Press. Call 704-982-2123, or follow bjdrye1 on Twitter.