Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden Good morning friends, it's David. Today is March 12th, 2024On this day in 1938 Nazi Germany invaded Austria.Not a Sound of Music moment.

Today's weather:Today will pretty much be perfect! Sunshine, pleasant, and warm, with a high of 70.Tonight: partly cloudy and cool.The low will be  41.

Got Chickens?

Want chickens in the back yard? Maybe, based on here you live. The Gaston County municipalities that do allow chickens require a permit. Most don't allow adult roosters.Belmont: Up to four chickens, no roosters. More hereMount Holly: Yes, based on lot size. Info hereCramerton: Up to 4 chickens, rules here..Lowell, Yes, but you must own more than 2 acres MoreMcAdenville: No chickens for you. Period.Gastonia: Yes, if you have at least a quarter of an acre. More here...Dallas: No chickens for you. InfoBessemer City: Up to 4 hens, no roosters. MoreCherryville: Yes, but cannot run loose. Info

HomeGoods coming to Gastonia?

If the internet buzz and a new sign are to be believed, HomeGoods is coming to Gastonia. Based on the sign's location, apparently they are moving into in the old Bed, Bath , & Beyond space. A call to HomeGoods Corporate was not returned before publication.

Anonymous donor gives Gastonia $250k to spruce up City gatewaysAn anonymous donor has given the City of Gastonia $250,000 to spruce up the intersections at US 321, Cox and ew Hope Roads. The City Council has decided to accept the funds, although there are plans by the NC DOT to widen I-85 in the future.

The Lyerly Agency, Nazrul & Tammy Chowdhury to be honoredBelmont's Lyerly Agency, Nazrul and Tammy Chowdhury, and Marc Burns will all be honored by the Montcross Chamber Area of Commerce on March 21 at the Grand Hall in Mount Holly.The Lyerly Agency will be presented as Business of the Year. Melia and Elaine Lyerly moved their business to  Belmont in 2012, and since have been very active in The Montcross Chamber, Holy Angels and more.Nazrul and Tammy Chowdhury will receive the Harley B. Gaston Jr.Public Service Award. The Chowdhury's lost their son to an accidental overdoes of fentanyl in 2017. Since that time they have worked tirelessly to educate people about addiction, how parents can  recognize  signs of drug use, and find help.Marc Burns will receive this years EPIC Award. EPIC stands for Entrepreneurial, Progressive, Innovative, and Collaborative.Marc has been instrumental in forming an Entrepreneur Roundtable, and Entrepreneur Summit, and a Launchpad Competition for new entrepreneurs.Congrats- and thank you to you all!

Ridgeview Charter School has charter revokedRidgeview Charter School in Gastonia has had their charter revoked due to poor academic performance. The school opened in 2019, but due to COVID disruptions, has only two  years of academic performance data. The school  received an "F" under the state accountability model, and has not shown academic outcomes comparable to local schools.

Food Trucks to be allowed in Belmont City ParksThe Belmont City Council voted recently to allow food trucks to serve in City parks under certain circumstances.A permit will be required. Under the new policy, food trucks will be allowed in all city parks except Stowe Park. Events there will be regulated by the city's Special Events process.Food Trucks don't have to be from Belmont to apply for a permit, but priority will be given to local applicants. It is expected that Kevin Lofitn, Ebb Gant, and Davis parks will be the most popular. Belmont Middle School does host youth athletics, but that property is owned by the Gaston County School Board.

1930's charm, 3500+ square feet: $485,000

Gastonia: Beautifully home located in the York Chester Historic District. Many of the old world charms are still part of the home including the beautiful original hardwood floors. Kitchen has been updated, the primary bedroom is on the main level with an on suite primary bath. The yard is beautifully landscaped with mature trees & shrubs. Detached second living quarters, 577 sq ft, with mini split HVAC, full bath and kitchen could be used as a mother in-law suite, home office, workout space, art studio, etc. $485,000Info

Save the Date: The City of Mount Holly will be hosting the Toddler Easter Egg Hunt on Wednesday, March 27th at 10:00 AM at Tuckaseege Park. In addition to the egg hunt, there will also be crafts, games and a visit from the Easter Bunny.This is a free event for toddlers and their families. We hope to see you there!

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.

Gaston College got a lesson in how being a defending league champion makes you the target of your rivals in Friday afternoon's Region 10 Division I-opening doubleheader against Florence-Darlington Tech.

After a thrilling late-inning rally that gave the Rhinos a 7-6 victory in Friday's opener at Gastonia's CaroMont Health Park, Gaston College was shutout 2-0 in the nightcap.

"Honestly, they dominated us for 12 of the 14 innings we played," Rhinos coach Mike Steuerwald said. "We've just got to be better at doing the little things and we weren't today. We didn't play good defense and we didn't run the bases all that well. Those are things you have to be better at."So we've just got to show up with a little more urgency at the start."

Florence-Darlington Tech (14-7), just two weeks removed from a doubleheader sweep of Region 17 power Georgia Military, led 3-0, 5-2 and 6-3 in the opener before Gaston College's four-run seventh inning gave them a dramatic victory.

The Rhinos scored all four runs with two out in the bottom of the frame as Kendall Bradshaw hit a two-run single, Emma Ghorley drew a walk, Skye Harrington drove in the tying run and Alayna Patrick drew a walk before pinch-hitter Logan Lilly's game-winning RBI single drove in pinch-runner Rebecca Clark with the game-winner.Ghorley picked up her first collegiate win with 1 1/3 innings in relief of starter Abigail Gawlinski.

On the same day Gaston College's baseball team set program and school history with a No. 1 overall national ranking, the Rhinos also completed a four-game sweep to open its Region 10 schedule.

Early Monday afternoon, the @TadSlowik_DBA "X" account announced the Rhinos as the No. 1 overall team in National Junior College Athletic Association Division I.

The poll, which is sponsored by DreamBigAthletics.com, moved Gaston College from No. 3 last week to No. 1 this week.

That poll release came during Monday's 8-1 victory over USC Sumter in the opener and the Rhinos completed the doubleheader sweep with a 9-4 win in the nightcap.

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 JobsGeneral Dentist $250-$500k, Polyurethane Chemist $50k, Security Account Mgr. $52k, Laser Operator, Dallas, Airport Seccurity from $20 hr, VP of Ticket Sales Gastonia Baseball Club, and more...Info...

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