20
02 – 202
24
INSIDE ▼ UCPS recognizes top principals
6
PAGE 3A Friday, April 3, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 13
thecharlotteweekly.com/ucweekly
@ucweekly
Monroe Police Department seizes meth, guns MONROE – Officers shut down a suspected drug operation and seized a large quantity of suspected methamphetamine, firearms and more than $20,000 in cash on March 24, according to the Monroe Police Department.
The investigation began after the narcotics division conducted a traffic stop on Alex Zahid Cortes-Sanchez, 25, of Monroe. Police said detectives found 8 ounces of methamphetamine in his possession during the stop, which led them to an apartment in the 1500 block of Icemorlee Street. Detectives executed a search warrant at
the apartment, where they found more than 50 additional ounces of suspected methamphetamine, eight firearms and more than $20,000, officials said. Police arrested Cortes-Sanchez on charges of trafficking methamphetamine, trafficking cocaine, maintaining a dwelling for the purpose of selling controlled substances, and possession of drug paraphernalia. They placed him in the Union County Detention Center. “This case sends a clear message to anyone bringing drugs into our community: We are not slowing down, and we are not looking the other way,” Police Chief Rhett Bolen said.
Police seized more than 20,000 in cash and more than 50 ounces in suspected methamphetamine while executing a search warrant.
Photos courtesy of Monroe Police Department
Police seized multiple guns during the investigation.
“If you are trafficking dangerous narcotics or illegal firearms in Monroe, understand this: We are coming for you. Our department will
continue to aggressively target those who profit from addiction and put our neighborhoods at risk.”
Monroe approves new policy on economic development incentives
Weddington Elementary wins Books and Brackets Katie Colson, principal of Weddington High School, cut a piece of the basketball net following her school’s win. Photo courtesy of UCPS
WINGATE – Weddington Elementary School won the 10th annual Books and Brackets reading challenge.
Students across the district logged 11,254,811 minutes of reading, with the Final Four schools (Weddington, Poplin, Sandy Ridge and Unionville) contributing 2,175,153 minutes to the total. “We have put so much hard work into it, and the kids did amazing,” Weddington Principal Katie Colson said. “It has been wonderful watching them in their classrooms reading and getting excited about the incentives. Even the little kids just wanted to read more. It’s been magnificent to watch.” Weddington Elementary earned $7,500, books from Scholastic and a future visit from the Charlotte Hornets Book Bus. Poplin placed second, Sandy Ridge placed third Story continues, see BOOKS page 3A
Photo courtesy of City of Monroe
MONROE – The City of Monroe is changing how it attracts businesses.
Students, teachers and principals representing each Elite Eight school participated in a relay. They dashed to a Wingate University jersey on the court, slipped it on, ran to grab the matching shorts, put those on over their clothes, and then sprinted to sink a layup.
Charlotte Hornets mascot Hugo hypes the crowd.
Nonprofit leaders Clark, Dodson to address Wingate grads WINGATE – Wingate University students graduating in May will hear words of wisdom from executives at a couple of Charlotte’s major nonprofits.
Laura Yates Clark will Laura Yates Clark give the undergraduate commencement address on May 9. Tracy Dodson will speak to graduate students on May 8. Both ceremonies begin at 9 a.m. in the Academic Quad. As president of Foundation for the Carolinas, Tracy Dodson Clark leads civic-engagement efforts and oversees initiatives for the fifth-largest community foundation in
The City of Monroe’s new economic development policy is designed to offer clarity to businesses and site selectors. Officials said that predictability combined with Monroe's existing strengths in advanced manufacturing, aerospace and agribusiness, makes the city a more attractive destination for serious investment discussions.
the U.S. She previously served as president and CEO of United Way of Greater Charlotte, leading efforts to improve economic mobility and advance racial equity across four counties. Under her leadership, United Way increased its investment in initiatives that drive neighborhood transformation and revitalization as well as improve racial equity and increase social capital. Clark previously served as CEO of the Renaissance West Community Initiative, director of the Larry King Center at Charlotte’s Council for Children’s Rights, chair of the board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, Charlotte Branch, and board member of NC Child and United Way of North Carolina. Dodson joined the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance in February 2025 as chief operating officer and head of economic development. She oversees economic
development, research, marketing, communications, business development and investor relations for the organization. A 20-year industry vet, Dodson has experience in economic development and real estate across the Carolinas. Before joining the alliance, Dodson served as assistant city manager and economic-development director for the City of Charlotte, championing economic-expansion, workforce-development and upward-mobility initiatives. Notable successes under Dodson’s leadership with the City of Charlotte include the relocation of Honeywell’s headquarters to Charlotte, along with expansions by companies such as LendingTree, AvidXchange and Lowe’s. Dodson’s career includes leadership roles at Lincoln-Harris and Charlotte Center City Partners. On the web: wingate.edu/life-at-wingate/ events/annual-events/spring
The Monroe City Council approved a new economic development incentive policy March 24 that officials said strikes a balance between attracting high quality investment and ensuring that growth translates into quality jobs, responsible development and long-term benefits for the community. “This policy positions Monroe to compete more effectively for quality jobs and responsible investment,” Mayor Robert Burns said. “We are focused on growth that benefits our residents by creating opportunities, strengthening our tax base and preserving the character of our community.” The policy establishes a clear, performance-based framework for evaluating and approving economic development incentives. Agreements are structured as commitments of up to five years, with incentive payments calculated based on the increase in assessed tax value above a baseline established at the time the agreement is signed. Grant levels are tiered based on the total amount of new capital investment, ranging from $3 million to $30 million and above. Payment amounts are determined annually through the city's budget process, ensuring ongoing accountability and transparency throughout the life of each agreement. City officials said this ensures incentive payments are tied directly to the real, measurable growth a business generates in Monroe. City Manager Mark Watson said the new framework brings consistency and discipline to the city's approach. “Every incentive agreement should deliver measurable value to our Monroe residents and this policy does that,” Watson said. “It gives us a grounded framework balancing fiscal responsibility and Story continues, see MONROE page 3A