I don’t write but about ten checks per year, if that. But it always takes me a bit to actually write the current new year. So 2026 checks and contracts may have 2025 for at least a month or two….

Is Gaston County headed in the right direction? Be sure to check out this week’s poll at the end of the newsletter!

Today's weather: Today will be cooler with plenty of sunshine, and a high of 44.

Tonight: Clear with a low of 28. Winter is back….

A $2 million Powerball ticket was sold at the Food Lion on South New Hope Road on Saturday, December 13th. The lucky player purchased a $3 Power Play ticket which matched the numbers on all five white balls. The player has not been identified.

The odds of matching numbers on all five white balls are 1 in 11.6 million.

Zawyer Sports and Entertainment-owners of The Gastonia Ghost Peppers and the Charlotte Checkers- are in talks with the City of Charlotte and private developers to build a multi-use ice rink in Charlotte. The location will be Eastland Yards, which is the former location of Eastland Mall.

Some of you may remember Eastland Mall, which was there from 1975 to 2010, and the ice rink that was a featured part of the mall. If constructed, the new facility was have 2 full size rinks. One would be used as a Checkers practice facility, but both would be available to the public for public use, including youth and adult hockey, and access for special needs and more.

Olde Meckelneburg Brewery kicked off it’s Mount Holly venue 13 months ago, but was delayed when construction costs soared by 25%. The delay let OMB management step back and review and streamline plans.

Plans call for a 7000 square foot taproom and brauhaus. The venue will have indoor dining and a covered patio. A biergarten will surround the venue on three sides.

OMB has combined two different real estate parcels in Mount Holly. The first they purchased from the City of Mount Holly for $200k. The second one acre parcel they purchased from Duke Energy for $100k. “Our third brauhaus and biergarten will be a uniquely serene setting for folks to relax with friends while overlooking the Catawba River in Mount Holly,”said John Marrino, OMB founder.

They have a September 2026 tentative opening date.

Dennis Hamlin, father of NASCAR driver Denny Hamlin has died in a house fire on Blacksnake Road in Stanley. His mother, Mary Lou, was transferred from CaroMont to Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Burn Center in Winston-Salem, where she is being actively treated.

The fire was fought by companies from Gaston and Lincoln Counties. Pictures showed huge flames, with most of the home being destroyed by the time the fire was out. There were no fire hydrants nearby, so water had to be brought in by truck.

Start your membership for just $1 and dive into everything the Gaston County Family YMCA has to offer, including pools, classes, gyms, and Childwatch. No dues until January 2026! Click to learn more. 

From Miami Fusion in Lowell: Shrimp & Grits-yum!

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106 W Dallas Rd., Stanley, NC 28164

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Last weeks poll: How do you feel about Christmas music? “ I love it- more please!” came in at 38%. “A little is okay” came in at 50%. “Please stop, you’re making my ears bleed” came in at 12%.