Gaston County has it going on! New restaurants, new retail, the new Gaston Aquatic Center, Daniel Stowe Conservancy-and much more! To paraphrase Ferris Bueller, “Gaston County moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss all of the exciting things going on.”

“Gastonia’s got that gritty, early-stage energy. You can feel something big coming.”, Jake Poole, owner of Arbor Coffee, located inside Loray Mill.

Today's weather: Breezy and cool with occasional rain and drizzle. The high will be 51.

Tonight: Occasional rain and drizzle, low of 46.

The 8th annual Lantern Parade in Mount Holly was an astounding success! “Into the deep blue sea”! was the theme- and the lanterns were just amazing. If you haven’t been-plan to go next year..and take the kids! Check out the photos here.

The Gastonia City Council has approved a proposal to create a Sports & Entertainment Commission. The new Commission hopes to build on the momentum created by the FUSE District and the rebranding of the Gastonia Ghost Peppers.

Dandria Bradley, Gastonia’s communications and marketing director, said ““They will be charged with attracting events to our existing facilities, supporting current events, and evaluating what improvements or modifications are needed,”

The commission will be comprised of 15 members, with a mixture of local residents and city staff, tasked with recruiting and supporting sporting and entertainment events.

Molly Gaston, owner of Faded Cuts and Shaves in downtown Gastonia, said ““If we can add some more businesses, or get some sports teams here, I’m completely down with that it sounds like a great plan. The more people through the door, the more recognition — that’s how word spreads that we’re here and growing.”

The new Gaston Aquatic Center is making progress. The steel for the prefab building in onsite, and they hope to be complete by next summer. When completed, the Center will be about 34,000 square feet, have a competition pool and a programming pool.

"It really is a tale of two pools," said Donna Taylor, President of Gaston Aquatics. "There's the competition pool, and that's sort of that from whence this emerged, but the programming pool has gotten bigger and is such a crucial element to the health, wellness and safety of our community ... It is where we'll have lessons, therapy, classes. There's the revenue piece, and then there's the true community service part."

"And I think that's pretty miraculous. We didn't have a big company behind us, or a county, or any specific entity. It really has been bringing so many different entities and individuals together from a group of volunteers to bring this to fruition" said Taylor.

Two Kings Casino has reached a major milestone in their $1 billion dollar project in Kings Mountain. They held a topping off ceremony yesterday, celebrating the completion of the building’s framework.

Crews will soon be working to complete the interior, which will include 22 table games, 1350 slot machines, a restaurant and a bar, as part of the first phase.

Scheduled to open in spring 2027, the main casino will have nearly 2 million square feet and include 4,300 slot machines, 100 table games, multiple restaurants and bars and a hotel.

“Wait until you see the next casino,” Harris said during his remarks at today's ceremony. “We have a spot.” Plans and a timeline were not revealed at yesterday’s ceremony.

Thursday, October 30th, Halloween Costume Run Night, 704 Run Club: Rotary Pavilion. 6:15, More

Thursday, October 30th, 5 PM: Trunk or Treat at CaroMont Health Park (FUSE baseball stadium) Info

Friday, October 31, Trick or Treat on the Square, Dallas, 5:30-7:30 PM Info

Friday, October 31st, Spookeasy at the Farmhouse, Daniel Stowe Conservancy, 5-8 PM, Cocktail pop-up. Info

Saturday Nov 1st, Cramerton Turkey Shoot. 10 AM-12PM, Goat Island Park. Info

Saturday Nov 1st, Gaston County Cars & Coffee, Martha Rivers Park, Gastonia. Info

An election guide was generated by the Gaston Business Association working with the Charlotte Ledger. Check it out above for info on all the local candidates.

Paid Insertion

Who’s a good boy! Last Monday Corporal Canipe and K9 Bando with the Gastonia Police Department apprehended a suspect known to have outstanding warrants. More

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If you haven't checked out Shelli's She Shed in Stanley-

what are you waiting for!