
Good morning Gaston County, it's David.
Today is November 11th, 2025.

Happy Veteran’s Day to my fellow veterans…male and female. Freedom isn’t free, and due to man’s nature, it never will be. On this day we salute you, and say a heartfelt thank you!
By the way, yesterday was the 50th anniversary of the wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald. It’s sinking prompted improvements in weather forecasting and safety technology. The Edmund Fitzgerald is the last great ship to sink on the Great Lakes.
Today's weather: Breezy and chilly with plenty of sunshine. The high will be 50.
Tonight: Mainly clear and cold with a low of 34.
By the way..it was 14 degrees yesterday morning in Beech Mountain. They had both natural and man made snow.
Badge of Honor-a veterans invitation
Terry Frisbee is a Stanley resident and a US Navy Veteran. This Veteran’s Day he invites all veterans, regardless of rank or branch of service, to wear their dog tags as a “Badge of Honor”.
Terry would like to see this become an annual tradition. All veterans are part of the reason we are free today.

Terry Frisbee, Navy veteran

New Peel scooters in Gastonia
City of Gastonia partnering with Peel scooters
The City of Gastonia today announced it is partnering with Peel Scooters to launch a new electric scooter pilot program. The Gastonia City Council approved an agreement for the Peel Scooters Pilot Program during its regular meeting on November 19, 2024. The program will run for one year with the option to renew and will not cost the City any money. Peel has agreed to pay the City five cents per ride. This program follows a previous pilot with Bird Rides, Inc., which operated in the Downtown Gastonia area from 2021 to 2023.
The Peel Scooters can be used along Franklin Boulevard, in the area from West Garrison Boulevard to South Broad Street, which includes the Loray Mill and FUSE Districts, CaroMont Health Park, and Downtown Gastonia. Up to 25 scooters will be available throughout the downtown area.

1920’s charm in Belmont: $1,900,000
Step into history with this 1920’s Colonial gem located on Main Street in the heart of Belmont. Zoned NC Commercial Conditional District, this rare property offers a wide range of possibilities — from a boutique spa, bed & breakfast, restaurant, offices, or live/work setup. As part of Belmont’s historic district, the home must be preserved and any updates will need to follow historical standards, ensuring its timeless character remains intact.




Charlotte has largest troll installation-
Big Pete with the Big Feet
The River District-right across the Catawba River from Gaston County- now has the largest troll in North America. Thomas Dambo is a world renowned artist that uses recycled wood to create monumental wooden trolls. Dambo has created trolls and art installations all over the world. You can find his troll map and more here.
Want to go? You can find “Big Pete” by taking Exit 6 (West Blvd) off I-485, then following River District Drive to Crescent River Road. The installation is free and open to the public beginning November 8, with parking available along the street.
The New York Butcher Shoppe-Wine Bar Belmont

Belmont’s New York Butcher Shoppe-Wine Bar
Center bottom is a Prime Grade Ribeye ordered from the Chefs Steak butcher counter. Rear is a Prime NY strip, right side is roasted mushrooms, left is grilled asparagus. Beer is some local Pils on tap.

Belmont Abbey makes list
Belmont Abbey is the 7th largest on a list of Charlotte Metro colleges and universities.They have a total enrollment of 1505 student.
They currently charge $21,500 annual tuition for both in and out of state students. For comparison, UNC Charlotte charges $3812 and $20.018 respectively, and Gardner Webb charges $35,290 for both in and out of state tuition.

Two Kings Casino in Kings Mountain
The Catawba Nation celebrated a significant construction milestone with the placement of a ceremonial final beam atop the casino building.
The topping-off ceremony included Catawba Nation drumming and songs and remarks from Catawba Nation leaders and others before the special beam was hoisted by crane to the top of the casino. Catawba leaders, citizens and partners, signed the beam before the ceremony.
A topping off, or topping out, ceremony is a traditional celebration of the highest and final beam on a construction project.It marks a significant milestone in building construction and typically involves hoisting an evergreen tree and a flag to the top of the structure, and often includes the crew and stakeholders signing the final beam.
Malinda and John Lowery Challenge: Fighting Hunger in Gaston County
In response to the growing concern for food insecurity, Malinda and John Lowery have graciously offered to lead an initiative to address hunger relief in Gaston County. The Lowerys have issued a challenge to the broader community to match their gift of $50,000 to Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina to benefit Gaston County food pantries.
Gaston Community Foundation is accepting donations to the “Lowery Challenge for Hunger Relief” between now and December 31, 2025. All donations received for this initiative will be sent to Second Harvest Food Bank and designated to support food pantries serving Gaston County residents. Second Harvest is a trusted regional nonprofit who will distribute all donations proportionally and equitably to all sixteen of the Gaston County food pantries (see below) who fall under their umbrella.
To make a donation to the “Lowery Challenge for Hunger Relief,” please click here.
Checks may be made payable to the Gaston Community Foundation and mailed to PO Box 123, Gastonia, NC 28053. Please include “Lowery Challenge for Hunger Relief” in the memo line.

At Oak Ridge Dental Arts, we are dedicated to caring for your family as we care for our own families. With years of experience and state-of-the-art dental technology we help you achieve the healthy, beautiful smile you deserve. We ensure the best possible dental experience with friendly, personalized care in a comfortable environment. If you haven’t been to the dentist in the past six months or you are interested in enhancing your smile, give us a call. With one visit you’ll see why so many families in your neighborhood trust Oak Ridge Dental Arts with all their dental needs.

Fireside History series returns December 9th
The Gaston County Museum of Art & History is pleased to announce the second season of the popular Fireside History Series, starting Tuesday, December 9 and running through March 2026.
The topics include:
December 9th: Lights on McAdenville
January 13th: A history of long rifle makers in NC
February 10th: More Than Just a Name: the Legacy of James Rhyne
March 10th: Remember the Ladies”, a look at women in Gaston County, voting rights and more
Admission is free, but reservations are required here or by calling the Museum at 704-922-7681. Seating is limited. For more information visit the Museum’s website www.gastoncountymuseum.org.

Belmont Rotary Club
Belmont Rotary celebrates 100 years
The Belmont Rotary Club was elected to membership in Rotary International on Dec. 14, 1925, as club number 2182. (Today, there are more than 46,000 Rotary clubs with over 1.4 million members in 200-plus countries.) Nineteen charter members were inducted and Harley B. Gaston became the club's first president. The Gastonia Rotary Club sponsored the membership for the neighboring Belmont club.
Under the leadership of President Ken Pahon, the Belmont Rotary Club has been celebrating the centennial all year with banners on the website and weekly bulletin.
The pace increased this fall beginning with publication of a small book titled "Belmont Rotary Club: A Century of Service Above Self 1925-2025." Club Public Image Chair Ted Hall led the project using histories written for the 50th and 75th anniversaries by the founder's son, the late Harley B. Gaston, Jr., and writing a summary of the past 25 years. You can check out the Belmont Rotary’s 100th Anniversary book here.
Gaston County Jobs
Am I a handsome boy or what?
Animal ID 59654893 Species Dog Breed Shepherd/Mix Age 5 years 11 days Gender Male Size Large Color Tan/Black Spayed/Neutered Declawed No Housetrained Unknown Site GCACE Location Dog Sick Intake Date 10/22/2025 Stage Available








