Happy Tuesday... it's David. Today is April 2nd, 2024NC State-represent! The Pack is back in the men's  Final 4 for the first time since 1983. Both men's Final Four games will be played this Saturday in Glendale Arizona. The games will be broadcast on TBS. The championship game is this coming Monday, April 8th.The NC State Wolfpack women's team is in the Final Four for the first time since 1998.The Lady Pack play South Carolina on Friday.Before you email me asking what this has to do with Gaston County...just about everyone you know has been watching the Wolfpack, Clemson, Duke, or Carolina for the last few weeks in the tournament. Of the ACC teams, only the NC State Wolfpack remains.

Today's weather:It will be breezy this morning, otherwise  very warm with clouds and breaks of sun.The high will be 83.Tonight: Mostly cloudy and warm; a couple of thunderstorms late . The low will be 65.

Trader Joe's to open in BelmontTrader Joe's has finally wised up and is opening a new store in Gaston County. Info here

Front Porch and Provisions in Dallas has opened their store- but not the restaurant (yet). The restaurant is still getting permits. Meanwhile, they are taking cash and the cash app for items in the store. They carry lavender products from the Dallas Lavender Farm, local honey, and crafts from Dunns CustomCreations, and they will be getting soaps and jams in soon.

Freeman's Pub closingAfter 15 years, Freeman's Pub is closing. March 30th will be their last day. They say that the landlord wants a family friendly restaurant that closes at 10:00 PM in the space." We wish that new adventure, the best of luck, and we wish all of the downtown bars and restaurants much success , thank you for an amazing 15 years. Just remember it’s not goodbye. It’s we will see you soon."

Alchemy Co-Working opens in GastoniaKeanu Trujillo and partners Somer and Preston Wilson held a ribbon cutting for their new co-working space Alchemy  last week. The crowd of 100 plus included the Gaston Business Association, The Montcross Chamber,  The Gastonia East Rotary Club, and many other well wishers.Located at 121 West Main in downtown Gastonia, Alchemy offers private offices, sit/stand work desks, open spaces, private conference rooms, a podcast station, a kitchen, and much more. We will have to say-it is  beautiful space. It adds to the growing transformation of downtown Gastonia. It's exciting to see downtown Gastonia awaken from it's slumber!Find out more...

De Corias Bagels to open in North Belmont?We are hearing some buzz that De Corias Bagels may be opening in the old White's Restaurant location in North Belmont. Stay tuned!

Italian anyone?Marrelli's Italian Restaurant opens tomorrow in Belmont at 33 Glenway Street. You can scope out the menu here.Their operating hours will be:

Tuesday through Thursday 5:00 PM - 9:30 PM, Friday and Saturday 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM, Sunday 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM. Closed Mondays.

Bucc-ee's in Charlotte?Okay, probably more  April fools chatter, but  I sure could use a beef brisket sandwich about now...Unfortunately, the only Bucc-ee's we could find online in NC is being built in Mebane...about an hour and a half away.

Gaston County in contention for  $74 million, 300 job expansionThe Gaston county Commissioners met last week to consider incentives for Project Upcycle. That project would involve a $74 million dollar investment and create 300 new jobs at an existing Gaston County facility. The  jobs would be created over a five year period, and pay an average of $53,674.The investment by the company would cover real estate, machinery, and equipment. The County is considering a level four incentive, and also an economic development agreement. "It is anticipated that the Company’s capital investment in and at the Property and its operations thereat will generate significant ad valorem tax, sales tax and other revenues to the County and will qualify for a Level Four Grant," county documents state. 

Charlotte based Tectonic Real Estate eyeing Gaston County site for projectLast Tuesday the Gaston County Board of Commissioners voted to approve incentives for Tectonic Real Estate to build a speculative  industrial building on Canterbury Road in Kings Mountain. The county had asked Kings Mountain to match the incentives, but the City declined, as they did not want to incentivize warehouse space.The proposed project is a 282,000 square foot industrial building, and will cost about $19.74 million.

Gaston County Police searching for missing man

Gaston County Police are seeking information regarding the whereabouts of Andrew Douglas Tench, a 31-year-old resident of Belmont.

He was reported missing by his family on March 26, 2024. Tench was last seen on Sunday, March 24, 2024, around 11:30 pm, leaving his Belmont residence for Charlotte in a 2010 Hyundai Elantra. The vehicle was later found abandoned in Monroe, NC.

Andrew Tench is a white male, approximately 5'05" tall, weighing about 135 lbs. He was last seen wearing blue jeans and a black t-shirt.

If you have any information on Andrew Tench's whereabouts, please contact Detective H. King at 704-866-3320.

Case #2024-00020946.

Thief steals from the Kris Lang Sports Complex

This makes us sad. We don't usually report this kind of news, but we want this guy caught.A thief broke into the Kris Lang Sports Complex last Thursday, and stole several gaming consoles, and more. “3 Xboxes, 1 Playstation (5), and Ipad Pro, and a Nintendo Switch. He knew where to go what to do. He knew exactly which door would be left unlocked,” shared Laquita Lang.The man evidently somehow knew the access codes to enter the building. The Langs have since changed the locks and access codes.If you have any tips or recognize the man in the video you are asked to contact Belmont Police at 704-825-3792

Gaston County man man wins $350k with scratch off ticket

A Gaston County man didn't win the Mega Millions, but he did win $250,000 from a scratch-off ticket.

Martin Gaddis bought his lucky $5 20X The Cash ticket from Rai Marts on North New Hope Road in Gastonia.

The game debuted in February with 10 top prizes of $250,000. Six of those have yet to be claimed.

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!

The Community Foundation Run is coming up!Race scheduled for April 13th

The Community Foundation Run is an annual fundraising event for local nonprofits facilitated by the Foundation. On the day of the Run, thousands of people come together for one of the biggest celebrations of community spirit and support in Gaston County.The Community Foundation  is one of the very best things about Gaston County. $27,082,711 has been raised since the Run began in 2003. Since that time, the Community Foundation has contributed over $3,848,000 to the Match Fund that supports all participating nonprofit organizations. The 2023 Run raised $1,203,163.91 and the match percentage was 34%.Click here to get info on how to sign up to run, walk, or be a sponsor.

Emma Ghorley tied a pair of school records and picked up a pitching victory in relief as the Gaston College softball team swept a Region 10 doubleheader by 10-4 and 15-4 scores at Spartanburg Methodist to stay atop the league standings.

Ghorley had seven hits total in the sweep, including school records of five hits and two home runs in the nightcap as the Rhinos improved to 31-5 overall and 7-1 in Region 10.

"Those were some big wins for us," said Gaston College coach Mike Steuerwald, whose team has received votes in the National Junior College Athletic Association poll in four of the last five weeks. "It's big to win on the road. We're halfway through our conference schedule and we're in first place so we feel good about that."

Ghorley (7 hits, 2 doubles, 2 home runs, 6 RBIs), Alayna Patrick (5 hits, double, home run, 4 RBIs), Grace Kealy (4 hits, 2 doubles, 2 RBIs), Gabrielle Porterfield (3 hits, double, 1 RBI), Skye Harrington (2 hits, double, home run, 4 RBIs) and Gracie Brown (2 hits, 2 RBIs) led the offense in the doubleheader.

After losing the opener of a four-game series on Friday with perennial power Spartanburg Methodist, Gaston College's top-ranked baseball program bounced back in a big way and swept Saturday's doubleheader at Gastonia's Sims Legion Park to take a 3-1 series victory.

"We hadn't lost an opening game of a series all year long," said Rhinos coach Shohn Doty, whose team won 8-2 and 14-6 on Saturday. "And that response says volumes about our team. We went out, for the most part, and kept them from even getting close after losing that opener."

Ranked No. 1 in the National Junior College Athletic Association poll for the first time in school history earlier in the week, Gaston College lost 4-2 to all-time Region 10 winner Spartanburg Methodist in the opener of the four-game series on Friday afternoon.

But following that defeat, the Rhinos won the last three games of the series by a combined 32-8 score. The wins improved their record to 38-3 overall and 15-1 in Region 10.

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

The 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-5pm980-318-3816106 W Dallas Rd., Stanley, NC 28164Check us out!

The 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-5pm980-318-3816106 W Dallas Rd., Stanley, NC 28164Check us out!

That's this Saturday!

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 Gaston County JobsFestival Help at Whitewater Center, Part Time Seasonal PetSmart, Instacart shoppers needed, Summer Counselors needed @ Warlick YMCA, Summer Camp teachers needed , and more...Info...

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