Rocky Branch Park from the Belmont entrance. Photo courtesy of Scotty ChisholmGood morning Gaston County... it's David. Today is April 16th, 2024Yesterday was tax day- do you get yours in on time? The Boston Marathon took place yesterday, with more than 500 North Carolinians participating. That included 4 from Belmont,and 3 from Gastonia.Pollen- what pollen? My black car is yellow. 

Today's weather:Today will be very warm, with times of clouds and sun. The high will be 84.Tonight will be mild with increasing clouds. The low will be 61.

Runners-take note!

2024 MHCDF 5K/10K RunSaturday April 27, 2024Mount Holly Run400 E. Central Ave. Mount Holy , NCSignup

Piedmont Lithium receives NC permitThe North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality approved a state mining permit yesterday for Piedmont Lithium, contingent on the posting of a $1 million dollar reclamation bond.The approval for the 500 foot deep mine was given despite fierce push back from neighbors concerned about noise and water pollution.State officials will require Piedmont Lithium to line a waste storage pit with a synthetic liner, instead a the customary earthen liner.The company at present has not applied for a zoning variance from Gaston County.The State has never turned down a mining permit application.

Mi Bella Honduras now openMi Bellas Honduras is now open in the Forestbrook shopping Center, in the old Golden Palace location. They specialize in 100% authentic Honduran and Salvadoran food.Check them out here...

Brooklyn Decker  to speak at DSBG benefit Model and actor Brooklyn Decker will be the featured speaker when Gaston County Rotary clubs, Rotary International and the Belmont-based Promise for Haiti organization host a gala evening at Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden raising funds to complete and equip a children's wing at a hospital in Haiti.Impoverished children in one of the poorest regions of Haiti will be the beneficiaries of the event, which will kick off a campaign to raise $206,000 for the hospital project.The date for the dinner and program is May 9, 2024, 7 - 9 p.m. Tickets are $100 and table sponsorships are $1,000. Donations also are being accepted.Brooklyn Decker, who grew up in Matthews, is known for her modeling career and for her roles in films and on television. She also is an ardent supporter of projects to help the people of Haiti. She will be joined at the local event by Dr. Guy Theodore, MD, who is the founder of Hospital Bienfaisance, where the children's wing is being built."Since the inception of the hospital in 1981, there has been a need for the children to have a wing dedicated to their healthcare," said Promise for Haiti President Dr. Omer Shedd, MD, of Cramerton. "Currently, children are placed in wards with adults. With the pediatric wing and medical equipment, we will be able to provide dedicated and safe space for the children in the hospital."For more information and to purchase tickets and sponsorships, or to make a donation, click here...

Robert Kellogg is leaving GastoniaCity Councilman Robert Kellogg has accepted a position with Orange County, North Carolina, working with a Street Outreach Harm Reduction Team. The Team works with those experiencing homelessness.

From Robert: “What trumps all of that is the relationships I’ve built, and the connections I’ve made, and the collaborations, and the bringing people together. That’s what public service is all about,” he said. “In this world, far too often it’s the division that we see. Division doesn’t get us anywhere, and I’m really proud of the work I did to bring people together, and that’s really the crowning jewel of my almost 10 years on the council... I’m looking forward to the change, but I’m also really going to miss Gastonia.”We wish Robert every good thing and are excited about his new opportunity!

Gastonia Baseball club held tryoutsThe Gastonia Baseball Club held tryouts last Tuesday at Caromont Park.“You get to see a lot of guys who either have been overlooked in a lot of different systems, or have had opportunities cut short, or are towards the end of their careers and are still really good, and had the opportunity to play at the next level,” said 3rd baseman Jacob Hoover, “So if you’re just looking to come and enjoy the game, I think it’d be a great opportunity to come here and watch us play some good baseball and hopefully continue winning as we been over the last few seasons.” “It’s been an extremely long off-season, but of course we’re excited,” said club General Manager Brady Salisbury. “This is kind of like one of the first pages of the new chapter here with the Gastonia Baseball Club.”

Welcome to Wildcat Country  Coach Wilson!

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.

Miami Fusion Cafe

We serve breakfast too!

$1,398,250 in Stanley

4 Bedrooms, 3.5 baths, 3422 square feetIndulge in the epitome of luxury living with this exceptional custom home, poised to grace a sprawling private homesite. This European-inspired masterpiece has an open-concept design that seamlessly connects the living spaces, creating an ambiance of sophistication and comfort. The gourmet kitchen, adorned with top-of-the-line appliances and designer fixtures, is a culinary haven that will inspire your inner chef. The primary suite is a sanctuary of elegance, boasting a lavish en-suite bathroom, a spacious walk-in closet, and a private retreat area. Three additional bedrooms provide ample space for family and guests. Beyond the interior, the expansive private yard offers limitless possibilities for outdoor leisure, entertaining, and relaxation. Situated in an exclusive locale, this home offers the perfect fusion of privacy and convenience, with easy access to LKN and CLT. Embrace the chance to customize this home to perfection and make your dream of luxury living a reality.More...

Wegmans coming to CharlotteNot Gaston County, but a first for our area...Wegmans Food Markets is a private supermarket chain and on e of the largest private companions in the US. Their new store in Ballantyne will be 110,000 square feet, or twice as big as a normal Harris Teeter.The new store will be huge, and will also have a market cafe with indoor and outdoor seating. Also. a la the Woodshed, the store will have an overhead circulating train, and a rooster that crows on the hour.Note tp Woodshed! Get your train fixed!

Free Bojangles biscuit

To honor the University of South Carolina’s championship-winning women’s basketball team, Bojangles is offering free Cajun filet biscuits at locations in North and South Carolina. People interested in the free biscuit should download the Bojangles app, place the order and enter the code “Gamecocks.” The giveaway runs through April 30.

Oldest restaurant in Gaston County?Do you know which restaurant is the oldest in Gaston County? Maybe we'll make a distinction...the oldest continually in operation in the same location, and the oldest in continuous operation that has changed location.Comment here...

Gaston College celebrates "Sophomore Day" as Gawlinski throws perfect game in DH sweepYou couldn't have scripted a better "Sophomore Day" for Gaston College's seven honorees on Sunday at Gastonia's CaroMont Health Park.Particularly for pitcher Abigail Gawlinski.Gawlinski, who was honored alongside Gracie Brown, Tessa Hunt, Kinsey Johnson, Logan Lilly, Grace Manning and Gabrielle Porterfield before Saturday's doubleheader sweep of USC Sumter, set personal history and matched school history by pitching a perfect game in the opener.A right-hander from Des Plaines, Ill., who transferred from the University of Green Bay, Gawlinski needed 55 pitches to retire all 15 visiting Fire Ants batters in an 11-0 victory.The Rhinos completed the sweep with another 5-inning mercy rule victory, 14-3, behind starter and winner Abigail Brewton and another offensive outburst in the team's home finale of the 2024 season.Brewton on February 10 had thrown the school's first perfect game in a 12-0, 5-inning victory over Fayetteville Tech.

Call it extra incentive, or the growth of a budding rivalry, or the need to break out of a mild case of the doldrums, but No. 4-ranked Gaston College played this weekend's series with Cleveland Community College with an edginess.

The Rhinos must have remembered the last time they faced the Yetis on Feb. 12 at Sims Legion Park in Gastonia. Cleveland Community College won that game 6-5 and handed Gaston College its first loss of the season on its home field.

"They played great at our place and got the last win in the series, and our guys took that personally a bit, so maybe we wanted to prove a point," Rhinos coach Shohn Doty said after his team won Sunday's game in Shelby 18-4 in five innings.

The win gave Gaston College a 3-0 sweep of the weekend series after Saturday's pair of victories.

If you haven't checked out  Shelli's She Shed  in Stanley- what are you waiting for!

Shelli's She Shed is a home decor boutique full of floral stems & arrangements and unique, vintage, antique, retro, farmhouse styles and the perfect gift items.Open on Thurs, Fri & Sat 10am-4pm980-318-3816106 W Dallas Rd., Stanley, NC 28164Check us out!

Hosting an event?Let us help you get the word out- purchase an event listing!

 Gaston County JobsMiddle School Math Teacher $46-$54k, Production Associate $17-$28 hr, RN Home Care $28-$34 hr, Industrial Sewing $17-$20 hr, and more...Info...

Hosting an event?Let us help you get the word out- purchase an event listing!