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INSIDE ▼ Sheriff's office investigates homicide
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PAGE 3A Friday, July 3, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 26
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Town inches toward community center by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
INDIAN TRAIL – The Indian Trail Town Council has directed staff to move forward with phase 2B of Chestnut Square Park, which includes carving up some space for a community center. Town Manager Adam McLamb said the council has allotted $7.2
million for phase 2 of the park. The town has already spent $3 million on phase 2A, which included adding parking, moving a pond and clearing trees. The remaining $4.2 million will go to Phase 2B, which will build a turf field, add more parking and grade the area where a community center could go. Getting direction from the
council on June 24 will allow staff to return to the next meeting with a design contract. “Everything but the community center is funded right now,” McLamb told the council June 24. “We just need council to tell us yes, move forward. We can bring that revised design contract to you so that we can do that design work. We’ll use the money
that’s already appropriated for the project, and then we would move forward into construction.” Council Member Tom Amburgey initially pushed back on the idea, questioning if the town should be spending money on a community center that’s a hypothetical project. “I don’t think that we should spend any money toward the
project,” Amburgey said. “It’s not funded or approved by council.” Council Member Marcus McIntyre sensed the council was talking in circles. “I don’t know how much more grading they have to do, but while they’re going to put the soccer field, I say they should prep the see CENTER, Page 3A
Powerful words in America's declaration
WHAT'S INSIDE
Let's celebrate Event billed as largest drone show in NC, 2A
by Brian Helms County Commissioner
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We're united McIntyre reflects on meaning of season, 1B
Mayor Michael Alvarez presented Jerome Sutton with a key to the town on Dec. 4, 2016, which was also proclaimed Jerome Sutton Day. The longtime crossing guard was also honored during a town parade. Photos courtesy of Union County Public Schools
Sign of gratitude
Indian Trail to honor school crossing guard by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
Yummy Try some new peanut recipes, 1B
Long journey Novel explores immigration, 3B
INDIAN TRAIL – Jerome Sutton was a fixture outside Sun Valley Middle for 30 years, ensuring students could safely walk to and from school. The town will honor the former crossing guard in a unique way. Treeside Lane will become Jerome Sutton Way after a unanimous vote by the Indian Trail Town Council. “Jerome Sutton has made significant contributions to the Town of Indian Trail and its community,” according to the ordinance passed June 24. “Jerome Sutton worked as a crossing guard at Sun Valley Middle School for 30 years and during his tenure saved two students’ lives from being hit by a speeding car by stepping in front of the vehicle and protecting the children.” Council Member Clarence Alsobrooks brought the idea to colleagues on June 10 of doing something to honor Sutton after see STREET, Page 3A
Developer wants more flexible operating hours by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MONROE – A developer is seeking flexibility from Union County that would allow him to welcome companies that operate before 9 a.m. About six years ago, commissioners rezoned about 3.21 acres at Beulah
Church Road and WaxhawIndian Trail Church Road to a community business district but with the condition that limited operating hours from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. R. Dean Harrell said companies are interested in his location but they have raised concerns about the operating hours. Harrell has asked the
county to allow companies to operate from 6:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. He gave examples of a veterinarian and coffee/ doughnut shop that wanted to open as early as 6:30 a.m. to attract business before 9 a.m. He also mentioned a deli interested in operating from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
“We’ve got a little range there, but right now, 9 to 9 just seems to be that slot where nobody works for nobody,” Harrell said during the June 16 public hearing. He has agreed to two additional conditions, including that trash and see HOURS, Page 3A
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thecharlotteweekly.com | WEEKLY
e’re coming up on our 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. I think we’ve got an opportunity to really reflect on the courage and the conviction that made that signing possible. If you look through the Declaration, you’re going to see the famous words that we can probably all recite by heart. You’re going to see where it says, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all Helms men are created equal.” Those are very powerful words that no doubt have inspired many of us and generations. But I think that far fewer folks really recognize the final sentence of the Declaration of Independence. That’s where the signers stated: “And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.” That statement has resonated with me, especially lately as we approach the Fourth, because those were not empty words. The 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence knew that they were committing an act of treason against the most powerful empire on Earth at that time. Many of them lost their wealth. They lost their homes. Some of them were imprisoned. Their families suffered hardship. Some paid the ultimate price. They understood that freedom is never free and that liberty requires great sacrifice. I would just say that as we celebrate Independence Day, the 250th anniversary, with our families and our friends, and as we attend these events that are happening all over our county, our state and our nation, as we watch fireworks, as we hold our families close, I think we should honor their example by recommitting ourselves to the principles which our nation was founded, and that’s faith, freedom, personal responsibility and even self-government. The Declaration was not merely a statement of independence. It was a pledge of commitment. Two hundred fifty years later, the question is whether we are willing to renew that commitment to preserve, protect and strengthen our great nation for future generations. County Commissioner Brian Helms made these remarks at the June 16 board meeting.