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INSIDE ▼ The Cigar Shop expands in Indian Trail
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PAGE 1B Friday, January 30, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 4
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Proposal spares Indian Trail from high density residential by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
the site to the east and south while there is some commercial and light industrial to the north. The Exchange at Indian Trail apartment complex is to the west of the site. Indian Trail’s Comprehensive Plan calls for this area to evolve into high-density residential development. “We don’t always get it right,” Planning Director Brandi Deese told the town council. “We were kind of excited about getting this one wrong. Anytime we can get commercial development, I think that’s positive to our tax base and jobs. It also is on the corner and intersection, so we could foresee some of this being commercial. The rest of
INDIAN TRAIL – Christopher Faulk secured approval from the Indian Trail Town Council on Jan. 13 that would allow him to pursue commercial development on 3.67 acres at 125 Plyler Road.
The two parcels at the intersection of Plyler and Unionville-Indian Trail roads were zoned for single-family residential. Faulk applied to rezone the parcels as general business, which would allow for commercial, financial or office uses. Low-density single-family property borders
the medium-density interior would likely be some form of residential.” Technically, the request was a zoning map amendment, or conventional rezoning, and did not come with a site plan. Councilman Marcus McIntyre asked the applicant during the public hearing about his plans for the property. Faulk, a surveyor and engineer by trade, said he was hoping to build an office for himself but he’s still evaluating what type of commercial use would go best on the corner. “It’s a great corner,” Faulk told the council. “Definitely don’t want anything residential. This is definitely a commercial spot.”
ANSWER Scholarship offers assistance to moms
Deese said Faulk will have to eventually present a site plan and work with staff to meet ordinance requirements. “While the recommendation for high-density residential would be supported based on the Comprehensive Plan, staff believe that this request is reasonable due to limited sewer capacity available and current political climate which limits future potential uses to more commercial in nature rather than residential,” according to the staff report. The Indian Trail Town Council didn’t waste time mulling this one over after closing the public hearing. They unanimously voted in favor of the request.
Legacy Theater and Music Company excels on stage
ANSWER Scholarship awarded these mom awards during the 2025-26 year. Photos courtesy of ANSWER Scholarship
Legacy Theater and Music Company has attended the Junior Theater Festival for four years. The company is celebrating its fifth anniversary. Photo courtesy of
Junior Theater Festival
STALLINGS – Legacy Theater and Music Company received the Excellence in Dance Award at the 2026 Junior Theater Festival Atlanta on Jan. 16 to 18 in Atlanta, Georgia.
ANSWER scholars gather for a fall festival.
CHARLOTTE – ANSWER Scholarship is accepting applications from moms in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties in need of financial assistance for college.
Scholarships are open to mothers who have at least one school-age child from pre-K to 12th grade living at home. Candidates can seek: • A first-time bachelor’s degree in any subject. • An associate degree in nursing from any community college in the Carolinas. • Additional associate degrees at Central Piedmont Community College, including
ANSWER graduates celebrate mission accomplished.
business and accounting, construction and trades, design and architecture, engineering, healthcare, information technology, and mathematics and science. Scholarships are up to $5,500 annually for a four-year degree and up to $2,750 annually for an associate degree. ANSWER Scholarship offers scholarships toward any remote four-year degree from any accredited, non-profit college or university in the Carolinas. “We realized that mothers really wanted, and often needed, the convenience of fully online classes to make their education possible,” Founder Susan Andersen said.
Measles exposure at school results in quarantine orders
MONROE – Union County Public Health Director Traci Colley has issued more than 170 quarantine orders to individuals connected to a measles exposure at Shining Light Baptist Academy in Monroe.
ANSWER scholar moms also receive a volunteer mentor that offers support and guidance on balancing family, work and school. They also have access to professional development workshops on networking and other essential workplace skills. More than 150 moms have received a total of $951,502 in college scholarships from ANSWER Scholarship since the organization’s founding in 2006. The application deadline is Feb. 28. Visit https://answerscholarship.org/ scholarship-requirements to learn more or apply.
The exposure stems from an unvaccinated child who attends the school, lives in Mecklenburg County and contracted measles connected to an outbreak in South Carolina, according to Union County Government. To protect the child's privacy, no additional information about the child will be released.
Under communicable disease protocols, this resulted in exposure of the entire school community. Public health officials anticipate further spread due to the high transmissibility of measles. At this time, there are no confirmed measles cases in Union County, and no isolation orders have been issued. All 170-plus quarantine orders apply only to students and staff at the school. School leadership has notified parents and staff of the exposure and has been working with public health officials. “We are working with our public Story continues, see MEASLES page 3A
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The Union County performing arts organization presented “Seussical JR.” to a panel of expert adjudicators. “There was such genuine joy shared among the performers, and their love for the material was evident throughout the production,” said Caitlin Hicks, an educator, performer and choreographer. “Legacy Theater and Music Company clearly nurtures a culture of support, joy and community, allowing students to shine together onstage.” Rosemary Newcott, artistic director (emeritus) for Alliance Theatre, also enjoyed the performance. “This group featured a lovely Jojo, who was supported by a sensitive Horton and delightful Gertrude and Maizie. The ensemble’s creative support, like when they made a human-created clover field, reflects imaginative and creative interactions between all,” Newcott said. Tim Nolan, owner of Broadway Up Close, added, “The creativity of the stage pictures as they created the world of Seuss was whimsical, unique and a joy to discover. Legacy Theater clearly demonstrates how it's possible to shine as an ensemble, but to also allow the spotlight to shine on each student at various points throughout.” Legacy Theater and Music Company’s Anastasia Charley and Owen Santolucito were named Junior Theater Festival All-Stars, a select group of outstanding performers. They also received call-backs to a yet-to-be announced special project promoting musical theater in schools. Founded by Jessica and Jacob Forwerck, Legacy Theater and Music Company has grown into a home for community theater, music education and youth development. It offers a full range of instruction in voice and multiple instruments as well as musical theater training, homeschool music classes, youth ensembles, JTF teams, and year-round performance opportunities.