Good morning, it's David. Today is Tuesday March 16th. Spring is 4 days away! Daylight savings time started this weekend-so more time to be outdoors after work!
Today will be cloudy with occasional rain, with a high of 50. Tonight there will be low clouds, and a low of 45.
The Garden is excited to announce that admissions are opening to the general public beginning on March 17. We appreciate your support as we have navigated the guidelines from government and health officials over the past year. All outdoor areas of the Garden (including Lost Hollow) will be reopening to the public for General Admission. At this time, only the Orchid Conservatory will remain closed to comply with current Covid-19 protocols for indoor spaces.
Tickets will no longer need to be purchased in advance for General Admission. Operating hours for the Garden will be from Wednesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. beginning March 17. Visit our website to learn more about operating hours and admissions procedures as we safely open the Garden to the public.
Crowder's Mountain had 79,805 visitors in January, according to the State Parks and Recreation Department. At that rate,visitation numbers will easily surpass 2018 numbers.
Visitation fell in 2018 because it seemed like it rained every Friday night, and again in 2019 because of Covid. Crowder's traffic has increased substantially over the years, from about 320,000 people in 2012 to 895,000 in 2018
Mt. Holly Community Garden holds workday
The Mt. Holly Community Garden is a local treasure. Saturday was a workday. Workers were busy building and lining new raised beds. More...
Dorothy Lowery has passed away
Dorothy Lowery, President of BREAD Food Bank in Gastonia for over 25 years, passed away at age 94 on March 12th. She had an eventful life, which included service in China and the Middle East. Read Ben Dungan's piece about Dorothy from 2017 here...
She will be dearly missed.
Bi-Lo leaving Charlotte metro market- including Stanley
Southeastern Grocers is phasing out the Bi-Lo brand entirely, and closing the last 3 regional stores. Each of those stores are slated to close April 11, with close-out sales beginning this week. My wife and I met at the Bi-Lo in Belmont years ago- we keep hoping they will put a Trader Joes there!
Duke out of the big dance
Duke pretty much had to win the ACC tournament to go to the NCAA tournament, but with a Covid positive test result that looks doubtful. Duke athletic director Kevin White say Duke's season is over.
However, even if Duke is not one of the 68 teams in the field, this year, unlike others, could provide a backdoor for the program to sneak in. Because of concerns related to COVID, the selection committee this season will name four replacement teams -- which would in essence be the 69th, 70th, 71st and 72nd teams -- that would slot in to the bracket should one of the other 68 teams be forced to withdraw from the field.
Virginia is also out due to Covid.
Some Outer Banks beaches are shrinking 14 feet per year
Can local municipalities raise taxes enough to fight back?
In Avon, homeowners are facing a possible tax increase of 50%. Will it be enough? Does it make sense, or will the sea eventually win regardless? More..
Mt. Holly boasts 3 black owned businesses on Central Ave.
An event venue, a specialty popcorn store, and a seafood shop are all located on Central Avenue in Mount Holly, and they are all black owned. More...
ABB Baldor Plant in Kings Mountain closing- a loss of 379 jobs
ABB Baldor has announced that they are closing their Kings Mountain plant. A plant in Shelby has already closed. Baldor makes electric motors used primarily in the oil, gas, and mining industries, industries which have experienced a downturn.
Baldor Kings Mountain had a reputation for very little turnover. I have had workers there tell me that if someone went to work there, that they never left. Times change.
Bob Morgan, who led the Charlotte Chamber from 2005 to 2018, will head the South Carolina Chamber of Commerce beginning next month, He led the Gaston Chamber from 2002-2005, and has been with the law firm of Robinson Bradshaw since 2018 as Director of Public Affairs.
Save the date: See Blues Traveler perform at "A Night at the Drive-In" on April 10 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The event, presented by PNC, will benefit Atrium Health's Levine Children's Hospital. Get tickets or sponsor a frontline healthcare hero.
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.
Over 1.7 million people in North Carolina, about 17% of the state, have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine as of Friday.
Read more here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/article249717018.html#storylink=cpy
6 Gaston County people have died of Covid-19 since last Tuesday
6 is still too many
We have had 24,267 positive Gaston County Covid19 tests to date, and 405 people have died due to the virus. Currently 16 people are hospitalized, and 0 people are on a ventilator. The largest group affected is ages 25-49. See interactive graphic here...
Gaston County Jobs
AT&T retail sales $45k, Sales Inspector $40k, Entry Level Automotive Service Advisor $40k, Production worker $15 hr and more.
Oops! Finish Line Christian Center may have to tear down new facade
Finish Line Christian Center in downtown Mount Holly recently replaced their front facade with North Carolina stone. Unfortunately, they did not file for a permit from the City of Mount Holly first, and natural stone is not an approved material for a downtown footprint. Finish Line applied for a permit (after the fact) and was denied. They City is saying they can appeal or remove the facade. (per Donnie Beard on FB)
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 Bobo-your new best friend!
Meet Bobo, he is a 2 year old chihuahua. He weighs 5 pounds. Bobo is very sad, his human dad had to go to a nursing home. He is looking for a forever home. Bobo is neutered, microchipped and up to date on vaccines.
