Photo entitled "Twin" courtesy of Cassie Griffin. Photo taken at Cotton Ginning Days.Hello Tuesday. Today is October 15th, 2024What famous actor and director was born on this day? In the late 70's early 80's this person this person worked at the fictitious Shotz Brewery in a television series.Answer at the end of the newsletter. 

Tuesday's weather:Today will be cool with sun and some clouds. The high will be 65.Tonight will be mainly cloudy and chilly with a low of  41.

Local United Way collecting donations for Hurricane Helene  survivorsNormally the local United Way focuses on needs within Gaston County. But their focus., at least temporarily, has changed to victims of Hurricane Helene.They need bottled water, paper products,and prepackaged food items that are easily accessible.The United Way of Gaston County is accepting donations at its office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. The office is located at 300 East Franklin Boulevard in Gastonia. 

Best Middle Schools in Gaston CountyThe following are the rankings of Gaston County Middle Schools, according to a list of Metro Charlotte Middle Schools by Niche.com. We have included schools in the top 50.#27 Cramerton Middle: Cramerton Middle School is a highly rated, public school located in CRAMERTON, NC. It has 909 students in grades 6-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1. According to state test scores, 76% of students are at least proficient in math and 73% in reading.#31 Mountain Island Charter School: Mountain Island Charter School is a highly rated, public, charter school located in MT. HOLLY, NC. It has 1,703 students in grades K-12 with a student-teacher ratio of 17 to 1. According to state test scores, 76% of students are at least proficient in math and 67% in reading.#49 Belmont Middle School: Belmont Middle School is an above average, public school located in BELMONT, NC. It has 742 students in grades 6-8 with a student-teacher ratio of 19 to 1. According to state test scores, 59% of students are at least proficient in math and 57% in reading.

Another bear in the news

Another  black bear was captured on video in Gaston County. This one was seen  Friday  September 4th on Everest Drive in Ranlo.

Calf tests positive for rabies in DallasA local veterinary hospital was treating a calf on Narrow Gauge Road in Dallas recently. The calf was suspected of having rabies and was impounded by Animal Care & Enforcement.The calf was tested at the North Carolina  Laboratory of Public Health in Raleigh where it was determined that the calf did indeed have rabies. Subsequently, Animal Care & Enforcement did a neighborhood canvas to notify the community of the positive rabies result, and to verify rabies vaccinations. The North Carolina Department of Agriculture was also notified and is working with the animal owner to address any other possible issues with the remaining animals on the farm.This makes the 6th report of rabies in Gaston County this year.

Gastonia City Council to hold public hearing on new developmentMatamy Homes is seeking to have 27.6 acres rezoned at Union and Wilson Farms Road to build a new subdivision. The project would include up to 73 homes and would require the city to annex the site.The hearing is this evening with the Gastonia City Council.

Ashbrook High School Booster Club official Sarah Watkins is a graduate of Owen High in Black Mountain. Local high school helping mountain schoolParents with the Ashbrook Athletic Booster Club are donating money raised from concessions and apparel sales to Charles D. Owen High School in the Swannanoa Valley.“There are 27 students who do not have homes in high school,” said Booster Club official Sarah Watkins. “All the students are safe. And so for me, it was one way that I could make a connection and fill a need.”  Owen was student-athlete at Owen High , graduating in 1995.Crest High School added $2 to their ticket price Friday night, with the money going towards hurricane relief in Western North Carolina.

GTIS Partners behind Nexus ProjectRecently Project Nexus was approved for local incentives, and now it has been revealed that GTIS Partners is behind the project. GTIS plans to develop a $27 million, 170,000 square foot warehouse near Exit 21, Cox Road.The project is near the massive Gateway 85 project along I-85.

Local songstress Bailey Marie Griggs will perform at the Gaston Public Library on Saturday November 16th at 2PM. Admission is free.

Early voting for the 2024 General election beginsOne stop absentee voting (early voting) begins for the 2024 General Election this Thursday, October 17, at the Gaston County Board of Elections at 410 West Franklin, Suite 30 , in Gastonia.

Yikes! Haunted Dallas ghost tours!The Gaston County Museum is offering ghost tours again this year.

Due to the popular demand last season, we will now have four tours every Friday night in October, two at 7:30pm and two at 8:30pm! Now it’s even easier to make sure you get your tickets for a hauntingly good time on the Dallas Historic Town Square, where you’ll hear about the ghosts and ghouls that haunt Dallas and the county!

Tickets can be purchased over the phone, online, or in person. Tours leave from the museum,131 W Main St. Dallas NC 28034.

Scary VilleThe City of Cherryville is hosting Scaryville October 18th- 6-10PM.They will have a costume contest with ta $500 cash prize, ghostly hayrides, games and activities, and extended merchants hours.

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.

Centralina Regional Council announced the winners of our Region of Excellence awards that recognize outstanding achievements over the previous calendar year in support of our mission to expand opportunity and improve quality of life. The following awards were given in the Gaston County area. Cross-Community Collaboration: City of Gastonia – Farm to TableLocal Government Innovation: City of Gastonia – Public/Private Litter CollectionClean Cities: City of Gastonia – Microtransit InitiativeWell done Gastonia! 

Cotton Ginning Days a hit

It was a perfect day for Cotton Ginning Day in Dallas. It's much more than cool old tractors- they have food, music, an old timey village, and much more.Photos courtesy of Cassie griffin.

Miami Fusion Cafe

by Richard Walker

Competing as the lone National Junior College Athletic Association team among the 17 teams that scored among a field of 168 runners, Gaston College continued to get experience in a season in which the Rhinos are pursuing their first Region 10 title.

Coach Kody Kubbs' Rhinos were led again by sophomore Keirieonna Wilson, who had her season's best time at Charlotte' McAlpine Creek 5,000-kilometer course. Gaston College competed in the Blue Division of the Royals Challenge hosted by NCAA Division I cross country power Queens University.

"I would say this is the toughest competition we've faced so it'll push a lot harder than we're used to," Wilson said after finishing 19th with a time of 20 minutes, 6.58 seconds. "You take it one race at a time and work to get better every week."

Former Charlotte 49ers, Gastonia pro baseball star a volunteer assistant for Gaston CollegeBy Richard Walker Gaston College baseball head coach Shohn Doty can thank his coaching past for the newest addition to his staff.Former Charlotte 49ers and Gastonia pro baseball Zach Jarrett has been added to Doty's coaching staff as a volunteer assistant.Jarrett, 30, will be a hitting and outfield coach for the Rhinos after retiring from a successful seven-year professional baseball career.A 2013 Hickory High School graduate, Jarrett played four years for the Charlotte 49ers before beginning his pro career in the Baltimore organization after the Orioles' selected him in the 28th round of the 2017 major league draft."I'm taking a shot at this and coach Doty and his staff are giving me a great opportunity," Jarrett said. "What they've done the last three years is really impressive so it was sort of a no-brainer to take advantage of this chance."

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.New Hours: Fri & Sat 10am-4pm980-318-3816106 W Dallas Rd., Stanley, NC 28164Check us out!

Answer:Carole Penny Marscherelli, better known as Penny Marshall, was born on this day in 1943. Best know for playing  Laverne DeFazio in Lavern & Shirley, she passed away at age 76, in 2018. She was also a well respected movie director, one of the earlier successful female directors. Her credits include "A league of their own", "Awakenings", "Jumping Jack Flash", Renaissance Man", and "The Preacher's Wife".By the way, in the opening credits, Laverne and Shirley recite "1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Schlemiel! Schlimazel! Hasenpfeffer Incorporated," a Yiddish-American hopscotch chant, which then leads into the series' theme song.

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 Gaston County JobsMedical office front desk $20-$21hr, Criminal Defense Assoc. Attorney $60-$85k, Special Agent Cyber Security/Technology $97-$105k Asst City Mgr w/City of Gastonia $143-$182k , and more...Info...