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My sister Stephanie's strawberries...
Good morning, it's David. Today is Tuesday, May 18th.
You got your strawberry pie, strawberry jam, strawberry muffins, strawberry cake with strawberry frosting, you got your strawberry shortcake, strawberry oatmeal bars, and 400 strawberry desserts. Strawberries are in!
Today there will be times of clouds and sun; with a high of 76. Tonight will be partly cloudy, with a low of 57.
Mask restrictions loosen-mostly
Governor Cooper dropped mask requirements in most settings Friday, but some businesses still require them. Here is a partial list:
Must still wear masks: Harris Teeter, Walgreens, Whole Foods, CVS, Target, Macy’s, The Home Depot, Bed Bath and Beyond, The Gap, Dollar General, Ulta, Spectrum Center (Charlotte Hornets), Blumenthal Performing Arts Center, Simon Property Group (SouthPark mall, Concord Mills)
Masks not required: Starbucks, Walmart, Costco, Trader Joe’s, Publix, BJ’s Wholesale Club, Truist Field (Charlotte Knights)
Gas- Is the tank half full, or half empty?
So lucky for us, North Carolina seems to be the epicenter of the gas shortage. As of Sunday morning about 59% of the states gas stations were out of fuel, but that's down from 74%. If you haven't already, you might consider downloading GasBuddy. It tells you where gas is and isn't, prices, etc.
Do you love movies? Gastonia's Regal Theater reopened May 14!
FUSE Stadium now Caromont Health Park
Gastonia Mayor Walker Reid, Caromont CEO Chris Peek, and Honey Hunters owner Brandon Bellamy all spoke at a ceremony yesterday announcing the new name of FUSE Stadium-now Caromont Health Park. Terms of the deal were ot disclosed. The Honey Hunters open at h9ome May 27.
Gastonia's Back Yard Burger Kicking it
In spite of the pandemic Gastonia's Back Yard Burgers sales are 10% over projections. Former Panther's player Mushin Muhammed is 50% owner of Axum Partners. Axum Partners owns Back Yard Burgers.
The Gastonia store is the first of a new prototype for the brand. Their niche is what they call "better burgers". The restaurant cooks its 100% Angus beef patties over an open-flame grill with flavors such as honey BBQ, bacon avocado, black jack, mushroom Swiss and mac 'n' cheese.
The Gastonia store is located at 3415 East Franklin Blvd in Gastonia.
Have the Hornets lost that lovin' felling?
Charlotte has gone 3-9 over it's last 12 games, and whatever clutch magic they had earlier in the season seems to have disappeared.They lost twice this weekend in heart-breakers, games they could have, should have won.
The only good news is that if the Hornets do fail to advance out of the upcoming play-in tournament they drop back into the familiar ground of the NBA lottery, where at least they have a shot at getting another great player.
Today's Pacers-Hornets game is at 6:30 p.m. on TNT. If the Hornets lose to the Pacers, their season is over.
Read more here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/charlotte-hornets/article251455768.html?#storylink=cpy
Read more here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/scott-fowler/article251453853.html#storylink=cpy
Gaston College graduation held at FUSE Stadium
The FUSE Stadium was used in advance of the baseball season for Gaston College's graduation ceremony. The ceremony was held Friday morning, and 1825 students graduated under warm sunny skies. "There are no limits to your story of your success," said John Hauser, Gaston College president. "Take the momentum forward. Continue leading with the Gaston College spirit. You have the momentum and you're ready to continue to do big things. I'm excited for you."
Speaking of the FUSE Stadium
We may be getting a Division 1 playoff!
The FUSE Stadium is among 20 predetermined preliminary sites to host the 2021 NCAA Division 1 Baseball tournament. Out of the 20, the NCAA committee will choose 16 sites, Eight of the sixteen sites will then hold super regional games. How cool would it be to see some Division 1 baseball in Gastonia?
William George Holmes, 84, found safe
A Silver Alert was canceled after Mr. Holmes was found safe and is back at home in Gastonia. He was reported missing after last being seen at 6 PM Thursday.
How would you handle these situations:
A friend suddenly loses their job without warning
Someone stops you in a parking lot and asks for a handout
You are overwhelmed by your financial situation
A friend is bereaved or depressed
Your coworker asks you where he can get some parenting guidance
Most of us have seen signs that say "please be patient-we are short staffed", or "we are closed on Tuesday due to not having enough staff" at local restaurants. So, enter the robots? In case you were wondering, that's not a candy machine pictured above, actually it is a salad machine. Actually don't know of any in Gaston County yet, but it's a thought. Can I have some M&M's and Butterfinger sprinkles on that salad please?
Sunset paddle-boarding anyone?
What: For $25 you get a board, paddle, leash, and PFD belt. Where: 170 Lake Mist Drive, Belmont When: Tonight at 6:45 PM Details
The Mount Holly and Gastonia Farmer's Markets will be open Saturday
3 Gaston County people died of Covid since last Tuesday
3 families have lost a loved one since last Tuesday to Covid. So far Gaston County has lost 434 people to the virus. Right now we have 2 people on a vent, 20 people hospitalized, and have had 26,641 total cases.
The largest number of cases are in the 25-49 age range.
At least 989,338 people in North Carolina have tested positive for the coronavirus and 12,862 have died since March 2020, according to state health officials.
Read more here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/coronavirus/article251430793.html?#storylink=cpy
Duke Energy paid no federal income tax in 2020 despite turning a profit of more than $1 billion, WFAE reported. Duke was among at least 55 publicly traded companies that used lower tax rates and tax incentives to eliminate their federal liability.
You know it's a tight job market when Corporations start increasing minimum wages
. Amazon needs 75k new logistics employees and is offering an average starting wage of $17 (and up to $1k signing bonus) Chipotle wants to add 20k workers and is increasing average hourly wages to $15 by June Amazon needs 75k new logistics employees and is offering an average starting wage of $17 (and up to $1k signing bonus)
As a side note, Uber has reported that the median hourly income has reached $30 in several major cities.
You don't need a job if you win a $Mil in the lottery
I never play the lottery, but I love these "winning the lottery" stories. Wyshena Crank of Shelby stopped for a soda, and bought a lottery ticket. The ticket said that she won $1 million dollars. She said she couldn't believe it. “I finally looked at it two more times and then I just started crying,” she said, according to the release.
According to the lottery, Crank chose a lump sum of $600,000 over an annuity of $50,000 a year for 20 years and took home $424,503 after taxes.
Crank told lottery officials the win “feels great.”“I’ve had some repairs I’ve been trying to do to my grandmother’s house and since I won $1 million, I can buy her a brand new one now,” she told lottery officials.
Read more here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article251475563.html?#storylink=cpy
Read more here: https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/state/north-carolina/article251475563.html?#storylink=cpy
Gaston County Jobs
Body worn camera administrator, $30hr, Experienced dog trainers $17-$19hr, Laundry helper $15-$20hr, Store mgr trainee $23.50 hr, 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 Bella-your new best friend!
Meet Bella, she is a 5 year old Great Pyrenees. She weighs about 80 pounds. Bella is so sweet and loves everyone and is such a happy girl. Just look at that smiling face. Bella has always been an outside girl, but she has requested a home that she can live inside.
Bella is spayed, microchipped and up to date on vaccines.
