Gaston County Coverage

Camper explosion leaves 2 injured in Gaston County, authorities say

The explosion happened on Ferrell Grove Avenue near Hickory Grove Road north of McAdenville just after 10 p.m., according to a Gaston County spokesperson. The fire caused by the explosion was quickly put out.

WCNC

Lithium mine may be operational near Charlotte by 2026

Charlotte-based Albemarle Corporation plans to start draining a former lithium mine about 30 miles west of Charlotte in the coming months. If the project moves forward, the deposit could yeild 50,000 metric tons of processed lithium annually -- enough to supply batteries for 1.2 million electric vehicles per year.

Liz McLaughlin, WRAL Climate Change Reporter

10,000 Fentanyl pills found in Virgin Mary statue during traffic stop in NC

Drugs were found in a Virgin Mary statue during a traffic stop in North Carolina, according to the Gaston County Police.

Stephanie Moore, WXII12

Unwarranted: Police search, embarrass naked Gaston County woman

A WCNC Charlotte investigation exposed a failed police attempt to arrest a murder suspect. A task force found the suspect's undressed sister instead.

WCNC

Gastonia woman sheds light on families struggling with 'hidden homelessness'

As Gaston County tabulates their results from the annual "Point in Time" homelessness count, a Gastonia mother is highlighting a different type of homelessness that isn't easily quantified: hidden homelessness.

NC mother says bully has not yet been punished after daughter assaulted on bus

A Mount Holly couple is demanding Gaston County Schools change its bullying policy after they said cell phone video showed a student slapping and pulling the hair of their fifth-grade daughter, who has special needs, on a school bus.

NC family upset after 5th grader with special needs assaulted on school bus

A Gaston County couple is demanding the school district change its bullying policy after they say their fifth grade daughter, who has special needs, was assaulted by a classmate.

Brandon Goldner, WCNC

New NC lawmaker resigned hospital position last year over COVID-19 posts

Donnie Loftis is also a former Gaston County commissioner and a decorated Army combat engineer.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Lumbee tribe leaders ask Gaston County high school to remove 'offensive' name

North Carolina tribal leaders are doubling down on their calls for South Point High School in Gaston County to remove its mascot name and logo.

New lawsuit filed as groups press to remove NC Confederate monuments

A lawsuit in Gaston County could become "bellwether" for a broader effort, an attorney says.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Protesters arrested in Gaston Co. after incident with woman outside ice cream shop

Police in North Carolina arrested two people during a protest outside of the Gaston County courthouse Thursday night.

Uber's scrapped e-bikes and e-scooters program in NC scrapyard

Thousands of e-bikes and e-scooters are in a North Carolina scrapyard after Uber axed its program.

Gaston County backs away from plan to reopen businesses, saying state stay-at-home order still in effect

Gaston County officials backed off a plan to allow local businesses to reopen on Wednesday, acknowledging that a statewide stay-at-home order remains in effect and takes precedence over their actions.

NC GOP elects new chairman

Delegates at the North Carolina Republican Party's convention on Saturday chose Michael Whatley to replace Robin Hayes as chairman.

Deborah Strange, WRAL digital journalist

Suspect dead after officer-involved shooting in Mount Holly

A suspect was killed in an officer-involved shooting, Mount Holly police chief confirmed to WCNC.

Man says Gastonia Wendy's fat-shamed him

A man was left with a bad taste in his mouth after recently visiting a Wendy's in Gastonia, where a cashier typed his name as "Chubby."

Loving family lifts woman, children up

On the front porch of a new Habitat for Humanity home in Gastonia, Joe Padilla Jr. stepped up with crisp military efficiency and attached an American flag to the house that his sister Linda De La Garza and her four children will now call home.

Bill DuPre, Habitat for Humanity North Carolina

Presentation of a Bible

Patricia Franks, left, of the board of Habitat for Humanity of Gaston County, presents a Bible to Linda De La Garza and her family.

American flag in place

Joe Padilla, a U.S. Marines veteran, places a flag at his sister's new home.

SECU Foundation's Mountains-to-the-Sea Challenge explainer

Erin Davidson and Mark Oakes of the State Employees Credit Union's Gastonia Union Road branch explain the SECU Foundation's Mountains-to-the-Sea Challenge, a $10 million initiative to build a Habitat home in each of North Carolina's 100 counties.

Brotherly love

Joe Padilla, left, speaks of his assistance to his sister, Linda De La Garza, at his left, after the death of her husband from cancer.

Gaston girl pinned to couch when storm sends tree into home

A North Carolina college student is lucky to be alive after a massive tree came crashing through her grandmother's home.

Man drives car into restaurant, killing daughter

One person is dead and several others are hurt after a car crashed into a Gaston County restaurant.

Man intentionally drove car into NC restaurant as family ate inside

Authorities in Gaston County give an update on a man who intentionally drove his car into a restaurant while his family sat at a table inside.