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Bolton's Curbside Cookery is close to opening in Mount Holly! Here's their sneak peek video.

Building Bolton's Going from a food truck to our first brick & mortar location has been an experience. This is a small compelation of moments throughout the up fit process fro...

What's Happening In Gaston County

🟨 Gaston County making $2 million investment in lifesaving technology

Gaston County is one of just three agencies across the country to invest in new Lifepak 35, a new life-saving cardiac monitoring device. Gaston County is spending $2 million, buying 38 of the $50,000 devices.

“Anytime we have the opportunity to be the first at something, we try to seize that opportunity, and in this case, we are going to be the first in North Carolina to put the Lifepak 35 into service,” said Deputy Chief Jamie McConnell.

Approximately 200 first responders are learning to use the machines.

“The new technology that this offers and the promise of future developments with this technology the way they’ve allowed it to adapt to new technologies, it’s definitely going to increase survivability for our patients,” said McConnell.

The new technology should be deployed by September 3rd.

🟨 Eastridge Mall planning to close bottom floor

According to Eastridge Mall manager Stephen Stout, all of the retail stores on the first floor will move to the second floor by the end of the summer. Essentially, that will make the mall one level and will affect about 15 businesses.

Nowadays, the mall doesn't depend on just retail, however. There is a CDL driving school, the Republican Party Headquarters, a church, and the DMV has been there for quite some time.

“In order to survive, we have to bring in different types of tenants especially non-retail which we have been very fortunate in order to be able to do,” said Stout.

🟨 Stanley to build to police department, funded by grant $$$

Stanley is going to build a new 100,000 sq. ft. police station. The funds come from a $4.2 million grant from the state.

The new station will be modeled after the police station in Maiden, NC.

The new station will be built across from the Stanley Branch of the Gaston Public Library, which is on North Peterson Street. No Stanley tax money will be used for the building. Construction is expected to begin in 2025.

Firehawk Brewpub has closed

Don't forget to vote on the next name for the Gastonia Baseball Club!

Don't forget to vote now for your favorite "What If" team name! Use the link below to cast your vote by this Friday, August 30 at 11:59pm!
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Which team name should the Gastonia Baseball Club be? ➡️ bit.ly/3SVyLbi

This Week's Top Stories

① Webb Custom Kitchen named 16th best restaurant in NC

Webb Custom Kitchen keeps racking up the awards. They were recently named the 16th best restaurant in North Carolina by Yelp.

Yelpers say:

"We had such a good time! The service was so detailed, on top of things, and just a general delight. All around just absolutely delicious. My raspberry 'Rita with a straw was beautiful and refreshing. But the space! Just really amazing and unique. I've wanted to check it out for a few years and so glad we finally did."

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② Gaston County to receive $40 million in opioid settlement

Gaston County will receive $40 million over 18 years as part of an opioid settlement. According to Gaston Emergency Medical Services, there have been 326 opioid-related deaths since 2021.

The settlement started in 2022 with $11 million received as of this fiscal year. So far, more than $4 million has gone into naloxone, programs, and treatment plans.

"By putting naloxone in the community, by having our community paramedic program which can assist with bringing folks back to life, with having our recovery transportation so that if people want to actively participate in treatment, they have do not have a barrier," said Gregory Grier, Director of Gaston County Community Support Services.

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③ An Issue with School Kids and Chick-Fil-A

According to estimates, approximately 250 kids cross the street from South Point High School to Belmont Town Center every day after school. Chic-fil-A is not the only business that has posted signs to keep kids from loitering in or around their establishments.

Gaston County school officials say they are not considering staggering start times that might help address traffic and parking issues.

Eastridge Mall to close bottom floor - https://mailchi.mp/428c3d94ad20/eastridge-mall-to-close-bottom-floor

In Case You Missed It: Gastonia bee mural part of larger effort

Have you seen the bees on the building at 127 West Main in Gastonia? Matt Willey is the New York artist who painted the mural, at what was formerly the Hive, a business that was owned by Merryman Cassels.

Matt is the founder of The Good of the Hive. The project started with a bee in his apartment and has led to murals all over the US, with murals in Gastonia and Charlotte. Matt hopes to eventually paint 50,000 bees, the number of bees in a normal hive.

🐶 Meet Elmer

Breed: Terrier, Manchester mix
Age: 5 years

Currently being fostered.

He's ready for a good home! See him and other adoptable pets: https://egov.gastongov.com/adoptablepets/

What's Happening In Gaston County: Development

🟨 Piedmont Lithium suspends Tennessee plans, on hold in Gaston County

Piedmont Lithium has suspended plans to open a lithium hydroxide processing facility in Etowah, Tennessee, deciding instead to include that capability in the Gaston County plant.

Their Gaston County plans are apparently on hold as well. The company says they are "progressing the development of Carolina Lithium on a conservative timeline."

The company has not received the Gaston County rezoning that would be required for the project.

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🟨 New W.P. Grier Middle School under construction

The new school is located at East Garrison Boulevard, on the former athletic fields of the existing school. The current building will be razed for a new sports complex.

The school should be operational in August 2025, but the football, softball, and baseball fields will not be ready until 2026.

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🟨 Mount Holly seeks developer for Veterans' Park expansion project

The City of Mount Holly is seeking interested developers to implement a 4.8-acre, mixed-use catalyst project. The City intends to foster and encourage the expansion of Veterans' Park for Mount Holly and the region while retaining a 2.28-acre adjacent assemblage of parkland.

Amenities will include an amphitheater, splash pad, mixed-use development, and parking. Once completed, the park’s location will serve as the epicenter of the expanded downtown district and the Municipal Complex.

The submission deadline is Friday, October 11, 2024 by 4:00 PM.

This Week's Top Stories

① Tito's Vodka partnering with local Animal League

Tito's Handmade Vodka is partnering with the Animal League of Gaston County to help build a new animal hospital. The Animal League is building a new low-cost, full-service animal hospital, and Tito's is matching donations up to $60,000 through the end of the year.

“We’re so thankful for Tito’s support of our matching campaign,” said Terry Kenny, CEO of the Animal League of Gaston County. “We want to help as many pets as possible, and through this clinic, we’ll be able to! Tito’s match will give us a significant boost, and we’re confident that the Gaston County community will help us raise the rest.”
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② Gastonia's micro-transit a victim of its own success

Gastonia recently stopped bus service, adding small vans, known as micro-transit, instead. Just one month into the new service, Go Gastonia has already provided more than 16,000 rides.

Problems occur when the vans don't show up, riders have long wait times, or aren't picked up at all. The city is looking into potential remedies, including adding more vehicles or possibly having one bus run a daily route. Gastonia still owns buses, but repairs are expensive along with daily operational costs of up to $1,000.

According to Randi Gates, Gastonia's Director of Transportation, the new Go Gastonia program has taken off harder and faster than comparable programs.
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③ Belmont PD captures horse on I-85

With the help of Belmont resident Efrain Garcia, the Belmont Police Department captured a horse on northbound I-85 on Saturday. In a Facebook post, the police department said, “We could not have done this without his help!”

The horse, who was driving without a license, was unharmed.

A horse on I-85, bees in downtown Gastonia, K-9 picture day - https://mailchi.mp/85cc57d043b8/a-horse-on-i-85-bees-in-downtown-gastonia-k-9-picture-day

In Case You Missed It: Simone Biles and Co. are coming to Charlotte

Simone Biles, along with teammates Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, and members from the Men’s Gymnastics Team USA, including Frederick Richard, Brody Malone, Paul Joda, and pommel horse “specialist” Stephen Nedoroscik, will be at Spectrum Center on October 9th.

Info:

This pop concert-style spectacle will showcase athletic brilliance and championship journeys. The Athleta Presents Gold Over America Tour is an exhilarating display of jaw-dropping athleticism and high-energy choreography with an inspirational message of hope, strength, resilience, and determination.

Tickets: https://www.goldoveramericatour.com/goat/tickets.html

“(The jokes) don’t bother me. I laugh all the way to the bank.”

Don't Laugh, Charlotte. The Gateway to Gastonia is Growing. - Charlotte Magazine For a century or more, Gastonia—and, more broadly, Gaston County—has been a reliable regional punching bag.

Coming Up

Saturday, August 17: NC BeachBlast Festival at Patriot's Park Amphitheater

August 23-25: Bon Temps Paddle Battle at Lake Wylie

Saturday, August 24: Battle of the Paddle Pickleball Tournament at Warlick Family YMCA

What's Happening in Gaston County

🟨 Hunter Huss to begin offering cosmetology program

Gaston County Schools will begin offering a cosmetology program at Hunter Huss High School as part of Gaston County Schools' Career and Technical Education Program.

Seniors will complete one year at Hunter Huss and three terms at Gaston College.

Juniors will complete two years in the program at Hunter Huss and two terms at Gaston College.

Upon completion, students will be eligible to take the state exam to become licensed cosmetologists.

🟨 Gaston College hires Benny Moss as the new basketball coach.

Gaston College's new basketball coach has a familiar name for local UNC Charlotte graduates. After all, Benny Moss is connected to the two winningest coaches in Charlotte 49ers' basketball history, Jeff Mullins and Bobby Lutz -- and we expect Lutz to become a frequent Gaston College supporter.

Moss was recruited to UNC Charlotte by Jeff Mullins before later playing and coaching for Bobby Lutz. Moss' connection to Lutz dates back to his high school career. Moss' coach, Mike Burge, regularly took his East Surry High team to Pfeiffer College camps when Lutz was the head coach.

Keep reading: https://gastonalive.com/2024/08/gaston-college-hires-benny-moss-as-the-new-basketball-coach/

This Week's Top Stories

① Back to School for the 2024-25 School Year

Gaston County Schools will welcome approximately 30,000 students (pre-kindergarten through high school) to its 56 schools when the yellow buses roll and school bells ring on Wednesday.

Elementary and middle schools begin school at 7:30 a.m. and conclude at 2:30 p.m. High schools begin at 8:30 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m.

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② Hangar 618 project in the FUSE District

The Hangar 618 project in the FUSE District was originally slated to be completed in spring 2023. We are hearing that permitting and utilities are taking longer than expected. A possible opening is 90 days away.

The project is at 618 West Franklin Boulevard and was part of the old Coca-Cola complex.

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③ Store Closings

Conn's Home Plus is closing all stores after filing for bankruptcy in July. This includes the Gastonia store. Badcock Home Furnishings, owned by Conn's, is also closing all stores, including the Gastonia store.

Both stores are offering 30-50% discounts online and in-store.

Big Lots, too, is struggling, closing up to 315 locations this year. That represents about 22% of its current 1389 stores. The Belmont store is safe for now.

https://gastonalive.com/

In case you missed it: The New York Butcher Shoppe broke ground this week in downtown Belmont.

NY Butcher Shoppe is a Charlotte-based butcher that serves fresh meat, specialty items, deli sandwiches, prepared foods, and wine.

We'll update you know we know more-- don't miss an update! Sign up for our weekly newsletter: https://gastonalive.us19.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=7e64053ef4aa62bba3acc2963&id=8218df9aba

Photo courtesy of The New York Butcher Shoppe- Greater Charlotte Area

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: https://gastonalive.com/advertise-with-us/

Got plans this weekend? Take a look at these upcoming events:

Friday, August 9: Bailey Marie Griggs at Coyote Joe's in Charlotte

Saturday, August 10: Create Fairy Gardens at The Stowe Family YMCA

Saturday, August 17: NC BeachBlast Festival at Patriot's Park Amphitheater

What's Happening in Gaston County

🟨 Virtual Walking Tour of Downtown Being Developed

Tom Hauer is working with Gastonia Beautiful, Inc., to develop an online walking tour of Downtown Gastonia. This is one of the first photos he has taken for the project.

This is the George W. Ragan building on East Main. Built in 1912, it was originally four stores with offices on the second floor. The owner did a terrific job of restoration-- looks great!

🟨 Gaston County Schools' Gardening Program

Summertime means being in the garden, and that’s exactly what is happening at Gaston County Schools’ Dora Humphrey School Nutrition Center in Lowell.

An area that once served as a ball field and playground is now an expansive vegetable and herb garden that yields hundreds of pounds of produce.

Best of all, the locally-grown food is making its way to Gaston County school cafeterias.

The farm-to-school program started two years ago with the help of the Gaston County Cooperative Extension Service’s master gardeners. It has grown since then; veggies such as tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, zucchini, and a variety of herbs are harvested each week by the bucket loads.

The food is prepped, bagged, and frozen for use in dishes that students will enjoy when they return to school. Some of the food has been used over the past two months in the school district’s summer meals program.

This Week's Top Stories

① Ranlo's Kaylyn Brown has won a silver medal as part of the 4x400 mixed relay team at the Olympics.

Kaylyn attended Brookside Elementary and Holbrook Middle before graduating from Mallard Creek High School in Charlotte. She now attends the University of Arkansas.

When not at school or traveling to competitions, Kaylyn lives in Ranlo with her parents.

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② Autobell awards scholarships to local students

Autobell Car Wash has presented two local students with scholarships. Autobell instituted its scholarship program in 2000 to recognize the exceptional achievements of its employees and support their academic endeavors. Since then, the program has awarded more than $2.3 million in scholarships to over 2,000 applicants.

The 2024 Autobell scholarship recipients who are employed at Autobell in Gaston County are:
∙ Cole Donaldson: Works in Gastonia and attends Frostburg State University
∙ Dominic Holmstrom: Works in Gastonia and attends Southern New Hampshire University

Ranlo's Kaylyn Brown wins silver! New York Butcher Shoppe coming to Belmont? - https://mailchi.mp/470f13074197/ranlos-kaylyn-brown-wins-silver-new-york-butcher-shoppe-coming-to-belmont

Dave Killian, in concert tonight! You don't want to miss out on this opportunity for a fun evening of music, cold beverages and a food truck. Tickets are free to Museum Members and available for $5 through Eventbrite for the general public.
Come on out with your friends and family!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/blues-out-back-is-back-tickets-948294673897?aff=oddtdtcreator