Community News

Go Team U.S.A.!

Today is the first official day of the 2024 Olympic Games! Union County sends our best wishes to everyone representing our great country as part of Team U.S.A.

Fortunately, you don't need to travel to Paris to get into the Olympic spirit. Complete your Park Passport and play your favorite summer Olympic sport here at home - such as archery or kayaking at Cane Creek Park, baseball or softball at Indian Trail's Crooked Creek Park, or soccer at Wingate Community Park.

Even our youngest residents can get into the Olympic spirit at the Union County Library! Two library locations will host Toddler Olympics, featuring an Olympic-themed obstacle course and games for ages 18-24 months and their caregivers. Visit the Library's program calendar for dates, times and locations. 

Wild Horse and Burro Adoption Event

The U.S. Bureau of Land Management will host a wild horse and burro placement event at Union County's Simpson Events Center next month. The event will feature about 100 excess animals that were gathered from western rangelands and are now available for adoption.  The event will be open to the public during these dates and times: August 8 & 9, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. August 10, 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. Staff will be on-site to provide more information and assist with the adoption application process. Click here for more information, including qualifications to adopt a wild horse.

Roundabout Construction Postponed to Next Week

The N.C. Department of Transportation's roundabout project at Lawyers Road (SR 1004) and N. Rocky River Road (SR1514) has been postponed until Wednesday, July 31 due to inclement weather. Traffic will be detoured during construction, which is expected to continue through mid-September. Visit DriveNC.gov for current road closures on state roadways.

UCPS School Supply Drive

Support Local Families This School Year

Union County Public Schools is conducting a school supply drive through the end of July at these locations: UCPS Central Services Office  Porter Ridge Elementary Cuthbertson Middle Huntington Learning Center - Wesley Chapel Monroe Aquatics and Fitness Center The items that are most critically needed include:  Backpacks Earbuds/headphones Cow composition notebooks (wide ruled) Plastic pocket folders Expo markers #2 pencils

Input Needed: Transportation Improvement Program

Our regional transportation planning organization - CRTPO - is asking for your help with prioritizing transportation projects that will receive funding during NCDOT's upcoming 10-year work program. What transportation projects do you think need to be funded? Tell CRTPO via email by August 1.    

Healthy Living

Water Safety 

July 25 was World Drowning Prevention Day, in which the World Health Organization (WHO) raises awareness of the six evidenced-based, low-cost steps to reduce the risk of drowning.

1. Train bystanders for safe rescue and resuscitation. Find a CPR Certification class near you.

2. Set and enforce safe boating, shipping and ferry regulations. Learn about the importance of wearing a life jacket.

3. Improve flood risk management locally and nationally. Learn about your flood risk.

4. Install barriers controlling access to water. Read a list of the 10 do's and don'ts of pool fencing.

5. Always ensure children are constantly supervised by a responsible adult when around water. Download this "Water Watcher Card" - the perfect water safety tool to help you and your friends take turns supervising your kids.

6. Teach children basic swimming, water safety, and safe rescue skills. Click here for a list of swimming lessons offered in Union County.

For more helpful tips, check out our Summer Safety page. 

World Hepatitis Day

Every year on July 28, World Health Organization and partners observe World Hepatitis Day to raise awareness and knowledge about viral hepatitis and the diseases it causes. Viral hepatitis-related illnesses result in a death every 30 seconds, but with available prevention, testing, and treatment services, every hepatitis-related death is preventable. Click here to learn more about the different types of viral hepatitis.

Community Events

Live Music Tonight!

Several local towns are hosting free outdoor concerts tonight, Friday, July 26, including: 

Lake Park's Music in the Park: Too Much Sylvia
7 p.m. at 3806 Meeting St, Lake Park 

Monroe's Music on Main: Cat 5
6:30 p.m. on Main Street in downtown Monroe 

Waxhaw's Summer Concert Series: Aerial View  
7 p.m. at Downtown Park, 301 Givens St., Waxhaw

Supersized Games with Indian Trail Parks and Recreation

Join Indian Trail Parks and Recreation as they supersize some of your favorite games, including Battleship on the sand volleyball courts, giant Connect 4, and live-action foosball like never before. The event will also feature music, crafts and more! The event is tonight, Friday, July 26, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Chestnut Square Park.