20
02 – 202
5
INSIDE ▼ Rep. Willis champions fatherhood program PAGE 3A Friday, April 25, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 17
thecharlotteweekly.com/ucweekly
@ucweekly
State honors Union County for Hurricane Helene response MONROE – North Carolina Emergency Management recognized Union County for its support in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
State officials presented the award to Union County Emergency Management during the North Carolina Emergency Management Association Conference on March 26. The award acknowledges the aid and resources Union County departments and fire departments provided after the hurricane caused widespread damage across western North Carolina. State officials presented Union County with a North Carolina state flag that flew over the Western Branch office of North Carolina Emergency Management and a certificate of appreciation. The recognition honors the coordinated efforts of several Union County departments that mobilized to assist impacted communities following the hurricane. "When Hurricane Helene devastated western North Carolina, Union County answered the call to help without hesitation," said Andrew Ansley, director of Union County Emergency Management. Union County helped in the following ways: • Union County Sheriff's Office deployed eight deputies, a mobile command bus,
specialty vehicles and a drone operator to Buncombe County, where they assisted with search and rescue missions and law enforcement patrols. • Emergency communications answered 911 calls for Yancey County and deployed staff to several 911 call centers, providing relief to workers personally impacted by the storm. • Emergency management coordinated the response locally by activating the Emergency Operations Center, provided outreach to various agencies and municipalities, and coordinated agency deployments. • Union County Water dispatched multiple crews to assist with water and wastewater system repairs in the Asheville area. The department also delivered a generator to the Town of Clyde in Haywood County. • Social services mobilized approximately 25 team members to support emergency shelter operations and provide virtual assistance with Disaster SNAP and Medicaid applications. • Environmental health deployed staff for food and lodging inspections and other health services. • Public communications deployed two employees to assist with disseminating information to affected residents in Buncombe County. The Town of Waxhaw also deployed
State officials presented Union County with a North Carolina state flag that flew over the Western Branch office of NCEM and a certificate of appreciation. Photo courtesy of Union County
a communications professional to coordinate sharing information in Mitchell County. • Cooperative Extension, human services, the library and the sheriff's office coordinated county-wide donation drives for impacted communities. • Multiple Union County fire and police departments deployed first responders to assist with emergency search and rescue operations in the western part of the state, including Monroe, Bakers, Mineral Springs and Wesley Chapel fire departments; Stallings, Monroe and Waxhaw police departments; and Union EMS.
Donation boosts South Piedmont’s firefighting program
In addition to official deployments, several county employees used personal leave to volunteer with nonprofits delivering relief and supplies. "This recognition is a tribute to the professionalism, compassion and teamwork demonstrated by Union County employees," County Manager Brian Matthews said. "Their efforts made a real difference to struggling communities, and it speaks to the strength of public service when it's needed most." Various groups and employees who assisted in this effort will be recognized May 5 at the county commissioners meeting.
Sheriff’s office says two shootings were gangrelated MONROE – The Union County Sheriff’s Office says detectives linked a drive-by shooting and a weapons assault last month to an ongoing dispute between two gangs.
Representatives from the Providence Volunteer Fire Department presented South Piedmont Community College with a check for more than $28,000 in late March. Photo courtesy of South Piedmont Community College
MONROE – South Piedmont Community College has received more than $28,000 from the former Providence Volunteer Fire Department to support its firefighting program.
Providence Volunteer Fire Department representatives Scott Robinson and Jack Parks presented a check for $28,322.30 to South Piedmont late last month. “This gift will directly support the advancement of our firefighter training programs, empowering our students to serve and protect our community in its most critical moments,” South Piedmont Interim President Michelle Brock said. “Thanks to this contribution, we are better equipped to shape the next generation of heroes who will
make a real difference in saving lives.” The Providence Volunteer Fire Department served Union and Mecklenburg counties for over 60 years before ceasing operations in 2015. The funds donated to South Piedmont were part of a settlement between the Providence Volunteer Fire Department and the Town of Weddington. “The board of the Providence Volunteer Fire Department has used the entire settlement to support 22 volunteer fire departments and three educational institutions that provide firefighter training and certification in Union, Stanly and Anson counties,” Robinson said. “We’ve also procured a heavy-lift drone and Starlink systems to assist in the ongoing recovery efforts in western
North Carolina and over time across the entire state. “These grants are intended to honor the men and women of the Providence VFD who provided outstanding fire suppression and emergency response services for six decades,” Robinson continued. “They also ensure the legacy of Providence VFD lives on by supporting the training of new first responders and enabling local VFDs to upgrade their equipment and facilities to better serve their communities.” South Piedmont will use the donation to purchase critical firefighting training equipment, including adult- and child-sized manikins, training lights, hoses and doors.
Grinch video earns Monroe a communications award MONROE – A video of a Monroe Police Department K-9 taking down the grinch as he breaks into cars to steal Christmas presents earned the City of Monroe a 2025 Excellence in Communications Awards.
Monroe won first place in the category Best Use of Humor for the Monroe Police Department’s public safety video, “The Grinch Who Got Busted: A Holiday Crime Prevention PSA.” The North Carolina City & County Communicators announced winners April 10 during its annual conference in Asheville. A total of 179 entries from 47 local governments were judged by peers from the Minnesota Association of Government Communicators. “This year, we saw not only the highest number of award submissions we've ever received, but also a record number of mu-
nicipalities participating,” NC3C President Kaisha Brown said. “As the competition grows each year, the level of skill and expertise needed to win these awards continues to rise.” Monroe’s winning entry, created by the Monroe Police Department, aimed to raise awareness about the spike in car break-ins during the holiday season, especially as shoppers become more distracted and vehicles are left unattended. In the video, the grinch is dressed as Santa and snooping around parked cars. He’s able to get into the backseat of one and scoop presents into his arms. Police arrive before the grinch can get away and a K-9 officer takes him down. The grinch can only shake his head in defeat as police haul him off to jail. The city received high marks from the judges for creativity, humor and impact, noting the video delivered its message effectively
The City of Monroe was among 27 jurisdictions to earn 2025 Excellence in Communications Awards.
Photo courtesy of City of Monroe
while also capturing viewers’ attention and generating strong community engagement. “This award is a reflection of the innovative and collaborative spirit that exists across our city,” City Manager Mark Watson said. “It’s encouraging to see our team use humor and creativity to reach the public with meaningful safety messages, especially during the busy holiday season when reminders like this are so important.” This marks the City of Monroe’s second Excellence in Communications Award in three years.
Deputies responded to a report of a drive-by shooting in the 4000 block of Morning Glory Drive. They found a sedan parked in the driveway had been struck approximately 16 times by gunfire. Two of the rounds hit a nearby mobile home that was occupied by at least five people at the time of the shooting but no injuries were reported, according to the sheriff’s office. The next day, detectives learned of a 16-year-old male treated at a hospital with a gunshot wound. Officials said the teen was a suspect in the drive-by shooting the day prior. “The level of violence we’ve seen in these incidents is deeply troubling,” Sheriff Eddie Cathey said. “We’re dealing with young people who are making dangerous decisions that put entire families at risk. Our deputies and detectives are committed to getting to the bottom of this and doing everything in our power to hold these offenders accountable and keep our community safe.” Five people from the two cases face charges. From the drive-by shooting: • Yair Avalos-Vergara, 19, was arrested on charges of discharging a weapon into occupied property. He received a $500,000 secured bond. • Two minors also were charged with discharging a weapon into occupied property via juvenile petitions through the Department of Juvenile Justice. From the weapons assault: • Oscar Gonzalez-Capote, 18, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, discharging a weapon into occupied property and conspiracy. He received a $505,000 secured bond. • Altagracia Juarez-Melchor, 19, was arrested on charges of attempted murder, discharging a weapon into occupied property and conspiracy. She received a $500,000 secured bond. Call the sheriff’s office at 704-283-3789 or Union County Crime Stoppers at 704283-5600 with information about these cases.