Union County
Waxhaw names new town manager
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Serving Indian Trail, Marvin, Stallings, Waxhaw, Weddington and Wesley Chapel
Locally Owned & Operated www.unioncountyweekly.com
Volume 10, Number 8 • Feb. 19 to 25, 2015
Preparation pays off Residents heed warnings and stay inside during first ice storm of 2015 by Ryan Pitkin editor@unioncountyweekly.com
Photo courtesy of Stallings resident Terry Peninger
Union County residents bunkered down for a small ice storm beginning on Monday, Feb. 16, and their preparations paid off, according to first responders in the area. School closings, road preparation from the North Carolina Department of Transportation and forecasts from newscasters warning residents to stay off the roads all led to a relatively safe day off from school and work for most people in the area. Although some ice-related traffic accidents occured on Tuesday, most local fire and police departments reported no major issues. Charlie Porter, chief of the Stallings Volunteer Fire Department, said the timing of the precipitation also played a part
in the low volume of emergency calls. “Any time that we get (a winter storm) that comes in during the evening hours the vast majority of people are already home, that helps us a lot,” Porter said. “People were heeding the warnings on the next morning. There was really rapid thawing. We were prepared and it could’ve been a lot worse than it was, but the time of the storm and people listening to the warnings really paid off.” Freezing rain and sleet began falling in Union County just before 3 p.m. on Monday, sending many people home early from work. By 9 p.m., Union County Public Schools (UCPS) had called off classes for Tuesday. By Tuesday afternoon, Wednesday classes would also be closed. Over a quarter-inch of freezing rain fell in Union County on Monday night, according to the National Weather Service. (see Ice Storm on page 4)
Union County Community Arts Council appreciates supporters at ‘Night of the Arts’ by Crystal O’Gorman crystal@matthewsminthillweekly.com
The Union County Community Arts Council (UCCAC) will hold its seventh annual Night of the Arts at the Union County Agricultural and Conference Center at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, February 21. UCCAC Executive Director Barbara Faulk said the Night of the Arts celebration shows appreciation to businesses, community and government organizations for supporting the council. “The council’s partnerships with private businesses and government organizations provide funds for arts programs in the schools and county, and funds
individual school and community art project grants,” she said. She stressed the Night of the Arts event is not a fundraiser but rather a celebration of support. The ticket costs go toward paying for the $15,000 event. Some of the UCCAC’s major business, community and government partners include Union County Public Schools, City of Monroe, Union County, N.C. Department of Cultural Resources, Duke Energy Foundation, Wells Fargo, Hugh & Cutie Moore and Carolinas Healthcare System. Arts Council funds Union County Public Schools arts programs Faulk, who’s been the executive director since 1987,
said last year the arts council raised $333,000 and 92 percent of the money raised went directly into providing arts programs and grants for Union County Public Schools and the community. The arts council supports 56 schools in Union County by providing arts-related education opportunities, such as programs in which students get to attend live theatrical performances. For example, in February and March, some Union County elementary schools will get to see “The Emperor’s New Clothes” presented by Children’s Theatre of Charlotte. Others will see Lightwire’s production of “The Ugly Duckling & The Tortoise & The Hare” at Wingate University. (see UCCAC on page 10)
INDEX: News Briefs, 6; Crime Blotter, 7; Education, 12; Rev. Tony, 16; Summer Camps, 18; Calendar, 22; Sports, 24; Classifieds, 27
INTERIORS
22 GORGEOUS GARDENS
The South’s Largest Home & Garden Event February 20-22 and February 27-March 1 The Park Expo and Conference Center 704.376.6594 | A Southern Shows Inc. Production
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