Monroe, NC – Two Monroe Police Officers have completed their ride to Washington D.C. to honor fallen officer Charlotte Police Officer Fred Thornton.

Lt. Mark Coan & Sgt. Rhett Bolen made the grueling 500 mile, 4-day bike ride to honor fallen officers.

Mark Coan has kept the community of Monroe updated with daily video reports of their ride.

Here is the Day #4 video ride report from Lt. Mark Coan as their ride to DC was completed.

Ride To DC personal stats from Lt. Mark Coan:
505.32 miles ridden in 4 days.
11,762 calories burned.
28:58 hours of actual riding.

Congratulations to everyone who participated in this event.

Here is Lt. Mark Coan’s final video update.

2012 Monroe Scoop

Matthews, NC – Emmanuel Carter from Matthews, NC ties for 14th place in Nashville, TN this past weekend.

The 2012 National Elementary (K-6) Championship host by the United States Chess Federation, was held this past weekend in Nashville, TN.

With more than 2,000 participants and over 190 alone in the K-6 championship section, Emmanuel Carter, delivered a very impressive performance.

With no loss matches, Emmanuel tied for 14th place and ranked 21 out of 190 participants.

Emmanuel Carter is a six grade scholar Socrates Academy, in Matthews, NC.

A well desired congratulations to Emmanuel and thank you for representing North Carolina and Socrates Academy!

This annual event is intended to encourage students and promote a positive image of chess.

Emmanuel Carter

2012 Monroe Scoop

Monroe, NC – Two Monroe Police Officers are riding bicycles to Washington D.C. to honor fallen officer Charlotte Police Officer Fred Thornton.

Lt. Mark Coan & Sgt. Rhett Bolen are making the grueling 500 mile, 4-day bike ride to honor fallen officers.

I asked Mark & Rhett to keep the community of Monroe updated with some daily video reports of their ride.

Here is the Day #3 video ride report from Lt. Mark Coan on their way to Washington D.C.

2012 Monroe Scoop

Monroe, NC – Two Monroe Police Officers are riding bicycles to Washington D.C. to honor fallen officer Charlotte Police Officer Fred Thornton.

Lt. Mark Coan & Sgt. Rhett Bolen are making the grueling 500 mile, 4-day bike ride to honor fallen officers.

I asked Mark & Rhett to keep the community of Monroe updated with some daily video reports of their ride.

Here is the Day #2 video ride report from Lt. Mark Coan on their way to Washington D.C.

Guilford County Law Enforcement Memorial

2012 Monroe Scoop

Monroe, NC – Two Monroe Police Officers are riding bicycles to Washington D.C. to honor fallen officer Charlotte Police Officer Fred Thornton.

Lt. Mark Coan & Sgt. Rhett Bolen are making the grueling 500 mile, 4-day bike ride to honor fallen officers.

I asked Mark & Rhett to keep the community of Monroe updated with some daily video reports of their ride.

Here is today’s ride report from Mark & Rhett on their way to Washington D.C.

Here is a report of the ride courtesy of TV News 14:
Dozens of law enforcement officers from across the country came to the Queen City Wednesday to honor their fallen comrades.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police began its annual 500-mile, four-day Bike to D.C. ride in uptown. This year the department dedicated the ride to Officer Fred Thornton. The 29-year veteran of the force died last year when a flash bang device detonated at his home.

A brotherhood of blue, from across the U.S. mobilized in Uptown Charlotte Wednesday to tackle one of their toughest assignments according to organizer Ron Horton, Honor those who’ve fallen in the line of duty. Seventy-five riders from 15 law enforcement agencies started the first leg of their 500-mile four-day journey from CMPD headquarters in Uptown.

The Bike to D.C. Event began in 2007 after CMPD Officers Jeff Shelton and Sean Clark were killed.

“Some of the officers came to me a couple of weeks after that and said we’ve prayed we’ve mourned we want to do something,” said Horton.

This year the department dedicated the ride to Officer Fred Thornton, who died after a flash bang device went off at his home last year. His wife Linda Thornton was honored.

“It’s so nice that even after all this time they’re still thinking of ways to honor him. And it’s so humbling,” said Linda Thornton.

“Fred was just a super guy.” Lt. Todd Garrett who worked along side Thornton wanted to support the veteran officer’s family. “Riding a bike for 500 miles that’s minor compared to what Fred and all of them had to sacrifice and their families had to sacrifice.”

In addition to remembering fallen officers, the group is also raising money for Charlotte’s Finest Legacy. It’s a scholarship fund for high school seniors interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement. Anyone who would like more information or would like to donate, click here.

2012 Monroe Scoop

Monroe, NC, – The 8th Annual Cardinal Club 5K begins in Monroe this Saturday, May 12, 2012 at 500 N. Main St.

Race proceeds to benefit Union Academy’s athletic programs.

CLICK HERE>> to download and print the registration form.

2012 Monroe Scoop

RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Chamber Political Action Committee (PAC) has endorsed Dean Arp, candidate in the Republican primary for the N.C. House of Representatives District 69 seat, in his bid to represent Union County.

The North Carolina Chamber PAC supports state legislative candidates whose professional background and ideals on key business issues demonstrate a commitment to preserving and enhancing a positive climate for business and job creation in North Carolina.

“As a small business owner, Dean Arp will be a champion of initiatives that enhance our state’s business climate,” said Lew Ebert, president and CEO of the North Carolina Chamber and member of the North Carolina Chamber PAC Board. “In addition, Dean’s proven leadership on the Union County Board of Education demonstrates his commitment to improving our state’s education system. Dean Arp knows what it takes to make North Carolina competitive and we are pleased to support his candidacy.”

“I’m proud to have the North Carolina Chamber’s endorsement for my campaign,” said Arp. “As a small-business owner, I have firsthand experience with the challenges North Carolina businesses face. I look forward to joining other pro-business candidates in the N.C. House next year and working to create a friendlier business environment so our small businesses can begin to grow and hire again.”

Dean Arp

Primary elections will be held on Tuesday, May 8. For more information on Dean Arp, visit www.deanarp.com.

About North Carolina Chamber Political Action Committee:
The North Carolina Chamber PAC is a nonpartisan tool for the Chamber and its members to support state legislative candidates whose professional background and record on key business issues demonstrate a commitment to preserving and enhancing a positive climate for business and job creation in North Carolina.

2012 Monroe Scoop

Union County, NC – Join the Union County Foster Parent Association as they celebrate National Foster Care Month.

The Union County Department of Social Services and the Union County NC Foster Parent Association are joining together to raise awareness for the need for foster parents and to celebrate the children in foster care and their foster families.

There will be entertainment, refreshments, and information on becoming a foster parent and supporting the foster care program.

The walk will be held on Saturday, May 19th beginning at 8:30 at Don Griffin Park, 147 Cedar Street, Monroe, NC.

Come support the foster families of Union County!

For more information, Josie Calaway, President Union County NC Foster Parent Association, 980-613-9598.

2012 Monroe Scoop

Union County, NC – Union County in collaboration with the Town of Stallings, Indian Trail, and the City of Monroe are conducting a study to assess transportation, land use, aesthetics, and market response to address issues, concerns, and needs along US-74.

There are three upcoming Community Design Workshops to obtain feedback regarding concepts and ideas for the future of the corridor:

• Meeting #1 (May 7th): Union County Agricultural Service & Conference Center, Monroe, NC 5:30pm – 8:30pm
• Meeting #2 (May 8th): Stallings Civic Building, Stallings, NC 5:30pm – 8:30pm
• Meeting #3 (May 9th): Stallings Fire Department, Indian Trail, NC 5:30pm – 8:30pm

Input and feedback from the area residents, users of US-74 and business owners along the corridor are vital to the success of the plan. We hope you can attend.

For more information please contact: Dick Black 704-283-3565, Union County Planning Department RBlack@co.union.nc.us.

You can also visit the project website: www.us74corridor.com.

Visit the project Facebook page at: http://www.facebook.com/groups/154461447998491.

2012 Monroe Scoop

Monroe, NC – Summer is just around the corner. That means hot weather, blue skies and open swimming pools.

In order to have a safe – and fun – summer, the American Red Cross encourages Monroe-area residents to brush up on water safety skills.

According to a study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on water-related injuries, the drowning rate in the United States averages 10 people per day, with a quarter of fatal drownings involving children 14 and younger.

This is why Red Cross recommends swimming in areas supervised by a lifeguard. If no lifeguard is on duty, designate an adult as a “water watcher” who maintains constant supervision of children around any water no matter how well they can swim or how shallow the water.

A 2009 Red Cross survey found that nearly one in three parents (30 percent) believe that “floaties” are better than supervision. The Red Cross stresses that floaties cannot be used as a substitute for appropriate supervision.

Keep your family safe with these few simple tips:

• Learn to swim well. Contact the Union County Chapter for information on learning how to swim—nearly 2 million people learn to swim each year with Red Cross programs.

• Never leave children unattended near water — not even for a moment! Adults should practice “reach supervision,” which means to always be within arm’s length when a young child is near water. For older children – even adults – who are not strong swimmers, practice “active” or constant supervision and make sure they wear U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation devices (PFDs).

• Know how to respond to an emergency. You should know how to tell if a swimmer is in distress or is drowning and how and when to call for emergency help. You should also learn how to help someone in trouble in water while keeping safe yourself. Do not create a situation where you become a victim as well! Enroll in Red Cross water safety, first aid and CPR courses to learn what to do.

• Keep lifesaving gear handy. If you own a pool: always have on hand a ring buoy, life jacket, rope, pole or other object that can be used to help a person in trouble. Remember to have a first aid kit, cordless phone and emergency contact information by the pool.

• Know when it’s too dangerous. If you, or someone you are swimming with, appear to be too cold, too far from safety, been exposed to too much sun, or had too much strenuous activity, it is time to head for shore or signal for help.

• Eliminate temptation. Backyard pools should have self-closing, self-latching gates that remain locked when the pool is not being used. Kiddie pools should be emptied and toys removed immediately after use. Empty water buckets so small children cannot fall in and drown.

• Know what you’re getting into. Check local tides, currents and other conditions which could be dangerous before entering open bodies of water.

For more information on Red Cross Learn to Swim, water safety, first aid and CPR classes near you contact Richard.Rash@redcross.org.

Story contributed by: Kate Meier | Regional Communications Director American Red Cross

2012 Monroe Scoop