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INSIDE ▼ Tips to avoid counterfeit Labubus PAGE 2A Friday, August 15, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 33
thecharlotteweekly.com/ucweekly
Detectives connect suspects to drive-by shootings WINGATE – The Union County Sheriff’s Office has arrested three suspects following a pair of drive-by shootings in August.
One shooting involved multiple rounds fired into an occupied home on Taylor Street in the Wingate area. Another involved 50 rounds fired into an occupied home on Neptune Way in Wingate. No one in either home was injured. The sheriff ’s office collaborated with the Monroe Police Department, North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation and ATF in the investigation. Detectives arrested Jaylen Richardson, 19, of Monroe; Jaden Satterfield, 21, of Monroe; and a minor, whose name wasn’t released. The sheriff’s office said all three suspects face multiple felony charges, including attempted murder
and shooting into an occupied dwelling. Richardson was placed in the Union County Detention Center without bond. Satterfield was held on a $1.1 million secured bond. The minor was placed in a juvenile detention facility. Anyone with information about the shootings should call the Union County Sheriff’s Office at 704-283-3789 or Union County Crime Stoppers at 704-283-5600. Police arrest suspect after jewelry thefts at mall
MONROE – The Monroe Police Department arrested a suspect after several jewelry stores were broken into at Monroe Crossing Mall, resulting in the theft of thousands of dollars in merchandise.
Officers responded to an alarm at around 1:30 a.m. July 24 at Monroe Crossing Mall. They found a glass door had been shattered. The Piercing Pagoda kiosk had been broken into and jewelry had been taken. Other stores in the mall reported break-ins and missing items later that morning. Police said $45,000 in jewelry was stolen from the stores. Police identified Cameron McManus, 33, of Pageland, as the suspect. Officers arrested McManus on charges of felony breaking and entering, felony larceny and injury to real property. They took him into custody at a local hospital Aug. 6 and later placed him in the Union County Jail under a $25,000 bond. Police said McManus met the conditions of his release.
UNION ACADEMY 4-H EXCELS AT STATE LIVESTOCK CHAMPIONSHIPS
Lindsay Van Art, Aubrey Mekus, Colton Alexander, Lacie Alexander and Greyson Rouse brought home some hardware. Photo courtesy of Union Academy
RALEIGH – Union Academy 4-H students dominated the 2025 North Carolina 4-H Livestock State Championship, bringing home numerous top honors across all divisions of Livestock Quizbowl, Skillathon and Judging.
• Lindsay Van Art, third place • Greyson Rouse, fifth place • Lacie Alexander, ninth place In the Intermediate Division, Colton Alexander placed first individually and was also part of the second place team.
Their performances earned senior team members invitations to try out for the North Carolina team that will compete this fall at the National 4-H Livestock Competition in Louisville, Kentucky.
SKILLATHON COMPETITION Intermediate Division:
LIVESTOCK QUIZBOWL
Senior Division:
In the Senior Division, Union claimed first place as a team, with team members: • Aubrey Mekus, second place individual
• Colton Alexander swept the competition, taking first place overall, including: • First in ID/Written Test • Fourth in Quality Assurance Union Academy’s team won first place overall and led several categories: • Quality Assurance: Greyson Rouse, first place; Aubrey Mekus, second; Lacie Alexander, third.
• Evaluation: Aubrey Mekus, first place; Greyson Rouse, fourth. • ID/Written Test: Aubrey Mekus, first place; Lindsay Van Art, second; Lacie Alexander, third. Overall Individual Awards – Senior Division: • Aubrey Mekus, first place • Lindsay Van Art, second place • Lacie Alexander, third place • Greyson Rouse, sixth place LIVESTOCK JUDGING
Colton Alexander placed seventh in the Intermediate Division, contributing to his success across all categories. ALL AROUND AWARDS
These awards recognize students with the highest combined scores from all three events:
Colton Alexander, all around champion (intermediate) Aubrey Mekus, second place overall (senior) Lacie Alexander, third place overall (senior) HEADED TO NATIONALS
Based on their success, members of the Senior Quizbowl and Skillathon teams have earned invitations to try out for the North Carolina team, which will represent the state this fall at the national competition in Louisville, Kentucky. “These students have worked incredibly hard all year, and to see their dedication pay off at the state level is something truly special,” Agriculture Teacher Michael Alexander said.
Monroe presents incentive payment to Goulston Technologies MONROE – The City of Monroe presented an economic development incentive check to Goulston Technologies on July 7, recognizing the company’s continued investment in its Monroe facility and fulfillment of two ongoing development agreements with the city.
“Goulston’s sustained investment in our city is a strong reflection of the value companies find in operating here,” City Manager Watson said. “We’re proud to support Goulston and the high-quality jobs they create through our incentive program.” The $168,794 incentive payment included: • $28,794 for the final installment of Project 1 (Quantum 17-035 Phase 1). Under this agreement, Goulston committed to investing no less than $2 million annually over five years, beginning in 2018. • $140,000 for Project 2 (Quantum 17-035 Phase 2), marking the third of five payments
under this agreement. Phase 2 is a $700,000 grant approved by Monroe City Council in support of Goulston’s estimated $29.5 million investment over four years. Goulston committed to a minimum annual investment of $2 million. Goulston Technologies specializes in surface modification technologies and formulated fiber lubricants. It supports customers in industries ranging from textiles to plastics. “Goulston is a longtime partner and employer in Monroe, and their continued growth is a testament to their commitment to excellence and innovation,” Mayor Robert Burns said. “We’re excited to see what comes next.” On the web: developmonroe.com What they said
• ”Goulston’s leadership in fiber lubricants, polymer additives and specialty chemistries reflects their global impact and their confidence
in Monroe’s workforce. We’re proud to have such an innovative and respected company based here, and we're grateful for the strong partnership we’ve built together.” – Council Member Franco McGee • ”Thank you, Goulston Technologies, for your long-term commitment to Monroe’s economic development. You've been a valued and trusted partner for decades.” – Council Member Julie Thompson • “Goulston Technologies was founded in Monroe 80 years ago in 1937, and it is now a global industry leader in developing synthetic fibers. They are recognized worldwide as the leading producer of fiber lubricants. Thank you, CEO Fred Edwards, for providing good paying jobs, great career opportunities, a safe workplace environment and for being a community advocate.” – Mayor Pro Tem Surluta Anthony
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Partnership brings ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ to regional stage MATTHEWS – Matthews Playhouse of the Performing Arts, in partnership with BNS Productions, opens its 30th Mainstage Season with Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.”
Set on Chicago’s South Side in the 1950s, “A Raisin in the Sun” follows a Black family as they decide how to spend an insurance check following the death of the family patriarch. Will the Younger family open a business, send a child to medical school or move to an all-white suburb? Hansberry became the first Black woman to have a play produced on Broadway when “A Raisin in the Sun” was produced in 1959. Charlotte resident Corlis Hayes will direct the Matthews show. “What drew my interest in directing ‘A Raisin in the Sun’ is its similarities to August Wilson's ‘Fences,’” Hayes said. “Family matters and power relations are two themes shared by both masterpieces. Clearly, in these two dramas, The Youngers go through issues like the death of a loved one, just like Troy's family in ‘Fences.’ Hansberry's classic work ‘A Raisin in the Sun,’ like Wilson's ‘Fences,’ proves that a play set in the 50s with themes that portray the Black experience are just as relevant today.” Hayes has earned awards for her work. She won Broadway World Awards in 2020 (Best Play and Director) for “Fences” as well as Metrolina Theatre Association Awards in 2019 (Best Play and Director) for “Two Trains Running” and in 2022 (Best Director) for “Black Bottom.” Matthews Playhouse brings “A Raisin in the Sun” to the stage through a partnership with BNS Productions, a Black repertory theater company in Charlotte. One of the special events offered during its Matthews run will be a panel discussion on Black home ownership disparity and additional themes from “A Raisin in the Sun.” This will take place after the 2 p.m. matinee on Sept. 27. Other events include a pay-whatyou-can performance Sept. 25 (suggested donation of $10 for general admission seating) and a character analysis workshop from 12:30 to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 20. Catch the 135-minute play at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 19, 26 and 27 as well as 2 p.m. Sept. 20, 21, 27 and 28 at the Matthews Community Center, 100 E. McDowell St. Adults tickets cost $23 to $30. Seniors, military, students and children (play recommended for ages 13 and older) pay $20 to $27. Buy tickets at matthewsplayhouse.com or at the door (door sales are premium price). Cast of “A Raisin in the Sun”
• Ruth Younger – Renee Welch Noel / Nasha Shandri • Walter Lee Younger – Jonavan Adams'/ Justin Peoples • Lena “Mama” Younger – Lillie Oden • Travis Younger – Thaddeus Faustin / Solomon Doleman • Beneatha Younger - Mikayla Broome / K. Alana Jones • Joseph Asagai – Dionte Darko / Kahlil Allen • George Murchison – Sha’Heed J. Brooks • Bobo – Bobby Tyson • Karl Lindner – Henk Bouhuys • Mrs. Johnson – Shar Marlin / Ericka Ross • Movers – Robert Rankin, Dionte Darko, Rory Sheriff