Good morning. Today is October 8th, 2024By the way, this Friday, October 11th is the last day to register to vote in the November 5th General Election. Registration info here

Tuesday's weather:Today will be mostly sunny and not as warm with lower humidity . The high will be 77.Tonight will be clear with a low of  52.

Belmont's Jesse Cole bringing the Savannah Banannas to BOA stadium

You probably remember Jesse Cole and the Gastonia Grizzlies. Jesse and his wife Emily went to Savannah and formed the Savannah Bananas. Following their "fans first" mentality, the team evolved from a wooden bat summer league into baseballs version of the Harlem Globetrotters.The Bananas have become wildly successful, traveling to minor league ballparks all over the nation. And now their 2025 tour includes 18 Major League Ballparks, and 3 football stadiums. One of those is Bank of America Stadium, where the Bananas will host their in-house rivals, the Party Animals on June 7th.Buy tickets

Gaston County zip codes on wealthiest listSeveral Gaston County zip codes are among the wealthiest in the Charlotte Metro area, but maybe not the ones you would guess. Here are the Gaston County rankings according the the Charlotte Business Journal:28101 in McAdenville has a median household income of $94,79228056 in Gastonia has a median income of $86.11828012 in Belmont has a median income of $81,04528164 in Stanley has a median household income of $74,90428120 in Mount Holly has a median income of $71,99628908 in Lowell has a median income of $58,28128034 in Dallas has a median income of $57,49628054 in Gastonia has a median income of $55,89228021 in Cherryville has a median income of $53,37728016 in Bessemer City has a median income of $51,34128006 in Alexis has a median income of $48,17128052 in Gastonia has a median income of $44,44828077 in High Shoals has a median income of $27,724

Belmont approves development moratorium in South Point areaThe Belmont City Council passed a moratorium on development in the South Point area last night. At issue are sewer capacity issues with the Morgan's Branch Pump Station. It affects subdivisions with 8 lots or greater in the area south of Henry Chapel Road.The moratorium is in effect from yesterday (October 7th) until April 2027.The exemptions on the moratorium include developments with:    *A special-use permit    *Site-specific vesting plan   * Where substantial expenditures have already been made.

Is this your bear?We don't mind if you have a bear, but you need to keep it in your yard.A bear was sighted by a school bus driver around Pine, Robinson, and Border Streets in Dallas last week.

“Please be aware of your and your family’s surroundings, including pets. We don’t want anyone to get injured, including the bear” , said Wildlife authorities. “Use caution if you happen to see it; don’t approach it, try to capture it or chase it.”

All State Parks west of I-77 closed All State Parks west of I-77 will be closed at least through October 31, and the Blue Ridge Parkway is closed indefinitely.The parks — all west of Interstate 77 — include Chimney Rock, Crowders Mountain, Elk Knob, Gorges, Grandfather Mountain, Lake James, Lake Norman, Mount Mitchell, New River, South Mountains, and Stone Mountains state parks, as well as Mount Jefferson State Natural Area and Rendezvous Mountain. “The devastation brought by Helene in many communities across western North Carolina has been profound,” said State Parks Director Brian Strong. “The entire division wants to provide whatever assistance we can to our neighbors and to these areas that were hit hardest. We want to prioritize our resources, both staff and equipment, towards immediate and lifesaving needs.” 

Gastonia Baseball Club wins "Promotion of the Year!

The Gastonia Baseball Club has won Promotion of the Year for their "What If" campaign. The baseball club took on seven different team names and uniforms including:    Gastonia Gastronauts (May 14-19)    Gastonia Bolognia (June 4-9)    Gastonia Galatic Dinos (July 26-28)    Gastonia Ghost Peppers (August 2-4)    Gastonia Zombees (August 16-18)    Gastonia Garden Gnomes (August 23-25)    Gastonia Yarniaks (August 30-September 2)

The team is hosting  a press conference at CaroMont Health Park on Wednesday, October 16 to reveal the team name going forward.

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

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.

Cotton Ginning DaysExhibitors from all over the southeast will convene in Dallas, North Carolina on October 11 through 13, 2024 for the annual 'crank-up' of antique steam and gasoline engines and tractors. In addition to the engine show, many activities are planned including a kids county fair, heritage arts area, handmade craft vendors, and music. So mark your calendars and plan to join GAMTRA and Gaston County Parks and Recreation Department as we present Cotton Ginning Days. As always, the food is good and admission and parking are free. 

It was a beautiful day in Gastonia for the  Rotary Centennial Pavilion for The Walk to End Alzheimer’s! Thanks to everyone that came out!

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.

Concert for the CarolinasLuke combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings, James Taylor and more..

The above artists will perform a benefit concert for the Carolinas, supporting Chief Cares, Manna Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank NWNC, and Samaritan's Purse, on October 26. Tickets go on sale October 10. Concert at Bank of America Stadium.Info and tix

Okay, so this is random...but interestingNEWSWORTHY NUMBER7,000Privately owned tigers living in the US, a perhaps surprising number considering an estimated 5k live in the wild. In a recent study, researchers found that captive tigers’ genetic diversity was comparable to that of wild ones, meaning they could be used in rewilding efforts and dispelling theories that captive tigers were either inbred or contained genes no longer found in the wild. The research also resulted in a 23andMe-style database for tigers that conservationists can use — and which tigers better hope law enforcement can’t use to investigate deer maulings.

Miami Fusion Cafe

Gaston College baseball fall schedule set

Gaston College baseball coach Shohn Doty and the Rhinos are set to play a 10-date fall schedule that includes several multiple-exhibition showcase events at NCAA Division I and II schools and a home showcase event against one of the 10 National Junior College World Series teams.

The Rhinos are coming off a 51-8 season in which Gaston College set school history for most wins, best winning percentage and a first-ever No. 1 national ranking; Gaston College was No. 1 for five weeks in the Dream Big Athletics poll, for four weeks in the National Junior College Athletic Association poll, for two weeks in the 2-Year Baseball poll and for one week in the Perfect Game poll.The 2024 full fall exhibition schedule:Sept. 14 at Lenoir-Rhyne University ShowcaseSept. 18 Legion Collegiate AcademySept. 21 at Campbell University ShowcaseSept. 28 at Winthrop University ShowcaseOct. 2 Pro 5 AcademyOct. 5 Rhino Showcase (vs. Georgia Highlands College and Roane State, Tenn. Community College)Oct. 12 at USC Upstate ShowcaseOct. 19 at High Point UniversityOct. 23 Ontario Blue JaysOct. 27 at Gardner-Webb University

When Gaston College began its athletic program in the 2021-22 school year, women's cross country was the first team to compete in an event.

Now preparing for its fourth year, the Rhinos' cross country program of third-year head coach Kody Kubbs is poised to set program history with a National Junior College Athletic Association Region 10 championship.

Not only has two-time defending champion and perennial power Spartanburg Methodist left Region 10 to become a four-year school but Gaston College has what Kubbs calls his "most talented" roster.

"I'm definitely excited about where we're at," Kubbs said. "We've got the most talented group that we've had to date. And we've got a group of talented, dedicated runners."

Gaston College softball coach Mike Steuerwald's team is set to begin a 15-game fall exhibition schedule against NCAA Division I, II and III competition and a home finale against a school alumni team.

The 2024 full fall exhibition schedule:

Sept. 21 at Mars Hill College, noon

Sept. 22 Wingate University, 10 a.m. at Winthrop's Terry Park Complex - Field C

Sept. 22 Methodist College, 3 p.m. at Winthrop's Terry Park Complex - Stadium Field

Sept. 26 Belmont Abbey College, 6 p.m. at East Gaston High School

Sept. 28 at University of North Carolina, 1 p.m.

Sept. 28 North Carolina A&T, 4 p.m. (at UNC)

Sept. 29 Lenoir-Rhyne University, noon at East Gaston High School

Oct. 5 University of Mount Olive, 12:30 p.m. at Elon University

Oct. 5 at Elon University, 3 p.m.

Oct. 10 at Gardner-Webb University, 6 p.m.

Oct. 12 at Belmont Abbey College, 1 p.m.

Oct. 17 at UNC Charlotte, 6 p.m.

Oct. 19 N.C. State University, noon at Campbell University

Oct. 29 Queens University, 6 p.m. at Gastonia's CaroMont Health Park

Nov. 9 Gaston College Alumni, 11 a.m. at Gastonia's CaroMont Health Park

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!

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

 Gaston County JobsLPN, RN $25-$42 hr, Pediatric Dental Asst. $23 hr, School Psychologist from $50 hr, CIPP operator $21.50-$28hr, IT Helpdesk Technician, and more...Info...