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INSIDE ▼ Bravo stars host a fundraiser PAGE 2B Friday, August 8, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 32
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Police look for suspect accused of kidnapping MATTHEWS – The Matthews Police Department received information at 7:02 p.m. July 28 that a man had assaulted his girlfriend and taken the woman against her will in his vehicle.
Patrol officers attempted to find the vehicle in the area of East Independence Boulevard and Windsor Square Drive. A short time later, officers spotted a vehicle matching
the suspect’s description traveling westbound on East Independence Boulevard and initiated a traffic stop. The driver entered a parking lot in the 7400 block of East Independence Boulevard. Police said before stopping the vehicle and fleeing on foot, the suspect was involved in a minor collision with a police vehicle. There were no reported injuries from the vehicle crash.
Police said the driver fled on foot into the woods behind a business. Matthews officers, with the assistance of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department, established a perimeter to find him but were unsuccessful. The victim was transported to the hospital to receive medical treatment and released. The Mecklenburg County Magistrate’s Office issued arrest warrants
for Montroy Izal Mabry, 36. on the following charges: first-degree kidnapping, felony flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, possession of a firearm by felon and misdemeanor resisting a public officer. Police said Mabry is also wanted for the following charges from other counties: • Pitt County: Possession of a fireman by felon, felony probation violation, assault with a deadly
Threatt outlines campaign platform
weapon with intent to kill, driving while license revoked, flee to elude arrest with a motor vehicle, felony possession of marijuana and discharge weapon into an occupied property. • Perquimans County: Speeding. Call 911 if you have any information on Mabry’s whereabouts. Police advise not to make contact with Mabry or approach him.
Champion tap dancer digs heels into new studio
Ramone Thomas cuts the ceremonial ribbon July 31 to mark the grand opening of Raydance Entertainment Academy.
Justin Vick/CMG photo by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
Some of the key pieces in Leon Threatt's campaign for mayor are principled leadership, governmental efficiency, transparency, managed growth and public safety.
Justin Vick/CMG photos by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MATTHEWS – John Higdon hasn’t had an opponent in an election since he unseated Paul Bailey for mayor in 2019. Leon Threatt is the first citizen to take on the challenge.
Threatt is coming off his first term as a town commissioner. “This journey to be mayor of Matthews is not in any way an anti-mayor, anti-John Higdon campaign,” Threatt told supporters July 29 at Town Green Park. “This is about how can I serve my community more effectively.” He has lived in the area for nearly 38 years. Threatt and his wife, Carol, have three adult children and eight grandchildren. He has served 10 years active duty with the Marines, 8.5 years as an officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and 37 years as a senior pastor. “I believe that Matthews is a wonderful place to live, to work, to shop, to serve, and to do business,” Threatt said. “Because it’s a wonderful place to do all these things, it must be preserved, protected and led into its future. That’s one of my commitments because I want to make a difference.” Threatt explained these areas of his platform during his official campaign launch: • Principled leadership: Threatt defines this
Monroe Mayor Robert Burns (left) was among leaders attending the campaign launch. Others were Matthews Commissioner Gina Hoover, Matthews Commissioner Mark Tofano and George Young, a former Matthews commissioner running again in 2025.
as leading by character, not by the office or position. “I believe that we need in leadership people who live what they claim and do what they promise,” he said, noting it’s especially important as Matthews elects at least three new commissioners in this election. • Governmental efficiency: Threatt wants to change the narrative that government is not the best steward of people’s resources. He’d like to roll out an incentive program that rewards staff for greater efficiency and a citizens task force that makes recommendations on how to make departments better. • Unfettered transparency: Threatt believes good government makes every piece of
information available to the people it serves – without violating confidentiality. “Even as a commissioner, I have to work a little too hard to find out what's going on behind the scenes,” he told supporters. “If I’m having to work hard to find the information. I can only imagine that you, the citizens, must have to work much harder. He suggested a citizens group help determine creative ways for the public to have access to information quickly. • Reasonably planned and managed growth: “Seventy percent of every resident in Matthews lives in a single-family home; therefore, Story continues, see THREATT page 3A
Oaklore Distilling Co. partnership to expand distribution CHARLOTTE – Oaklore Distilling Co. has formed a strategic partnership with Johnson Brothers of North Carolina, a leading wine, spirits and beer distributor.
The partnership is aimed at broadening the availability of Oaklore’s premium spirits in bars, restaurants and retailers throughout the state. “We have seen a real trend of consumers actively seeking out local spirits as their go-to everyday selections, particularly in the whiskey category,” said Thomas Bogan, co-founder of Oaklore. “From our hometown of Charlotte to Raleigh-Durham, Asheville, the Outer Banks and beyond, we’re excited to see our core range of whiskeys and specialty releases available on back bars and liquor store shelves across the state through this new partnership with Johnson Brothers. This also will serve as the
foundation of our sales strategy as we expand across the U.S.” North Carolina whiskey drinkers will be able to taste a spirit that represents the Piedmont. The region experiences broad temperature swings more frequently than in Kentucky and other regions. Company officials say this results in a more consistent, year-by-year aging process that allows for a more uniform whiskey profile, with truly developed character and a richer taste. The distillery offers a wide range of spirits, including its Four Grain Bourbon, 6-year-old North Carolina Straight Rye Whiskey and their Story Series limited-edition whiskey releases, along with vodka, gin and rum. In June, Oaklore launched a charitable initiative to support Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. For every Oaklore cocktail sold at select participating bars and restaurants in the
Neighbors Matt Simpkins and Thomas Bogan opened Oaklore Distilling Co. in 2022.
Photo courtesy of Oaklore Distilling Co.
Charlotte area, the company donated $5 to the Community Foundation of Henderson County up to $10,000. Will Clements, who is NC spirits director at Johnson Brothers, said his company is thrilled to bring Oaklore spirits to more consumers throughout North Carolina. “Their commitment to craftsmanship and community aligns perfectly with our values, and we look forward to a very successful collaboration,” Clements said. On the web: oakloredistilling.com
MATTHEWS – Ramone Thomas celebrated the grand opening of Raydance Entertainment Academy on July 31 with family, friends and the local business community.
The studio, located at 4709 Margaret Wallace Road, offers recreational and competitive dance programs for children. “We love to encourage them and help them reach their goals,” Thomas said. “This is a very encouraging and professional space for kids to just really grow.” Children can explore tap, jazz, hiphop, ballet, contemporary and lyrical dance through the recreational program. Beginner and intermediate-level classes are available for adults, too. Dancers wanting to step it up can enroll in the competition program, which prepares them for events throughout the East Coast. Then there’s Fusion Art Collective, a production company that helps performers ages 16 and older get experience and exposure through live performances and film projects. Morghan Bennett, a senior at the Bonnie Cone Leadership Academy, has had the opportunity to dance and choreograph performances through the Fusion Art Collective. Morghan describes Thomas as an open-minded artist with a genre-bending dance style. Thomas said the studio encourages students not to focus solely on one style of dance. “We really put a lot of emphasis on versatility just so our kids aren’t only staying in one place and they are not stagnant,” Thomas said. Thomas shared the experience of opening his first studio with his parents. Sandra Thomas recalled seeing her son’s passion for dance very early on. She recalled how much he was drawn to the 2006 animated film, “Happy Feet,” as a kid. The film follows a tap dancing penguin. Thomas went on to become an award-winning tap dancer. Jessica Tullar came across videos of Thomas tap dancing online while looking for dance studios for her oldest daughter and was amazed by his talent. Tuller said one of her favorite things about her job as president and CEO of the Matthews Area Chamber of Commerce is celebrating other people’s Story continues, see CHAMPION page 3A