Welcome. The Monroe Scoop is a community website based Monroe, NC and covers all of Monroe & Union County, NC.
Monroe, N.C. is located just east of Charlotte, N.C.
Monroe, NC has a population of 36,400 is the county seat of Union County.
The Union County Courthouse was built in 1886, and sits in the heart of historic downtown Monroe, NC. The courthouse is probably one of Monroe’s most photographed landmarks.
Downtown Monroe has a lot to offer which include dining, shopping and special events.
Union County, NC has started their own YouTube Channel covering information about our county. You can view it here.
Monroe, NC – The Arc of Union County has begun preparations for its 4th Annual Casino Night, themed “An Evening in Paris.”
The event will be held at Rolling Hills Country Club on February 11, 2012, and will feature dinner, dancing, a silent auction and casino tables.
The event will be emceed by Union County District Attorney Trey Robison and his wife, Becky.
“This is a great opportunity for the community at large to learn more about The Arc and what we do for people with developmental disabilities.”
- Melinda Plue, Arc Executive Director
“We really enjoy seeing familiar faces, new friends, and some whom we serve here all having a great time and really showing Union County what an inclusive event looks like.”
This annual event has been very successful in raising awareness and funds for the vital work of The Arc, which serves approximately 500 people throughout its multiple programs and services.
With the country’s struggling economic conditions, advocacy and assistance for people with developmental disabilities is critical, and awareness and inclusivity throughout our community is one of the key goals of the organization.
The Arc is seeking corporate sponsors for this important event.
For more information about The Arc, tickets or sponsorship, please contact Melinda Plue, Executive Director, at 704-261-1550, (ext. 203), or email casinonight@thearcofunion.com.
Monroe, NC - The Monroe Police Department is asking assistance from the public in locating Kenneth Demetrius Meaders.
Meaders is wanted for accessory after the fact to a felony in connection with the November 1, 2010, armed robbery of the North Carolina License Plate Agency located at 622 W. Roosevelt Blvd.
Robbie and Crystal Jordan were both shot during the robbery.
Robbie Jordan suffered gunshot wounds to the face and shoulder.
Crystal Jordan suffered multiple, life threatening gunshot wounds and continues to recover.
Meaders is a black male, 5’10” tall, weighs around 215 pounds, and has brown eyes and short black hair.
He has a tattoo of “MOB” on the left side of his neck and a tattoo of a cross with the words “FOREVERBLESSED” on the right side of his neck.
His last known address is 7304 Pebblestone Dr., Charlotte, NC, and he is believed to be in the Rock Hill or Charlotte area.
Kenneth Demetrius Meaders
Anyone with information concerning the whereabouts of Kenneth Demetrius Meaders is asked to contact Union County Crime Stoppers at 704-283-5600.
Indian Trail, NC – Nurse educators from the rural health program at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury will be conducting health education classes at the VFW Post 2423, 124 North Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail, N.C. beginning on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.
The health education classes will be held the fourth Wednesday of each month, for 6 months, beginning Wednesday, January 25, 2012, from 10a.m. until noon.
The classes will focus on diabetes self-management and will last approximately 2 hours each.
Additional time for one-on-one sessions will be allowed at the end of each class.
Future class dates are February 22, March 28, April 25, May 23, and June 27. The classes are free of charge.
All veterans currently receiving VA health care are encouraged to attend. However, all former and current military members and their family members are invited to attend the classes.
The team also provides assistance/education on registration and enrollment for VA health care.
For more information, contact the rural health program office, at 1-800-469-8262, ext. 4937/4642/4938, or visit our internet website www.salisbury.va.gov.
In every community, approximately 50% or more are not attending a “House of Worship” on a regular basis.
In earlier years, most of our younger children were taught the importance of God’s word.
Prior to the Supreme Court of the United States’ (SCOTUS) 1963 decision to remove Bible reading from our public schools, everyone in the public schools listened to a Christian Devotion in the mornings.
With that teaching & learning, almost everyone went to some House of Worship on Sunday mornings further learning from the prayers, the music, the messages, and the fellowship with friends and neighbors.
Our Biblical principles in public schools were based on Judeo-Christian values as defined by the Founding Fathers of our US Constitution.
The 1963 SCOTUS decision outlawed prayer in schools, a decision the SCOTUS should be asked to reconsider.
Each and every House of Worship is God’s house. Today, most Houses of Worship are excluding their older hymnal editions while changing over to contemporary music.
While contemporary music may be acceptable what is wrong with the “old time” music and lyrics from their own specific House of Worship hymnal editions?
Ministers, Pastors, Clergy, etc. are becoming afraid to preach the Gospel in fear of offending others and losing their jobs.
Many of these leaders seem to be afraid to tell the congregation that unless they repent, they are going to hell.
It is so much easier for some leaders to make the message sweet and without any unyielding bitterness in their message. From the pulpit, many congregations are hearing a dwindling of God’s word.
We are told that the newer changes are the only ways of getting the younger generation into the House of Worship. Hogwash!
Many of the young generations, as well as the older ones, are crying out for an “old-time” all-encompassing message from God’s word.
It is important for Houses of Worship to teach and lead at all cost, under God’s law, the Holy Bible, and be less concerned with comfort.
Sometimes, it is easier to learn the truth wherever and whenever it may be unpleasant.
It is a sad day in the USA when 50% or more are not attending any House of Worship on a regular basis.
Are members of the Judeo-Christian community becoming soft on firm values?
Monroe, NC – Union County’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Committee, a nonprofit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, is sponsoring a number of festivities for the MLK National Holiday, beginning January 14 and continuing through January 16.
The highlight of the weekend, and the Committee’s major fundraiser, is the 29th annual MLK Prayer Breakfast on Monday, January 16, at Wingate University’s LaVerne Banquet Hall.
The Reverend Donnie Garris, senior pastor of Antioch Missionary Baptist Church in Charlotte, is the keynote speaker for this 6:00AM event that is a sell-out each year.
The 4th Annual MLK Talent Competition, a fun-filled and wholesome festivity for area youth, takes place later on Monday at Monroe’s Winchester Center Gymnasium and Bazemore Center.
Groups and solo singers and dancers are invited to compete for prizes at this free event, which is open to all area students.
Registration begins at 11:30 AM.
Raleigh’s The Magic of African Rhythm will give a special performance demonstrating their form of artistic expression—ngoma, the blending of all the art forms into an organic whole.
This performance is sponsored by the Union County Community Arts Council and the North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources in conjunction with the MLK Committee.
Other scheduled events include the 19th annual Community Gospel Songfest (also free), which begins at 6:00 PM Saturday at Mt. Calvary AME Zion Church (800 LaSalle Street in Monroe), and a 6:00 PM interdenominational worship service on Sunday at First Presbyterian Church in downtown Monroe. Both events are open to the public.
The public is encouraged to come to downtown Monroe at 3:00 PM on Sunday to observe the MLK Holiday Parade. Various floats, marching units, and other vehicles are expected to participate.
Each spring the MLK Committee awards scholarships to high school seniors for the college or technical institute of their choice.
All proceeds from the Prayer Breakfast and other fundraising efforts go toward providing these scholarships and funding the youth talent competition.
For information on any of the events or on the MLK Committee itself, call 704-289-1906.
Monroe, NC – A simple handshake gives them away. A bit of grit under their fingernails, scarred knuckles, and palms as tough as dried leather.
For people like David Wood, their hands are who they are.
For the last 15 years Wood has been using his weathered extremities to create award winning works of art.
With a razor sharp knife and block of wood he whittles out ducks, raptors, hunting scenes, fish, flowers, and spoons.
“It really relaxes you. Anybody who is really uptight should learn how to carve.”
- David Wood, – Wood Carver
In a small room in his Monroe house, Wood spends hours hunched over a work bench carving. The only sound coming from his space is the sound of cutting and wood flakes falling to the floor. It is quiet in here because Wood is a traditionalist. He says he doesn’t believe in using electric grinders or machines.
“I can teach people how to do it with a grinder but I don’t like doing it,” said Wood. “Anybody can power carve, but to me that’s cheating.”
It’s for that reason Wood was chosen to be a subject of a new documentary series by Landon James Video and Photography called The Makers.
“Old style crafts are a dying art,” said Landon James co-founder David Kernodle. “We want to pay homage to artisans and their skills.”
Kernodle says he and the production team have always been fascinated with what he calls, the process. The planning and creation of arts and crafts.
The group started planning The Makers series last year. He says they hope to produce more than a dozen different videos, highlighting unique people, crafts, and the processes.
“Our next video will showcase a guitar maker,” said Kernodle. “Later this winter we will be meeting a reknowned knife maker and then a needle pointer.”
Kernodle says he needs the public’s help to find these artisans.
He says folks like David Wood don’t go around asking for attention. He says he wants to locate people like Wood who’s hands tell a story of their craft and open a window to the past.
To contact David Kernodle, email him at david@landonjamesvideo.com.
Union County, NC – Union County District Attorney, Trey Robison, filed additional charges in the November 1, 2010, NC License Plate Agency robbery and shooting located at Bundy Square Mall on Roosevelt Blvd.
Crystal and Robbie Jordan of Waxhaw were robbed and shot multiple times in the parking lot in front of the agency.
Robbie Jordan was treated for his injuries and released following the incident while his wife, Crystal Jordan, sustained life threatening injuries from the shooting.
Today, the grand jury indictments were served on Tanika Vanesia Ingram, 37.
Tanika Vanesia Ingram
She was arrested at her residence at 2925 Seymour Drive, Apt. 7, Charlotte, by Charlotte Mecklenburg Police Department’s Violent Criminal Apprehension Team (VCAT) and turned over to Monroe detectives for questioning.
She is charged with accessory after the fact for attempted first degree murder and is in the Union County Jail under a $200,000 bond. An additional suspect is being sought at this time for the same charge.
On November 10, 2010, Melvin Lee Luckey, 34 of 2925 Seymour Drive, Apt. 7, Charlotte, NC, and Otis Redding Howie, Jr., 27 of 1811 Griers Grove Road, Apt. C, Charlotte, NC, were arrested in connection with this robbery and shooting.
They were charged with two counts of attempted first degree murder, two counts of robbery with a dangerous weapon, and one count of larceny of a firearm. Howie was also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by felon.
Monroe, NC – The City of Monroe began its economic development efforts in 1996 and during these past 15 years, Monroe Economic Development has been responsible for recruiting over $1 billion in industrial capital investment.
Monroe Economic Development has created over 5,000 jobs, and transforming the overall commercial tax base of the City.
The Economic Development office has increased diversity of the industrial base by recruiting companies from a broad range of industrial sectors and targeting international companies that needed to establish a presence in the United States.
“I am so proud of what Monroe has been able to accomplish over the last 15 years. Not many places in the US can claim the success that Monroe has achieved for a City its size. It truly has to be a special place to become a national leader in aerospace in such a short period of time.”
- Chris Platé, Executive Director of Monroe EDC
Monroe’s industrial diversity has made it possible for Union County to maintain the lowest unemployment throughout the entire Charlotte Region for twelve years consecutively.
Through one of the worst economic times for Union County’s business community, Monroe’s industrial sector has stabilized the local economy. From Aerospace to Food Processing, Monroe has a broad industrial base with seven distinct industrial clusters. In addition to the varied industrial community, Monroe also boasts a significant international presence with 14 companies from nine different countries.
“Manufacturing has always been a significant part of our heritage,” said Mayor Bobby G. Kilgore. “Reaching this $1 billion milestone demonstrates that City Council knows the importance of industry and has found ways to allow our companies to remain more globally competitive. Monroe’s economic development efforts create opportunities so our residents can work close to home and enjoy low taxes in Monroe and Union County.”
Of all Monroe’s industrial sectors, the strongest has to be aerospace.
The City began an initiative to recruit aerospace companies in 2002.
Since then, the City has landed more than $500 million in investment from within this sector. The precision manufacturing abilities inherent in the local workforce has made it possible for the success of this effort. Now, Monroe is known internationally for the industries it has in this growing segment.
ATI Allvac, Goodrich Corporation, ORO Manufacturing, Cyril Bath Company and Turbomeca Manufacturing are just a few of the aerospace firms that cross the landscape of Monroe. In fact, aerospace accounts for 26% of
Monroe’s manufacturing jobs and 15% of the total industrial base for Monroe.
Monroe did not stumble upon this success, it worked very methodically to create a strong EDC program which included product development, an existing industry program, and special efforts to add value and increase the competitiveness of its industry. The City Council started the office in conjunction with the development of the Monroe Corporate Center, one of the premier industrial parks in the Region. The park was developed as a corporate headquarters complex and is now home to two corporate headquarters, four North American headquarters, and 3 divisional headquarters operations.
Two of the international companies that have a presence in the park purchased City speculative buildings. These buildings were built to European standards and were a significant difference‐maker in these companies’ decision to locate.
Greiner Bio‐One was the first to purchase a speculative building with an initial investment of $10 million. Now the company has grown with a total investment to date of over $50 million and almost 300 jobs.
It was a $1.5 million investment by SCOTT Safety that pushed the City across the $1 billion mark earlier this year. SCOTT has been in Monroe since the 1970’s and has a large headquarters and R&D facility in the Monroe Corporate Center.
“Scott Safety is very happy to be doing business in Monroe,” said Mr. Paul Woodbury, General Manager – SCOTT Safety Monroe. “This location is unique in that we are strongly supported by local business and economic entities to ensure that all of our needs and concerns are addressed, and we are able to draw from a workforce that is not only skilled but understands their role in the success of our business. This type of employee engagement can’t be found in many places.”
The work to develop more available product in Monroe is an ongoing activity. Monroe’s City Council is now attempting to establish the foundation for economic growth for the next 30 years: From partnering with the private sector to create a significant medical district with the creation of Metro Medical Park and Cross Creek Medical Park, to long‐range development efforts currently underway for the Sutton Park area and the expansion of the Charlotte‐Monroe Executive Airport.
“While the recruiting of companies can dominate headlines, the real heavy lifting is the focus on the existing industries. Monroe’s existing industry program is very special,” said Platé. “The department has developed relationships with key personnel in all of the industries within the City limits and continues to seek ways to provide small and large assistance when these local companies call.”
The range of services provided by the Economic Development office goes from hosting seminars on current and relevant topics, finding energy efficiency grants, pushing for additional training opportunities, and hosting appreciation events throughout the year. The “Hook & Slice” Industry Appreciation Golf Tournament and Awards Banquet has become the foremost industry‐related event in the county. Now going on 13 years, it boasts having virtually every industrial business decision maker in the City attend.
“The strength of the existing industry program has been the backbone of our success,” stated Clark Goodwin, Chairman of the Monroe EDC. “Both our Director and Assistant Director began their careers assisting existing industries. It is from the existing industries point of view that we start every conversation.”
The City of Monroe is attractive to industry because of plans and policies initiated by the city council and carried out by the economic development office. The one‐on‐one focus and the attention to detail really make the difference and add the personal touch companies have come to expect and trust.
The local workforce is a special blend of skills based in an agrarian heritage that leads to the ability to work in a modern manufacturing environment of precision and performance. Married with the ability to train to specific procedures by the local school system, South Piedmont Community College, and NC State’s Industrial Extension Service, Monroe has the capability to provide talented labor that can compete on a world stage.
“The first 15 years have been astonishing, but the future holds even greater promise,” said Goodwin.
Welcome. The Monroe Scoop is a community website based Monroe, NC and covers all of Monroe & Union County, NC.
Monroe, NC - The Monroe Police Department is asking assistance from the public in locating Kenneth Demetrius Meaders.
Indian Trail, NC – Nurse educators from the rural health program at the W.G. (Bill) Hefner VA Medical Center in Salisbury will be conducting health education classes at the VFW Post 2423, 124 North Indian Trail Road, Indian Trail, N.C. beginning on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.
In every community, approximately 50% or more are not attending a “House of Worship” on a regular basis.
Monroe, NC – Union County’s Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Committee, a nonprofit 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization, is sponsoring a number of festivities for the MLK National Holiday, beginning January 14 and continuing through January 16.
Monroe, NC – A simple handshake gives them away. A bit of grit under their fingernails, scarred knuckles, and palms as tough as dried leather.
Monroe, NC – The City of Monroe began its economic development efforts in 1996 and during these past 15 years, Monroe Economic Development has been responsible for recruiting over $1 billion in industrial capital investment.
“Manufacturing has always been a significant part of our heritage,” said Mayor Bobby G. Kilgore. “Reaching this $1 billion milestone demonstrates that City Council knows the importance of industry and has found ways to allow our companies to remain more globally competitive. Monroe’s economic development efforts create opportunities so our residents can work close to home and enjoy low taxes in Monroe and Union County.”
