Good morning, it's David. Today is Tuesday, June 29th.
Today we will have intervals of clouds and sun with a shower or thunderstorm in spots as a tropical rainstorm goes by, and a high of 88 . Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low of 69.
Fireworks Scheduled
Yes, we ran this last week, but we had the wrong address for the Dallas fireworks...Plus we've added some events, so here you go! .
Thursday July 1, Downtown Mt. Holly 6:30 pm
US National Whitewater Center Sat July 3rd, and Sun July 4th
Sun July 4th downtown Gastonia 9:30-10:30pm
Sun July 4th Cloninger Park, 305 West Church St, Dallas, 6-9 pm
Sun July 4th City of Gastonia 6--9 pm
Sat July 3rd downtown Cramerton 7-11 pm
Fri Jul 2nd Harper Park, Stanley 5 pm until..Parking at Stanly Pentecostal Holiness for a shuttle to the park
Sun July 4th, Red, White, & Belmont, Belmont downtown, 6-10:30 pm
Monday July 5th Honey Hunters Fireworks Extravaganza, CaroMont Health Park
First Million Dollar Vaccine Winner
Shelly Wyramon is the first million dollar vaccine recipient winner. Wyramon, a 45 year old teacher, said she said she got the shot in order to spend more time with the people she loves, and the children she teaches. This is the first of 4 random drawings for those vaccinated. The next drawing is July 7.
Gaston County employees that make $50, $75, $100 an hour
Some Gaston County employees earn pretty nifty salaries. We haven't checked to see what other North Carolina counties pay, but we thought you might be interested in this list of folks that make at least $50 an hour, or approximately $104,000 annually, or more.
Let us know what you think of these salaries
We did not include salaries of some of the lowest paid- which include EMT Basic positions. These jobs start at around $13.29 an hour. To compare, a full time transporter (driver) makes $13.39 an hour- and no life or death decisions to worry about. Full time library assistants make $14.85 an hour, animal care aides make $13.79 an hour. We also noticed that Gaston County has five EMS and EMT positions open, some since March of 2020. When you can make more driving a van, working in the library, or feeding the animals, why subject yourself to auto crashes and the like for less money? Maybe it's time to consider getting these salaries in line with the stress and responsibility involved.
NC State angry, confused after removal from College World Series
NC State will not be playing in the College World series, after one player tested positive for Covid, and after contact tracing, only 13 of 27 players were cleared to play.
Coach Elliot Avent wouldn't answer when asked if he encouraged his players to get vaccinated. He said they could decide for themselves. He also declined to answer when asked if he himself was vaccinated.
The NCAA requires unvaccinated players, coaches and staff to undergo COVID-19 testing every other day at championship sites. The Wolfpack had at least one player test positive on Thursday, and that triggered contact tracing procedures led to 13 other players being ruled out of Friday's game.
Neighborhood bear?
A black bear was spotted last week on East Florida Avenue in Bessemer City. Citizens are advised to stay away from the bear and not to leave any picnic baskets out in the open.
Gaston County Police are seeking the public's help in locating Brent Caleb Blackmon. Blackmon, 39, was last seem walking on Perfection Avenue in Belmont on June 17. Anyone whos sees Blackmon or has information on his whereabouts is urged to contact Detective B. Dalton with the Gaston County Police Department at 704-866-3320.
Jazz at the Garden
Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden and Live On Stage Productions are proud to present Jazz at The Garden the first Thursday of each month through October. The July show will feature The Reggie Buie Jazz Group. Bring your lawn chair and a picnic to enjoy with the show. (Large coolers, alcoholic beverages, tents and umbrellas not permitted).
Update, Sold Out: The Garden will be keeping a waiting list and guests can email [email protected] to put their name on the list if tickets become available or if seating capacity increases.
Check out this sampler from Cherub's in downtown Belmont- chicken salad, side salad, and fresh fruit cup.Yum!
River Jam at the Whitewater Center
Lots of cool music coming up at the Whitewater Center. $6 to park, music and entrance is free. Performances begin at 7 pm.
Coming up:
July 1: Underground Springhouse
July 2nd: Truett
July 3rd: Con Brio
July 4th: Moon Taxi
Gastonia Farmer's Market adding evening hours
Check out the Gastonia Farmer's Market this Thursday July 1st for their Evening Market!
In addition to the regular Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday (7:30am-12:30pm) hours we are adding Thursday evenings from 5pm until 8pm.
Looking for live music this weekend?
Our sources tell us you can find live music at these restaurants (check with the individual venue before you go)
Freeman's Pub -Gastonia
Nellie's Southern Kitchen-Belmont
The Lodge Tavern & Tap-Belmont
The Pickle bar & Bistro-Dallas
The Bottle Tree has a Sunday concert series- Belmont
The Pita Wheel- Gastonia
Rusty Rabbit- Dallas
Area Chambers Rank on Charlotte Business Journal List
The Gaston Business Association ranked 3rd in Chamber revenue with $882,000 in 2020. The Montcross Area Chamber ranked 14th, with revenue of $227,072. Almost all Chambers showed a loss in revenue for 2020, except for the Gaston Business Association, which had an increase.
According to his Facebook post, Preston Brown was walking away from Hounds Drive-In, citing family conflict with a sibling as the reason. But hold the phone- now he announcing that he is back...See his posts here...
No one in Gaston County has died of Covid since last Tuesday!
No families have lost a loved one since last Tuesday to Covid! So far Gaston County has lost 446 people to the virus. Right now we have no people on a vent, 5 people hospitalized, and have had 27,195 total cases. In North Carolina, 54% of adults have received at least one dose of the vaccine — behind the national rate of 63%. At least 1,012,343 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 13,412 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
Read more here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article252378553.html?#storylink=cpy
Red Raider to be retired?
Last Monday's school board meeting had plenty of people show up with opinions about the South Point Red Raider. At issue is an Native American mascot portrayed with red skin.
Although about 20 people spoke on the issue, both pro and con, the school board did not make a decision.
Many people who spoke at the meeting feel that "Red Raider" mascot is racist and divisive, and should be retired.
The Red Raider has been the school mascot since 1947.
Gaston County Jobs
Accounts payable from $20 hr, Data entry from $19, Warehouse operations $19.60 hr, Gastonia Paralegal/legal asst $18-$21, Customer Service Rep City of Gastonia $33-$44k yr, and more.
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 your new best friend!
Meet Callie, she is a 1.5 year old terrier mix. Callie has lots of energy and loves to play. She is very sweet and gets along with other dogs. Callie would do best with kids over 8 years old. She is spayed, microchipped and up to date on vaccines.
