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INSIDE ▼ Hurricane season is weeks away
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PAGE 2A Friday, May 8, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 18
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Wedra fills vacant county seat by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org
MONROE – The Union County Board of Commissioners appointed Waxhaw resident Errol Wedra on May 4 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Gary Sides. Sides resigned from the board March 31 and passed away April 7 after a battle with brain cancer. “No one can replace Gary
Sides,” Wedra said. “He was a champion for those without a voice. We can only hope to honor his legacy by continuing to ensure every citizen is seen, heard and treated with dignity. “Thank you for allowing me the privilege of serving the people of Union County and the honor to serve this board and with the dedicated staff here in Union County.” Wedra was nominated for the
vacancy by the Union County Republican Party’s executive committee. Union County GOP Chairman Mark Pittman said his organization received six applications from well-qualified candidates. The party convened a special meeting April 16 at Sun Valley High School to interview them. Wedra received the majority of votes for two measures: to
fill the vacancy through the November general election and to be placed on the ballot to finish the remainder of the term through December 2028. Wedra serves as vice chairman of the Union County Republican Party. He filled in briefly as interim chairman between the resignation of Bob Dunn and the election of Pittman. His professional background is in law enforcement, dating
back to the New York City Police Department in 1993. He also worked for the Garden City Police D e p a r t m e n t Wedra before retiring in 2013. He joined the Mint Hill Police see WEDRA, Page 3A
Indian Trail earns AAA bond rating
WHAT'S INSIDE:
by Justin Vick justin@charlottemediagroup.org
Planning ahead County reviews capital project budget, 3A
Outreach Heritage museum sees rising interest, 4A
Tried it? Oyster bar opens a stone's throw away, 4A
Reactions Regional leader plans to leave post, 2B
Elevate bagels Recipes offer playful twist on staple, 3B
While this story provides dates for upcoming outdoor concert series events hosted by towns, you can find performances weekly in our live music listings. CMG file photos
Sounds of summer
Towns across Mecklenburg and Union counties have started offering free concerts that will continue through the summer. Here is a roundup of the concerts. Matthews: Beats n’ Bites Beats ‘n Bites combines music and food trucks into spring and fall community events at Stumptown Park. The park opens for the event from 5 p.m. to about 8:45 p.m. Music starts at 6 p.m. • May 29: Robyn Springer (Anita Baker Tribute) • Sept. 12: TBA • Sept. 26: TBA • Oct 10: TBA • Oct 24: TBA Details: matthewsnc.municipalone.com/pview. aspx?id=21003&catid=567 Matthews: Fullwood Amp’d Concert Series Unlike the other concert series highlighted here, Fullwood Amp’d is an indoor experience that charges for tickets, but it is a unique offering for a town. This used to be known as the Color of Jazz series. Concerts start at 7 p.m. at the Matthews Community Center. Tickets cost $15. • June 5: Petty Rewind (Tom Petty tribute) • Aug. 14: REO Survivor (REO Speedwagon, Survivor and Loverboy) tribute Details: matthewsfun.recdesk.com/ Community/Page?pageId=41682 Mint Hill: Family Fun Night/Music & Brews Mint Hill Veterans Memorial Park is the place to catch concerts held during Family Fun Nights and Music & Brews. Family Fun Nights will include a children’s zone, food trucks and games on June 20, July 18 and Aug. 15. There are two Music & Brews concerts on May 16 and Sept. 19 that allow concert-goers to buy beer with ID. All events take place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. • June 20: Bailey Marie Band
• July 18: Vinyl Live • Aug. 15: Crystal Aria • May 16: Pluto for Planet • Sept. 19: Unknown Artist Details: minthillevents.org/music-and-brews Monroe: Music on Main The City of Monroe has booked regional touring bands like The Legacy Motown Review and The Catalinas to perform at its Music on Main series. Concerts take place from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Main Street. Bring a chair or blanket. • May 15: The Catalinas • June 13: Lamar Brace (Belk Tonawanda Park) • July 4: Envision • July 24: Buffett & Beyond • Aug. 28: The Big 80s Band • Sept. 25: Yacht Rock Radio Details: monroenc.org/m/newsflash/home/ detail/770
see CONCERTS, Page 4A
INDIAN TRAIL – Moody’s has upgraded the Town of Indian Trail to a AAA bond rating, which gives leaders more financial flexibility in planning for the future. Finance Director Alicia Massey reminded the Indian Trail Town Council on April 28 that they had secured a AAA bond rating through Standard and Poor’s back in 2021, but Moody’s kept the town at an Aa1 rating. Massey thanked department heads for their contributions as well as Assistant Finance Director Alicia Gaddy for helping compile the data needed for the Moody’s rating review. “This rating review was an allencompassing look at all the facets of the town across all departments,” Massey said. “Without the hard work and dedication of everyone, it would not have been possible.” Massey said Moody’s considers economic drivers, quality of life, assessed value and tax collections, building permits, retail sales, town finances, outstanding debt and future capital plans. Only 18 of the 552 incorporated municipalities and 11 of the 100 counties in North Carolina maintain AAA bond ratings through Moody’s and S&P, according to Massey. “In Moody’s opinion, that means that the town has a stable economy, strong financial management, low debt and high taxpayer affluence, resulting in making the town eligible for the best quality bonds and the lowest cost to secure financing,” Massey said. “It signals a strong, diverse economic base, substantial fund balances and conservative financial policies. It represents long-term stability in that it is a forward-thinking assessment of financial management and the ability to maintain strong creditworthiness despite potential economic changes.” Council Member Marcus McIntyre described the rating as a big achievement. “For us, it does give us a unique opportunity so that if we choose to either finance something, issue through installment payments or through bonds, we can get a lower rate, so that’s really good,” McIntyre said. “It also ties into the council and some of the decisions that councils, current and former, have made to get us to that point. But then at the back of it, the council can sit up here and pontificate as much as they want, but it is the staff who really does all the hard work putting all this together.” Town Manager Adam McLamb see RATING, Page 3A
(through 5/24/26)
Expires 6-30-26