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INSIDE ▼ Police investigate Monroe shooting PAGE 2A Friday, December 19, 2025 • Vol. 25 • No. 51
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McLamb to lead Indian Trail as town manager by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
INDIAN TRAIL – The Indian Trail Town Council has promoted Adam McLamb to town manager, effective Jan. 1.
McLamb, who currently serves as assistant town manager, recently marked his 20th anniversary with the Town of Indian Trail. He’ll succeed Mike McLaurin, who is retiring after five years of leadership. “I've known Adam for many years, 14 years or longer,” said Mayor David Cohn after the council approved his employment contract
in closed session Dec. 15. “We couldn't have a better town manager. I'm excited and thrilled. If anybody ever deserved it, it's you.” Other members of the council congratulated McLamb on the promotion. “I've been a big supporter of yours for four years now,” Council Member Tom Amburgey said. “I knew this day would come. I just want to wish you luck, God bless you and I’ve got your back.” McLamb’s promotion came a week after McLaurin gave his final manager’s report. McLaurin highlighted the many accomplishments achieved by the council and staff over his five years. He mentioned some
financial pressures to watch for in the next budget cycle, including the solid waste contract, which will come up for review in 2027. “With each new board, you come to the dais with a sense of optimism and the optimism can quickly fade under the pressure of debate and decision-making,” McLaurin told the council Dec. 9. “We've seen too many boards across America that have let their optimism unfortunately influence them to resort to name-calling and personal attacks and similar tactics. “Next month, you'll begin to make Story continues, see MCLAMB page 3A
Unified Waxhaw board ready to get to work
Adam McLamb, Crystal Buchaluk and Clarence Alsobrooks show off the award the Town of Indian Trail won Oct. 9, 2024 during Centralina’s board of delegates meeting.
Photo courtesy of Town of Indian Trail
South Piedmont, NC State sign admissions agreement
South Piedmont President Stacy Waters-Bailey and NC State Senior Vice Provost of Enrollment Management and Services Dr. Don Hunt officially signed the Wolfpack Connect agreement on Dec. 11.
Photo courtesy of South Piedmont
Susanna Wedra takes the oath to become mayor pro tem. She is midway through her first term as a Waxhaw commissioner.
Photos courtesy of Town of Waxhaw
Commissioner John Gemignani takes the oath. He is a small business owner with experience on the Waxhaw Planning Board.
by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
WAXHAW – Newly elected leaders Michael De Iulio, Daniel Farris and John Gemignani took their oaths of office Dec. 9 to join the Waxhaw Board of Commissioners.
Multiple residents expressed optimism during the public comment period that a new, unified board can do a better job managing growth. “We've had a couple meetings where the town hall was filled up with people wanting
Commissioner Michael De Iulio takes the oath. He has more than 30 years of experience in flight and trucking logistics. He moved to Waxhaw in 2017.
change, wanting their voices heard,” De Iulio said. “We've heard it loud and clear.” Farris said he was looking forward to working with fellow commissioners to serve residents. “My focus is to support the long-term stability and ensure our decisions are guided by our town codes and ordinances so that our growth remains well-managed, responsible and not only guided, not only aligned with, but reflective of the values that make Waxhaw special,” Farris said. Like Farris, Gemignani also expressed a desire to get to work.
Commissioner Daniel Farris takes the oath. Farris is an operations executive with Waxhaw Planning Board experience.
“I will serve you with both humility and integrity,” Gemignani said. “I really want to thank you for the distinct privilege to serve all of you.” The board appointed Susanna Wedra to serve as mayor pro tem. “Thank you for all the support for the last two years,” Wedra said. “We will continue to work hard for Waxhaw. It's a town that welcomed my family 11 years ago and made me feel at home. I love being out and about in the community, and I hope to continue serving Story continues, see WAXHAW page 3A
Atrium executive inspires Wingate grads By Chuck Gordon Contributor
WINGATE – Growing up in inner-city Miami, Rashard Johnson had few successful role models to look up to. Fortunately, he said during Wingate’s fall commencement exercises on Dec. 13, his educator mother instilled in him the confidence to become a successful executive.
“You can do anything you want to do,”
she told him. “You’ve got to be willing to make the sacrifice. As long as you put your mind to it, don’t let anyone tell you what you can’t do.” Johnson would go on to become a longtime health care executive, having served as south market president for Atrium Health and, since October, president of Atrium Health Navicent in Georgia. Johnson’s commencement address and Story continues, see WINGATE page 3A
Jaquan Edwards earned a master's degree in teaching. Photo courtesy of Wingate University
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MONROE – South Piedmont Community College students are now able to receive guaranteed admission to N.C. State University, following the signing of a new agreement between the two institutions.
During a ceremony Dec. 11 at South Piedmont’s Old Charlotte Highway campus, South Piedmont President Stacy Waters-Bailey and N.C. State Senior Vice Provost Don Hunt signed the Wolfpack Connect agreement. Wolfpack Connect is a guaranteed transfer admission program created to make the transition from partner community colleges to NC State clear, seamless and student-centered. “Today marks an exciting milestone for South Piedmont as we expand the opportunities available to our students,” Waters-Bailey said. “Wolfpack Connect allows students to start strong at South Piedmont, benefitting from our affordable tuition and personalized learning environment, and continue on to earn a bachelor’s degree from NC State.” Hunt said the agreement will create opportunities beyond the classroom for generations to come. Through the program, South Piedmont students who complete an Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degree aligned with an eligible NC State major will receive guaranteed admission to the university. Wolfpack Connect participants will: • Be guaranteed transfer admission to NC State. • Follow a clear roadmap to a bachelor’s degree. • Receive guidance from their intended major’s transfer guide and the NC State Transfer Planner to ensure coursework counts toward degree requirements. To be eligible for Wolfpack Connect, students should have at least one year of coursework left to complete at South Piedmont. Students must also meet certain requirements, including completing their AA or AS degree and maintaining at least at 3.0 GPA at South Piedmont, to remain active within the Wolfpack Connect program. With the signing of Wolfpack Connect, South Piedmont now has guaranteed admission agreements with nearly a dozen universities across the state. On the web: transfer.ncsu.edu/apply/ wolfpack-connect/