Inside: Find home sales in your neighborhood • Page 3A SPECIAL SECTION:
Hits After Six
Senior Living
FREE CONCERT April 19 - 6:00pm Crossing Paths Park
See Page 1B
See page 6A Friday, April 13, 2018 • Vol. 13 • No. 15
ABOUT US P.O. BOX 1104 Matthews, NC 28106 (704) 849-2261 justin@cmgweekly.com unioncountyweekly.com
Women @ Work Venue announced for luncheon, 2A
Howell heading to Florida State by Paul Nielsen paul@cmgweekly.com
INDIAN TRAIL – Sun Valley quarterback Sam Howell announced via Twitter on April 9 that he was committing to Florida State. Howell is one of the top high school quarterbacks in the country entering his senior season this fall. Howell teased his 6,083 Twitter followers earlier on April 9 that a “big announcement’’ was coming at 7:30 p.m. His announcement tweet has received over 5,000 likes and over 1,500 retweets as of April 11. Howell, who is a rising senior, is one of the top
dual-threat quarterback prospects in the country. Howell had received scholarship offers from almost every major college football program in the country among his 30-plus offers before committing to Florida State. Verbal commitments are non-binding. Last season as a junior at Sun Valley, Howell (6foot-2, 212-pounds) was 225-of-382 passing for 3,372 yards and 36 touchdowns. He averaged 241 yards passing a game for a Spartans team that finished the season at 11-4. Howell is also a threat on the ground after rushing 230 times for 1,594 yards and 24 more see HOWELL, Page 3A
Sam Howell thanked his teammates, coaches and parents for supporting his football career. UCW file photo
Early voting starts April 19
Sagging skin? More people seeking plastic surgery, 2B
Gee, thanks Confusing gift leads to pottery business, 4A
Momentum Pickleball’s appeal continues growing, 1B
DINING SCORES Health departments in Mecklenburg and Union counties inspected these restaurants March 30 to April 5:
Indian Trail • Jersey Mike’s, 6580 Old Monroe Road – 96 • Kate’s Skating Rink, 14500 U.S. 74 E. – 97.5 • Moe’s Southwest Grill, 6443 Old Monroe Road – 96 • Starbucks Coffee, 6701 Old Charlotte Hwy. – 96
Monroe • Bojangles, 555 E. Roosevelt Blvd. – 94.5 • Reid’s Convenience Store & Deli, 1002 Rocky River Road – 93 • Subway, 2226 Lancaster Hwy. – 94 • Taqueria Veracruz Mexico, 1226 W. Roosevelt Blvd. – 96.5
Waxhaw • Food Lion, 1301 N. Broome St. – 99 • Food Lion (deli), 1301 N. Broome St. – 98.5 • Food Lion (produce), 1301 N. Broome St. – 99
The playground includes multiple slides, a shade structure, numerous play panels and a soft rubber surface, among other amenities. Photo courtesy of Indian Trail
All-Inclusive Playground opens in Indian Trail INDIAN TRAIL – Staff with Indian Trail’s Parks and Recreation Department will be on hand 3 to 5 p.m. April 13 at Crooked Creek Park to highlight all the unique features of the new All-Inclusive Playground. They will be available to talk to parents and kids about what types of programs they would like to see offered and what amenities are coming to the park. The 6,000-square-foot All-Inclusive Playground boasts a number of play panels, a soft surface and other features for children with special needs. With accessible ramps and play panels specifically created for youth of all ages and needs, as well as a pour-in-place rubber surface to provide easy mobility for wheelchairs, the All-Inclusive Playground brings a much-needed element to the community. “It’s so important in everything we do that we stop and ask ourselves the question, ‘What more could we do here, what extra step could we take, to make sure we have something great for everyone to enjoy?’” Parks and Recreation Director Jay Tryon said. “This new All-Inclusive Playground is such an important step in that direction, to make sure every family who comes to Crooked Creek Park has something really special they can enjoy.” Included in the playground are Braille, sprocket and
paddleball panels, as well as touch and play piano and drums. Panels help tune fine-motor skills and sensory and cognitive development. “The adaptive/inclusive playground created by the Town of Indian Trail is a perfect way to allow children with disabilities to have a quality and safe place to play and get exercise,” said Keith Fishburne, president of Special Olympics North Carolina. “Everyone deserves the chance to play and feel a part of their community. We think it’s great that this playground will provide wonderful memories for many children in the years to come.”
MONROE – One-Stop/Early Voting for the May 8 Primary Election begins April 19 and ends May 5 at seven locations in Union County. Early voting locations are: • Hemby Bridge Volunteer Fire Department, 6628 Mill Grove Road. • Mineral Springs Volunteer Fire Department, 5804 Waxhaw Hwy. • Monroe Public Library, 316 East Windsor St. • Stallings Volunteer Fire Department – 4616 Old Monroe Road. • Wesley Chapel Volunteer Fire Department (Main), 315 Waxhaw-Indian Trail Road. • Wesley Chapel Volunteer Fire Department, 8821 Newtown Road. • Wingate Community Center, 315 West Elm St. Early voting hours are 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday to Friday at the Monroe Library and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. at all other locations. Early voting hours for April 21, April 28 and May 5 are 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at all locations. Union County residents can register to vote and cast a ballot at the Early Voting site by completing a voter registration form and providing an identifying document showing current address. The identifying document must be a valid N.C. driver’s license, photo ID from government agency, student ID with a school document showing the student’s address, or a utility bill, bank statement, payroll stub or document from any government agency showing name and current address. Call the board of elections at 704283-3809 or email union.boe@ncsbe.gov for details.
Former Bobcat expanding youth foundation by Paul Nielsen paul@cmgweekly.com
WAXHAW — Tamar Slay Basketball and We Got Next is thinking big. Slay, of Waxhaw, spent 12 years playing professional basketball after a successful college career at Marshall University in his native West Virginia and the former second round pick in the NBA Draft turned his talent, knowledge and experience in retirement into mentoring young basketball players through various camps and travel teams. Slay was a second-round draft pick by the New Jersey
Nets in 2002. He also played for the Charlotte Bobcats and for several professional teams overseas. Now, Slay is expanding his reach with We Got Next that will go beyond just the teaching the fundamentals of basketball. Slay, who has funneled his own money into the program, is looking for permanent home for his organization in Union County to bring We Got Next under one roof. We Got Next is a 501(C) non-profit foundation. “We have AAU teams, we have basketball see BASKETBALL, Page 6A
Current NBA star Alexis Ajinca of the New Orleans Pelicans works with a player at a clinic at Tamar Slay's We Got Next organization.
Coolest,Hottest Place in Union County!
Waterpark Opens Friday, May 25th! 704-282-4680 | www.monroeaquaticsandfitnesscenter.com Located off Hwy 74 across the street from Lowe’s on Hanover Dr. in Monroe
50% OFF Joining Fee Expires April 30th