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INSIDE ▼ Police link suspects to break-ins PAGE 3A Friday, January 23, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 3
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Union County shoots down rezoning in Hemby Bridge by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MONROE – Union County commissioners shot down a proposal Jan. 12 to turn residential property in Hemby Bridge into a towing storage lot after receiving unfavorable recommendations from three towns.
Ireneo Correa applied for a conditional rezoning permit through Union County. The 2-acre parcel is located at the corner of Faith Church and Secrest Short Cut roads. Correa wrote in a Dec. 10 letter to the county planning department that the lot would be upgraded to a fenced-in gravel
surface and hold up to 30 vehicles. “The project is designed to maintain a low-impact footprint on the surrounding residential area while providing a secure and functional impound space,” Correa wrote. “All proposed improvements and activities will adhere to local codes and standards.” Hemby Bridge, Lake Park and Indian Trail governments each told Union County Senior Planner Bjorn Hansen that their communities opposed the project. “The agreed upon goals in this area were to create an employment center and grow the commercial tax base,” Indian Trail Planning Director Brandi Deese wrote in a Nov. 26 email to Hansen. “This request is not the
Common Heart opens registration for Hunger Walk
highest and best use for the property and does not meet the goals of Union County or the Town of Indian Trail.” The Union County land use plan calls for commercial while the Town of Indian Trail’s small area plan for Secrest Short Cut Road calls for commercial-retail. Lake Park Councilman Mark Richards wrote in a Jan. 6 email to Union County Clerk Lynn West that the proposal was not compatible with land plans or surrounding neighborhoods. “Even with conditions, a light-industrial tow-truck parking or impound use at this location raises long-term enforcement concerns and sets an undesirable precedent along Faith
Fire marshal's office reaches professional milestone
Common Heart will hold its 10th annual Hunger Walk on March 1. Here is a scene from the 2025 event. Photos courtesy of Common Heart
INDIAN TRAIL – Common Heart’s Hunger Walk serves as a visual reminder that hunger exists in the community, according to Executive Director Keith Adams.
“With every step, we’re able to turn compassion into real, life-changing support for our neighbors,” Adams said. “It’s such a simple but powerful way for families, friends and walking teams to take action and help ensure none of our neighbors go hungry.” The 10th annual fundraiser will be held March 1 at Crooked Creek Park in Indian Trail. Registration costs $35 for adults and $15 for children ages 12 and younger. A family discount of $125 is available for households of five or more. Register at commonhearthungerwalk.org. Participants are encouraged to collect donations to help feed families experiencing food insecurity. Prizes will be awarded to the top fundraising teams and individuals. Common Heart said a $35 donation provides a week’s worth of groceries for one family facing food insecurity. The food pantry network serves about 10,170 individuals monthly through 14 pantry programs. In 2025, Common Heart provided groceries to 5,288 unique households an average of six times through 14 pantry outreaches.
The Union County Fire Marshal's Office includes Fire Marshal Jon Williams, Deputy Fire Marshal John Helms, Administrative Professional Beth Belk, Assistant Fire Marshal Michael Belk, Senior Assistant Fire Marshal Zeb Mullis, Senior Assistant Fire Marshal Wyatte McBryde, Assistant Fire Marshal Chad Baucom.
Photo courtesy of Union County Government Common Heart also offers delivery for neighbors who have special dietary needs, such as diabetes, heart care, kidney care or gluten-free diets.
An average of 685 i n di v i du als representing 185 households per month went to a Common Heart food pantry for the first time in 2025. Of those individuals, 41% are children ages 17 and younger. Sponsorships for the Hunger Walk are also available. Visit commonhearthungerwalk. org, email Deidra.Calloway@CommonHeart.org or call 704-815-4681 for more information about sponsorships.
MONROE – The Union County Fire Marshal's Office has reached a professional milestone as every member of the team has earned a fire inspection certification and all primary field investigators are certified as fire investigators.
Registration includes a T-shirt. Leashed dogs, wagons and strollers are welcome to the event.
Wegmans begins hiring for Ballantyne location CHARLOTTE – Wegmans Food Markets is hiring and training full-time employees for its first store in the Charlotte region.
Wegmans Ballantyne is scheduled to open in fall 2026 at 11550 North Community House Road. The location will employ about 450 people. The majority of employees will be new to the company and hired locally. Full-time job applicants are invited to apply online at jobs.wegmans.com or call 980-467-7333 for more information. Interviews are conducted by appointment only and applications are not accepted at the store construction site. Available full-time positions include everything from entry-level management to customer service positions in bakery, produce, overnight grocery and culinary roles such as chefs and line cooks. Candidates who accept a position will
Church Road,” Richards wrote. Deese also mentioned it was frustrating that trees had been cleared on the site. This was one of the concerns expressed during a community meeting held Dec. 8, according to Hansen. Hansen shared during the Jan. 12 public hearing that the site’s proximity to the Monroe Expressway was a positive, but planning staff recommended commissioners deny the project. The applicant did not speak during the public hearing. Neither did commissioners. They denied the rezoning request by a 4-0 vote. Gary Sides was not present.
begin paid training immediately at a Wegmans stores in the Triangle region of North Carolina. Hiring for part-time positions will begin at a later date. “We’re looking to hire friendly people who are passionate about food and ready to grow their career with us,” said Store Manager Patrick McGuinness, who began his Wegmans career 26 years ago at the Erie, Pennsylvania store. “We onboard new employees quickly and provide them with comprehensive training in customer service and product knowledge, qualities that distinguish our stores from competition.” Wegmans offers competitive pay and benefits packages, premium pay on Sundays and holidays, flexible scheduling and tuition assistance through the company’s employee scholarship program for both full- and parttime employees.
Wegmans Ballantyne, a 110,000-square-foot supermarket, will open in the fall. This drone image shows the location on Jan. 8.
Photo courtesy of Wegmans
The company promotes from within and has announced future plans for additional stores in North Carolina and Pennsylvania. Wegmans operates 114 stores along the East Coast.
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“This achievement is a reflection of the extraordinary dedication and commitment of our entire team,” Fire Marshal Jon Williams said. “These certifications enhance our level of expertise to safeguard our community through fire prevention and investigation.” In addition to this milestone, several team members recently completed advanced professional achievements: • Deputy Fire Marshal John Helms completed the North Carolina Association of Fire Chiefs' Executive Development Program. • Assistant fire marshals Michael Belk and Chad Baucom achieved North Carolina Certified Fire Investigator status. • Assistant fire marshals Zeb Mullis and Chad Baucom earned North Carolina Fire Officer III certifications. • Administrative Professional Beth Belk earned North Carolina Fire Inspector Level I certification through the North Carolina Code Officials Qualification Board. “Our fire marshal's office sets the standard for excellence in public safety,” Deputy County Manager Patrick Niland said. ‘Achieving 100% certification across the team demonstrates how committed this group is to providing excellent service, continuously improving and ensuring the safety of everyone who lives, works and visits Union County.” The Union County Fire Marshal's Office protects lives and property through fire code enforcement, plan review, fire investigations, public education and training support. The office inspects buildings from construction to occupancy, reviews commercial development plans, investigates fires upon request from fire chiefs, and delivers safety education and training to residents and fire departments.