The 06-06-2025 Edition of The Charlotte Weekly Union County
MONROE – Detectives with the Union County Sheriff’s Office believe an armed suspect who was killed in a shootout with the Monroe Police Department on May 31 had fatally shot someone in Indian Trail.
An o cer with the Monroe Police Department saw a suspicious vehicle near Rocky River Road while driving along Old Charlotte Highway at 1:45 a.m. May 31. Police said the driver drove o and the o cer pursued.
O cers brought the chase to an end within four minutes at Goldmine Road near River Chase Drive after deploying stop sticks. Police said the suspect opened re on law enforcement, hitting
a female officer multiple times, and ran into a heavily wooded area.
The Monroe Police Department's special response team searched the area with K9s, a drone and assistance from a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department helicopter.
O cers found the suspect at 3:52 a.m. Police said the
CHARLOTTE
– The Metropolitan Transit Commission voted May 28 to adopt an updated Transit System Plan.
e plan prioritizes the Better Bus program, which includes microtransit. It also details a phased implementation of the rapid transit corridors.
The plan represents a major expansion of transit serving the Charlotte region, including a 50% increase in bus service and 43 more miles of rail services.
The decision to approve this plan comes after nearly half a year of public engagement across Mecklenburg County. Four scenarios were developed and presented to the public that included the Better Bus program, Red Line and Gold Line extension. The scenarios varied in the mode and length of the Silver Line corridor and the Blue Line extension.
“Through our surveys, 93% of participants indicated that more transit options are needed in Mecklenburg County and the time to act is now,” interim CEO Brent Cagle said. “ ey also highlighted the need for increased frequency and connections to jobs, housing, education and daily destinations. We believe this updated plan meets the needs shared by our
MONROE – South
Piedmont Community College has renamed the two streets leading into its Monroe campus as South Piedmont Street and Student Success Place.
Interim President Michelle Brock said May 13 that the renamed roads reflect the college’s mission.
“ ese new names represent the very essence of South Piedmont: a place where progress happens, where students are empowered and where dreams become the foundation for brighter
communities, and we applaud the MTC for their continued diligence and support of the communities that we serve.”
Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said approving the plan is a milestone in the Metropolitan Transit Commission’s shared vision for the future of mobility in Mecklenburg County.
“ is plan re ects years of collaboration, community input and a deep commitment to building a more connected, accessible, and
futures,” Brock said. “Students, employees and visitors will see these signs and know that this is a place where lives are changed, where success is built and where South Piedmont is leading the way.”
The road leading into the Monroe campus is now South Piedmont Street. e road leading into the campus from Rogers Road is now Student Success Place.
New addresses at the Monroe campus went into e ect beginning June 1.
ey are as follows:
Suspect in police shooting tied to separate death case
suspect shot at the o cers with a ri e. e special response team returned fire and killed the suspect, identi ed as 18-year-old Joshua Hayden Sikes.
“ is suspect intended to kill our o cer, and by the grace of God she’s alive right now,” Monroe Police Chief Rhett Bolen said. “Everyone on our team followed their
training and acted decisively to stop a deadly threat. We stand firmly behind their actions and are grateful that our officer will eventually be able to go home to her family.”
The officer is currently recovering at home. The Monroe Police Department has been accepting cards and meals on her behalf.
Monroe Mayor Robert Burns credited the o cer for her strength, courage and training as well as her colleagues for preventing further tragedy.
“This suspect intended to kill,” Burns said in a statement released on social
Meck leaders update Transit System Plan
sustainable region for generations to come,” Lyles said.
e Metropolitan Transit Commission, which serves as the governing board for the Charlotte Area Transit System, consists of mayors across Mecklenburg County.
Matthews Mayor John Higdon opposed the plan because it did not prioritize building out the Silver Line East toward his town. Higdon said the plan ignores “$40 million-plus already spent on the
South Piedmont renames streets at Monroe Campus
• Main Building: 1851 South Piedmont St., Monroe, N.C., 28110
• Braswell Building: 1875 South Piedmont St., Monroe, N.C., 28110
• Building A: 4150 Student Success Place, Monroe, N.C., 28110
• Center for Entrepreneurship: 4260 Student Success Place, Monroe, N.C., 28110
• Aseptic Training Facility: 1701 South Piedmont St., Monroe, N.C., 28110
Brock thanked the college’s signage committee, print shop, facilities crew and the City of Monroe for their work to rename the streets.
Union County presents fiscal year budget
MONROE – Union County Manager Brian Matthews presented his recommended budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year on June 2 to the board of county commissioners. The budget proposal, which spans from July 2025 to June 2026, includes a tax rate of 1.82 cents above the revenue-neutral rate. is rate allows the county to cover debt obligations for capital projects that voters previously approved for Union County Public Schools and South Piedmont Community College.
Silver Line East design and the thousands of hours stakeholders spent determining its preferred route and station locations.”
Mecklenburg Commissioner Leigh Altman defended the plan, saying it expands bus service to 450,000 more residents across the county.
CATS o cials say most of the bus portion of the plan will be implemented over the next ve to 10 years. Riders can expect to see improved amenities, increased frequency and additional microtransit zones within that period.
e Rapid Transit Corridor System plan calls for the following:
• Red Line commuter rail from Charlotte Gateway Station to Mt. Mourne in Iredell County.
• Silver Line light rail from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Bojangles Coliseum/ Ovens Auditorium.
• Gold Line streetcar extension from Rosa Parks Place to Eastland.
• Blue Line light rail extension from I-485/South Boulevard to Carolina Place Mall in Pineville.
• Future light rail extensions for Silver Line west to I-485 and east to Matthews and Blue Line to Ballantyne, as funding allows, with enhanced bus service in the interim.
Weddington Optimist Club awards
fi ve
scholarships
WEDDINGTON – The Weddington Optimist Club has awarded five graduating seniors with a $2,000 Aubrey Moore Memorial scholarship. Scholarships are awarded to seniors based on academic performance, a commitment to volunteerism and an essay on why they deserve the scholarship.
“Each of the recipients did a wonderful job of articulating why they deserve this award,” scholarship chairman Milton She eld said. “ ey expressed themselves well through the essay and deserve this honor.”
Anabeth Tomalis, of Sun Valley High School, is the daughter of Rob and Stephanie
A portion of the rate will also shift from the debt fund to the economic development fund. is allows the county to fund the operation of the economic development department and to buy land for future industrial and economic development.
County departments identi ed more than $600,000 in targeted reductions, streamlining operations while protecting essential services.
“ is proposed budget shows our practical yet responsible approach to investing in the county's future,” said County Manager Brian Matthews. " e budget recommendations have been carefully crafted to prioritize the needs of our residents while streamlining spending for the county's overall scal health."
e county shared these key investments in the proposed budget:
• Economic development expansion.
• Enhanced public health and public safety.
• Additional operating funding for UCPS, including renovation of the existing Forest Hills High School for the relocation of East Union Middle School and design and pre-construction services for the replacement of Parkwood High School.
Tomalis. She is her class valedictorian and will be attending UNC-Chapel Hill. Olivia Jones, of Marvin Ridge High School, is the daughter of Amanda Jones and Jay Jones. She will be attending the University of Florida.
Ava Bella Jordan, of Weddington High School, is the daughter of Mary and Glenn Jordan. She will be playing Division I lacrosse at Gardner-Webb University with a major in pre-med.
Brooke Revels, of Porter Ridge High School, is the daughter of Erin and Andrew Revels. Outside of school, she works at Mint Hill Dance Center and volunteers with Make A Wish. She will be attending Duke University.
Ella Grace Monteith, of Union Academy, is the daughter of Zack and Debe Monteith. Among her many activities, she is a junior member of the Mineral Springs Volunteer Fire Department. She will be attending South Piedmont Community College, majoring in nursing.
CATS officials have engaged stakeholders in recent years for preferred routes for the Blue Line extension (pictured here) and the Silver Line. CMG file photos
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NEWS BRIEFS
Carolina Theatre celebrates 60 years of ‘Sound of Music’
CHARLOTTE – Sixty years ago this year, nearly 400,000 people went to the Carolina eatre to see e Sound of Music during a record-breaking 79-week run. at number was larger than the population of Charlotte at that time. For more than a year, the Carolina Theatre showed the Julie Andrews musical on its screen, and every week, hundreds and thousands of people returned to Uptown to watch it.
Now, for one day this June, Carolina Theatre is bringing it back.
Carolina eatre will o er two showings of e Sound of Music on June 28 in honor of the musical’s 60th anniversary. A matinee starts at 2 p.m. A sing-along version starts at 7 p.m.
“ is movie will forever be a large part of our history,”
Executive Director Sean Seifert said. “We’re thrilled for its encore 60 years later.”
Tickets start at $10. Buy them at TheCarolina.com beginning at 10 a.m. June 6.
K9 catches car theft suspects
MONROE – e Monroe Police Department arrested two car theft suspects May 25 after tracking them for a mile with K9 Narco.
Around 3:30 a.m. May 25, an officer spotted a stolen Toyota Tacoma on Sunset Drive. e truck led the o cer to the dead end of Keswick Place, where the driver and passenger jumped out and ran into the woods, police said.
K9 Narco followed the scent through the woods and wheat eld for a mile before finding and apprehending the two suspects. One suspect was 17. e other was 14.
One of the teens received medical treatment for non-serious injuries
BUSINESS BRIEFS
Golden Corral rolls out campaign to support military kids
CHARLOTTE – Golden Corral has launched its annual fundraiser for Camp Corral, aiming to raise $1 million by June 15.
e nonpro t provides free summer camps for children of wounded, ill, and fallen military members. Guests can donate by purchasing Fundraising Stars, rounding up at checkout, buying special drinks or donating online at CampCorral. org. Since 2011, Golden Corral and Disabled American Veterans have raised more than $18 million, helping over 35,000 children attend camp. On the web: GoldenCorral.com/ locations
City Barbeque launches specials
CHARLOTTE – City Barbeque has added two items to its menu through July 29: Pork Belly Burnt Ends and Strawberries & Cream Cobbler.
e Pork Belly Burnt Ends are hickory-smoked, crispy fried pork belly cubes tossed in a jalapeño-honey glaze and topped with pickled red onions.
e Strawberries & Cream Cobbler features fresh strawberries, cheesecake batter and a caramelized brown sugar crust, topped with hand-whipped cream.
e Midwest BBQ brand’s summer specials are available at all locations.
On the web: citybbq.com
Rita’s adds zesty twist to menu
CHARLOTTE – Rita’s Italian Ice & Frozen Custard is adding Limeade Frozen Lemonade Ice Blender
sustained from the K9 bite.
ey were both released to a parent. e teens will be charged through the Department of Juvenile Justice for larceny of a motor vehicle and resist, delay and obstruct.
Waxhaw launches MegaMap tool
WAXHAW – The Town of Waxhaw has launched its Geographic Information System mapping tool, a digital resource to make it easier for residents to explore zoning overlays, upcoming developments and public projects.
The MegaMap provides up-to-date information that previously required navigating complex documents or in-person visits with a few clicks.
Visit Waxhaw.com under the Government > Departments > GIS/Mapping or visit https://townofwaxhawncmaps-waxhaw.opendata.arcgis.com.
Residents, developers, real estate professionals and stakeholders can use MegaMap to learn about new construction near a neighborhood, understand a parcel's zoning classification, or explore long-term planning initiatives.
e town has put together a short training video on YouTube at https://youtu. be/o1CEnBs9t1Q
Additional interactive maps, sharing insights about tra c, accidents and historic places, are also available at the Waxhaw.com GIS/ Mapping page.
Outdoor movie series coming to Fourth Ward
CHARLOTTE – Movies in the Park brings classic lms and food trucks to one of Uptown’s most charming green spaces.
The series takes place Fridays in June at Fourth Ward Park, 301 N. Poplar St. Music and food trucks
to its menu for a limited time.
For every Frozen Lemonade Ice Blender sold through June 29, Rita’s will donate $1 (up to $10,000) to Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation, supporting families facing childhood cancer.
Since 2006, Rita’s has raised over $5.8 million for the cause.
On the web: ritasice.com
Sump’n Sump’n wins Scovie Award
FORT MILL – Sump’n Sump’n took home two third-place honors in the 2025 Scovie Awards, an international spicy foods competition.
Its Carolina Reaper blend placed in the Condiments-Hot & Spicy - Dry Rub/Seasoning-All Purpose category, while its original blend won in the Kid Friendly Table Condiments category.
Judges praised the products’ versatility and avor consistency.
“We're beyond thrilled to place in the All-Purpose Hot and Spicy category, that’s what the Carolina Reaper blend is all about,” founder Dirk Dachs said. “Use it instead of salt and pepper and the heat doesn’t disappoint. It’s addictive.”
On the web: getsumpin.com
K&L Gates announces leadership changes
CHARLOTTE – K&L Gates LLP has named Stacy Ackermann its next global managing partner, effective July 1, succeeding Jim Segerdahl.
Ackermann leads the rm’s global nance practice and has served on its management committee since 2019.
The firm also appointed Rick Giovannelli as co-chair of the management committee alongside Michael Caccese, who will step down in 2026.
start at 7:30 p.m. Movies begin around 8:30 p.m. e rst 100 guests receive free popcorn. Bring chairs, blankets and snacks.
e lineup includes:
• June 6: “The Greatest Showman”
• June 13: “Mrs. Doubt re”
• June 20: “Night at the Museum”
• June 27: “The Princess Bride”
Charlotte Center City Partners teams with Charlotte Parks & Recreation on the series.
Atrium Health screens to student-athletes
CHARLOTTE – Atrium Health hosted its 17th annual Heart of a Champion Day on May 31 in Charlotte, providing free, comprehensive health screenings to more than 2,000 student-athletes.
e event brings together orthopedic and cardiac teams to detect conditions that basic sports physicals may miss.
Screenings include heart checks, musculoskeletal exams, vision screenings and medical evaluations in one visit. More than 250 Atrium volunteers, including doctors, nurses and athletic trainers, took part in this year’s event.
e program has screened over 22,000 students since its inception.
Union Academy wins livestock contest
MONROE – Union Academy’s 4-H Senior Skillathon and Quizbowl Team walked away with top honors in team and individual categories at the 2025 Lenoir County Livestock Skillathon and Quizbowl contests.
e competition marked the third event in the highly competitive Supreme Skillathon Circuit.
Individual results included Aubrey Mekus ( rst place), Lacie Alexander (second place), Lindsay Van Art (third place) and Greyson
Under Segerdahl and Caccese, the rm saw 37% revenue growth and expanded into Dublin, Luxembourg, Nashville, and Kansas City.
Moore & Van Allen opens entertainment finance group
CHARLOTTE – Moore & Van Allen PLLC has launched an Entertainment Finance group within its Financial Services practice, co-led by new member Terrence “Terry” Dugan and Brett Moskowitz.
Dugan joins from O’Melveny’s New York o ce and brings 20 years of experience advising lender banks and private equity funds on major music, lm and TV nance deals.
The group represents agent banks, arrangers and borrowers in high-pro le cross-border entertainment transactions.
Charlotte Area Chamber events
CHARLOTTE – e Charlotte
Area Chamber of Commerce hosts Co ee with the Chamber and a Professional Training Seminar.
• Members meet for Coffee with the Chamber from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. June 10 at Hyatt Centric SouthPark Charlotte, 3100 Apex Drive, Charlotte. Register in advance.
• University of South Carolina Professor Drew Martin leads a Professional Development Seminar, “Unlock the Power of AI,” from 9 to 11 a.m. June 12 at USC Charlotte Regional Site, 200 S. College St. Charlotte. Registration costs $194. Register in advance.
Visit charlotteareachamber.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Latin American Chamber events
CHARLOTTE – The Latin
Rouse ( fth place).
Team results included Livestock Skillathon UA Senior Team ( rst place) and Livestock Quizbowl UA Senior Team ( rst place).
“ ese students have dedicated countless hours to studying animal science, industry practices and livestock evaluation,” agriculture teacher and coach Michael Alexander said. “ eir commitment and discipline are truly paying o .”
Weddington student wins sports award
CHAPEL HILL – Anthony Long, of Weddington High School, was among four senior lacrosse players to win the Tony Cullen Memorial Scholarship, according to the North Carolina High School Athletic Association Foundation.
The two-time lacrosse team captain earned Academic All-American, All-State, First Team All-Conference and Weddington Team MVP.
Outside of sports, he earned a 4.625 grade point average and induction into the National and Math Honor Societies. He also volunteered with Team 91 Charlotte introductory clinics, Wreaths Across America and National Honor Society drives.
Long will continue playing lacrosse at Colby College, where he plans to major in economics.
Schools meet state standard
CHARLOTTE – Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools recognized 29 schools for 100% compliance through the After School Enrichment Program. ey were visited by the N.C. Division of Child Development and Early Education.
Elementary schools recognized included Lakeisha Sharpe (Ballantyne); Latisha Cathey (Beverly Woods); Monica Montgomery (Collinswood Language
American Chamber of Commerce holds a free Zoom seminar.
• The chamber presents a free Business 201 seminar, Take Your Business to the Next Level, from 6 to 8 p.m. June 11 on Zoom. Register in advance.
Visit lacccharlotte.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Matthews Area Chamber events
MATTHEWS – e Matthews
Area Chamber of Commerce hosts a Touch-A-Truck event, Monthly Business Luncheon and Women in Business programming.
• The chamber presents a TouchA-Truck program for the community from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 7 at Stumptown Park, 120 S. Trade St., Matthews. ere’s a quiet hour with no sirens from 9 to 10 a.m. and a siren sound-o at noon.
• The Women in Business group gathers for a Garden Party from 5 to 7 p.m. June 10 at e Reid House, 134 W. John St., Matthews. Register in advance.
• The chamber hosts its Monthly Business Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 11 at Christ Covenant Church, 800 Fullwood Lane, Matthews. Members pay $20. Others pay $25. Register in advance. Visit matthewschamber.org to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Mint Hill Chamber events
MINT HILL – e Mint Hill Chamber of Commerce hosts a Co ee Connections event.
• The chamber holds its Coffee Connections networking event from 8 to 9 a.m. June 6 at Sun ower Club Cafe & Outreach, 11211-122 Lawyers Road, Mint Hill. Register in advance.
Academy); Nina Gee (Cotswold); Jennifer Swart (Hawk Ridge); Segreta Mason (Matthews); Dana Montgomery (Pineville); Satina Jones (Polo Ridge); Michael Jenner (Providence Spring); David Gentry (Rea Farms STEAM Academy; and Chante’ Bryant (Sharon).
Transport program to boost pet adoptions
CHARLOTTE – Bissell Pet Foundation has launched a transport program to help shelter dogs in North Carolina nd homes faster. e initiative allows shelters to transfer pets to areas where adoption demand is higher.
Starting May 28, shelters will list pets on the program’s transfer platform. Charlotte Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control and Humane Society of Charlotte are participating in the program.
“Too many shelter pets are overlooked simply because they are in the wrong place at the wrong time,” said Cathy Bissell, founder of Bissell Pet Foundation. “Transport offers a second chance by introducing them to new adopters.”
On the web: bissellpetfoundation.org.
Charlotte adopts SEAP+ to advance climate goals
CHARLOTTE – Charlotte City Council has adopted SEAP+, an expanded version of the city’s Strategic Energy Action Plan.
e update includes new goals to cut emissions and shift to clean energy.
SEAP+ adds a climate risk assessment and new focus areas like water conservation and urban heat mitigation, while rea rming priorities like clean buildings and transportation.
Public input and local experts helped shape the plan.
• Wes Robinson, of Gameday Men’s Health, speaks at the Monthly Member Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 10 at Olde Sycamore Golf Plantation, 7500 Olde Sycamore Drive, Mint Hill. Members pay $18 for lunch. Others pay $24. Register in advance.
Visit minthillchamberofcommerce.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Pineville NC Chamber events
PINEVILLE – e Pineville NC Chamber of Commerce holds its Monthly Co ee and Roundtable.
• The chamber holds its Monthly Co ee and Roundtable from 8 to 9:30 a.m. June 11 at Hilton Garden Inn, 425 Towne Centre Blvd., Pineville. Register in advance. Visit pinevillencchamber.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
Union County Chamber events
MONROE – e Union County Chamber of Commerce celebrates two grand openings.
• Members celebrate the grand opening of Mothers Advocating for Real Change and Unwavering Support with a ribbon cutting from noon to 12:30 p.m. June 10 at 315 Matthews-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail. e organization helps mothers of homicide victims. Register in advance.
• Members celebrate the grand opening of the Levine Children's Hospital Emergency Department with a ribbon cutting at Atrium Health Union from noon to 12:30 p.m. June 11 at 600 Hospital Drive, Monroe.
Visit unioncountycoc.com to learn more about the chamber and its events.
June 6
Book Club
The Union West Morning Book Club discusses “Someone Else’s Shoes” by Jojo Moyes at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
10-11 a.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Battle of the Waxhaws
The Museum of the Waxhaws presents the Battle of the Waxhaws, a two-day celebration with demonstrations, encampments and children’s activities. The event continues June 7. Buy tickets at museumofthewaxhaws.org
10 a.m.-5 p.m.; 8215 Waxhaw Hwy., Waxhaw
Babies & Books
Children engage in rhymes and songs during Babies & Books at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
10:30-11 a.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Youth Theater
Lanti Performing Arts presents “Grease School Version” at Sun Valley High School. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for ages 10 years and younger, and free for ages 3 years and younger. Buy them at lantiperformingarts.com.
7 p.m.; 5211 Old Charlotte Hwy., Monroe
June 7
Steps and Stories
Union County Public Library invites adults to an audiobook walking book club, Steps and Stones, at its Monroe branch. Bring a device with an audiobook and walk with the group on Saturdays. uclnc.org
9-10 a.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
Touch-A-Truck
The Matthews Area Chamber of Commerce presents a Touch-A-Truck event at Stumptown Park. There will be a quiet hour at 9 a.m. and a siren sound-off at noon. matthewschamber.org
9 a.m.-1 p.m.; 120 S. Trade St., Matthews
Bash at the Splash
The Town of Stallings presents Bash at the Splash at Stallings Municipal Park. The event hosts activities around the splash pad, including music, games, food and a performance by The Aloha Island Hula Girls. stallingsnc.org
10 a.m.-1 p.m.; 340 Stallings
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Road, Stallings,
Battle of the Waxhaws
The Museum of the Waxhaws presents the Battle of the Waxhaws, a two day celebration with demonstrations, encampments and children’s activities. Buy tickets at museumofthewaxhaws.org
10 a.m.-3 p.m.; 8215 Waxhaw Hwy., Waxhaw
Babies & Books
Children engage in rhymes and songs during Babies & Books at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
10:30-11 a.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Storytime
Monroe Science Center hosts a Storytime centered on a World Ocean Day theme. monroesciencecenter.com
11-11:30 a.m. or 2-2:30 p.m.; 318 E. Franklin St., Monroe
Library 101 Union West Regional Library explains the benefits of having a library card during Library 101. uclnc.org
11 a.m.-noon; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Pop-Up Market
Carolina Beer Temple hosts a pop-up market with food, crafts and other goods. carolinabeertemple.com
Noon-5 p.m.; 215 N. Ames St., Matthews
Youth Theater Lanti Performing Arts presents “Grease School Version” at Sun Valley High School. Tickets cost $20 for adults, $15 for ages 10 years and younger, and free for ages 3 years and younger. Buy them at lantiperformingarts.com.
1 or 6:30 p.m.; 5211 Old Charlotte Hwy., Monroe
Family Fun Day
Indian Trail Parks and Recreation presents Family Fun Day at Crooked Creek Park. The festival includes carnival rides, live music, food trucks and fireworks.
2-9:30 p.m.; 5900 Oakwood Lane, Indian Trail
June 8
Latin Fest
Latin Fest features performances by K-Paz De La Sierra, La Sonora Dinamita, Julio & Rafa and Anthony Vásquez in Downtown Monroe. The festival features food trucks,
SHOOTING from 1A media. “Our officers responded with the clarity and courage we expect of those who wear the badge. They acted decisively, and their actions saved lives. They are heroes, and Monroe is proud of each one of them.”
The State Bureau of Investigation is investigating the officer-involved shooting, which is standard procedure. Meanwhile, the Union County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of 23-year-old Alvin Parson. Responding to a 911 call, deputies discovered his body with an apparent gunshot wound at 6 a.m. May 31 inside a home in the 2000 block of Astoria Drive in Indian Trail.
The sheriff’s office said evidence connected Sikes to Parson’s shooting. Investigators believe Sikes shot Parson and was trying to flee the scene when he came into contact with Monroe police officers.
“Today’s tragic events are a stark and sobering reminder of the daily risks faced by law enforcement officers,” Sheriff Eddie Cathey said. “Routine law enforcement activity can turn violent in an instant, as demonstrated by the calculated actions of this suspect. Our hearts go out to the family of Alvin Parson, whose life was senselessly taken, and to the brave Monroe Police officer who was injured while protecting our community. These acts of violence underscore the courage, training and constant vigilance required of our law enforcement personnel, and their unwavering commitment to stand in defense of our citizens.”
vendors, games and other attractions. monroenc.org
Noon-9 p.m.; Main Street, Monroe
Early Bird Trivia Teams play for prizes during Early Bird Trivia at Sweet Union Brewing. sweetunionbrewing.com
6 p.m.; 13711 E. Independence Blvd., Indian Trail
Charlotte Symphony
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performs Classical’s Greatest Hits during the Summer Pops series at Symphony Park. Gates open at 5 p.m. Music starts at 7 p.m. Symphony performs atw 8:15 p.m. General admission tickets cost $15 for adults and $5 for youth ages 13 to 18. Buy tickets at charlottesymphony. org/summer. 7 p.m.; 4400 Sharon Road, Charlotte
June 10
Storytime
Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
9:30-10 or 10:30-11 a.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Storytime
Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at the Union County Public Library’s Monroe branch. uclnc.org
9:30-10 or 10:30-11 a.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
Soap Bubble Circus
Steve Langley and The Soap Bubble Circus kick off Union County Public Library’s Summer Reading program with comedy, music and interactive magic at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org 10-11 a.m. or 2-3 p.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Symphony Night
The Charlotte Symphony Orchestra performs during Symphony Night at Stumptown Park. The event opens with food trucks at 5:30 p.m., followed by performances by Letron Brantley at 7 p.m. and symphony at 8:30 p.m. matthewsnc.gov
5:30 p.m.; 120 S. Trade St., Matthews
Soap Bubble Circus
Steve Langley and The Soap Bubble Circus kick off Union County Public Library’s
Summer Reading program with comedy, music and interactive magic at the Monroe branch. uclnc.org
5:30-6:30 p.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
Book Club
Evelyn’s Book Club discusses Diva by Daisy Goodwin at Union County Public Library’s Monroe branch. uclnc. org
5:30-6:30 p.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
PokéCard Trading Pokemon collectors are invited to show off or trade cards during PokéCard Trading at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
5:30-6:30 p.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Trivia Night
Big Pop Trivia hosts a Trivia Night at The Trail House. thetrailhouseindiantrail.com
7 p.m.; 6751 Old Monroe Road, Indian Trail
June 11
Storytime
Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at Union County Public Library’s Monroe branch. uclnc.org
9:30-10 a.m. or 10:30-11
a.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
Storytime
Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
9:30-10 a.m. or 10:30-11
a.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Storytime
Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
9:30-10 a.m. or 10:30-11
a.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Vision Boards
Adults create collage-style vision boards during Summer Vision Boards at Southwest Regional Library. The library provides the materials. uclnc. org 11 a.m.-noon; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Book Club
The Lit & Lattes Book Club discusses “The Thursday Murder Club” by Richard Osman
at Sorella Coffee. Contact laura.kovacs@unioncountync. gov for details. uclnc.org
1-2 p.m.; 107 S. Main St., Monroe
Soap Bubble Circus
Steve Langley and The Soap Bubble Circus kick off Union County Public Library’s Summer Reading program with comedy, music and interactive magic at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
2-3 p.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Trivia Night
Middle James Brewing hosts a Trivia Night with an international food and drink theme. Cousins Maine Lobster will have a food truck there at 5 p.m. middlejamesbrewing. com
7 p.m.; 115 E. North Main St., Waxhaw
June 12
Storytime
Children, ages 2-5, build literacy skills at a storytime held at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
9:30-10 a.m. or 10:30-11 a.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
Soap Bubble Circus
Steve Langley and The Soap Bubble Circus kick off Union County Public Library’s Summer Reading program with comedy, music and interactive magic at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
10-11 a.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Senior STEAM Older adults learn how to use the Cricut die cutting machines at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
10-11 a.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
STEAM Station
Children engage in an activity at a STEAM Station at Monroe Science Center. monroesciencecenter.com
10 a.m.-noon; 318 E. Franklin St., Monroe
Senior Expo Charlotte Media Group presents the Let’s Go Senior Expo at the Levine Senior Center. The event includes a free brunch and opportunities to interact with local businesses and community groups that serve older adults. Get a free ticket at eventbrite.com.
10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; 1050 Devore Lane, Matthews
Soap Bubble Circus
Steve Langley and The Soap Bubble Circus kick off Union County Public Library’s Summer Reading program with comedy, music and interactive magic at the Monroe branch. uclnc.org
2-3 p.m.; 316 E. Windsor St., Monroe
Flow Circus Challenge Teens learn about circus skill toys at Southwest Regional Library. uclnc.org
4-5 p.m.; 1515 Cuthbertson Road, Waxhaw
June 13
Babies & Books
Children engage in rhymes and songs during Babies & Books at Union West Regional Library. uclnc.org
10:30-11 a.m.; 123 Unionville-Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail
Food Truck Fridays
Food Truck Fridays, presented by Hand Crafted Market, features food trucks, live music, vendors and a beer tent at The Hangar.
5-9 p.m.; 251 N. Trade St., Matthews
Cruise-In
Motorcycles are on display during the Cruise-In on Main Street in Monroe. The event continues on the second Friday of each month. monroenc.org
6-8 p.m.; North Main Street, Monroe
Juneteenth Celebration
The Town of Indian Trail hosts a Juneteenth celebration at Crossing Paths Park. indiantrail.org
6-9 p.m.; 120 Blythe Drive, Indian Trail
Music in the Park Too Much Sylvia performs during the Town of Fairview’s Music in the Park at Fairview Park. fairviewnc.gov
7-9 p.m.; 7350 Concord Hwy., Monroe
Jammin’ by the Tracks Darren Deese performs music during the Jammin’ by the Tracks Concert Series under the Waxhaw Water Tan, at the community corner. Food trucks and beer will be available. waxhaw.com
7-9 p.m.; 115 McDonalds St., Waxhaw
New children's book rooted in nature, connects to thread trail
CHARLOTTE – Author Pa-
mela Downs has launched a children’s book on May 27 that may hit close to home for Charlotte-area readers.
“The Thread Trail Adventures –Book 1: Mystery of the Baby Bats” introduces young readers to JJ and NoNo, a sister-brother duo who stumble upon an injured baby bat in the woods near their home. As more baby bats appear, the children set out to solve the mystery, rallying friends and the community to
BUDGET from 1A
• Full funding of UCPS’s $20.8 million operational capital request, supporting facility maintenance, upgrades and student learning environments.
• Additional operating funding for South Piedmont Community College, including the construction of a new Center for Entrepreneurship.
• Increased funding for the Senior Nutrition program to reduce the waitlist of senior residents seeking support with meals.
• Additional salary adjustments
protect the environment and its vulnerable creatures.
“This story is rooted in my belief that children are capable of incredible compassion and courage,” Downs said. “I wanted to create characters who reflect the strength and potential kids carry every day, especially when they work together.”
A portion of proceeds from every sale will support conservation efforts through the Carolina Thread Trail, reinforcing the book’s
for county employees based on a comprehensive compensation study.
The County General Fund budget for operating is increasing by $13.6 million and supports tax-funded services, such as education, department programs and services, the sheriff's office, supporting community partners and other crucial services residents rely on.
The operating budget for Union County Water is funded solely by rates and fees collected from the utility's ratepayers and not by taxpayer dollars.
The proposed budget reflects
real-world environmental message.
Downs, a mother of two, draws inspiration from her children’s curiosity and confidence. Her books build self-esteem, celebrate individuality, and encourage responsible leadership.
Her first children’s book, “Just Me,” won the 2024 Moonbeam Children’s Book Award for Mind/ Body/Self-Esteem. “The Thread Trail Adventures: Mystery of the Baby Bats” will be available in paperback for $12.99
the second year of a three-year water and sewer rate plan approved by commissioners. Rate adjustments for Union County Water customers ensure the continued reliability of the county’s utility infrastructure and fund necessary upgrades. Water customers will see a 7.25% rate increase. Sewer customers will see a 6% rate increase.
The county uses a bifurcated tax structure with the following rates for each fund:
plus tax at local retailers and online. The book is aimed at children ages 5 to 9.
Downs has English literature degrees from The College of New Jersey and UNC Charlotte. She is pursuing a doctoral degree in leadership studies through Louisiana State University Shreveport. Her research on leadership will be presented at the ILA Women’s conference in California and the ILA Global conference in Prague later this year.
• Education debt fund: 3.89
• Economic development: 0.45
"This year’s proposed tax rate reflects a careful balance between fiscal stewardship and the longterm needs of our community," said Jason May, budget and grants management director. "By staying just 1.82 cents above the revenue-neutral rate, we’re able to meet voter-approved commitments to education and invest in future economic growth all while maintaining essential services without unnecessary burden on taxpayers."
Commissioners are expected to vote June 16 on the final budget.
REGIONAL
Here’s what to do during and after a hurricane
By Mike Causey Contributor
Previously, I’ve encouraged people across North Carolina to make sure they’re prepared for hurricane season, which runs from June 1 to Nov. 30. I’ve urged them to make sure they have adequate homeowners’ insurance, including a flood insurance policy and reminded renters that they need a renters’ insurance policy, as the landlord’s policy won’t cover their personal items.
I also reminded North Carolinians to compile important documents, such as insurance policies and
medical records, create a home inventory, identify potential hazards around your home and have an emergency toolkit and go-to bags ready in case you need to evacuate your home.
Today, I want to concentrate on what to do if a hurricane, or any other storm, is approaching. Here’s what to do during a storm:
• Shelter in place if officials advise it.
• Stay away from windows, glass doors and skylights.
• Find a safe place to stay in the interior of the home on a lower floor unless flooding is possible.
• Make sure your cell
market), 4423 Old Monroe Road – 99.5
Matthews • Food Lion (market), 9848 Monroe Road – 98.5
• Go Go Empanadas, 11229 E. Independence Blvd. – 96 • Longhorn Steakhouse,9950 E. Independence Blvd. – 97
phone is charged. Do not use a landline if lightning is present.
• Turn off the electricity at the main breaker if flooding becomes a threat.
• Remain indoors until officials give notice that it is safe to go outside.
• If officials order an evacuation, do not come home until officials advise it is safe to do so.
Once the storm is over, if there is damage to your home, I encourage you to beware of roofer and contractor scams. Most roofers and contractors are honest and above board. Sadly, fraudsters see catastrophes as an opportunity.
• Sante, 165 N. Trade St. – 98.5
• Seaboard Taproom and Wine Bar, 213 N. Trade St. – 98.5
Mint Hill • China Saute, 9248 Albemarle Road – 99 • Fortune Cookie III, 7211 E. Independence Blvd. – 88.5
Monroe • Franklin Court Grille, 232 E. Franklin St. – 94.5
• The Cupbearer, 410 John St. –90.5 • The Cupbearer (mobile food unit), 410 John St. – 94 Pineville • Comfort Suites, 10415 Centrum Pkwy. – 95.5
• Don Pedro Mexican Restaurant, 10015 Lee St. – 95 • Fairfield Inn and Suites, 12228 Park Road – 98.5
• Food Lion (deli), 317 S. Polk St. – 95.5 • Lola Ceviche & Peruvian Tapas, 605 N. Polk St. – 97.5
• Chabelita’s #2 (mobile food unit), 409 Spring Hill Road – 99.5
Wingate
• Great China, 3820 U.S. 74 W. –96.5
Geocaching reaches 25th anniversary
SEATTLE – Geocaching HQ is joining the geocaching community in celebrating the 25th anniversary of the world’s biggest game of hide and seek in 2025.
The game is happening right now, all around you, in parks, urban areas, on mountain tops and even underwater. Around 3.4 million geocaches are waiting to be found across the globe. Maybe you’ve heard of geocaching, but aren’t quite sure how it works.
Someone hides a container (a geocache) outdoors for others to find. They post the location coordinates and other details through Geocaching.com. Other players use the free Geocaching app or Geocaching.com to go outside and locate the container. Once found, they sign a logbook, rehide the container where they found it, and then share their experience online.
Geocaching makes it fun to explore the outdoors, discovering amazing locations and a robust player community in your hometown and around the world. Whether you’re on vacation, exploring a local trail system, or just trying to gamify your exercise, this treasure hunt has been entertaining people for 25 years. It’s all powered by players who place geocaches, creating adventurous outdoor experiences for the world to enjoy.
Geocaching.com launched in September 2000 with just 75 geocache locations. Since then, community members have spread the
game to more than 190 countries. There is even a geocache on the International Space Station, and a geocaching game piece on the Mars Rover. In 2024, a record 88.5 million “Found it!” logs were posted on Geocaching.com. And since the game began in 2000, more than 1.2 billion “Found it!” logs have been posted. These figures represent an extraordinary amount of global discovery, exploration and adventure for everyone.
As geocaching embarks on the next 25 years, exciting additions from Geocaching HQ are making the game even better, including:
• Treasures: Launched in March 2025, geocachers can collect digital items by finding and logging geocaches needed for each Treasure collection.
• Adventures: Expanding the ways people explore and learn about the world around them through interactive, community-created, self-guided tours and experiences. There are more than 81,000 Adventures in 180+ countries.
The worldwide geocaching community is marking the 25th anniversary by hosting more than 100 (and counting) large-scale events, including Block Parties, Mega-Events and Giga-Events. In doing so, they showcase another unique aspect of the game: the connections between people around the world, uniting through a shared spirit of outdoor adventure.
Learn more about geocaching, 25th anniversary celebrations and more at Geocaching.com.
One of the best ways to avoid such scams is to only work with licensed and insured contractors. If you suspect fraud, you may report it to the Department of Insurance’s Criminal Investigations Division at 919-8076840 or toll free from anywhere in North Carolina at 888-680-7684. You may also report it online at ncdoi.gov. If you have damage from a storm, here are some things you should do:
• Contact your homeowners’ insurance agent or company to report the loss. Even if you have a separate windstorm or hail policy in addition to your homeowner’s
policy, your primary homeowners’ insurer will investigate and adjust the claim even if you have wind or hail loss. Be patient as the insurer will likely be dealing with many claims.
• Make a list of the damage and take clear pictures before you make any temporary repairs.
• Do not make permanent repairs until your insurance company has inspected the damage and you have agreed on the cost of the repairs.
• If your home is uninhabitable, check with your insurance company to determine which expenses will be reimbursed. For more information, visit www.ncdoi.gov/disaster or contact the Department of Insurance Consumer Services Division at 855-408-1212. Mike Causey serves as insurance commissioner of North Carolina.
• Do what you can to stop further damage from happening. For example, if there is damage to your roof, you may want to place a tarp on it to prevent water from coming into the house. Keep receipts because your reasonable expenses to protect your property are part of the loss and may be reimbursed by your insurance company.
Bethel Music to perform at church
CHARLOTTE – Grammy-nominated
Bethel Music brings its 12-city Worship & Ministry Nights Tour to town with a performance June 7 at First Baptist Charlotte.
The group will be performing songs from its latest album, “We Must Respond.” Bethel Music has released 27 albums since 2001.
The group was nominated for a Grammy Award for the single, “Holy Forever,” featuring Jenn Johnson and CeCe Winans. The song won a Dove Award for Best Song of the Year. Get tickets for the performance at https:// bethelmusic.com/events.
Recently announced shows
• Goo Goo Dolls: July 25 at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
• Dylan Gossett: Sept. 18 at The Fillmore
• Hazlett: Sept. 22 at Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre
• Conan Gray: Sept. 26 at PNC Music Pavilion
• Avatar: Nov. 29 at The Fillmore
June 6
• Amos’ Southend: Bullet the Blue Sky
• Carolina Beer Temple: Shannon Lee & Tonya Wood
• Char Bar No. 7 (Mint Hill): Anna Kimm
• Evening Muse: Snorkeler and Kelsey Blackstone
• Grapes Bistro and Wine Bar: Theresa Eaman
• Great Wagon Road Distillery: Dusty Live
• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: Country Joe
• Moochies Tavern: Sweet Talkin’ Johnny
• Neighborhood Theatre: Keller Williams
• Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre: Dispatch w/ John Butler
• Southern Range Brewing: Carrie Ann
• Stooges Pub & Grub: High Fidelity
• Stumptown Station: Matt McKinley
• The Club House: Palmetto Drive
• Visulite Theatre: Greer
June 7
• Amos’ Southend: New Sensation
• Evening Muse: Bedroom Division and briZB
• Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: Rusty Pilot
• Local Logic: David Grogan
• Moochies Tavern: Grüv Soup
• Peddlers Paradise Bartique: Traxx Duo
• Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre: Barenaked Ladies
• Southern Range Brewing: Even the Losers
• Stooges Pub & Grub: Blonde Ambition
• The Amp Ballantyne: The Beach Boys
• Treehouse Vineyards: Comfortable Shirt
• Visulite Theatre: Mountain Grass Unit
• Waxhaw Taphouse: Groove Machine
June 8
• Evening Muse: The 4411 w/ Juniper
• Neighborhood Theatre: American Aquarium w/ Justin Wells
• The Club House: Thom Crumpton
• Visulite Theatre: Ballantyne School of Music
June 9
• Evening Muse: Open mic
• The Fillmore: Dance Gavin Dance
June 10
• Evening Muse: Adeem the Artist
• The Fillmore: Jack’s Mannequin
June 11
• Neighborhood Theatre: Kennedy Ryon
• Peddlers Paradise Bartique: Open mic
• The Club House: Darren Deese
• The Underground: Saba
June 12
• Char Bar No. 7 (Carmel): Jarrett Raymond
• Char Bar No. 7 (Mint Hill): Scoot Pittman
• Evening Muse: Evan Bartels w/ Christopher Paul Stelling
• Iron Thunder Saloon & Grill: Adam Daniels
• Neighborhood Theatre: Theo Kandel
• The Fillmore: Dope Lemon
• Visulite Theatre: Bear Hands
June 13
• Amos’ Southend: Lyn Lapid
• Char Bar No. 7 (Mint Hill): Ellie Morgan
• Evening Muse: Kaitlin Butts
• Knight Theater: Lindsey Stirling
• Mac’s Speed Shop (Matthews): Matthew Ablan
• Moochies Tavern: Coconut Groove Band
• Neighborhood Theatre: Akeem Ali
• Southern Range Brewing: Traxx Trio
• Stooges Pub & Grub: Dialup Radio
• Stumptown Station: Wagon Load A Trouble
• The Amp Ballantyne: Foreigners Journey
• The Club House: Smokin’ Gunn
• The Trail House: U-Phonik
• Treehouse Vineyards: Party Parrot
Live Music Venues
Charlotte
• Amos’ Southend: 1423 S. Tryon St.
• Char Bar No. 7: 4130 Carmel Road
• Evening Muse: 3227 N. Davidson St.
• Knight Theater: 430 S. Tryon St.
• Neighborhood Theatre: 511 E. 36th St.
• Skyla Credit Union Amphitheatre: 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd.
• The Amp Ballantyne: 11115 Upper Ave.
• The Club House: 16709 Orchard Stone Run
• The Fillmore: 820 Hamilton St.
• The Underground: 820 Hamilton St.
• Visulite Theatre: 1615 Elizabeth Ave.
Indian Trail
• Grapes Bistro and Wine Bar: 6461 Old Monroe Road
• The Trail House: 6751 Old Monroe Road
Matthews
• Mac’s Speed Shop: 142 E. John St.
• Stumptown Station: 107 N. Trade St.
Mint Hill
• Char Bar No. 7: 7312 Town View Drive • Stooges Pub & Grub: 13230 Albemarle Road Monroe
Home Brew Taproom & Tunes: 215 S. Main St.
Iron Thunder Saloon & Grill: 608 W. Roosevelt Ave.
• Local Logic: 128 S. Main
We can prevent the tragedy of youth suicide
By Meghan Talbott Contributor
I hope that you never experience the pain of losing a child to suicide. And I hope that no other parent has to go through something like that twice. Unfortunately, that’s what happened to our family.
My boys meant the world to me. Jackson loved animals, especially dogs, and he enjoyed being creative and inventive. Lucas had a big smile. He liked watching cartoons with his little brothers. He loved to read. And he even tried to take up sur ng as a hobby. Both of them were loved.
ey also dealt with mental health issues in the form of anxiety, depression and substance use. Lucas suffered from bouts of paranoia and psychosis, while Jackson
was diagnosed with ADD and ODD. Neither received the kind of help they needed and their lives ended way too soon.
In December 2017, we were living a comfortable life in a nice home in a beautifully wooded Northern California neighborhood. I had spent much of the day Christmas shopping and then came home to find that my oldest son Jackson was not in the house. I assumed that he was out visiting friends, which he said he might do, but then he didn’t come home that night.
We called the police. ey told us to be patient. We woke up and he still wasn’t there. e police came by. There wasn’t much they could do. It was later that morning when I heard my husband scream from the backyard that I knew Jackson
was gone. at nightmare repeated itself three and a half years later when I got a text from Lucas’s best friend that he had sent an image of the Golden Gate Bridge with a goodbye. It was hours before it was con rmed that he had jumped. ey have yet to recover his body.
How do you even begin to heal, especially when it happens not once, but twice? How do you begin to deal with such loss as a parent, especially when you have other children to raise?
Our family needed a fresh start. We needed to nd a home where the memories weren’t so thick and where every sports eld and school event didn’t immediately make us think of them.
So, we decided to move to Davidson, North Carolina. We found friends and
neighbors. We got settled and I began volunteering with NAMI Charlotte, a mental health advocacy nonpro t. Volunteering helped me to nd community and purpose while learning to live with the grief. Suicide is the third leading cause of death for youth ages 10 to 18. And it a ects families more than we realize. According to NC DHHS, for every youth suicide in 2022, there were 11 hospitalizations and 59 emergency room visits for self-harm. According to the nonpro t NC Child, over 9% of high school students in North Carolina attempted suicide in 2023.
e issue is complicated and every story is unique. But we know enough to try and make a di erence, save lives and keep other families from becoming a statistic.
The place to start is through early detection, diagnosis and then treatment of mental health conditions.
We should pay attention to warning signs and make treatment more accessible. We should make mental health care a required part of any health insurance coverage. We should treat mental health the same as any other condition. And we should meet teenagers where they are.
at’s why I support the Jason Flatt Act in North Carolina, which would provide suicide prevention training to school personnel. It’s named after a young man who died from suicide, and whose story is similar to Jackson and Lucas. We owe it to them and to so many others who died so tragically.
I used to think that my story was just sad but I have
come to realize there’s hope in it. I am still a wife and a mother to my three wonderful, surviving children. And there is a lot of work for me to do. at’s why I will continue to share about Jackson and Lucas, their lives and their struggles, so that we can try to prevent the tragedy of youth suicide from happening to someone else.
Meghan Talbott is the secretary and volunteer coordinator for NAMI Charlotte.
Veterans leader has concerns about bills addressing homelessness
By Benjamin Horton Contributor
As a U.S. Navy veteran, I am honored to manage a team that serves other veterans who find themselves without a home in North Carolina. In my role as director of outreach for Veterans Services of e Carolinas, our team collaborates daily with the faith-based community, mental health and substance use providers, LME/MCOs, law enforcement, housing providers and others across all 100 counties of North Carolina. That has provided us with deep insight on what works and what doesn’t. Two bills in the N.C. General Assembly will have a direct impact on our communities, service providers, law enforcement and those we serve. Both are promoted – as they were in other targeted states – by an interest group out of Austin, Texas, called Cicero Action. One bill, H437, would criminalize nonpro ts like ours by
threatening felony charges if drug activity occurs within 100 feet of our facilities – an extreme and unworkable standard that punishes service providers for circumstances beyond their control. e other, H781, establishes new requirements on cities and counties to set up state-sanctioned homeless encampments for up to a year without additional funding. Going after nonprofits and supporting unfunded mandates is not on-brand for the State of North Carolina, but neither is disrespecting our faith-based and veteran leaders who the Cicero lobbyists characterize as unserious activists. Representatives for four bishops overseeing 1,200 NC Episcopal and United Methodist churches joined Veterans Services of e Carolinas and other veterans in sharing concerns about these bills and the impacts they will have at multiple House committee podiums. And yet, the bill passed out of the House and now awaits a round of committee
Move to Waltonwood and spend
hearings for Senate passage. Under the guise of a self-described think tank, the Cicero Institute – in the absence of data – blames the Housing First model for the increase of homelessness. From Texas, it declares there is no lack of a ordable housing in North Carolina and glosses over how two out of three of its residents experiencing homelessness in recent years are experiencing it for the rst time, according to the N.C. Coalition to End Homelessness. Prioritizing housing with wrap-around services – the housing rst model – has been the US Department of Veteran Affairs approach since 2012. More than 133,000 veterans were housed and provided with supportive services to help them retain housing over the last three years. The practice was first introduced by the George W. Bush Administration and has enjoyed subsequent bipartisan support because of data showing its e ectiveness. e average number of returns to
homelessness across the state utilizing Housing First is less than 13%.
The City of Raleigh estimates it costs $96,000 a year in emergency services, law enforcement and health care for a homeless person living outside, as reported by The News & Observer. Putting someone in a home and making services available costs $20,000 saving taxpayers’ $76,000 per person, the newspaper reported.
Another local government projected the cost of installing just one Green ow unit to provide the bill’s requirement of running water and restrooms can cost up to $200,000 alone. Will local governments have to add this cost and others in their capital improvement or their regular budgets to meet the state’s approval? Will property tax increases be required to move the state-sanctioned encampments around each year? Additionally, legal counsels from local governments have raised concerns about increased liability and
incarceration along with decreased local control – as reported by their colleagues in states where the Cicero bills have passed into law.
Cicero offers no data to indicate its proposal will do anything to end homelessness – just make it less visible. A month after the Florida encampment law went into e ect last year, the first lawsuit was filed-- resulting in a hasty sweep of an encampment without a plan for where people would go. Ongoing treatment for substance use and medications for mental illness are interrupted or lost when caseworkers and peer support specialists cannot nd those they serve. State-sanctioned, compulsive homeless encampments will drive unsheltered veterans further from the resources needed and further away from sustainable recovery, while putting the onus on our local law enforcement.
In the context of our annual observance of Memorial Day, I don’t think our
leaders should support this legislation by passing laws that criminalize those who have given up so much for the freedoms we enjoy. Our General Assembly members would serve their communities more e ectively by investing in solutions that have been proven to work and are cost e ective.
Benjamin Horton serves as director of outreach for Veterans Services of the Carolinas
CLASSIFIEDS
Software Engineer – PMAB, LLC dba Meduit – Charlotte, NC. Resp for crtng SW dsgns fr xstng SW reqs & implmntng new feturs fr new & xstng dsgns, as well as suppt’g xstng SW & prvdng guidnc & supp to oth dvlprs. Reqs bach deg (or FDE) in Computer Sci or rltd tchncl fld + 4 yrs exp as a Sftwr Dvlpr or rltd occ. Mst hv exp in: anlytcs; trblshtng; SDLC bst prctcs & proj mthdolgs; wrtng secr web svc endpnts & web pgs; rltnl DBs, spcfcly MySQL (or MariaDB); core Java & JSP; SQL; wrtng cmplx/advncd queries; Javascript & Ajax/jQuery; SW dsgn prncpls & bst prctcs; HTML & CSS; cnfgr’g & mng’g Apache Tomcat; dplyng web apps (war); OWASP scr prgrmng bst prctcs; rdng, anlyzg, & intprtng gnrl bus prdcls, prfsnl jrnls, tchncl prcdrs, or govrnmtl regs; wrtng rpts & bus corr; advnc qntitatv skills; slvng prctcl probs; delng w/ a var of cncrt varbls in situtns whr only ltd stndrdztn exists; intprtg a var of instrctns frnshd in wrtn, oral, dgrm, or schdl form; DB SW; int SW; SS SW; & word prcs’g SW. 100% telcmtng role – may wrk fr anywr insd the U.S.; rprts to comp HQ in Charlotte, NC. Mst hv lgl auth to wrk in the U.S. EEOE. Send resumes to Christine Dennis, HR Director, Meduit RCM, 5045 Franklin Ave., Waco, TX 76710, or email to christine.dennis@meduitrcm.com. Pls ref job title + TP25 in cvr ltr or eml subj ln.
Lead Data Systems Engineer, F/T at Truist Bank (Charlotte, NC) Provide consultation & tech’l direction on translating business reqmts & functional specs into logical prgm dsgns. Serve as a tech’l expert for project teams throughout the implmtn & maintenance of business & enterprise s/ ware solutions. Personally dvlp & deliver code modules, stable application systems, & integrated enterprise s/ware solutions
w/in various computing environments. Support SIT & UAT for large, complex, cross-functional application initiatives by providing insight to testing teams. Must have a Bach’s deg in Comp Sci, Comp Engg, Electrical/Electronics Engg or related tech’l field. Must have 5 yrs of progressive exp d/base administration or IT Infrastructure positions performing/ utilizing the following: working on project(s) involving the implmtn of solutions applying dvlpmt life cycles (SDLC); supporting DBMS’ incl MySQL & PostgreSQ; Cloud environments (incl AWS) & d/bases (incl Aurora) in the cloud environment; performing MySQL d/base administration in complex environments incl backups & monitoring; performing PostgreSQL d/base administration in complex environments incl backups & monitoring; writing & optimizing SQL statements; & demonstrating expertise w/ Ansible automation. Position may be eligible to work hybrid/remotely but is based out of & reports to Truist offices in Charlotte, NC. Must be available to travel to Charlotte, NC regularly for meetings & reviews w/ manager & project teams w/ in 24-hrs’ notice. Apply online (https:// careers.truist.com/) or email resume to: Paige.Whitesell@Truist.com
Ardrey Kell wins state title in women’s soccer
MATTHEWS – The Ardrey Kell Knights won the NCHSAA 4A Women’s Soccer Championship with a 2-1 win against the Ashley Screaming Eagles on May 31 at the Matthews Sportsplex.
Ellie Riechman scored off an assist from Rhyan Winnek in the fourth minute of the game to put Ardrey Kell ahead in the first half. Ardrey Kell outshot Ashley, 6-2, in the first 40 minutes and earned four corner kicks while the Eagles didn’t earn a corner until the second half.
Four minutes into the second half, Makayla Rodriguez scored off an assist from Brooke Watts to put Ardrey Kell up 2-0. Ashley scored with 11 minutes left but the Knights held on for the win. Goalkeeper Waleska Rugel Gonzalez tallied three saves in the win.
Riechman was named the Most Valuable Player. The NCHSAA also recognized Delaney Newton, of Ardrey Kell, with a 4A Soccer Sportsmanship Award.
Ardrey Kell finished the season with a 23-3-4 record, which included a 1-1 tie with Ashley on April 14. The two teams also played in the 2023 state championship, in which Ardrey Kell won its first women’s soccer title.
4A schools in the playoffs
Here is how area schools fared in the NCHSAA 4A Women’s Soccer playoffs:
• No. 12 Ardrey Kell defeated No. 21 Cuthbertson, 2-1, in the first round; No. 5 West Forsyth, 2-1, in the second round; No. 4 Hough, 2-0, in the third round; No. 1 Hickory Ridge, 2-0, in the
Union Academy wins state softball championship
MONROE – The Union Academy Cardinals won their second title in three years with a sweep of Perquimans in the NCHSAA 1A Softball Championship Series.
The Cardinals (29-1) completed the sweep with a 4-1 win on May 31 at Duke Softball Stadium.
Avery Wilson threw a complete game, allowing one unearned run on two hits while striking out 11 batters. She also went 1-for-2 at the plate on her way to winning the Most Valuable Player award.
The Cardinals scored a pair of runs in the bottom of the second inning as Keilana Burgess singled home Mckynzy Nash and Avery Chaney lifted a sac fly. Laney Hildreth and Chaney hit back-to-back RBI singles in the fourth.
Local teams in the playoffs Several teams from southern Mecklenburg and Union counties qualified for the playoffs.
1A
• No. 1 Union Academy defeated No. 32 Bessemer City, 17-0, in the first round; No. 17 South Stanly, 10-0, in the second round; No. 9 Draughn, 8-0, in the third round; No. 12 Murphy, 9-0, in the fourth round; No. 2 East Wilkes, 2-0, in the regional; and No. 1 Perquimans, 2-0, in the championship.
• No. 18 Queen's Grant lost to No. 15 Highland Tech, 4-2, in the first round.
3A
• No. 7 Piedmont defeated No. 26 Tuscola, 1-0, in the first round and No. 10 West Rowan, 3-2, in the second round. Piedmont lost to Rockingham County, 11-1, in the third round.
• No. 21 Parkwood defeated No. 12 West Henderson, 12-10, in the first round and lost to No. 5 Crest, 11-0, in the second round.
• No. 10 Central Academy lost to Oak Grove, 5-2, in the first round.
4A
• No. 1 Weddington defeated No. 32 East Mecklenburg, 10-0, in the first round; No. 17 Lake Norman, 2-0, in the second round; No. 9 McDowell, 8-0, in the third round; and No. 12 Reagan, 3-0, in the fourth round. Weddington lost to No. 10 South Caldwell, 2-0, in the regional final.
• No. 5 Independence defeated No. 28 Hopewell, 9-2, in the first round and lost to No. 12 Reagan, 6-3, in the second round.
• No. 8 Ardrey Kell defeated No. 25 Glenn, 6-5, in the first round and lost to No. 9 McDowell, 5-1, in the second round.
• No. 11 Marvin Ridge defeated No. 22 Northwest Guilford, 16-6, in the first round and lost to No. 6 Northern Guilford, 10-8, in the second round.
• No. 13 Providence defeated No. 20 Charlotte Catholic, 4-3, in the first round and lost to No. 4 Hickory Ridge, 7-5, in the second round.
• No. 14 Cuthbertson lost to No. 19 South Iredell, 11-6, in the first round.
• No. 20 Charlotte Catholic lost to No. 13 Providence, 4-3, in the first round.
• No. 23 Porter Ridge lost to No. 10 South Caldwell, 14-2, in the first round.
• No. 24 Sun Valley lost to No. 9 McDowell, 15-0, in the first round.
• No. 27 South Mecklenburg lost to No. 6 Northern Guilford, 4-1, in the first round.
• No. 29 Myers Park lost to No. 4 Hickory Ridge, 10-1, in the first round.
• No. 32 East Mecklenburg lost to No. 1 Weddington, 10-0, in the first round.
fourth round; No. 2 Charlotte Catholic, 2-1, in the regional final; and No. 12 Ashley, 2-1, in the championship.
• No. 2 Charlotte Catholic defeated No. 31 Butler, 6-1, in the first round; No. 18 T.C. Robertson, 7-1, in the second round; No. 10 Marvin Ridge, 2-1, in the third round; and No. 3 Weddington, 4-1, in the fourth round. Catholic lost to No. 12 Ardrey Kell, 2-1, in the regional final.
• No. 3 Weddington defeated No. 30 R.J. Reynolds, 2-1, in the first round; No. 14 Northwest Guilford, 2-0, in the second round; and No. 27 Hopewell, 2-0, in the third round. Weddington lost to No. 2 Charlotte Catholic, 4-1, in the fourth round.
• No. 8 Myers Park defeated No. 25 Watauga, 9-0, in the first round
and No. 24 Page, 4-0, in the second round. They lost to No. 1 Hickory Ridge, 1-0, in the third round.
• No. 10 Marvin Ridge defeated No. 23 Grimsley, 2-0, in the first round and No. 7 Asheville, 4-1, in the second round. They lost to No. 2 Charlotte Catholic, 2-1, in the third round.
• No. 16 Providence defeated No. 17 East Forsyth, 5-2, in the first round and lost to No. 1 Hickory Ridge, 2-1, in the second round.
• No. 22 South Mecklenburg defeated No. 11 Mooresville, 2-1, in the first round and lost to No. 27 Hopewell, 1-0, in the second round.
• No. 20 Sun Valley lost to No. 13 Lake Norman, 6-1, in the first round.
• No. 21 Cuthbertson lost to No. 12 Ardrey Kell, 2-1, in the first round.
• No. 29 Porter Ridge lost to No. 4 Hough, 2-0, in the first round.
• No. 31 Butler lost to No. 2 Charlotte Catholic, 6-1, in the first round.
Other schools in the playoffs Here is how area schools fared in the NCHSAA Women’s Soccer playoffs in other classifications:
• No. 9 Piedmont lost, 2-1, to No. 24 North Buncombe in the first round of the 3A tournament.
• No. 29 Parkwood lost, 8-0, to No. 4 Lake Norman Charter in the first round of the 3A tournament.
• No. 7 Union Academy defeated No. 26 Cherryville, 11-0, in the first round of the 1A tournament. They lost to No. 23 Bradford, 5-4 in the second round.
Fiscal fantasies threaten our economic future
By John Hood Contributor
RALEIGH – I wrote my first book –about what’s now called corporate ESG (for Environmental, Social and Governance criteria) – in 1996.
After six subsequent works of serious nonfiction, I redirected my authorial energies in 2020 toward writing historical-fantasy novels set in early America. Patriot soldiers battle flying demons. Daniel Boone hunts fire-spitting salamanders. Shadowy mages ensorcell Washington politicians into committing grave errors. Get the picture?
Well, I thought I was writing fantasy. But as I watch events unfold in the nation’s capital, the idea that dark sorcerers prowl the halls of Congress no longer seems fanciful.
The U.S. House has passed a fiscal package that would extend or make permanent key elements of the 2017 tax bill, add on other tax breaks and hikes, and adjust federal expenditures on defense, entitlements and discretionary programs. Over the next decade, the House plan would reduce the growth in federal revenue by about $3.8 trillion and reduce the growth of federal spending by about $750 billion.
To put these figures in perspective, the Congressional Budget Office projects that under current law, publicly-held federal debt would rise from $30 trillion today to $50 trillion in 2034. If the House plan becomes law – and we experience no serious recession in the meantime — it would rise to $53
trillion by 2034. To put the figures into further perspective, this is madness!
The national debt is already roughly the size of America’s annual gross domestic product. Under a best-case scenario, pushing it to 150% of GDP and beyond over the next couple of decades will impose a massive financial burden on future taxpayers and consign generations of Americans to bleaker economic and social prospects. Under a worst-case scenario, buyers of federal treasuries will in the interim come to doubt they’ll be repaid and demand higher interest rates to compensate them for the higher risk. Steeper borrowing costs will crimp spending by governments, businesses, and households — triggering economic recession, political chaos, and even national-security risks.
I’m exercising no literary license here. Fiscal facts cannot simply be wished away, as so many politicians (and, yes, voters) seem desperate to do.
The federal budget is structurally and woefully out of whack. Since 2020, revenue has fluctuated between 16% and 19% of GDP. Net federal expenditure has fluctuated between 22% and 31% of GDP. Looking forward, gigantic deficits are the baseline projection. Neither Republican nor Democratic politicians offer a realistic plan for reducing those deficits to a manageable level (3% of GDP or less), much less to balance the federal budget at some point in even the very distant future.
No shining paladin or bespectacled wizard is coming to save us. And there’s no silver bullet with which to slay the deficit beast.
Raise taxes on the wealthy? That might edge federal revenue up a point or so of GDP. Eliminate obvious “waste, fraud and abuse”? Ditto. Not nearly enough.
On the spending side, I’m for pulling back in most areas. But it is an inescapable truth that the main drivers of future federal deficits are entitlements: Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security and, to a lesser extent, means-tested welfare programs. All require reform. Congress should restructure Medicaid’s reimbursement rates and require nonpoor beneficiaries to make reasonable copays for services. It should reduce Medicare and Social Security benefits for high-income retirees. And it should impose real and immediate work requirements on all non-disabled recipients of Medicaid, nutrition supplements, public housing and other public assistance.
On the revenue side, I’m for getting rid of special-interest tax breaks, cracking down on tax evasion, selling low-priority assets, and maximizing revenue from drilling, mining and logging on federal land.
Disagree with my priorities? Okay. I acknowledge there are other ways to close deficits, but there are no painless ways to do it. Politicians in Washington – and in Raleigh, where federal dollars finance more than a third of the state budget – will have to make some tough decisions. Their constituents, you and I, will have to let them.
John Hood is a John Locke Foundation board member. His books “Mountain Folk,” “Forest Folk” and “Water Folk” combine epic fantasy with American history (FolkloreCycle.com).
Life is messy. Here are some ways to clean it up
By Bryan Golden Contributor
Life is what happens while you are making other plans. I have devoted a lot of space in this column to planning and goal setting. Reality offers an endless barrage of diversions, detours, challenges and obstacles. This fact doesn't negate the benefit of preparation. It simply requires an understanding of the type of forces at work.
A sailor would be remiss if he didn't understand how to handle storms, currents, tides, sandbars, fog and darkness. Although the sailor has a clear destination in mind, the sea has its own characteristics that can't be avoided or overcome. Should a mariner deny its existence his time afloat is certainly limited.
Just as the seasoned mariner recognizes and comprehends the behavior of the ocean, you need to accept the existence of life’s surprises. Once you do this, you will enhance your ability to successfully navigate the sea of life.
What should you do when your day becomes messy? How do you weather storms and avoid being derailed by obstacles? How do you respond when your plans fall apart? What strategy is appropriate when you feel things are going from bad to worse?
A messy day is no more unusual than waves on the water. Just go with the flow. Don’t panic or despair. Problems will be resolved and pass. With time they will seem insignificant if they are remembered at all. Accept messy days as normal and a fact of nature. You can’t stop or prevent them but you can ride them out.
Imagine walking down a bowling lane while people were bowling. You had no choice; you needed to get from one end to the other. What would you do? If you were to panic and stand still, you would surely get hit by a bowling ball. To avoid injury, you would need to keep moving while constantly changing direction to avoid oncoming balls. Yet you would always have the other end of the lane in sight.
Employing this strategy, you would make it to the end of the lane unscathed. You begin each day at one end of the lane. The far end represents the end of the day. Some days there are no balls being thrown at you. Other days they are non-stop. Your life is no more than many days lined up in a row. If you get through each one, you get through life.
There are those days when everything feels like it’s going downhill fast. One problem is followed by another. You barely have time to catch your breath. So be it. It happens. The
challenge is to maintain your attitude in the face of this barrage. This isn’t easy. But if you don’t do it you risk becoming overwhelmed. Separate the issues. Deal with each one independently. Choose a course of action for each, take it and then move onto the next one. Don’t analyze things to death. Make a decision. If you don’t, someone or something will make it for you and it may not be one you are happy with. All the problems together are like a big box filled with bricks. Trying to move the box while it’s full is extremely difficult, if not impossible. Take one brick at a time and you can move any size box regardless of what it weighs when it’s loaded to capacity. These are just a few suggestions. Find the one that works for you and stick with it. You have to get through each day anyway, so you may as well be an active participant. If you threw your hands up in frustration, you throw away your rudder and make yourself vulnerable to drifting out of control. Life is messy. Develop techniques to make the best of things and do what it takes to get the most from each day.
Bryan is the author of "Dare to Live Without Limits." Contact Bryan at Bryan@columnist. com or visit www.DareToLiveWithoutLimits. com Copyright 2025 Bryan Golden
