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INSIDE ▼ Police investigate threats against students PAGE 2A Friday, March 28, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 12
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Union County-area transportation projects awarded funding CHARLOTTE – The Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization approved $35,332,319 in federal discretionary grant funding for 20 projects on March 19.
The CRTPO oversees long-range transportation planning and ensures Federal Highway Administration transportation funds are allocated and spent appropriately. In collaboration with the N.C. Department of Transportation, CRTPO administers fed-
eral discretionary funds to help jurisdictions implement transportation projects, programs and studies that might otherwise lack funding. Projects approved in the Union County area and their price tags are as follows: • Indian Trail: Indian Trail-Fairview Road/ Younts Road/Stinson Hartis Road intersection improvements, $5,231,384. • Indian Trail: Indian Trail Road improvements (Liberty Lane to Gribble Road),
$1,321,600. • Marshville: U.S. 74 right turn lanes at Marshville Lake Park, $1,613,180. • Matthews: Moore Road sidewalk (Chambers Drive to Royal Commons Lane), $374,819. • Matthews: Sam Newell Road multi-use path (Crown Point Elementary School to Williams Road), $397,672. • Mineral Springs: N.C. 75 and Potter Road sidewalk and pedestrian improvements,
$804,439 • Union County: Union County Critical Intersection Study, $160,000. • Waxhaw: Helms Road extension (Waxhaw Parkway West) (Waxhaw-Marvin Road to N.C. 16), $4,923,274. • Wesley Chapel: N.C. 84 & Potter Road/ Wesley Chapel Road intersection improvements, $3,101,533. On the web: crtpo.org
Union Academy students pack over 72,000 rice meals
Union Academy says that by participating in projects like Community Service Day, students not only make a tangible impact but also gain a deeper understanding of global issues and the power of giving back.
MONROE – Union Academy students came together for a day of service, partnering with Servants with a Heart to pack more than 72,000 rice-based meals for people facing food insecurity in Cuba.
Students at Union Academy are organized into “families,” each consisting of a class from the elementary, middle and high school levels. Throughout the year, these groups build relationships through team-building activities, character lessons
Community Service Day reinforces Union Academy’s commitment to service and character education.
and community service projects. “This is one of my favorite days of the year,” Student Body President Laniyah Love said. “It’s important for me and my classmates to model community service and caring for others to our younger students. They are so fun to work with because they see the joy in everything, and it reminds me why we serve.” During the event, students rotated through educational stations to learn about global food insecurity, the nutri-
tional needs of those they were serving, and the ingredients used in the meals they packed. According to Servants with a Heart, each bag contains six meals, and just one cooked cup provides the daily nutritional needs to sustain a child. “Community Service Day at UA provides students and staff the opportunity to learn about and do hands-on service,” Character Coach Cynthia Mitchell said. “Rice packing is an activity for all ages, and the students really enjoy being a part of it.”
Union County Library Foundation highlights recent gifts WAXHAW – The Union County Library Foundation has received gifts from the Town of Weddington for $75,000 and The James R. and Bronnie L. Braswell Charitable Trust for $40,000.
The Literacy at Play project at Southwest Regional Library was funded through the Town of Weddington’s gift. The outdoor experiential learning space creates an environment where the library’s youngest patrons and their caregivers can interact and develop healthy minds and bodies, while accommodating children who have diverse physical, intellectual and emotional abilities. “We are thrilled to share that many library visitors are already enjoying the enhanced outdoor space provided by the Literacy at Play area,” said Elaina Wolfe, branch manager. “We see families and caregivers
with their little ones regularly exploring the sensory wall and clambering on and around the spheres on the artificial turf. “Many use the exploration of the area as an intermission of sorts, enjoying the fresh outdoor air and working out some energy before returning to selecting books to read and take home. We are so grateful to be able to provide this unique and enriching experience to our community, seamlessly connecting our indoor learning spaces with an inspiring outdoor environment and allowing our community to engage with both knowledge and nature.” The Braswell Charitable Trust, under the direction of George C. Bower Jr., has awarded $40,000 to enhance the STEAM Lab Makerspace at the Main Library and to allow the space to continue in providing high-quality STEAM experiences with ad-
ditional enhanced technology and resources. Resources to enhance the current STEAM Lab include a laser engraver, microscopes, computer science kits, a sublimation printer, robotics, and virtual reality headsets. New programming plans include hosting an Engineering Club for children in grades 3 to 5, Senior STEAM mornings for adults and 3D printing classes for all ages. “The Braswells understood the importance of education and how an investment in learning will contribute to the future success of our youth,” said George Bower, Braswell trustee. “We need to support STEAM initiatives which promote critical thinking and problem-solving skills that are vital in our rapidly changing world.” On the web: uclibraryfoundation.org
Union Academy strives to develop well-rounded students who value character, compassion and civic engagement.
Outdoor burn ban goes into effect in Union County MONROE – Union County Fire Marshal Jon Williams enacted a local burn ban, prohibiting all outdoor burning within 100 feet of an occupied home, on March 21 due to increased fire risk.
The last time Union County implemented a local burn ban was in 2021. The burn ban was authorized by the fire marshal per the North Carolina Fire Code, Section 307, to prevent the potential for increased fires due to dry weather conditions in Union County. This measure aligned with the statewide burn ban implemented by the North Carolina Forest Service on March 21, which bans all outdoor burning more than 100 feet from an occupied home and suspends all burning permits until further notice. The county burn ban applies to all areas of Union County. Typically, Monroe and Waxhaw have their own fire code enforcement; officials within those municipalities confirmed with the fire marshal's office they intend-
ed to implement a local burn ban. What is allowed? Use of gas or charcoal grills. What is prohibited? Burning in piles, barrels and other examples of open burning. In all cases, it is illegal to burn trash, lumber, tires, newspapers, plastics or other non-vegetative materials. Anyone in violation of the Union County burn ban may be issued civil penalties of up to $200 per occurrence, in addition to a potential fine from the state. “Given the current dry conditions and increased fire danger, this local burn ban is necessary to protect our residents and emergency responders,” Williams said. “We urge everyone to follow these restrictions and take every precaution to prevent accidental fires.” The burn ban will remain in effect until the NC Forest Service lifts its statewide ban or when Williams determines there has been sufficient rainfall to reduce the fire risk and safely lift the local restrictions.