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Nope, not Gaston County. This is St. Thomas.

Good morning, it's David. Today is Tuesday February 23rd. Spring is 26 days away.
Today we will have plenty of sun, and a high of 66 (yes, really). Tonight will be mainly clear, with a low of 36.

Senator Richard Burr has announced that he is not running for a fourth term in 2022. So who is running?

So far U.S. Rep Mark Walker, Republican has announced. So have two Democrats. Former N.C. Senator Erica Smith and State Senator Jeff Jackson.

Who is considering running? Republicans who have either considered or are being talked about are former Republican Governor Pat McCrory, Republican Lara Trump, Democrat Cherie Beasley, and Republican U.S. Rep Ted Budd.
There is also talk about Republican Tim Moore, N.C. Speaker of the House, whose term will end in time for him to run in 2022.

No opening date set

Gastonia's Honey Hunters baseball team will play in the beautiful new FUSE stadium in Gastonia, but the opening date is not set. However, the Atlantic League of Professional Baseballs season is set to begin Friday May 28th, about 5 weeks later than usual.
Normally teams play a 140 game season, with 70 home games, but that remains to be seen this year.

Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia 5th in Positive business sentiment

We fared well in a recent Census Bureau Small Business Pulse Survey. Although business expectations were depressed nationwide, less than 2% of businesses have closed due to Covid. However, many saw decreased profits due to the pandemic.

Charlotte, North Carolina’s metro area (which includes Gaston County) has just 39.6% of small businesses that don’t expect to return to normal operations within six months or ever, the smallest percentage we observed in the study for this metric. The Charlotte metro area also finishes fifth in terms of the percentage of small businesses currently operating at normal levels, at 32.3%. It finishes in the bottom half of the study in terms of small businesses with at least three months of cash on hand, at just 24.0%.

Habitat Mortgages mostly on track

Habitat for Humanity of Gaston mortgages are fairly on track. There are approximately 75 active mortgages in Gaston County. Many of them were helped by the Virus Relief Fund, which was funded in part by the United Way, Gaston Community Foundation, and others.
The fund actually gave three different grants to help Habitat homeowners with payments. Some homeowners were given forbearance, which means they still paid taxes and escrow, but not principal, as many homeowners were laid off or lost their jobs due to the virus.
Find out more about the Virus Releiv

Some Covid restrictions to end?

Gov. Roy Cooper is working on a new Covid executive order that could relax statewide restrictions. Some of the rules ripe for revisions include “gathering limits, the nightly curfew and limits on alcohol sales,” Spectrum News reported. Covid numbers have been dropping in recent weeks. The existing executive order with most Covid rules is scheduled to expire Sunday.

CATS to present staff recommendations for LYNX Silver Line

Virtual meeting time and link:

Focus Area 1: Wilkinson Boulevard (City of Belmont to I-485)

Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 5:30 p.m.

https://youtu.be/tv87wznhqHs

To join via phone dial: +1 646-558-8656

Webinar ID: 810 9897 2452

You can also submit questions or comments here: [email protected]
For general info here..

Sake Express is excited to announce the reopening of its Gastonia-location dining room. Following nearly a full year of closure due to COVID-19, extensive renovations bring a refreshed aesthetic to the restaurant, slated to reopen on March 1.

Small businesses make communities feel like home. They do more than sell products, they foster a sense of community. It's no secret that many small businesses have been struggling.

Has a small business, shopkeeper, or employee been especially kind to you, or gone the extra mile when they really didn't have to? Tell us about it, and we'll share in an upcoming newsletter.

Claire Nicholson loves On Track Yoga Mount Holly!

"On Track Yoga in Mount Holly!!! They’re not just yoga - they are a community! They truly love the entire community of people and animals. They do fund raisers for families in need. They reach out to make sure all are not only physically healthy, but emotionally, mentally and spiritually healthy as well. And, unlike many other yoga studios who opened with complete disregard to social distancing or the governor’s mandates, OTY followed the rules and was able to pivot and connect with the community safely - and their community responded. The instructors are multi-talented and have phenomenal masks (!!) and holistic products for sale also. Just can’t say enough great things about OTY!! " - Claire Nicholson
On Track Yoga

Covid-19 Stops With You!

Covid-19 vaccinations delayed by winter storm

Vaccinations rescheduled for this Friday, February 26.

Find out which group you are in with this graphic.

Get added to the list , or call 704-866-3170.

Get more info here...

Experts say that we need to get to 65%-85% vaccination status before we will begin to see herd immunity.

Herd immunity occurs when enough people become immune to a disease to make its spread unlikely. As a result, the entire community is protected, even those who are not themselves immune. Herd immunity is usually achieved through vaccination, but it can also occur through natural infection.

Find out more

Charlotte Football Club first Major League Soccer team to require PSL's

A PSL (Permanent Seat License) will be required to purchase season tickets for the Charlotte Football Club in all areas except the Supporters Section, which will be general admission.
Season tickets range from $486 to $2250, not including the PSL.
Many fans are unhappy about ticket prices and PSL fees. “Most expensive seats in the league and the only team with PSLs, going to price out a lot of people with this!” one commenter wrote. Another commented, “I would 100% have bought season tickets for my family and I but on principal will have to decline. I will not buy into the racket of PSLs. They have no place in this sport or this league.” Tickets and seating chart here

Coronavirus deaths top 500,000-about the population of Atlanta

President Joe Biden will order flags to be flown at half mast for the next 5 days to honor the dead. 500,000 is twice the number lost during WWll. There have been more than 2.4 million deaths worldwide.

9 Gaston County people have died of Covid-19 since last Tuesday

Wear a mask!

We have had 23,335 positive Gaston County Covid tests to date, and 388 people have died due to the virus. Currently 37 people are hospitalized, and 1 person is on a ventilator. The largest group affected is ages 25-49. See interactive graphic here...

Exciting News! The

Town of Cramerton, NC

has approved the extension and improvements of the Carolina Thread Trail from Rocky Branch Park in Belmont through to Eagle road in Cramerton. A huge thank you to everyone involved and all of the community support!

Tarheel Trailblazers

Community Trail Design, LLC

@gastonoutside #RideRBP #HikeRBP #WalkRBP #gastoncounty #Cramerton #Belmont

Thought you needed a lil sumthin sumthin to drool over- if you love green olives! This is a green olive pizza from Sal's Pizzaria.
Check it out here

Gaston County Jobs

New home consultant, Relationship Banker, Secret Service criminal Investigator, Police Officer-City of Gastonia $38k-$70k, Vacation consultant Expedia Cruises, and more.

Gaston jobs here...

Looking for employees? Did you know that our "Who's Hiring in Gaston County?" is consistently one of our most clicked links? Contact us to find out more...

Interested in becoming a featured partner and reaching people all across Gaston County? Our advertising team can help. Contact us today to talk about how we can help your business thrive.

Meet Sophie-your new best friend!

Say hello to:

Sophie (A46609776) a energetic 2 year old Terrier, American Pit Bull mix that weighs 39lbs. This girl is looking for a home that has lots of room to play and run Sophie loves toys of all kinds and treats as well!! This cheerful girl will definitely put a smile on your face.

Sophie’s adoption fee is $90 and includes the following: Her spay, Microchip, Vaccinations, and other vetting.

Stop in and play with Sophie today!! Not yet approved? Fill out our adoption questionnaire at: https://www.cognitoforms.com/Gaston.../AdoptionQuestionnaire

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