Inside: See which restaurants passed inspection • Page 2A
Design your Daydream Turn the page for more details! Friday, April 27, 2018 • Vol. 13 • No. 17
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After fall, jockey returns to race by Paul Nielsen paul@cmgweekly.com
MINERAL SPRINGS – The first race of the 2017 Queen’s Cup Steeplechase is one ride jockey Michael Mitchell will never forget. At least the parts the 27-year-old British-born jockey can remember. As the horses were approaching the final jump, Mitchell took a spill at the last fence. It looked like a normal fall, if there is such a thing in steeplechasing. But the horse Mitchell was riding had a trailing hind leg swing around and catch him on the side of his face and jaw.
Mitchell laid on the course at Brooklandwood Race Course just outside of Waxhaw unconscious. After quickly being attended to by emergency personnel, Mitchell was taken to a hospital in Waxhaw before being airlifted to a hospital in Charlotte. Mitchell had a broken eye socket and cheek bone, his jaw was shattered and he had suffered a concussion. The road back to racing looked like a long and hard one. It was hard, but it wasn’t long. Mitchell had surgery on May 2, 2017 to insert see JOCKEY, Page 3A
Rosbrian Farm owner George Mahoney Jr., jockey Michael Mitchell and trainer Ricky Hendriks after Mitchell won his first race after an injury at the 2017 Queen's Cup. Photo courtesy of Tod Marks
Get ideas for cleaning, remodeling, 6A Justin Vick Managing Editor
It's time to pick the best
He's back Sports editor hops back on the saddle, 1B
Election 2018 County candidates talk growth, mobility, 4A
I Viva Chicken marinates its rotisserie chicken for 24 hours with herbs and spices. Photos courtesy of Viva Chicken
Viva Chicken ready to hatch
Peruvian rotisserie concept continues growing throughout region CHARLOTTE – Viva Chicken plans to bring Peruvian rotisserie chicken to Indian Trail in May. Sun Valley Commons will mark the seventh Charlotte-area location for the brand known for its pollo a la brasa, an herb-enhanced rotisserie chicken cooked in a charcoal-fired oven.
Crafty idea Teacher makes business from scraps, 3B
see Chicken, Page 3A
Aside from quarter, half or whole rotisserie chicken, diners can order chicken or steak wraps, as well as sides like solterito, plantains and sweet potato fries.
Mathletes Students advance to national math finals, 5A
’m excited to announce that our Best of the Weekly campaign kicks off this week. Readers can vote through May 25 for their favorite businesses in dozens of categories. Just flip to page 4B for the ballot or visit www.unioncountyweek ly.com to make your selections. This year, each weekly will have its own competition, preventing companies in Charlotte from taking the spotlight away from Union County companies. While it’s an exciting time for our readers, I’m dreading the four faces of fired up business owners. Behold: 1. The Uninformed: “This contest is not fair, because I did not know about it,” they’ll usually whine. It’s about what our readers think. No one else matters. 2. The Cheater: I’m sure I’ll get emails from business owners asking me how many votes they need to win. I’m not telling. Let the readers decide. 3. The Needy: Please don’t ask me how many votes you have or where you stand in the rankings. As fun as it would be to crunch numbers and create all sorts of funky readers’ choice analytics, I’ve got restaurant inspections to type up. 4. The Jealous: “We should have won,” Bob will squeal in between sobs. “We have a better selection than them. This contest is stupid.” Again, this is a readers’ choice competition. I’m not a licensed therapist and have lost many friends because I’m not good at consoling people.
Erb earns top teaching honors at UCPS TV star Commercial of local boy up for Emmy, 2A
INDEX Crime................................................................................ 2A Classifieds..............................................................5B Education................................................................ 5A Calendar....................................................................3B Sports.............................................................................. 1B Puzzles......................................................................... 1B
MONROE – Western Union Elementary teacher Ashley Erb cheered when she found out co-worker Amanda Stinchcomb was named 2017-18 Union County Public Schools Teacher of the Year. Never in her wildest dreams did Erb think she would be the one receiving cheers a year later. Erb won 2018-19 UCPS Teacher of the Year during the districtís annual banquet April 19 at Rolling Hills Country Club. “I was not expecting this and it is completely surreal,” Erb said. “It means so much to me. It’s very encouraging to not only continue in teaching but to also keep pushing myself to be a leader in my school, get further education and do great work for my students.”
Erb began teaching at Western Union Elementary in 2014. She has served as grade level chair and is a representative for her school’s site-based team. Students in her 2015-16 class saw their science proficiency grow from 40 to 83 percent. Erb said she strives to create a place where students learn to collaborate and function in society while also obtaining the necessary academic skills to prepare for a more civil, progressive and innovative future. Kristi Williford, principal at Western Union Elementary, said she was ecstatic to learn Erb was being recognized for her work. “I have always known what wonderful staff we have,” Williford said. “It’s great to see that they are being recognized.”
Ashley Erb received $1,500 for her personal use, as well as a one-year lease of a 2018 car, for earning Teacher of the Year honors for Union County Public Schools. Photo courtesy of UCPS
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