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INSIDE ▼ Goodwill opening music & media store PAGE 3B Friday, Aug. 21, 2026 • Vol. 26 • No. 33
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Suspect dies after shooting MONROE – The suspect shot by a Monroe police officer Aug. 16 on Alda Drive has died from his injuries at a Charlotte-area hospital, according to the Monroe Police Department. Police identified the suspect as Francisco Javier Montes-Hernandez, 33, of Mexico. Montes-Hernandez had been staying in the Monroe area. Officers were dispatched to Alda Drive around 10 p.m. Aug. 16 after a report of a suspicious person attempting to break into a home. When the first officer
arrived, he encountered a person matching the description in the street. Police said the person pointed a handgun at the officer and refused multiple commands to Montesdrop the weapon. Hernandez Officers provided lifesaving measures to Montes-Hernandez until medical personnel arrived. The North Carolina State Bureau of
Investigation is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. Police said SBI investigations are standard procedure in these circumstances. The officer involved remains on administrative leave. The Monroe Police Department thanked the Monroe Fire Department, Union County Communications, Union EMS, Union County Sheriff’s Office and the State Bureau of Investigation for their assistance.
WHAT'S INSIDE:
Ensuring Growth Gardeners give UA grad a scholarship, 3A
ABOVE: Employees from Union County Water show off their award. BELOW: Risk Manager Christopher Vergara, Chief Deputy Tony Underwood, Sheriff Eddie Cathey, Chief Deputy Brian Keziah, Risk & Safety Program Manager Michael Farrar and Security Risk Management Director Jeff Morgan are among Union County employees keeping the workplace safe. Photos courtesy of Union County
Pat on the Back AutoBell helps staffers with college, 3A
Safe workplace Labor Department recognizes Union County
Biscuit Builders Bojangles cooks compete for glory, 1B
Rebranding Academy offers programs for young performers, 3B
MONROE – Union County earned the N.C. Department of Labor’s Gold Award for workplace safety, as did four county departments: human services/social services, public health, sheriff’s office and water. N.C. Commissioner of Labor Luke Farley presented these awards to staff June 25 at the Union County Agricultural Center. The NCDOL Safety Awards Program recognizes employers across the state that prevent accidents and maintain safe, healthy workplaces. “Safety is a shared responsibility that starts with every employee making it a priority each day,” said Jeff Morgan, director of security risk management. “We are proud of the collective effort across Union County departments that helps ensure our teammates return home safely. Our safety team – Mike Farrar, risk and safety manager, along with safety officers Jayme Hargett and Hayden Hunter – plays a critical role in identifying risks, promoting a proactive safety culture and supporting departments so we can continue raising the bar and earning
Monroe mom charged in infant death
MONROE – Detectives with the Monroe Police Department have completed an investigation into an infant death that occurred May 18 at a home on Bragg Street. Officers responded to the home around 10 a.m. May 18 after receiving a report of an unresponsive infant. Officers began life-saving efforts until medical personnel arrived. Despite those efforts, the infant died. Police said the investigation found that the infant died as a result of co-sleeping. Detectives determined that criminal charges were appropriate after reviewing the facts of the case. Criminal charges may be appropriate when the circumstances and evidence indicate a child’s death resulted from conduct that rises to the level of a criminal offense, according to police. Detectives arrested Natricia Ann Wright, 27, of Monroe, Aug. 13, on charges of involuntary manslaughter and felony child abuse. “First and foremost, our hearts go out to Wright this child and everyone affected by this heartbreaking loss,” Monroe Police Chief Rhett Bolen said. “There is nothing that can adequately express the tragedy of losing a child, and we recognize that this investigation has been incredibly difficult for everyone involved. Our detectives have spent nearly three months carefully working to understand exactly what happened and to make decisions based on facts and evidence. These charges are the result of that investigation and the specific circumstances uncovered by our detectives.” Wright was placed in the Union County Detention Center with a $750,000 secured bond.
Parks to debut Happy to Chat benches recognition for our commitment to workplace safety.” Union County has earned the award for 11 consecutive years. Union County Water has earned it seven consecutive years. The Gold Award goes to organizations that have recorded no fatalities at their locations during the calendar year and maintained a Days Away, Restricted or Transferred rate at least 50% below the average for their industry group.
Matthews Alive Parade set for Sept. 5 MATTHEWS – The Matthews Alive Festival, presented by Novant Health Matthews Medical Center, returns Labor Day weekend with family activities, concerts, a carnival and the annual Matthews Alive Parade. The parade will begin at 9:30 a.m. Sept. 5 and will follow the same route introduced last year. Parade participants will stage on Matthews-Mint Hill Road. From there, the parade will travel along MatthewsMint Hill Road, turn left onto Trade
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Street, turn right onto John Street and continue to Covenant Church Lane for disembarking. Organizers said the route provides additional viewing space for spectators while allowing greater flexibility within the festival footprint. Ending the parade on Covenant Church Lane provides an unloading area on a closed street. The deadline for parade entries has been extended until Aug. 21. Visit matthewsalive.org for more information about the festival.
Sun Valley High School is among community groups that participate in the Matthews Alive Parade. CMG file photo
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MONROE – Union County Parks and Recreation facilities are debuting park benches with Happy to Chat signs designed to combat loneliness in the community. The signs will be affixed to park benches to invite connection and combat social isolation. A person only needs to sit at a bench with a Happy to Chat sign to indicate he or she is open to conversation. A kickoff event showcasing the benches will be held at 11 a.m. Aug. 21 at Cane Creek Park. Happy to Chat signs have been introduced in public spaces worldwide, but Union County’s launch of the signs is a first for North Carolina. The signs were spearheaded by Team Hope, a local suicide prevention coalition serving Cabarrus, Mecklenburg and Union counties. “Social isolation is a real issue affecting people of all ages, but especially the elderly and marginalized,” said Malisha Ross, Team Hope member and Cabarrus, Stanly and Union County regional director for Partners Health see BENCHES, Page 3A