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INSIDE ▼ See how local reps voted on state budget
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PAGE 2A Friday, July 10, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 27
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UCPS chair reacts to county guardrails by Justin Vick justin@cmgweekly.com
MONROE – School board chairman Jimmy Bention Sr. said he left a joint meeting with county commissioners last month “feeling some sense of progress was being made.” Despite recent events, his mindset hasn’t changed. Commissioners recently approved the school board’s
budget for next year but set aside $3.8 million contingent upon UCPS signing an interlocal agreement requiring the money be spent only on teacher and teacher assistant stipends. Commissioners also want to see more transparency from UCPS via a line-item budget that includes federal, state and local funding as well as the number of employees funded fully or partially from local tax dollars. “I’m willing to work with
Chairman (Brian) Helms and the rest of the board members, but we can’t create an environment where things are being said and then the public takes hold of those things and then they speak negatively,” Bention said. “That’s not good business. We’re here to do good business. If you want to do good business, let’s do it. But let’s stop making the Union County Board of Education out to be somebody that’s hiding, keeping stuff. That is not us.”
County commissioners approved a $664,310,307 budget June 16 that addressed UCPS in several ways, including: • Funding for one new school resource officer position to ensure one SRO in every school • $20.9 million to fully fund UCPS operational capital request • $5.6 million increase in general operating funding for UCPS • $3.8 million for teacher and teacher assistants stipends,
A mother guides her daughter through the puja ritual during Shilanyas Mahotsav (foundation stone laying ceremony) of the new BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir. Flip to page 3A to read more. Photos courtesy of BAPS
BUILDING A SPIRITUAL HOME Breakfast Club to discuss regional healthcare CHARLOTTE – South Charlotte Partners will explore the challenges, opportunities and rapid changes shaping healthcare across South Charlotte and the greater region at the next SCP Breakfast Club meeting. Kaycee Kalpin, chief marketing officer of Premier, will moderate a panel discussion with Seth Goldwire, president of Atrium Health Union West, and Zack Landry, president of Novant Health Matthews Medical Center. Panelists will share insights on the current healthcare landscape in South Charlotte, including hospital expansion strategies, shifting healthcare policies, workforce development, access to care and the growing competition among healthcare providers. The conversation will also address the emergence of new healthcare organizations entering the market and what increased competition means for patients, employers and communities throughout the region. “Healthcare is one of the most
Zack Landry, president and chief operating officer of Novant Health Matthews Medical Center, speaks during a Jan. 24, 2025, ribbon cutting. He'll participate in the South Charlotte Partners Breakfast Club meeting. Photo courtesy of Novant Health
important issues impacting the quality of life and economic vitality of our region,” said Christina Thigpen, board chair of South Charlotte Partners. “South Charlotte continues to experience tremendous growth, and with that comes increased demand for healthcare services. This conversation will provide attendees with valuable insight into how healthcare
leaders are preparing for the future while addressing the needs of our rapidly growing community.” The meeting, “The State of Healthcare in South Charlotte,” will be held from 8 to 9:30 a.m. July 30 at Hestia Rooftop in Ballantyne. Tickets cost $25 in advance and $35 at the door. Register for the event at eventbrite.com.
Police arrest suspect in Monroe shooting MONROE – The Monroe Police Department has arrested a suspect in connection with a shooting into an occupied vehicle that occurred June 27 in the 700 block of Maurice Street. Investigators identified Zion Jerell Lindsey, 20, of Monroe, as a suspect in the incident. Detectives served a search warrant at a home on Hamilton Lindsey Street, where they found evidence related to the case. Lindsey was
later arrested and charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle. No one was injured in the shooting. “This arrest is the result of diligent investigative work,” Chief Rhett Bolen said. “I commend our detectives for their commitment to identifying those responsible.” The Monroe Police Department continues to investigate a second shooting that occurred later that same morning in the 1700 block of Icemorlee Street, where three individuals approached from Labon Street and opened fire on a group of people gathered in a parking lot before fleeing
the area. No injuries were reported. “While we are pleased to have made an arrest in one of these cases, our work continues,” Bolen said. “We remain committed to investigating both shootings thoroughly and holding everyone involved accountable. Violence has no place in our community, and we will continue working alongside our residents to keep Monroe safe.” Detectives continue to follow leads in each case. Anyone with information regarding either shooting is encouraged to call the Monroe Police Department at 704-282-4700.
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contingent upon signing an interlocal agreement County Chairman Brian Helms clarified June 16 that the interlocal agreement was the result of what his board went through last year. “I was kind of disappointed by some of the comments that we heard in our joint meeting,” he said. “Some of us were called a dictatorship on this board and the question of trust came up see SCHOOLS, Page 3A
Police arrest man in attempted burglary MONROE – A suspect is in custody after a burglary at a Monroe business turned violent when a shot was fired into the occupied store, narrowly missing an employee. Officers with the Monroe Police Department responded to the Monroe Tobacco and Stuff on West Roosevelt Boulevard shortly after 12:30 a.m. July 6. Police determined two suspects used a crowbar to force their way into the closed business but an employee was inside at the time. When the employee confronted the suspects, they fled the store. One of the suspects turned back toward the business and fired a gun into the building, just missing the employee by a few feet, according to police. Surveillance footage helped give officers a description of the getaway vehicle. Officers were able to identify the vehicle, determine the license plate and trace it to Lexington, South Carolina. Working with the Lexington Police Department, officers located the vehicle and identified one of the suspects as Sherwin Alfonzo Green, 60, of Lexington, South Carolina. Green was held at the Lexington County Detention Center awaiting extradition to North Carolina. Green has been charged with attempted robbery, felony breaking and entering, possession of burglary tools, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, discharging a weapon into occupied property and possession of a firearm by a felon. “This case is a prime example of how technology, combined with outstanding police work and strong law enforcement partnerships, helps us solve violent crimes quickly,” Chief Rhett Bolen said. “Our Flock camera system gave officers the critical lead they needed to identify and track this suspect across state lines, and the Lexington Police Department’s swift assistance was instrumental in taking a dangerous individual into custody before anyone could be harmed.” Detectives continue working to identify the second suspect. Anyone with information regarding the identity is encouraged to call police at 704-2824700 or submit anonymous information to Crime Stoppers. Bolen had a message for anyone considering committing crimes in Monroe. “If you come to Monroe intending to victimize our community, understand that we will use every available resource to identify you, track you down and hold you accountable no matter where you run,” Bolen said. “Crossing state lines will not stop our investigators, and it certainly won’t stop our partnerships with other law enforcement agencies.”