Police nab Wal-Mart purse snatchers

Monroe NC May 29 2009

City police responded to the Wal-Mart on HWY 74 Friday around 5pm when a woman called saying that several persons had snatched her purse while she was shopping.

According to police, the woman said another shopper noticed what was happening and stepped in to help. The teens dropped the purse and fled.

Police responding to the area was able to quickly locate several persons leaving the Wal-Mart parking lot in a vehicle and stopped the vehicle near the Walgreen’s on Highway 74. The victim was able to identify the teens as the two who attempted to steal her purse.

Police took the teens into custody and transported them to the police department for further investigation.

The purse and all contents were recovered and the woman was not injured during the incident.

Man rescued from flooded creek

UNION COUNTY, NC May 29 2009 Emergency rescues responded to the Trinity Church road area when an elderly man found himself trapped in the rushing waters of a creek.

Witnesses said that they saw the man driving along Trinity Church Rd and that he did not notice the water had risen over the road’s surface a few feet and continued rushing downstream.

Sheriff deputies said that the man’s car plunged into the rushing water and was carried several yards down stream where it lodged against some trees.

Area residents yelled for the elderly man to stay in the car and call 911.

 Volunteer firefighters from several stations, the Union County EMS, sheriff deputies and the North Carolina Highway Patrol responded to the emergency call.

Authorities said that the man was not injured in this incident and his name was not released.

County Fire Departments facing financial losses

 

Indian Trail NC May 30 2009

They answer our calls night and day whenever and wherever the emergency happens to be. At three in the morning or two in the afternoon the residents of Union County have come to rely on their fire departments for emergency medical and fire services.

Unlike others who enjoy their work for the love and money and benefits that it may offer them, volunteer firemen and first responders do it purely for the love. The love of helping their neighbors.

For years, most county departments have received little or no operations money from Union County government officials and this year will be no different. The 13 fire districts that rely on homeowner fees for revenues are collectively facing a $626,000 shortfall.

The county’s proposed 2009-2010 budget includes $464,000 to cover nine districts projected shortages but four others will get nothing.

The Wingate Volunteer Fire Department will get the largest amount of financial assistance from the county, $126,000. But Weddington’s Providence Volunteer Fire Department who is expecting a $84,000 shortage will get no financial help from county leaders.

The Hemby Bridge, Mineral Springs, Stallings, Waxhaw and Wesley Chapel are expected to break even through the collection of fire taxes.

Fire fees were instituted in 1992 at a flat rate to property owners ranging from 1 to 4 cents per $100 of assessed value but county officials say since the explosive growth in the county, these fees are just not enough to cover the expenses of the fire districts.

Rep. Curtis Blackwood and Pryor Gibson want to change this and put the county fire departments back in the black. They have proposed legislation in the form of House Bill 565, which would apply only to Union County and double fire fees through 2010 and then be eliminated and a fire tax implemented. But Union County Commission member believes that all of this should be put on hold until a fire study is completed.

Calls for service continues to rise in the county and some departments are struggling to meet demand. Finances and personnel are at issue and a lack of county assistance with funding creates a bigger hardship on our departments a fire chief said.

There are currently 18 volunteer fire departments in Union County and only nine will receive financial assistance during this coming budget year. Those departments include:

 Allens Crossroads, $78,410

Beaver Lane, $57,458

Fairview $13,495

Lanes Creek $37,137

New Salem $87,548

Sandy Ridge $31,339

Stack road $17,431

Wingate $126,000

Bakers, Hemby Bridge, Jackson, Mineral springs, Providence,Stallings, Unionville, Waxhaw, and Wesley Chapel departments will not receive any funding even though they all have substantial shortfalls.

Water Rescue In Progress

 

 

 

 

UNION COUNTY NC MAY 28 2009

WATER RESCUE IS IN PROGRESS  1800-2400 Trinity Church RD

CAR IN THE CREEK

 TRINITY CHURCH RD

 

 

Nine die in North Carolina crashes over Memorial Day weekend

Monroe NC May 28 2009

Preliminary N.C. Highway Patrol statistics show nine people died in crashes on North Carolina roadways over the Memorial Day weekend.

That number matches the number of deaths on roadways over Memorial Day last year, according to the Highway Patrol.

Last year, in addition to those killed, 534 were injured in traffic collisions investigated by the Highway Patrol over the Memorial Day holiday. The number of injuries for this year wasn’t available yet.

The statistics for the holiday weekend are counted from 6 p.m. Friday through midnight Monday.

The holiday kicks off the summer vacation season in North Carolina. This means more people will be on the highways, increasing the chance of traffic crashes.

Troopers increased patrols on all interstates and major four-lane highways during the holiday weekend. Speed is the leading cause of traffic collisions and fatalities in the state.

The Highway Patrol is also joining other law enforcement agencies at “Click-It or Ticket” seatbelt checkpoints across the state throughout the week, and troopers will be participating in the nationwide “Operation CARE” (Combined Accident Reduction Effort). “Operation CARE” is a coordinated education and enforcement effort involving all Highway Patrol and state police agencies across the nation. These high visibility patrols during national holiday periods are designed to prevent crashes and ensure voluntary compliance with the motor vehicle laws.

Troopers will also increase their efforts to enforce the state’s litter laws. Troopers will crack down on litter bugs and keep litter off North Carolina’s roads. Tougher littering laws passed by the N.C. General Assembly, first-time offenders can be fined as much as $1,000 and be ordered to perform up to 24 hours of community service. Repeat offenders can get a $2,000 fine and 50 hours community service.

The N.C. Department of Transportation’s Office of Beautification maintains the Web site where litterbug reports can be submitted. The address is www.dot.state.nc.us/litterbug . The page can also be found by going to the SHP Web site at www.ncshp.org .

Citizens may report crashes, impaired drivers, stranded motorists or other highway situations to the Highway Patrol by dialing * HP (*47) on their cellular telephones. This is a toll-free call that connects the caller to the nearest Highway Patrol communications center.

High school student injured in morning wreck

UNION  COUNTY, NC May 28 2009 A county high school student was involved in a serious vehicle crash in Union County early Thursday morning according to the Highway Patrol.

 According to state troopers, he was driving in the direction of Piedmont High School on Sikes Mill Road near the intersection of Love Mill Road .

Troopers say that the teen ran off the road, overcorrected and flipped his pickup truck. The roof of the truck on the passenger side was crushed. 

According to a trooper with the N.C. Highway Patrol, the teen was driving too fast for road conditions. 

The teen sustained a mild concussion and has been released from the hospital.

No other passengers were in the truck at the time.

Carnival comes to town

Monroe NC May 27 2009

 

It’s that time of year again and the carnival has breezed into town and put down stakes in the front of the Monroe Mall.

According to an employee, the carnival will be there about a week.

Bring the family and enjoy the rides, the hotdogs, cotton candy and have some fun!

County police charge 20 with DUI during long week-end

Union County NC May 26 2009

By: Rick McCann

The Memorial Day week-end is tradionally the kick-off to the summer for most Americans. It means food, fun, vactions and unfortunately, an increase in drinking and driving.

This week-end in Union County proved that to be true as many residents were relaxing and enjoying their three day holiday week-end, police through-out the county were busy protecting us as they looked for drunk drivers and kept our roads safer.

By Monday night, officers with all of the town police departments, sheriff’s office and Monroe city police were able to arrest 20 DUI drivers and issue dozens of other citations for various driving offenses. Those numbers seemed to be a bit higher than last year an officer said, but he wasn’t sure how many arrests were made in 2008.

Numerous accidents were also reported, several with serious injuries but at this time no traffic related deaths have been reported during the 72 hour period.

(Those arrested have been posted in the Arrest Log post)

Union County Arrest Log 5/26/09

Union County NC May 26 2009

Week-end Arrest Log

 

INDIAN TRAIL

05/22/2009 17:55: ROBERT AUSTIN BUMGARNER

Charge: UNAUTHORIZED USE OF MOTOR VEHICLE  2003 TRIGGER DR 

05/22/2009 23:33 ONDRA BERNARD MCCOY

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  US 74 AND INDIAN TRAIL RD 

05/23/2009 14:35 CODY BROOKS DAVIS

Charge: OBTAIN CS BY FRAUD/FORGERY  1006 LESTER MULLIS RD 

05/23/2009 15:14 ANTHONY EUGENE GREEN

Charge: FAIL TO APPEAR/COMPL  3001 ALICE FLAGG LN 

05/23/2009 19:30 ROBBIE DEAN STOGNER

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  8621 ELMSWORTH LN 

05/23/2009 23:41 FINNIS MICKEY MOORE

Charge: OBTAINING PROPERTY BY FALSE PRETENSES  2020 TWILIGHT LN 

05/24/2009 19:38  KAREN DENISE GILES

Charge: COMMUNICATING THREATS  3010 FAIRCROFT WAY 

05/24/2009 23:00 MATTHEW GERALD BLACK

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  3613 DENISE DR 

Charge: VIOLATION OF COURT ORDER 

 

MARSHVILLE

05/22/2009 17:55  TIMOTHY LEARY COLSTON

Charge: TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE  1528 ACME RD 

 05/22/2009 17:55  ELTON HARRELL

Charge: TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE  1528 ACME RD 

TIMOTHY LEARY COLSTON

Charge: TRAFFICKING IN COCAINE  1528 ACME RD

STALLINGS

05/22/2009 21:36 KAYLA MARIE JENNINGS

Charge: FAIL TO APPEAR/COMPL  407 MEADOWBROOK DR 

Charge: FTA (ASSAULT WITH A DEADLY WEAPON) 

05/22/2009 22:00 NATALIE ELAINE TESTA

Charge: WORTHLESS CHECK  15809 FAIRFIELD DR 

05/22/2009 22:00  JERRY WAYNE BLAKENEY

Charge: FTA DOG/CATVACCINATION& ALLOW ANIMALDAMAGE  301 SPRINGHILL DR 

05/23/2009 01:07 MICHELLE LYNN ALEXANDER

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  700 BLK OF WHITE OAK 

05/23/2009 02:25   WILLIAM JAMES GROGAN

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  POTTER RD 

05/23/2009 16:00  LOUIS PAUL GEORGE

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  100 AZTECA DR 

05/24/2009 21:10  JASON WYATT CRAGETT

Charge: FTA (DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED)  401 COBBLERS DR

UNIONVILLE

05/22/2009 12:01 JULIE PRESSLEY DRAKE

Charge: P/W/I/S/D COCAINE  4505 CONCORD HWY

 

 

WAXHAW PD

 

05/23/2009 09:24  MELISSA MARRS WILLIAMS

Charge: FTA (DWI, DWLR, LEFT OF CENTER)  6806 REHOBETH RD 

05/24/2009 19:55 SHERRY LYNN MCDOUGALL

Charge: SIMPLE ASSAULT  6809 PLEASANT GROVE RD 

05/25/2009 22:13 JOSEPH HOWARD ROGERS

Charge: POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA  HOWIE MINE RD

 

WEDDINGTON

5/22/2009 20:24  CHARLES SCOTT HILL

Charge: OBTAINING PROPERTY BY FALSE PRETENSES  UNION COUNTY AND MECK COUNTY LINE

 

WINGATE

05/22/2009 21:41  STEVEN EDWARD STEVENS

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  114 COLONIAL CIRCLE 

05/24/2009 05:28  SAUL ZAMBRANO AYALA

Charge: DWLR  3300 WHITE STORE RD 

05/24/2009 08:45  SAMANTHA DENISE HAYES

Charge: INJURY TO REAL PROPERTY  1022 CRESCENT WAY 

05/25/2009 15:40  MAURICE Z GILLESPIE

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  2811 OLD PAGELAND MARSHVILLE RD 

05/25/2009 17:27 DORIS REESE ROBINSON

Charge: COMMUNICATING THREATS  305 BOOKER ST

 

MONROE

 

05/22/2009 01:01  JAMES YOUNG

Charge: FTA(SECOND DEGREE TRESPASSING)  307 S BRANCH ST 

05/22/2009 03:24  RANDOLPH TAYLOR MANGUM

Charge: DWI – PROVISIONAL LICENSE  NC 218 AND NC 200 

05/22/2009 04:00 JAZZMINE CHANTE HEATH

Charge: POSSESS COCAINE FEL  307 RICHARDSON ST 

05/22/2009 08:00 JOSEPH GEARLD SAXON

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  OLD MONROE RD & RADIATOR 

05/22/2009 09:45  JAMES BERNARD BENNETT

Charge: P/W/I/S/D COCAINE  230 E EAST AV 

05/22/2009 09:54  RODNEY ALAN MASSEY

Charge: P/W/I/S/D COCAINE  724 MAURICE STREET 

05/22/2009 10:20  MICHAEL RYAN CRUMP

Charge: HIT & RUN – PD  400 N MAIN ST 

05/22/2009 10:49 JERMICA CALVIN LOWERY

Charge: P/W/I/S/D SCHED II  200 S SECREST AV 

  05/22/2009 10:50 ABDUL MUTA WADSWORTH

Charge: HABITUAL FELONS  1103 FAIRLEY AV

 

05/22/2009 10:59 RICHARD JOHN ROLLMAN

Charge: FUGITIVE  3344 PRESSON RD 

05/22/2009 11:10 DON CORNELIUS EDDIE

Charge: HABITUAL FELONS  713 ENGLESIDE ST 

05/22/2009 11:25  ANTONIO JEROME BLOUNT

Charge: P/W/I/S/D COCAINE  707 ANDREW ST 

05/22/2009 11:50  CHRISTOPHER JEROME MILLS

Charge: P/W/I/S/D COCAINE  243 E EAST AV 

05/22/2009 12:15  DWAYNE LEE PRICE

Charge: HABITUAL FELONS  711 CARR ST 

05/22/2009 13:20 SAMUEL LEON NIXON

Charge: COUNTERFEIT SCHED II  101 E SUNSET DR 

  05/22/2009 13:32 KEYTIONADA EDDIE

Charge: SIMPLE ASSAULT  2105 SANDDOLLAR CT 

05/22/2009 14:00 ANTHONY LAVON HANCOCK

Charge: HABITUAL FELONS  3344 PRESSON ROAD 

05/22/2009 14:05 PATRICK JEROME MCCLAIN

Charge: P/W/I/S/D COCAINE  1200 ICEMAN ST

 

05/22/2009 15:45  SAMANTHA DENISE HAYES

Charge: INJURY TO REAL PROPERTY  3344 PRESSON RD 

  05/22/2009 16:15 ANTONIO OTIS MCCLAIN

Charge: P/W/I/S/D COCAINE  3344 PRESSON ROAD 

05/22/2009 16:15 VICTOR OBRIEN DUBOSE

Charge: HABITUAL FELONS  3344 PRESSON ROAD 

05/22/2009 17:40 RICHARD CORBIN CASHWELL

Charge: RECKLESS DRIVING TO ENDANGER  US 74 AND FOWLER SECREST RD 

05/22/2009 18:47 DAN AARON

Charge: POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA UP TO 1/2 OZ  5710 GRIFFITH RD 

 

05/22/2009 20:21 MILBURN BLACKMON

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  MORGAN MILL AND FAIRLEY RD 

05/22/2009 21:10 CORY D-SHANE PETERSON

Charge: DRUNK & DISRUPTIVE  711 CASTLE RD 

05/22/2009 22:51 LOUIS FRANSICO USMEJA

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  WALKUPAND ALEXANDER 

05/22/2009 23:01 DAIMEO TARBIS SHINE

Charge: ASSAULT ON GOVT OFFICER/EMPLOYEE  3344 PRESSON RD 

05/22/2009 23:19 RANDOLPH TAYLOR MANGUM

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  3527 LOVE MILL RD 

05/23/2009 00:41 GARY PHILIP BOONE

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  US 74 

05/23/2009 02:45 LAYLA INGRID SARMIENO HERNANDEZ

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  HWY 74 AND SECREST SHORTCUT 

05/23/2009 03:06 STEVEN BRIAN WOLFE

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  1499 BLOCK OF SKYWAY DR

 

05/23/2009 08:25 BRIAN LYNN WALSH

Charge: BREAKING/ENTERING-FELONY  3344 PRESSON ROAD 

05/23/2009 12:30 MICHAEL ALAN POPOWICZ

Charge: ASSAULT BY STRANGULATION  1502 HELMS SHORT CUT RD 

05/23/2009 19:05 ANDREW JACKSON COFFEY

Charge: DRUNK & DISRUPTIVE  717 ENGLISH ST 

05/23/2009 20:45 GEORGINA LUNA GARCIA

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  MORGAN MILL AND WINDSOR 

05/23/2009 21:41 RAY HONEYCUTT

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  1520 MILL CREEK CHURCH RD 

05/23/2009 23:40 MICKEY FINNIS MOORE

Charge: OBTAINING PROPERTY BY FALSE PRETENSES  2020 TWILIGHT LN 

05/23/2009 23:45 ELIAZAR SANCHEZ CORTEZ

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  HWY 74 AND HANOVER 

05/24/2009 01:30 TIMIAS DONTREZ NIXON,

Charge: COUNTERFEIT SCHED II  467 E HUDSON ST

 

05/24/2009 02:14: SHONTEL LYNETTE MOBLEY

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  1000 WEST ROOSEVELT BLVD (RED`S) 

05/24/2009 02:45 MARSHA LYNETTE MOBLEY

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  1000 WEST ROOSEVELT BLVD (RED`S) 

05/24/2009 17:56 SEMAJ TREVOSE MASSEY

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  401 EASTSUNSET DRIVE 

05/24/2009 22:52 DUPREE KE`EDSEL HAMILTON

Charge: P/W/I/S/D COCAINE  812 OLD CHARLOTTE AVE 

05/24/2009 23:38 DANDRE CAPRICE HAMILTON

Charge: DISORDERLY CONDUCT  I.B. SHIVE AND CHARLOTTE AVE 

05/25/2009 03:30 TIMOTHY ROBERT DANIELS

Charge: KIDNAPPING  392 QUARRY RD 

05/25/2009 05:24 ANGIE DAWN HARRELL

Charge: POSSESS SCHED II  412 W ROOSEVELT BLVD 

05/25/2009 09:45 JOHN JUNIOR BENNETT

Charge: BREAKING/ENTERING-MISD  100 E PHIFER ST/SKYWAY DR 

05/25/2009 11:16 GREGORY THOMAS

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  916 MAURICE ST

05/25/2009 13:55 MICHAEL ANTHONY MOTT

Charge: DWLR  4324 ROGERS RD 

05/25/2009 21:19 ROY ROBERT LOCKLEAR

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  3601 STACK RD

 

05/26/2009 00:03 KRISTIN LEE THOMAS

Charge: POSSESS/RECEIVE STOLEN MV  531 W ROOSEVELT BLVD 

05/26/2009 00:05  CHRISTOPHER LAVANDER WILLIAMS

Charge: COMMUNICATING THREATS  W ROOSEVELT BLVD 

05/26/2009 01:06  RICKY GAYLAND CROCKER

Charge: DWLR  4013 PARKWOOD SCHOOL RD 

05/26/2009 01:52 EVANDER RASHED HEATH

Charge: ASSAULT DEADLY WEAPON INTENT TO KILL SUTHERLAND AVE 

05/26/2009 03:30 DONNARD MONTELLES COVINGTON

Charge: ASSAULT DEADLY WEAPON INTENT TO KILL SUTHERLAND  AVE

05/26/2009 03:30 RICHARD JAMES RICHARDSON

Charge: DISCHARGE FIREARM INTO OCCUPIED DWELLING  HWY 74/ SUTHERLAND AVE 

05/26/2009 03:30 JARVIS DAKOTA MILLER

Charge: ASSAULT DEADLY WEAPON INTENT TO KILL HWY 74/ SUTHERLAND 

05/26/2009 03:40 RAYMOND LOUIS NIEVES

Charge: CONSUME ALCOHOL < 21  3000 US 74 W 

05/26/2009 03:40 DYLAN SCOTT MCINNIS

Charge: CONSUME ALCOHOL < 21  3000 US 74 HWY

05/26/2009 08:45 JOE CEPHUS CAUDLE

Charge: COMMUNICATING THREATS  1015 PARKER ST 

05/26/2009 12:58 TYLER VAUGHN TALBERT

Charge: BREAKING/ENTERING-FELONY  2908 APRILIA LN

 

 

Police arrest 2 with stolen vehicle in Monroe

Monroe NC. May 26 2009

By: Rick McCann

City police officers responded to assist an assault victim late Monday night but soon found out that there was more to the call than first appeared.

Police said that they were called to 531 W. Roosevelt Blvd. by a female who stated that she had been assaulted. When officers arrived on scene the male suspect took off and tried to flee but was rapidly apprehended.

While police were investigating the alleged assault, officers checked the vehicle that the pair had been driving and found that it had been reported stolen in Lancaster South Carolina.

Police arrested Kristin Lee Thomas, 27, and  Christopher Lavander Williams,  34,  and charged both with Possession of Stolen Goods. Williams was additionally charged with communicating threats. 

The owner of the vehicle was notified that their vehicle had been recovered and police booked the two suspects into the county jail.

Riding ATV’s in North Carolina could cost more

RALEIGH NC May 26 2009  If you’re one of hundreds of Union County residents who love riding ATV’s, you may soon have to pay for that pleasure.

State lawmakers are considering a bill to register all off-road vehicles, and the bill could soon pass.

 Sen. Eddie Goodall, R-Union. said that “it’s just ridiculous,”  . “That’s just adding a burden.”

But,  Sen. Doug Berger, D-Franklin doesn’t see it that way and he has authored the bill.  

The bill, Senate Bill 642, would require any all-terrain vehicle like a four-wheeler or dirt bike manufactured in 2005 or later be registered like any on-road car. The license plates would look different, but the registration process would be the same. The Division of Motor Vehicles estimates there are 100,000 vehicles that would be registered in the first year, and about 25,000 more in each of the following four years.

One of the reasons for the bill, according to Goodall, was to stop riders, especially minors, from trespassing on neighboring properties and damaging the land. Goodall understood that, but said it was unrealistic to think that a small license tag would end that.

Area law enforcment said they do get calls of ATV’ss trespassing and going places that they shouldn’t but wouldn’t weigh in on the bill debate.

During a Senate discussion on the bill, Goodall brought in a sample license plate to demonstrate how hard it would be to read the letters or numbers; to him, it was far more likely that the rider would be recognized first.

“How in the world, if you can’t see and recognize the person riding it, are you going to see and remember a four-by-seven license tag?” he said.

Goodall also pointed to the cost as a deterrent to passing the law. According to a financial impact report by the fiscal research department, the law would add $98,527 in spending the first year and $118,082 by the fifth year. Goodall then added the impact cost; 100,000 people spending two hours at the DMV losing $15 in average wages equals $3 million lost, he reasoned.

“That’s just a huge cost,” said Goodall.

The bill was referred to a Senate Finance Committee last week. It was not yet scheduled to be heard on the floor.

Helicopter in K-Mart parking lot causes concerns

Monroe NC May 26 2009

Is it a bird, a plane no it’s a helicopter! If you were on Highway 74 Sunday afternoon and thought that you saw a helicopter crashing or landing or coming down near the K-Mart, well you did.

At around 2pm police began receiving calls of a chopper down near K-Mart and officers responded to investigate. Officers quickly determined that it was not a crash landing and soon located the pilot at the Bojangle’s.

Police tell us that the pilot saw a storm brewing ahead and decided to set the aircraft down and wait out the storm. This was not only unusual but possibly a violation of federal law and local police notified the FAA.

Monroe officers did not charge the pilot with any crimes and after about thirty minutes the helicopter took off for destinations unknown.

Monroe/Connector Bypass moves forward

Monroe NC May 26 2009

charlotteobservor.com

The window for public comment is still open, but it’s apparent the N.C. Turnpike Authority is now moving briskly with its plan for the Monroe Connector/Bypass.

The Turnpike Authority held a series of open houses and public hearings this month in Charlotte’s southern suburbs and Union County to hear public input on a recommended route for the $755 million bypass. The window for public input will be open until June 15.

But Steven DeWitt, the Turnpike Authority’s chief engineer, told a crowd at a public hearing May 21 that he hopes this is the last time officials will need to review the plans.

“We’re one year away from financing and we hope to be ready,” he said at Wingate University.

The Turnpike Authority will select a final route late this year, after all the public comments have been received, analyzed and adjustments made. That selected route will go to the Federal Highway Administration. The goal is to get federal approval by next March with work starting in summer 2010.

There still are details to be worked out. But turnpike officials said they’ve heard one consistent message: get it done.

“People have waited a long time,” said Jennifer Harris, also an engineer with the Turnpike Authority.

The road has been talked about in Union County for decades.

After an extensive environmental study was finished this spring, the Turnpike Authority recommended a route. That route starts near the Mecklenburg-Union County border and follows the path of U.S. 74 for about a mile. Then the bypass veers northeast, crosses Union County and ends at an interchange that takes cars back onto U.S. 74 just west of Marshville.

Turnpike officials emphasize that input now is crucial because they will make some adjustments.

The bypass is designed to take traffic off heavily-used U.S. 74, which is one of the state’s few roads that extends from the mountains to the coast. U.S. 74 is used by holiday drivers, beach traffic, and daily by commercial traffic and thousands of commuters.

The Monroe Connector/Bypass would be a 21-mile, four-lane toll road. However, it would be a toll road only until it’s paid for, DeWitt said. That could take up 40 years.

The toll cost would be 15-20 cents per mile. Larger vehicles would pay more in toll fees than smaller vehicles. However, those details are being worked out. Harris said the authority is designing the road so people pay for the miles they drive.

Much of the focus of two public hearings was what the bypass would look like near the Mecklenburg-Union border. The authority recommends a ramp that leads to a 25-foot-tall bridge through the middle of Stallings, a town of close to 4,000 east of Charlotte.

The ramp would take drivers onto the bypass. A network of frontage roads would be used to access businesses.

Stallings’ leaders don’t particularly like the route, but are working with the Turnpike Authority to make it more palatable.

That discussion, like many others related to interchange sites and road closures, are ongoing

 

Week-end fire under investigation

Monroe NC May 26 2009

A fire Sunday caused a considerable amount of damage to the home at 7016 Gus Eubank Rd.

Fire crews were called out for a structure fire at around 8:00p and several departments responded to bring the blaze under control.

Fire officials said the cause is being investigated by the Union County fire marsshal’s office.

Authorities with the sheriff’s office reported no injuries in the fire.

Police charge man after foot chase

Monroe NC May 26 2009

Police investigating a trespassing call Monday found themselves in a foot chase after the suspect decided that he didn’t want to go to jail over the holiday week-end.

John Bennett , 27 of Monroe , resisted the officers as he was being questioned and took off on foot from E PhiferStreet and led officers up on Skyway where he was captured by numerous officers.

Police charged Bennett with Breaking and Entering, Possession of Cocaine, Possession of Marijuana and Resisting, Delaying Law Enforcement and Obstruction.

Bennett was taken to the Union County detention center where is currently awaiting trial on his charges.

Monroe police round up drug dealers

MONROE, N.C. May 22 2009 –

Monroe police went from house to house in search of drug suspects early Friday after investigators worked  weeks making drug buys and conducting surveillance on known dealers.

 Police said that they were looking for more than 26 suspects and that they would be out tracking them down for several days.

One man, Rodney  Massey was pulled out of an attic where he was hiding on Maurice Street. He is charged with distributing drugs just down the street from a daycare. He faces extra drug charges for allegedly selling cocaine within 1,000 feet of the facility. 

 He’s accused of selling cocaine near children.”That’s how close it is to your kids, regardless if it’s a daycare. The kids are on their bikes riding by these people and it’s that accessible, so they need to be off the streets,” said Sgt. T.J. Goforth of the Monroe Police Department.

Police said Massey is one of several repeat drug dealers that detectives have spent weeks building their case against.

Detectives said they showed up at Antonio Blount’s house to find him smoking pot.

“It’s the war on drugs one street corner at a time,” Goforth said.

 The City of Monroe and Union County has been seeing an increase in drug activity including distribution of crack cocaine, tar heroin and pot said one detective. We’ll just keep at it doing the best we can he said.

 In all the wanted suspects face nearly 120 felony drug charges.

Petting Zoo brings city closer to the country

Monroe NC May 21 2009

A petting zoo with an array of farm animals was set up over the week-end in the area of the Wal-Mart in Monroe.

Goats and turtle, turkey and camel gave city dwellers a look and feel of what the country life was like. Children of all ages laughed and petted the animals and happily shared ice cream cones filled with pet food.

A pony ride  also gave children a chance at riding their first horse and saying giddy up!

N.C. Dept. Labor honors area businesses

 

MONROE NC May 21 2009 - The N.C. Department of Labor will honor Monroe area employers and employees at the agency’s annual safety awards banquet today noon at Monroe Country Club. Monroe’s ATI Allvac plant will receive a Gold Award for the 33rd consecutive year.

“It’s really an honor for me to travel throughout the state and recognize these employers who are making a commitment to their employees’ safety and health,” Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry said in a press release. “These employers are helping to make North Carolina workplaces some of the safest in the country.”

The awards honor on-the-job safety achievements of each company during 2008. Berry will speak at the banquet and present the awards.

The event is co-sponsored by the N.C. Department of Labor and the Union County Chamber of Commerce.

Under program rules, companies must have been free of fatal accidents at the site for which the award is given to be eligible. The gold award criteria are based on a DART (days away, restrictions and transfers) rate that is at least 50 percent below the statewide rate for its industry. The rate includes cases of days away from work, restricted activity or job transfer. The silver award is based only on cases with days away from work. They are recorded when the worker misses at least one full day of work, not including the day of the injury. The applicant must attain an incidence rate for cases with days away from work that is at least 50 percent below the rate for its industry.

Silver Awards

Rate of days away from work must be at least 50 percent below the industry average.

First year

Harris Teeter, Indian Trail — Transportation

Oro Manufacturing Co.

Second consecutive year

Piedmont Natural Gas, Indian Trail

Third consecutive year

Tyson Foods Inc., Monroe Service Center

Gold Awards

Rate of days away from work, job transfer or restriction must be at least 50 percent below the industry average.

First year

ATI Allvac, East Plant

Best Distribution Co., Branch 425

Boggs Paving Inc.

Concrete Supply Co., Monroe Plant

Goulston Technologies Inc.

Greiner Bio-One, North America

Murray Construction Company of Monroe Inc.

Radiator Specialty Co.

South Piedmont Community College

Turbomeca Manufacturing Inc.

Tyson Foods Inc., Monroe Feedmill

Union County Community Action Inc.

Yale Security Inc., Norton Door Controls

Second consecutive year

AFL Network Services, Southeast

AFL Network Services, Arden

Carolina Pest Management Inc.

Cemex, Indian Trail

Cemex, Stallings Building Materials

Cooper Hand Tools, Monroe Operation

GM Nameplate, Acme Division

Goodrich Customer Services

Monteith Construction Corp.

Tyson Foods Inc., Monroe Breeders

Union County

Third consecutive year

Harris Teeter, Indian Trail—Support

McGee Corp.

Fourth consecutive year

ATI Allvac, Bakers Plant

Birch Brothers Southern Inc.

Century Contractors Inc.

Concrete Supply Co., Matthews Plant

Sixth consecutive year

Charlotte Pipe & Foundry, Plastics Division

Seventh consecutive year

Employment Security Commission, Monroe local office

Ninth consecutive year

Cemex, Monroe Ready-Mix

33rd consecutive year

ATI Allvac, Monroe Plant

Police investigating robbery at Kangaroo store

Monroe NC May 21 2009 Police responded to the Kangaroo Express at 3006 Old Charlotte Hwy, Monroe, NC on 5/20/2009 to investigate a robbery.

 The clerk at the store reported that an armed suspect entered and demanded cash at around 2:10am.

City police and county deputies checked the area but could not locate a suspect.

The robbery is still under investigation by MPD.

UNION COUNTY ARREST LOG 5/21/09

MONROE NC May 21 2009

 

MONROE POLICE

 

 

 

 

GALEN CODY PRICE

 Charge: POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA  10311 LANDSFORD RD 

 05/15/2009 13:00  TREVOR CALVIN BURNS

Charge: COMMUNICATING THREATS  2117 WHITE STORE RD 

 05/15/2009 14:06 THOMAS DOUGLAS VITACCO

Charge: COUNTERFEIT SCHED IV  3344 PRESSON RD 

 05/15/2009 18:30 THOMAS GREGORY

Charge: CHILD ABUSE – MISD  916 MAURICE ST 

 

 05/16/2009 14:05  JUNNYLESS GERARDO RODRIGUEZ

Charge: FRAUDULENT USE OF ID – ALTERED ID 

 5/16/2009 16:54 ALBERTO MARTINEZ HUMANES

Charge: P/W/I/S/D COCAINE  304 KERR ST 

 05/16/2009 23:15 JUAN GONZALEZ

Charge: BREAKING/ENTERING-FELONY  1500 BLOCK LEEMAN ST 

 05/17/2009 07:30  ALISANDRO MERINO CORTEZ

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  1308 S HAYNE ST 

 05/17/2009 TONYA KAY LOCKLEAR

Charge: FTA (SECOND DEGREE TRESPASS, M LARCENY)  313 MAGNOLIA DR 

05/17/2009 14:06 MICHAEL BURGESS

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  313 MAGNOLIA DR 

 05/17/2009 16:51  ANTAVIUS TOBIAS WHITE

Charge: ASSAULT INFLICTING SERIOUS INJURY  3344 PRESSON RD 

  05/17/2009 21:25   RICO ANTWAN OXNER

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  206 S WEST ST 

 

 05/18/2009 03:30  RUBISEL SANCHEZ JUARES

Charge: INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH CHILD  910 E SUNSET DR

 05/18/2009 03:31  LONNIE SCOTT WHEELER

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  GOLDMINE ROAD 

  05/18/2009 05:37 RUBISEL SANCHEZ JUARES

Charge: INDECENT LIBERTIES WITH CHILD  910 E SUNSET DR 

 05/18/2009 12:00 BRIAN FITZGERALD FAULKNER

Charge: POSSESS COCAINE FEL  400 N MAIN ST 

 

 05/18/2009 15:37   TONICA SHEVEA WILLIAMS

Charge: LARCENY-MISDEMEANOR  3001 HWY 74 (TJ MAX PVA) 

 05 05/18/2009 17:30 ELIZABETH DENISE DAVID

Charge: LARCENY-MISDEMEANOR  3000 WEST BLVD (TJ MAX ) 

 05/18/2009 17:30 COVIE TASHA WORLEY

Charge: LARCENY-MISDEMEANOR  3001 HWY 74 (TJ MAX ) 

 05/18/2009 17:37  CLIFTON ANDREW STEELE

Charge: LARCENY-MISDEMEANOR  3001 HWY 74 (TJ MAX ) 

 05/18/2009 17:55 ANTAVIUS TOBIAS WHITE

Charge: ASSAULT INFLICTING SERIOUS INJURY  3344 PRESSON RD

 05/18/2009 23:15 JAMES LEE CLARK

Charge: BREAKING/ENTERING-FELONY  1507 GOLDMINE RD 

 05/19/2009 01:00 BRIAN EMMANUEL  HANCOCK

Charge: POSSESS COCAINE FEL  412 WESTROOSEVELT BLVD 

 05/19/2009 07:52 MARION JAMES DUBOSE

Charge: COMMUNICATING THREATS  3329 HAYWOOD RD 

 

 05/19/2009 08:00 TIMOTHY VUNDEL MCKINNEY

Charge: BREAKING/ENTERING-FELONY  BEST VALUE INN 

 

 05/19/2009 08:35  TRENTON LATRES BUTLER

Charge: PROBATION VIOLATION  500 NORTH MAIN STREET 

 05/19/2009 10:47 CARLOTTA NICOLE CROWDER

Charge: FOOD STAMP FRAUD  1301 SPRING ST 

 05/19/2009 14:45 ANTONIO OTIS MCCLAIN

Charge: FTA-FELONY POSS COCAINE FELONY PROB VIOL  500 BOYTE ST

 05/19/2009 20:13 MANDY ELIZABETH DEZERN

Charge: LARCENY BY EMPLOYEES  2115 ROOSEVELT BLVD (CATO FASHION) 

 05/20/2009 10:19  JARIEKA SHAVON POTTS

Charge: FTA (LARCENY OF MV, 3 CTS ROBBERY W D W, POSS MARJ1/2OZ)  400 N MAIN ST 

 05/20/2009 10:28 VONTAVIOUS ROMAIN PATTERSON

Charge: LARCENY-MISDEMEANOR  807 E ROOSEVELT BLVD 

 05/20/2009 11:20  LUKE TAYLOR BOOTH

Charge: PROBATION VIOLATION  500 N MAIN ST 

 05/20/2009 12:15 MICHAEL CHANDLER WILLIAMS

Charge: PROBATION VIOLATION  400 N MAIN ST 

 05/20/2009 16:00  KEVIN JAMES WOODS

Charge: BREAKING/ENTERING-FELONY  103 N WEST ST 

  05/20/2009  MARCIA LASHONTA POLK

Charge: FTA(ID THEFT, OBTAIN PROP BY FALSE PRET X2)  3344 PRESSON RD

 05/20/2009 18:58  TRAVIS DEON WHITE

Charge: FTA(POSS OF COCAINE FELONY)  1008 CHERRY ST

INDIAN TRAIL

05/16/2009 20:12  PATRICIA ELIZABETH MARIE SCHWEIZER

Charge: SIMPLE ASSAULT  6005 MAGNA LN 

 05/17/2009 00:03   RICHARD CLARK

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  2599 W LAWYERS RD/MILL GROVE RD 

  05/17/2009 00:55 DAREL JAY RASMUSSEN

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  HEMBY BRIDGE 

 05/17/2009 20:55 BROADUS WINFORD THORTON

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  6101 CLEARWATER DR 

 05/18/2009 20:46 SHANNON MARIE GIBSON

Charge: FAIL TO APPEAR/COMPL  316 KENNERLY DR 

 05/19/2009 11:28 PATRICIA ELIZABETH MARIE SCHWEIZER

Charge: SIMPLE ASSAULT  6005 MAGNA LN 

 05/19/2009 20:47  STEPHANIE ROMANO SASSMAN

Charge: OBTAINING PROPERTY BY FALSE PRETENSES  304 SOUTH FORK RD 

 05/20/2009 06:40  DARIUS LAMAR STATON

Charge: LARCENY-MISDEMEANOR  4801 FARMVIEW DR 

 

MINERAL SPRINGS

05/15/2009 14:39 NECOLE DEMONT HORNE

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  2226 HASTY RD 

 05/16/2009 18:04 ERRIC NEAL RAYE

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  2603 HIGH RIDGE CHURCH RD

 

STALLINGS

05/17/2009 04:27 KELVIN GUADAMUD

Charge: DWI – PROVISIONAL LICENSE     POTTER RD  

 05/18/2009 20:3  NELSON CARDELLA

Charge: INJURY TO PERSONAL PROPERTY UNION/MECK COUNTY LINE

 

UNIONVILLE

05/19/2009 16:10 JAMES EDWIN EDGE

Charge: FTA (B & E, M PROBATION VIOL)  2413 FALCON LN

 

WAXHAW

05/16/2009 01:19 MICHAEL JAMES SMITH

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  204 S BROOME ST 

 

 05/16/2009 10:32 BRANDON SCOTT WINSTON

Charge: POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA  7805 MAPLEWOOD LN 

 05/16/2009 19:48 JOHN LOUIS CANNIZZO

Charge: STALKING  9806 ROYAL COLONY DR 

 05/17/2009 09:01  ROY EUGENE BAKER

Charge: POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA  7926 SIMS RD 

 05/19/2009 01:34 DAVID ANDREW RIDGEWAY

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  4802 SAINT SIMONS TERRACE

 

WEDDINGTON

05/20/2009 16:34 JOSHUA GRAHAM WATKINS

Charge: BEL / THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE  6321 ANTIOCH CT

 

WINGATE

05/17/2009 21:52 CLINT WARREN PHIFER

Charge: POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA UP TO 1/2 OZ  WILSON ST 

 05/19/2009 08:54 JEROME JUNIOR ANTHONY

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  502 MAYE ST 

 05/20/2009 17:06  JOHNNY WESLEY KIRBY

Charge: TRESPASS – 2ND DEG  HWY 74 

05/20/2009 20:14  LEROY DAVIS

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  602 FUNDERBURK RD

 

DUI ARRESTS

  05/16/2009 10:10 CHARLES RAY HELMS

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  US HWY 74 

 05/16/2009 17:45 AGUSTIN CRUZ VAZQUEZ

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  ROLAND DR 

 05/18/2009 16:50  EARNEST FREEMAN GARMON

Charge: FTA (DWI, DWLR)  3344 PRESSON ROAD