20
02 – 202
5
INSIDE ▼ Union Academy wins softball title PAGE 4B Friday, June 6, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 23
thecharlotteweekly.com/ucweekly
@ucweekly
Suspect in police shooting tied to separate death case MONROE – Detectives with the Union County Sheriff’s Office believe an armed suspect who was killed in a shootout with the Monroe Police Department on May 31 had fatally shot someone in Indian Trail.
An officer with the Monroe Police Department saw a suspicious vehicle near Rocky
River Road while driving along Old Charlotte Highway at 1:45 a.m. May 31. Police said the driver drove off and the officer pursued. Officers brought the chase to an end within four minutes at Goldmine Road near River Chase Drive after deploying stop sticks. Police said the suspect opened fire on law enforcement, hitting
a female officer multiple times, and ran into a heavily wooded area. The Monroe Police Department's special response team searched the area with K9s, a drone and assistance from a Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department helicopter. Officers found the suspect at 3:52 a.m. Police said the
suspect shot at the officers with a rifle. The special response team returned fire and killed the suspect, identified as 18-year-old Joshua Hayden Sikes. “This suspect intended to kill our officer, and by the grace of God she’s alive right now,” Monroe Police Chief Rhett Bolen said. “Everyone on our team followed their
training and acted decisively to stop a deadly threat. We stand firmly behind their actions and are grateful that our officer will eventually be able to go home to her family.” The officer is currently recovering at home. The Monroe Police Department has been accepting cards and meals on her behalf.
Monroe Mayor Robert Burns credited the officer for her strength, courage and training as well as her colleagues for preventing further tragedy. “This suspect intended to kill,” Burns said in a statement released on social Story continues, see SHOOTING page 3A
Union County presents fiscal year budget
Meck leaders update Transit System Plan
MONROE – Union County Manager Brian Matthews presented his recommended budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year on June 2 to the board of county commissioners.
CHARLOTTE – The Metropolitan Transit Commission voted May 28 to adopt an updated Transit System Plan.
The plan prioritizes the Better Bus program, which includes microtransit. It also details a phased implementation of the rapid transit corridors. The plan represents a major expansion of transit serving the Charlotte region, including a 50% increase in bus service and 43 more miles of rail services. The decision to approve this plan comes after nearly half a year of public engagement across Mecklenburg County. Four scenarios were developed and presented to the public that included the Better Bus program, Red Line and Gold Line extension. The scenarios varied in the mode and length of the Silver Line corridor and the Blue Line extension. “Through our surveys, 93% of participants indicated that more transit options are needed in Mecklenburg County and the time to act is now,” interim CEO Brent Cagle said. “They also highlighted the need for increased frequency and connections to jobs, housing, education and daily destinations. We believe this updated plan meets the needs shared by our
CATS officials have engaged stakeholders in recent years for preferred routes for the Blue Line extension (pictured here) and the Silver Line. CMG file photos
communities, and we applaud the MTC for their continued diligence and support of the communities that we serve.” Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said approving the plan is a milestone in the Metropolitan Transit Commission’s shared vision for the future of mobility in Mecklenburg County. “This plan reflects years of collaboration, community input and a deep commitment to building a more connected, accessible, and
sustainable region for generations to come,” Lyles said. The Metropolitan Transit Commission, which serves as the governing board for the Charlotte Area Transit System, consists of mayors across Mecklenburg County. Matthews Mayor John Higdon opposed the plan because it did not prioritize building out the Silver Line East toward his town. Higdon said the plan ignores “$40 million-plus already spent on the
Silver Line East design and the thousands of hours stakeholders spent determining its preferred route and station locations.” Mecklenburg Commissioner Leigh Altman defended the plan, saying it expands bus service to 450,000 more residents across the county. CATS officials say most of the bus portion of the plan will be implemented over the next five to 10 years. Riders can expect to see improved amenities, increased frequency and additional microtransit zones within that period. The Rapid Transit Corridor System plan calls for the following: • Red Line commuter rail from Charlotte Gateway Station to Mt. Mourne in Iredell County. • Silver Line light rail from Charlotte Douglas International Airport to Bojangles Coliseum/ Ovens Auditorium. • Gold Line streetcar extension from Rosa Parks Place to Eastland. • Blue Line light rail extension from I-485/South Boulevard to Carolina Place Mall in Pineville. • Future light rail extensions for Silver Line west to I-485 and east to Matthews and Blue Line to Ballantyne, as funding allows, with enhanced bus service in the interim.
South Piedmont renames Weddington streets at Monroe Campus Optimist Club MONROE – South Piedmont Community College has renamed the two streets leading into its Monroe campus as South Piedmont Street and Student Success Place.
Interim President Michelle Brock said May 13 that the renamed roads reflect the college’s mission. “These new names represent the very essence of South Piedmont: a place where progress happens, where students are empowered and where dreams become the foundation for brighter
futures,” Brock said. “Students, employees and visitors will see these signs and know that this is a place where lives are changed, where success is built and where South Piedmont is leading the way.” The road leading into the Monroe campus is now South Piedmont Street. The road leading into the campus from Rogers Road is now Student Success Place. New addresses at the Monroe campus went into effect beginning June 1. They are as follows: • Main Building: 1851 South Piedmont St.,
Monroe, N.C., 28110 • Braswell Building: 1875 South Piedmont St., Monroe, N.C., 28110 • Building A: 4150 Student Success Place, Monroe, N.C., 28110 • Center for Entrepreneurship: 4260 Student Success Place, Monroe, N.C., 28110 • Aseptic Training Facility: 1701 South Piedmont St., Monroe, N.C., 28110 Brock thanked the college’s signage committee, print shop, facilities crew and the City of Monroe for their work to rename the streets.
awards five scholarships
WEDDINGTON – The Weddington Optimist Club has awarded five graduating seniors with a $2,000 Aubrey Moore Memorial scholarship.
Scholarships are awarded to seniors based on academic performance, a commitment to volunteerism and an essay on why they deserve the scholarship. “Each of the recipients did a wonderful job of articulating why they deserve this award,” scholarship chairman Milton Sheffield said. “They expressed themselves well through the essay and deserve this honor.” Anabeth Tomalis, of Sun Valley High School, is the daughter of Rob and Stephanie
The budget proposal, which spans from July 2025 to June 2026, includes a tax rate of 1.82 cents above the revenue-neutral rate. This rate allows the county to cover debt obligations for capital projects that voters previously approved for Union County Public Schools and South Piedmont Community College. A portion of the rate will also shift from the debt fund to the economic development fund. This allows the county to fund the operation of the economic development department and to buy land for future industrial and economic development. County departments identified more than $600,000 in targeted reductions, streamlining operations while protecting essential services. “This proposed budget shows our practical yet responsible approach to investing in the county's future,” said County Manager Brian Matthews. "The budget recommendations have been carefully crafted to prioritize the needs of our residents while streamlining spending for the county's overall fiscal health." The county shared these key investments in the proposed budget: • Economic development expansion. • Enhanced public health and public safety. • Additional operating funding for UCPS, including renovation of the existing Forest Hills High School for the relocation of East Union Middle School and design and pre-construction services for the replacement of Parkwood High School. Story continues, see BUDGET page 3A
Tomalis. She is her class valedictorian and will be attending UNC-Chapel Hill. Olivia Jones, of Marvin Ridge High School, is the daughter of Amanda Jones and Jay Jones. She will be attending the University of Florida. Ava Bella Jordan, of Weddington High School, is the daughter of Mary and Glenn Jordan. She will be playing Division I lacrosse at Gardner-Webb University with a major in pre-med. Brooke Revels, of Porter Ridge High School, is the daughter of Erin and Andrew Revels. Outside of school, she works at Mint Hill Dance Center and volunteers with Make A Wish. She will be attending Duke University. Ella Grace Monteith, of Union Academy, is the daughter of Zack and Debe Monteith. Among her many activities, she is a junior member of the Mineral Springs Volunteer Fire Department. She will be attending South Piedmont Community College, majoring in nursing.