Project Mercury space capsule.Happy Tuesday Gastonites!  David here... Today is February 20th. On this day in 1962 John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth. In his almost 5 hour flight, how many times did he circle the earth? Was it 3, 5, or 7? (answer at the end of the newsletter) 

Today's weather:Today there will be times of clouds and  sun, with a high of 61.Tonight  will be clearing and chilly, with a low of 31.

Henry Chapel development in Belmont a no go- at least for nowLast week the Belmont Planning and Zoning Board did not approve the proposed 275 acres subdivision called the Henry Chapel development. The proposed project would be built in the southern part of Belmont.  The developer did not, in the board's mind,  meet the requirements to build 600 plus homes and safely mitigate their effect on the infrastructure.The developers had agreed to pay up to $1.9 million for infrastructure to accommodate the increased flow of traffic. There were also concerns by citizens and the board about impeding emergency vehicles, and the effects of sediment in wells and rainwater runoff.Although the Board declined to approve the project, the final decision is up to the City Council.

What about parking behind Elevation Church in Belmont?Folks are upset that the lot is closedWe are being told that the lot behind the Elevation Church in Belmont is leased by the City of Belmont. Supposedly the lot has been closed because it is being paved (previously gravel). It should be open and available in a day or so.

De-escalation part of overall poll worker training

According to Adam Ragan, Gaston County Director of Elections,  de-escalation training is part of the overall training that poll workers receive. "It is part of our safety and preparedness training" say Mr. Ragan. "We want the polling place to be a sacred place".Ragan says that they have had a few folks be vocal about their candidates, but in general, there have been few problems. There have been “overzealous supporters of candidates coming in,” Ragan said. “And that want to make it known to everyone inside the polling location that this is who they’re voting for … we don’t do that. We try to turn the negative sides of voting into positives.” "The polling place is non-partisan", says Ragan.

Been in traffic at Cox Road and Franklin in Gastonia?Have you ever gotten off Cox Road only to find to find traffic backed up to I-85? The NC Department of Transportation held a meeting last week to ask citizens for solutions.The NCDOT is looking at two different plans for the intersection.

Both would add additional lanes. Concept 4 would add what’s called a continuous flow intersection.

An example of that is on Mount Holly-Huntersville Road and Brookshire Boulevard, where the left turn comes before the intersection and goes around it. Just about anything that adds capacity would help.Construction is not expected to start until late next year.

Keepsake Brewery now open"Keepsake is a family owned and operated brewery working to create world class beer."Bobby Myers and fiance Katherine Long have opened Keepsake Brewery in Gastonia. “It certainly starts from a very selfish perspective. We make the beers we love the most. I feel like these are also beer styles that appeal to a big group of people,” says Bobby.They are located on Columbia St-between Franklin and Second-to the right of Lytton Locksmith.We hear there is plenty of parking.Check them out here...

Ifab buys massive Gaston County plant for $12.6 millionIfab (formerly Industrial Fabricators) has purchased a 383,000 square foot facility on just off of 321, four miles north of the state line. Ifab employs abouot 400 people in that location.Ifab, founded in 1994, specializes in contract manufacturing, assembly, and metal coating services. ,

Village Square apartments in Gastonia sold for $18.25 million last month

Hudson Valley Property Group bought the Village Square Apartments just south of Gastonia last month for $18.25 million.They plan to make infrastructure improvements, as well as safety upgrades in the unit's kitchens and bathrooms.HVPG paid over $121,000 per unit for the complex. The company purchases existing multi-family properties with the goal of preserving affodable living options.

Belmont Abbey raising it's fundraising target to $150 millionLast February, Belmont Abbey set a fundraising goal pf $100 million. It was expected to take years. Instead, that goal has already been met. Their new goal is $150 million, and expected to take until 2026.Of the additional $50 million, $20 will be used for a new monastery. The additional funds will be used to create 150 scholarships and 10 endowed chairs for faculty.The original $100 million will be used for a new performing arts center; and to increase their Endowment, which should decrease their dependence on federal aid. It will also be used for new stewardship and academic programs.

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.

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

Read our rave reviews:

"Found an amazing authentic cuban restaurant in Lowell. Miami fusion cafe! (I am Cuban so I’m picky) this place was beyond amazing, the staff and owner were so friendly. Their cafe was so good! We had vaca Frita and congri and a media noche that were top notch, we also got food to go. If you’re in the area definitely give them a try! We will definitely be going back."

Sentry Drug building new location in StanleyWe are hearing some buzz that Sentry Drug is building a new building on 27 in Stanley beside the Circle K. Evidently they are renting their current space.

Spruced Goose Station, McAdenville celebrating 5 years!

Athletes from two sports have been honored with Region 10 All-Academic honors for the 2023 fall semester.

Gaston College in a third-year member of the National Junior College Athletic Association's Region 10 and is part of the largest fall semester class of honorees in region history as 695 student-athletes were honored.

Five Rhinos' cross country runners and five basketball players were honored - Abbygale King, Emma Laney, Leah Treat, Mary Turnage and Stefani Vergara-Delgado from cross country and Kush Carter, Asil Hoyle, Judah Ravenell, Michael Smith and Sabastian Taylor from basketball.

To be named to the Region 10 All-Academic team, student-athletes must participate in a sport, which competes during the fall semester (basketball, cross country, football, golf, half marathon, soccer and indoor volleyball) and achieve a 3.0 grade point average while passing 12 credit hours.

Gaston  Rhino's sweep 3 on Sunday

Gaston College coach Shohn Doty could sense even during batting practice that his team was primed for a good outing Sunday.

And his hunch could not have been more spot on as the Rhinos pummeled Caldwell Tech 13-0 in a game shortened to five innings on a chilly day at Sims Legion Park to complete a three-game weekend sweep of the No. 5-ranked Division III Cobras.

"I thought we were dialed in early, and I felt that intensity in batting practice," Doty said. "I thought this was one of the best Sunday games we have come out and played."

More importantly, the Rhinos (13-2) did not fall into the same complacency trap that cost them last week in the third game of a series against neighboring Cleveland Tech.

Gaston College's championship-winning baseball program has 23 alumni are current college baseball rosters, including a preesason league pitcher of the year.

Former Rhinos' pitcher Gus Hughes is a senior pitcher for High Point and was named the Big South Conference's preseason pitcher of the year. Hughes, who was a second team All-Big South pitcher last season, threw the first and only individual no-hitter in Gaston College history in March 2022.

Joining Hughes on the High Point roster are senior pitcher Christian Baker and junior pitcher-outfielder Konni Durschlag.

Others players college baseball, by school, are as follows:

Appalachian State: Adam Quintero is a junior infielder for the Mountaineers.

Campbell: Chandler Riley is a senior infielder and Derek Vartanian a junior pitcher for the Camels.

Catawba: Patrick Hogan is a senior catcher for the Indians.

Delaware: Evan Lewis is a junior pitcher for the Blue Hens.

East Tennessee State: J.D. Yakubinis is a junior catcher for the Buccaneers.

Elon: Nolan Straniero is a junior pitcher for the Phoenix.

Gardner-Webb: Wade Kelly is a junior outfielder for the Bulldogs.

Lenoir-Rhyne: Miller St. John is a junior infielder and Jaxson Mangum and Tyler Parks are junior pitchers for the Bears.

Limestone: Hayden Ridenhour is a junior pitcher for the Saints.

Lynn: Hunter Shew is a junior pitcher for the Knights.

Mount Olive: Hayden Myrick is a senior pitcher for the Trojans.

North Carolina A&T: Enrique Wood is a junior infielder for the Aggies.

Oakland: Pierson Gunnell is a junior catcher for the Golden Grizzlies.

Radford: David Sande is a junior pitcher for the Highlanders.

UNC Greensboro: Trey Truitt is a junior outfielder for the Spartans.

UNC Wilmington: J.D. Everett is a junior pitcher for the Seahawks.

Young Harris: Ahmir Cournier is a senior infielder-outfielder for the Mountain Lions.

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!

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

 Gaston County JobsPediatric Dental Asst. From $23, Industrial Maint Tech $23-$30hr, FBI Agent $89k-$129k, Crew Chief Land Surveying From $25 hr, Ins Claims Rep $55-$76k , and more...

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