Belmont News

With what appears to be less than a 20% voter turnout, unofficial returns indicate Martha Stowe and Ron Foulk will join incumbent Charlie Flowers on the Belmont City Council. Reported returns are as follows:

Becky Burch 361 Irl Dixon 501 Charles Flowers 556 Dennis Boyce 230 Curtis Gaston 509 Ron Foulk 710 Richard Turner 517 Martha S. Stowe 852

It also appears that the park bonds have passed by a two to one margin.

Two men are facing charges after police say they kidnaped a taxi driver and beat him up Friday night in Belmont.

Drought and development threaten the source of life for our cities To understand the Catawba River and why our future depends on it, you must first hike up an old wagon trail through the Blue Ridge Mountains, ...

While a student at Belmont Central Elementary School has been diagnosed with MRSA, the infection hasn't spread, said school and health officials.

Entries are being accepted for the Belmont Christmas Parade scheduled for Dec. 4 at 4 p.m. The Belmont Chamber of Commerce coordinates the parade for the city.

Police charged a Belmont man with attempted murder Saturday after they say he broke into a 90-year-old man's home and tried to shoot him with a hunting rifle.

Monday night saw a crowd of around one hundred people as they gathered at Gaston College - East Campus to hear questions fielded to eight city council candidates. The event was co-sponsored by The Bannernews and the campus. Moderators were from Belmont Abbey College.

Candidates Dennis Boyce, Becky Burch, Irl Dixon, Charlie Flowers, Ron Foulk, Curtis Gaston, Martha Stowe, and Richard Turner, fielded questions ranging from park bonds to water usage from the Catawba River.

Boyce led off with a question about controlled growth. He stated -"I'd rather use the term 'managed' growth", and went on to discuss overcrowded schools and overtaxed infrastructure.

Burch stated that she was proud of the Montcross development and emphasized taking care of our senior citizens.

Dixon gave an explanation of the pending lawsuit against Cabarrus County for their plan to draw millions of gallons of water from the Catawba River. He expressed his opposition to their proposed usage.

Flowers stressed his long-time commitment to the city by serving on the police force and as a council member.

Foulk, a local principal for many years,cited his experience as an administrator as qualifications to serve on council.

Gaston drew a chuckle when he said he had been a "linthead" one summer while in high school, and expressed his view that Belmont needs a new identity.

Stowe, a teacher at South Point High School, gave enlightening information about past attempts to annex Stowe Botanical Gardens, and stated that she should be elected for her negotiating skills.

Turner, handing out fliers stating his position, concentrated on growth topics and pointed to Davidson as a good model for Belmont to emulate.

The forum refreshments were provided by the Republican and Democratic parties. The tone of the meeting was one of the most amiable and cordial seen in years.

Other attendees seated in the audience included Mayor Richard Boyce and council members Charlie Martin and Dick Cromlish.

“I like to spread everything out on top of the counter and let customers come in and try the pieces on.”

Belmont native and nationally known jewelry designer David Wysor recently moved back to the area to open a shop and studio at Lake Wylie.

After living in Philadelphia for more than two decades, Wysor was lured home by family ties, friendly people and a relaxed lifestyle.

Now local ladies will be among the first to see his new designs that blend gold, sterling silver and semi-precious stones.

'When I visited my family here, I didn't want to leave,' he says. 'I came home for Thanksgiving every year and once or twice in addition to that. One time in particular, I remember thinking, `Turn around, you fool. Why are you doing this? It's a wonderful place.' ' Read more

Belmont Police arrested a 19-year-old man early Saturday morning after a fight led to gunfire on Dillon Drive, according to arrest warrants. via The Gaston Gazette

“This year we took the walk off the street”

Folks will use foot power all over Gaston County in the next two weeks - to fight hunger at home and aross the world. via The Gaston Gazette

Halloween is still 12 days away, but retailers already are displaying their holiday decor and the Yuletide information has begun trickling into The Gazette's newsroom. via The Gaston Gazette

Halloween is still 12 days away, but retailers already are displaying their holiday decor and the Yuletide information has begun trickling into The Gazette's newsroom. via The Gaston Gazette

“And academically I fit in. The main thing was for them (other students) to realize the only difference between us was our skin. I was there to study just like them. And we were there to learn together.”

In My Opinion Gloria's back and she's got `A Great Little Place to Stay' So this was it.

'A Great Little Place to Stay.' The small B&B Gloria Sloan had recently opened at 311 Devine Ave. in Belmont.

I wondered why Sloan had moved over from Matthews to launch this project in her hometown. Belmont is a happening place these days, but Devine Avenue -- a quiet residential street away from downtown -- is not exactly where the action is.

As Sloan and I sat over coffee in her big new kitchen, I learned more about her decision. Read more

“This was all the rage in the eighth century . . . . They're fine for us.”

Nowhere in the strict rules formulated by St. Benedict, the Sixth Century founder of the Roman Catholic order of monks named for him, is there anything related to driving into a wall at 200 miles an hour. via Daytona Beach News-Journal Online

The Gaston County Health Department will have a flu shot clinic 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 29 at the East Gaston Clinic, 1122 S. Main St., Mount Holly.

Shots are available for everyone and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

Flu shots will cost $30 and pneumonia shots will cost $38. Those with Medicare, Medicaid and private insurance that covers the cost of the shots should bring their insurance cards.

Details: 704-862-6180; www.gastonpublichealth.org.

Basilica hosting concert today Read more

“He grabbed a hold of the suspect to keep himself in the truck”

Belmont Police Sgt. Daniel Blackhorse wouldn't let go of a fleeing suspect Friday. via The Gaston Gazette

Belmont's 58th annual Christmas parade is Dec. 4 at 4 p.m.

The event is coordinated by the Belmont Chamber of Commerce, which is using the same float company as in recent years. Call the chamber office to see float designs.

The opportunity to sponsor a band is being offered again this year. The cost is $250. Also, sponsorships are available at $250 for performing groups such as the Piedmont Pistons and Oasis Road Runners. Proceeds from those sponsorships will go to the schools and groups to help cover their travel expenses. Read more

The Gaston County Police Department blotter contains calls handled at the addresses listed. via The Gaston Gazette

“The cake will rise just a little bit, but you do the recipe just like it says”

Don't you love it when someone gives you a great cooking tip? One of the great things about cooking is figuring something out and then sharing you're discover with others. via The Gaston Gazette

“Face the hill, South Fork River boys!”

British Gen. Charles Cornwallis was so besieged by American separatist militia as he struggled to occupy Charlotte in 1780 that he famously quipped the city a "hornet's nest of rebellion." Belmont plantation ... via The Gaston Gazette