Here is Union County Weekly's annual look at the people who made news last year.
Arts & Entertainment
Matthew Black: Cheers … Monroe formed a social district in downtown
Lorayn Deluca: Filmed music video for “Angels Missing Wings”
John Griffin: 99.1 added second frequency; rebranded as Fun One Radio
Ryan Jones: Upgrades to Monroe’s Belk Tonawanda Park opened to the public
Mallory Norton: Took Weddington marching band to Pearl Harbor parade
James Vesce: Dowd Centre Theatre had a robust slate of entertainment
Business
Ron Brown: State Utility Contractors won the chamber’s Excellence in Business Award
Zach Hinschberger, Alec Barnes & Darren Tucker: Opened Americana Beer Company in Monroe
Nelda Jean Davis: Chamber presented her with lifetime achievement award
Faith Griffin: Her idea won the 53 Ideas Pitch Competition at SPCC
Jason Houseman: Adding Scooter’s Coffee to Weddington, Matthews & Charlotte
Carol Jones: Heart & Home Realty won chamber’s small business award
Robert Kardos: Broke ground on communities in Weddington and Marvin
Chris Platé: Named president of NC Economic Developer Association
Ocie Vest: Monroe council rejected attempt to rezone 340 acres for a 689 lots
This file photos show Robin Barron-Golobish in action as Mrs. Claus. She serves as a funeral director for Heritage Funeral and Cremation Services
Ballantyne/Charlotte Chapel.
Community
Robin-Barron-Golobish: Boosted morale of troops for fifth year as Mrs. Claus
Smoky & Margaret Bissell: Donated Weddington farm to Country Day School
Gracie Moree: Wingate student used research to help mother recover from cancer
Jason Myers: The WBTV meteorologist was killed in helicopter crash
Jan Smith: Former educator and Wesley Chapel mayor passed away Aug. 10
Jerome Sutton: Indian Trail thanked him for 30 years as crossing guard
Maria Pharr. Photo courtesy of South Piedmont Community College
Education
Kevin Beals: Principal left Sardis Elementary to lead CATA
Candice Boatright: Benton Heights Elementary earned Leader in Me honor
Gina Chisum: Principal left Indian Trail Elementary for Sun Valley Middle
Cassie Eley: Piedmont Middle leader named UCPS Principal of the Year
Sandra Greene: New face joined the Union County Board of Education
Virginia Griffith: Cuthbertson Middle staffer won Beginning Teacher of Year
John Paul Hinson: Retired from UCPS after 67 years in transportation
Kathy Heintel: Took over as UCPS school board chair
Abby Holland: Directed Wayfind scholars program to elevate UCPS students
Andrew Houlihan: UCPS leader thanked county for passing $134M bonds
Cheryl Konopka: Won UCPS Teacher of Year at Rocky River Elementary
John Marshall: Inked five-year extension as Union Academy leader
Cathy Perry: Replaced Michael Murray as principal of Cuthbertson Middle
Maria Pharr: SPCC president celebrated passing of a $32.7M bond
Casey Rimmer: Lauded for innovative leadership by Education Week
Gary Sides: UCPS board member introduced policy to ban explicit content
Ashley Smith: Principal retired after Sun Valley Middle won Leader in Me
Olivia and her family presented the OliviaStrong Foundation charitable gift at the Novant Health Hemby Golf Classic on Aug. 15.Photo courtesy of Novant Health
Faith/Nonprofits
Keith Adams: Common Heart continued to feed and empower people
Ulunda Baker: Nonprofit leader actively served on other boards
Molly Barker: Girls on the Run International founder spoke at Wingate
Lew Davis: Bridge to Recovery broke ground on treatment center expansion
Andrew Friend: Council on Aging in Union County brought back its senior expo
Jennifer Gordon: Carolina Waterfowl Rescue saved over 5,000 animals
Gus Gustafson: Monroe Civitans built wheelchair ramps for older adults
Chris Jackson: Goodwill CEO opened a store on Idlewild Road
RJ Lightsey: Oversaw literacy program that moved from Common Heart to SPCC
Jessie Lindberg: Turning Point won nonprofit award from chamber
Jeff Newton: Homebuilder continued building St. Jude Dream Homes
Olivia Reardon: OliviaStrong Foundation gave children's hospital $500,000
Brian Matthews
Government
Brian Borne: Hired as Monroe city manager in June after nearly a year as interim
Frank Deese: Marshville partnered with HAVEN Creative to create new branding
Lee Jenson: Planning director accepted national awards for county 2050 plan
Beverly Liles: Finance director was key figure in budget talks between UCPS & county
David Lucore: Monroe’s energy services director retired after 33 years with the city
Brian Matthews: Has been serving as interim county manager since December
Ashley Nowell: Shared idea to form nonprofit to promote downtown Waxhaw
Alex Sewell: Stallings Town Manager received four-year contract extension
Lisa Stiwinter: Monroe planning director oversaw UDO and zoning map update
Robert Teft: Weddington planner oversaw proposals for downtown master plan
Mark Watson: County manager fired by 3-2 vote on Dec. 5 by new board
Jeff Wells: Waxhaw’s town manager hired police chief & directed improvements
Anita Plater thanks firefighters for getting her out of an apartment fire. Plater was unconscious during the rescue and treated for smoke inhalation. Photo courtesy of City of Monroe
Health/Safety
Andrew Ansley: Opened new Emergency Services Center on Aug. 23
Chris Byrum: Won School Resource Officer of the Year in N.C.
Eddie Cathey: Entered 20th year of service as Union County sheriff
Gregg Collins: Law enforcement veteran hired as Waxhaw police chief
Michael Eiss: Waxhaw police chief retired after nearly 20 years with the force
Ron Fowler: Monroe Fire Department earned accreditation from CFAI
Seth Goldwire: Welcomed patients to Atrium Health Union West in February
Kevin James: Captain was parade marshal before retiring from sheriff’s office
Dennis Joyner: Health director announced monkeypox arrived Aug. 16
Bobby Kilgore: Monroe named new police station after longtime officer & mayor
Anita Plater: Thanked Monroe firefighters for removing her from burning apartment
Kevin Rigoli: Fire marshal touted new dry hydrant at Cane Creek Park
Mayor David Cohn and town staff drop off supplies at Cameron’s House of Hope. Photo courtesy of Town of Indian Trail
Politics
Michael Alvarez: Indian Trail mayor died Jan. 19 during third term
David Cohn: Longtime commissioner unretired to serve as Indian Trail mayor
Mark Brody: N.C. House rep spoke out against proposed solar farm
Amanda Fuller: Wesley Chapel mayor presided over Five Stones preschool hearings
Marion Holloway: Monroe mayor signed proclamation in support of the Ukraine
Brian Helms: Conservative values propelled him as top vote-getter in county race
Richard Helms & David Williams: Vehemently opposed manager’s firing
Craig Horn: Weddington leaders considered council-manager form of government
Angelia James: Colleagues removed her from Monroe City Council on April 7
Melissa Merrell: Went from school board chair to county commission vice chair
Dennis Rape: County commission chair lost seat in May primary
Stony Rushing: Once on the outs, he now chairs county commissioners
Anne Simpson: Waxhaw leader gathered stakeholders to improve Cuthbertson Road.
Jerry Simpson: Events center named after outgoing county commissioner
Jonathan Thomas: Chaired planning board, ran for a seat on county commission
Sports
Dustin Allen: Coached Cuthertson boys and girls track teams to second straight state titles
Max Anthony: The WCWAA celebrated its 40th anniversary on Oct. 15
Nathan Carnes: Won the 4A state wrestling championship among 220-pounders
Gary Ellington: Coached Weddington to second straight state hoops title
Chase Lowe: State basketball MVP signed with William & Mary
Michelle Phifer: Union Academy AD cheered ballpark groundbreaking
Steve Smith Sr.: Former Carolina Panther continued analyst career; considered for Hall of Fame
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