County holiday celebrations

Union County NC July 3 2009

Indian Trail: Festival and parade, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; parade at 11:30 a.m. on Indian Trail Road, between U.S. 74 and Old Charlotte Highway.

Monroe: City festival, 4:30-9:30 p.m., with games, music and food; concert by Continental Divide, 7 p.m.; fireworks, 9:30 p.m.; Belk Tonawanda Park, Skyline Drive.

Unionville: Parade, 1 p.m., Unionville Road; town festival, 9 a.m.-3 p.m., at Unionville Volunteer Fire Department.

Waxhaw: Festival, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; parade, 10 a.m., in downtown area; fireworks, 9:30 p.m., Jackson Station, N.C. 16 (about a mile north of town

Area police to step up holiday traffic enforcement

Union County NC July 3 2009

Police in the Charlotte metro region and across the Carolinas are launching a Fourth of July holiday crackdown on speeding and drunk driving.

The crackdown already is under way, with the Highway Patrol in both Carolinas and local law enforcement agencies staying very active on the region’s highways today.

In North Carolina, the police activity is being called Operation Firecracker. It involved the N.C. Highway Patrol, sheriff’s offices and local police.

“I have instructed our troopers to crack down on traffic violators on our interstates and to apply strict enforcement to those motorists who are traveling at dangerous speeds or in a careless manner,” said Colonel Walter Wilson Jr., commander of the N.C. Highway Patrol.

North Carolina troopers will use electronic speed-tracking devices and will increase their road patrols. South Carolina troopers will do the same, authorities there say.

In addition to speeding, police say they also plan to watch for drunk drivers.

Police though-out Union County will also be stepping up enforcement looking for aggressive driving, vehicles that do not maintain a safe distance with vehicles in front of them, weaving drivers, speeders and DUI violators.

Area police will also be using roadblocks in various parts of the county.

And, added N.C. Highway Patrol spokesman Capt. Everett Clendenin, troopers also will increase efforts to deal with people who violate the state’s littering laws. Clendenin said that under 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.

NC 218 work starts Tuesday

Monroe NC July 3 2009

Some long awaited work along NC 218 is scheduled to begin Tuesday as the resurfacing and other improvements gets underway. The work is planned between the three counties of Mecklenburg, Union and Anson counties.

About $8.7 million of work is planned for the road, used by many Mecklenburg and Union motorists as a route to the beach and an alternative to heavily-used U.S. 74.

The work includes resurfacing more than 30 miles of roadway; replacing guardrails; and adding turn lanes at the intersections of U.S. 601 and N.C. 205 in Union County. The work, to be done by Rea Contracting of Charlotte and Boggs Paving of Monroe, is scheduled to be completed by Nov. 30.

The N.C. Department of Transportation says motorists can expect some delays, and work could be taking place any time of day, except from 6-9 a.m. weekdays.

Funding came from the Obama administration’s stimulus spending package.

SCAM ALERT!

Matthews NC July 3 2009

 

North Carolina police are alerting citizens to be aware of a old scam that has recently been revised and has surfaced recently.

A person calls pretending to be a cop, then they tell you that if you give them money, they’ll bond your relative out of jail.
    
That’s right, fake cops could be giving you a call. Police warn that an officer would never ask you for bond money.

That is absolutely false, that would not happen at all. Law enforcement officers would not be involved in soliciting money to get an arrestee out of jail. That simply would not happen said a police investigator.

Chief Davis says at least one person has forked over money to one of these fake cops. He worries that because people think a police officer is on the phone, it gives the scammer more legitimacy.

“Any time you prey on an innocent victim, I certainly have low regard for that person that does that, and a lot of times this happens in particularly to the elderly,” Davis says.
  
He warns the elderly to be aware of out-of-the-blue phone calls. To prevent yourself from being scammed, don’t give your credit card information out over the phone. If you think a scammer has called you, call your local law enforcement agency.

NC police round up unlicensed security guards

Greensboro, NC July 3 2009

wfmy.com — From concerts to nightclubs, to big family-friendly events… any crowded place you go is bound to have security people.

But are they really protecting you?

2 Wants To Know discovered sometimes those security people, or bouncers, could be breaking the law.

They’re supposed to be properly trained and licensed.

WFMY News 2 got an exclusive look at what Greensboro police are doing to ensure your safety.

Undercover police hit club after club checking to make sure the security is properly licensed.

They arrested more than a dozen people without a license, mostly charging them with being part of an unlicensed security company, and being unarmed security for a fee.

The penalties are citations, and the bouncers were released that same night with a written promise to appear.

Police conducted a previous sweep in April 2009 that netted 17 bouncers.

Some of the arrested bouncers have previous felony convictions; including assault with a deadly weapon, burglary, drugs and sexual battery.

“You could be driving down the street, there could be shots fired,” says Lieutenant D.L. Willoughby. “If they haven’t had adequate training in the use of firearms… an innocent person’s going to be hurt, and they have been hurt.”

Also in April, police responded to a fight outside the downtown Greensboro club Inferno. An injured man went to the hospital and was in a coma.

Police continue to investigate a bouncer in the case.

In February, 2007 a bouncer fired a shot into the air outside the Red Rooster in Winston-Salem.

Police say the shot spurred more gunfire. A bullet struck and killed Winston-Salem officer Howard Plouff.

“It all goes back to training,” says Willoughby. “If these people are not trained adequately, they are a threat to everybody.”

And the safety threat spills out into the rest of the community.

“If we have to respond in full force to a club situation, it’s drawing our resources away from other areas of the city where to respond to this situation… it’s a huge public safety issue,” says Willoughby.

At the end of the latest sting, police arrested 15 men, each charged with being an unlicensed security guard. These charges are misdemeanors.

About half the clubs police checked did not have any security problems with the law.

That night all the arrested men made a written promise to appear and then were released. Police insist they’ll keep hitting all Greensboro clubs until they’re sure people are safe.

 

Monroe police search for car thief

MONROE NC July 3 2009

 

Police said that what started as a call about a suspicious vehicle ended up with a search for a car theft suspect and a recovery of a stolen vehicle.

The call came into the 911 communications center at around 4:40pm Wednesday and when police arrived they found more than what they had expected.

Monroe police also called in the Union County sheriff’s office K-9 team to help track for any suspects in the area as other officers closed off areas around Hospital Drive and kept a perimeter.

After several hours of searching, police did not locate anyone but said that the case is still under investigation.

 

Weddington Rd Wachovia evacuated after chemical spill

Wesley Chapel NC July 3 2009

Firefighters were called to the Wachovia Bank on Weddington Rd Thursday at around 10:30am for a hazmat situation.

According to authorities, the bank was evacuated after someone spilled a small amount of what was believed to be sulphuric acid and employees and staff were afraid of being overcome by fumes.

Firefighters and other emergency personnel closed the area as they evaluated the hazardous material and cleaned up the spill.

There were no injuries reported and no word on how the accident occurred.

Independence Blvd crash causes morning commute headaches

CHARLOTTE, N.C. June 3 2009– An early-morning crash has closed part of Independence Boulevard in southeast Charlotte.

Both inbound and outbound lanes are closed and Independence is blocked off at Crownpoint Executive Drive and Village Lake Drive.

Police reported the crash just after 2:30 a.m. Friday. They said the wreck took out a power pole and street lights.

Officers said the driver was coming up Sardis Road North at a high rate of speed, and smashed into the pole right at a turn.

The driver was out of the vehicle when police arrived.

The pole is broken and street lights are lying in the inbound lane and hanging very low over the outbound lane.

 

SC. Troopers form new DUI Squad

COLUMBIA, S.C. July 3 2009 (AP) - The South Carolina Highway Patrol has created a new team of troopers to crack down on drunken driving just in time for the long holiday weekend.

The 31 troopers will be sent to all seven of the Highway Patrol’s regions across the state. Sometimes they will patrol alone, and sometimes they will work with other law enforcement.

Authorities say the crackdown will include checkpoints and troopers on the highways.

The state Highway Patrol says the new team is needed because nearly half of all of South Carolina’s highways deaths are caused by impaired drivers, compared to about a third nationwide.

The troopers were chosen because they were especially successful in arresting and prosecuting DUI cases

Family Circle Magazine picks Indian Trail

 

INDIAN TRAIL NC July 3 2009

Town officials announced Wednesday that Family Circle Magazine has named Indian Trail as one of the top 10 family-friendly small towns in the country.

“Those who live here and those in Union County in particular, I don’t think they’re going to be too surprised,” Town Councilman Dan Schallenkamp said. “Because they’re here for a reason, but I think it’s always great to have that external recognition that you made a good choice by living here.”

The magazine chose Indian Trail out of a narrow list of finalists after whittling down an initial roll of about 1,700 cities and towns with populations between 15,000 and 150,000.

Indian Trail lands on the list alongside towns in Oregon, Ohio and Georgia. It is the only North Carolina municipality to be recognized.

The magazine will print the recognition, alongside interviews with residents and leaders, in its August edition, which will arrive on newsstands Wednesday.

Family Circle editors chose Indian Trail based on a list of criteria that included affordable homes, high-quality schools, green space, health-care access, crime rates and fiscal responsibility.

Arrest Log 7/3/09

UNION COUNTY NC JULY 3 2009

 

 

HEMBEE BRIDGE

06/29/2009 08:51 : LEONARD CURTIS TUCKER

Charge: ROBBERY WITH A DANGEROUS WEAPON  5810 BEVERLY DR

 

INDIAN TRAIL

6/28/2009 00:40: TERRANCE RANDOLPH BRIEL

Charge: OBTAINING PROPERTY BY FALSE PRETENSES  3305 DELAMERE DR 

06/28/2009 20:31: NATHAN JERMAINE ADAMS

Charge: ASSAULT ON FEMALE  3405 ARBOR POINTE DR

06/30/2009 07:28: SCOTT DORRE HODGDON

Charge: VIOLATION DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROTECTION ORDER  1007 CHANDLER FOREST CT

07/01/2009 00:25: LUTHER WILLIAMS

Charge: GOVERNOR`S WARRANT FOR ARREST  1006 BLUE HERON COURT

 

LAKE PARK

06/30/2009 12:20: MATTHEW GERALD BLACK

Charge: PROBATION VIOLATION  3613 DENISE DR

 

MARSHVILLE

06/28/2009 14:16: MICHAEL BRANDON ALEXANDER

Charge: BREAKING/ENTERING-FELONY  2714 HAMILTON CROSSROADS RD 

06/28/2009 20:44: WENDELL WAYNE WATTS

Charge: RESIST, DELAY, OBSTRUCT  2312 HASTY RD 

06/29/2009 19:15: KENDRA LASHAY BOWMAN

Charge: FTA-ASSAULT AND BATTERY  319 E PHIFER ST 

06/30/2009 10:49: LASHANUNDA SADE STEWARD

Charge: FINANCIAL IDENTITY FRAUD  3513 LANESBORO RD 

06/30/2009 11:14: CHRISTOPHER JOEL ALDRIDGE

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  PHILADELPHIA CHURCH ROAD 

06/30/2009 21:30: RICHARD ERIC GRIFFIN

Charge: COMMUNICATING THREATS  503 E UNION ST

 

STALLINGS

06/30/2009 20:21: ANTHONY NEIL STONE

Charge: DWLR- AFTER NOTIFICATION  1017 STALLINGS RD 

07/01/2009 01:00: JOHN ERVIN COMER

Charge: FUGITIVE  2400 OLD MONROE ROAD

 

WAXHAW

06/30/2009 04:45: ALEC KENNY DWYER

Charge: POSSESS MARIJUANA MISD  2109 TRADING FORD DR 

06/30/2009 15:30: ROBERT MARK DRAKEFORD

Charge: POSSESS MARIJUANA MISD  SR. 1111 NEAR ETHEL ST. 

06/30/2009 15:47: WAYNE COLINS HARRIS

Charge: POSSESS MARIJUANA MISD  SR. 1111 NEAR ETHERL ST. 

06/30/2009 20:25: GINGER MARIE UFLAND

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  HWY 75

 

MONROE

06/28/2009 02:50: JOSE MARIA ALVAREZ

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  409 N SUTHERLAND AV 

06/28/2009 12:30: CHIMBO ALVARO THELMO

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  SKYWAY DR

6/29/2009 10:50: LAURABELLE RENEE BENNETT

Charge: SIMPLE ASSAULT  500 NORTH MAIN ST 

06/29/2009 11:00: DON CORNELIUS EDDIE

Charge: NON-SUPPORT OF CHILDREN  400 N MAIN ST 

06/29/2009 11:06: CALVIN BENARD GLENN

Charge: MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT  5811 MEDLIN FARMS DR 

06/29/2009 11:53: AMBER DAISY JONES

Charge: OBTAINING PROPERTY BY FALSE PRETENSES  1828 OLD CHARLOTTE HWY

 

6/29/2009 12:30: JACOB JOYA MARTINEZ

Charge: AWDW INFLICTING SERIOUS INJURY  RELAX INN 

06/29/2009 14:19: MARCUS TYRONE MCNEELY

Charge: MAINTAIN DWELLING  387 MONTICELLO DR 

06/29/2009 14:45: RYAN HENRY SOUSA

Charge: SIMPLE ASSAULT  2614 CONCORD HWY 

06/29/2009 17:00: JAMES THOMAS HAMILTON

Charge: NON-SUPPORT OF CHILDREN  UNION COUNTY JUDICIAL CENTER 

06/29/2009 17:01: VELVET GWYN

Charge: SIMPLE ASSAULT  3344 PRESSON RD

06/29/2009 19:32: KEITH DWAYNE CAISON

Charge: LARCENY-MISDEMEANOR  801 E ROOSEVELT BLVD 

06/29/2009 21:15: JOSEPH WARD TURNER

Charge: COMMUNICATING THREATS  201 RIDGEWOOD DR

 

2009 00:14: JOSE ALBERTO MARQUEZ

Charge: DRIVING WHILE IMPAIRED  100 HENDERSON ST 

06/30/2009 13:00: MATTHEW GERALD BLACK

Charge: ASSAULT INFLICTING SERIOUS INJURY  400 N MAIN STREET

06/30/2009 18:31: GARRICK DIMITRI BRIDGET

Charge: BREAKING/ENTERING-FELONY  2914 WOLF POND RD 

06/30/2009 19:30: XUAN HUONG LE

Charge: POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA  WEST ROOSEVELT BLVD 

06/30/2009 19:30:, LUC CAO

Charge: POSSESS MARIJUANA MISD  WEST ROOSEVELT 

06/30/2009 20:45: LEONARD CURTIS TUCKER

Charge: LARCENY OF MOTOR FUEL  3344 PRESSON ROAD 

06/30/2009 23:00: YAKISHA MCCLAIN

Charge: CHILD ABUSE – MISD  500 BOYTE ST 

06/30/2009 23:00: ROBERT LAMOTTE BARNETT

Charge: PROBATION VIOLATION  302 S COLLEGE ST

7/01/2009 01:40: MONTY ORLANDO WALLACE

Charge: POSSESS DRUG PARAPHERNALIA  1805 MORGAN MILL RD 

07/01/2009 02:46: JACK ALLEN LEWIS

Charge: GOVERNOR`S WARRANT FOR ARREST  3004 MANGUM DAIRY RD 

07/01/2009 08:44: GARRICK DIMITRI BRIDGET

Charge: BREAKING/ENTERING-FELONY  2914 WOLF POND RD 

07/01/2009 14:59: LARRY WALTER COLE

Charge: DWLR  1316 ICEMORLEE ST 

07/01/2009 16:44: JAMES BERNARD BENNETT

Charge: PROBATION VIOLATION  230 EAST EAST AV 

07/01/2009 16:55: PATRICK JEROME MCCLAIN

Charge: PROBATION VIOLATION  1217 E SUNSET DR 

07/01/2009 17:32: JAMES BERNARD BENNETT

Charge: FTA(PROBATION VIO/DRUG PARA)  3344 PRESSON RD