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INSIDE ▼ Mayor reacts to state eliminating parking standards
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PAGE 4A Friday, July 17, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 28
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Police crack down on illegal narcotics MONROE – The Monroe cocaine, drug Police Department said it paraphernalia continues “aggressive efforts” to and a firearm. identify and remove individuals They arrested responsible for distributing illegal D e s m o n d drugs in the community. Parham, 40, Officers executed a search of Monroe, warrant July 2 at the Super 8 on Parham on charges of Venus Street after a narcotics possession with investigation. Investigators intent to sell or deliver cocaine, recovered 23 grams of crack possession of a firearm by a
felon, maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of selling a controlled substance and possession of cocaine. Parham was able to meet the conditions of his pretrial release. However, he was re-arrested on July 7 on a violation of probation warrant. He was also in possession of more crack cocaine at that time, according to police.
“This arrest is another example of our commitment to aggressively pursuing those who choose to sell illegal drugs in our community,” Monroe Police Chief Rhett Bolen said. “Drug trafficking fuels violence, addiction and other criminal activity. Our investigators will continue to identify those responsible, build strong cases
Queen's Feast Charlotte Restaurant Week returns for summer CHARLOTTE – Diners can treat themselves to three-course menus at more than 120 restaurants from July 24 to Aug. 2 during Queen’s Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week. Restaurants across the metro area will showcase their cuisine via multi-course dining deals, ranging from $30 to $55 per person. Customers can visit CharlotteRestaurantWeek. com to view the list of participating restaurants and their special Queen’s Feast menus and make reservations. Participating restaurants this month can be found in nine counties, including Cabarrus, Gaston, Cleveland, Union, Lincoln, Catawba, Stanly and York. Several neighborhoods in the South Charlotte area are represented, such as Arboretum, Ballantyne/Stonecrest, Providence Crossing/Waverly and SouthPark. This month’s restaurant lineup features 11 first-time participants, including Italo and Packard Tavern in Uptown; Frida’s Mexican Cantina in Pineville; Half Shell Raw Bar in South End; Henrietta’s in LoSo; Reid’s Fine Foods in Ballantyne; Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar in Promenade on Providence and X Brazilian Steakhouse in MoRa. The semi-annual Charlotte Restaurant Week provides restaurants a spotlight for their food and hospitality. Participating restaurants see trial business from local diners checking out new places as well as visitor traffic every January and July. “Queen’s Feast gives diners the perfect reason to trade the same old routine for a fresh table and a great meal,” said Bruce Hensley, a partner in Hensley Fontana Public Relations,
Participating Restaurants
Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar in Promenade on Providence is a first-time participant. Photos courtesy of Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar
which owns and operates the promotion. “Whether you want to get fancy or have some laid-back fun, we have restaurants of all vibes ready to roll out the red carpet and become your new favorite.” On the web: charlotterestaurantweek.com
Some of the restaurants in The Weekly’s coverage area include: • Ballantyne/Stonecrest: C&W Steakhouse, Hestia Rooftop, Juniper Grill, Napa Bistro & Wine Bar, North Italia, Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, Reid’s Fine Foods, Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar, Tap & Vine and The Club House Bites & Booze. • SouthPark: Aqua e Vino, Cafe Monte French Bakery and Bistro, Calle Sol Latin Café & Cevicheria, Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, DTR, Mizu, Moon Thai & Japanese Restaurant, Oak Steakhouse, Palm Restaurant, Red Rocks Cafe, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Southern Pecan Gulf Coast Kitchen. • Pineville: Frida’s Mexican Cantina; Margaux’s Wine, Pizza & Market; and The Garrison, A Cocktail Bar & Restaurant. • Indian Trail: Tap & Vine.
Audit: Nearly 8 in 10 landfills haven't been investigated by Alan Wooten Contributor
(The Center Square) – An environmental oversight program in North Carolina created in 2007 hasn’t investigated nearly 8 in 10 landfills, a state audit says, and 80% of those sites are within 1,000 feet of homes, schools, daycares, churches or drinking water wells. The performance audit analyzed the Department of Environmental Quality’s Pre-Regulatory Landfill Program. Identified were 688 landfill sites where municipal solid waste disposal occurred without regulatory oversight, including 534 never investigated by the department’s program. In the Division of Waste Management, the program was created 19 years ago to identify, assess and remediate sites that accepted a wide range of waste prior to 1983. That’s the demarcation point for what are considered modern environmental regulations. “The Pre-Regulatory Landfill Program is a complex issue that creates challenges from a regulatory, legal, funding and administrative standpoint,” N.C. Auditor Dave Boliek said. “But the bottom line is there are hundreds of potentially hazardous
landfill sites across North Carolina, and despite tax dollars supporting a program meant to investigate these sites, 78% haven’t been examined. This audit lays out the facts, giving taxpayers a reliable update on a longstanding government issue.” Boliek’s office said program management estimates an average cost to investigate, assess and remediate a site at $1.9 million. Applied to uninvestigated sites, the cost would be in the $1 billion neighborhood. Over 19 years, 97 sites have been probed – or about two per year. The Division of Environmental Quality secured 370 acres of waste, sampled 1,642 water supply wells and provided alternate water to 30 homes. Local landfills ranked by risk priority The report showed risk priority scores for 688 landfills in North Carolina as of April 2025. The scores determine which sites are prioritized for investigation, based on historical information and surrounding land uses, such as homes and schools. Other factors include landfill size and proximity to wells. Mecklenburg County • McAlpine Creek Park (Charlotte): 49 • Davidson Sanitary Landfill: 95 • Davidson Landfill: 112
and hold offenders accountable. If you are dealing drugs in Monroe, know that we are coming for you.” Anyone with information about illegal drug activity is encouraged to contact the Monroe Police Department at 704-2824700 or submit anonymous tips through the police department’s smartphone app.
Lawmakers secure local funding RALEIGH – Union County lawmakers are highlighting how the community will directly benefit from the North Carolina budget signed into law on July 7. “The Union County investments in North Carolina’s budget acknowledge the work and needs of many individuals serving our community,” according to a shared statement by Johnson N.C. Sen. Todd Johnson and N.C. Reps. Dean Arp, Mark Brody and David Willis. “The funds provide grants for community services, public safety, parks and education. It’s our honor to serve those serving our Arp community at the ground level. This support will directly enhance the already great quality of life Union County residents enjoy.” In Union County, the state budget provides funding for the following: Brody Education • $1,000,000 – Athletic Fields, STEM Labs and Robotics Teams Infrastructure • $300,000 – Unionville Parks • $200,000 – Indian Trail Capital Improvements • $200,000 – Fairview Capital Improvements • $150,000 – Lake Park Capital Improvements • $150,000 – Stallings Capital Improvements • $100,000 – Weddington Parks Community Services • $1,500,000 – Turning Point Capital Improvements • $600,000 – Bridge to Recovery Program Support • $500,000 – Food for Families Service Expansion • $325,000 – Ground 40 Program Support • $50,000 – Safer Communities Ministry Program Support • $1,000,000 –Cameron's House of Hope
• Statesville Rd. Landfill (Charlotte): 117 • Southside Park Landfill (Charlotte): 176 • Pineville Dump: 278 • Old Charlotte Landfill/Vanguard Center (Charlotte): 395 • Double Oaks Landfill (Charlotte): No further action Union County • Waxhaw Dump: 34 Waxhaw • Union County Landfill (Monroe): 124 • Monroe Landfill: 130 • Marshville Dump: 318
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Public Safety • $1,500,000 – South Piedmont Regional Autopsy Center Funding • $450,000 – Jackson Volunteer Fire Department • $350,000 – Monroe Fire Department • $150,000 – Unionville Volunteer Fire Department • $150,000 – Hemby Bridge Volunteer Fire Department • $100,000 – Wesley Chapel Volunteer Fire Department The budget provides a one-time bonus of $1,750 for local law enforcement officers.