UCPS receives $3.7M school climate grant
MONROE – Union County Public Schools received a $3,747,360 School Climate Transformation Grant from the U.S. Department of Education.
The grant will support 11 schools: Health Sciences Academy at Monroe Middle, Monroe High, Parkwood High, Parkwood Middle, Piedmont High, Piedmont Middle, Porter Ridge High, Porter Ridge Middle, South Providence School, Sun Valley High and Sun Valley Middle.
Over the next five years, the grant will develop, enhance and expand systems of support and technical assistance for the UCPS Multi-Tiered System of Support framework. Highlights include hiring six culture coaches, providing training and creating programming to promote academic achievement, pro-social skills and positive character development.
The grant will also cover prevention and treatment strategies for substance abuse, addiction and serious mental and behavioral health issues.
With the funding, staff expects to increase student engagement, reduce behavioral referrals and decrease the number of substance abuse, mental health concerns, suicide ideation and acts of violence at the 11 schools.
Voter registration deadline for Nov. municipal elections
MONROE – The voter registration deadline for the Nov. 5 election is Oct. 11.
Voter registration applications received by the county board of elections office or postmarked by the deadline are accepted as valid applications for the upcoming election.
Voters who are not registered in the county by the deadline may register and vote during one-stop voting only. Same-day registrants at early voting must attest to their eligibility.
Call the Union County Board of Elections at 704-283-3809 or email union.boe@ncsbe.gov for details.
Teen charged in Weddington Chase stabbing
MARVIN – The Union County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 17-year-old Marvin resident accused of randomly attacking and stabbing a 13-year-old jogging on a neighborhood trail last month.
Officials said the suspect ran up behind the teen and stabbed him in the upper back area. The victim sought help while the suspect ran away.
Deputies arrested Rider Gage Walther, 17, of Marvin, on charges of assault with deadly weapon with intent to kill inflicting serious injury. He faces additional charges for injury to real property and injury to personal property in connection with graffiti markings discovered at several locations, including the running trail in Weddington Chase and Marvin Ridge High School.
Robbery suspect captured by law enforcement
FAIRVIEW – A Fairview area man wanted for an alleged robbery with a dangerous weapon during a drug deal was located at a home outside Monroe.
Joshua Franklin Stewart, 32, also faces charges of resist, delay and obstruct as well as narcotics violations.
The victim told deputies he was robbed at gunpoint by Stewart and an accomplice, Elijah Tyler Thorne, of Roanoke Rapids. The victim was grazed in the arm as he was leaving by gunfire as he tried to leave the scene.
Thorne was arrested, but Stewart had eluded authorities.
Performances are fusion of science, theater
MONROE – Piedmont Natural Gas and The National Theatre for Children have partnered to educate and inspire North Carolina students and their families by bringing energetic, science-based live performances into local elementary schools. Through Nov. 22, professional actors from NTC will visit elementary schools to perform “Once Upon a Flame,” sparking conversations on natural gas efficiency and safety in classrooms throughout the Piedmont Natural Gas service area.
The program will focus on how we use natural gas, the geology and history of natural gas, how to conserve natural gas and how to be safe around natural gas.
Upcoming shows include Sandy Ridge Elementary (Oct. 15), Sardis Elementary, Oct. 15), Marvin Elementary (Oct. 16), Waxhaw Elementary (Oct. 16), Poplin Elementary (Oct. 17) and Rock Rest Elementary (Oct. 17).