Latest news with #Gastonia
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gastonia resident and RNC Chair Michael Whatley expected to launch bid for Tillis' seat
Michael Whatley, a Gastonia resident and the chair of the Republican National Party, is expected to seek the seat held by U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, who announced he would not seek re-election voting against advancing President Donald Trump's " big, beautiful bill," Republicans' massive domestic policy legislation. Whatley, one of the driving forces in the GOP today, would likely face former Gov. Roy Cooper in the race. The Democrat, whose final term as governor was bookended by the COVID-19 pandemic and Tropical Storm Helene, is expected to soon launch a campaign, according to reporting from Axios. Whatley began his climb in the GOP more than 2 decades ago. He served as chair of the Gaston County Republican Party from 1999-2001. In 2019 he was to picked to lead the North Carolina Republican Party, and in 2024 he became chair of the Republican National Committee. He has served as a senior official in the George W. Bush administration, and as chief of staff for former Sen. Elizabeth Dole. Politico reported this week that Whatley has the backing of Trump, whose daughter-in-law Lara Trump had also been rumored to be considering a bid. In a July 24 social media post, Lara Trump confirmed she would not be seeking the Senate seat. 'I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and support I have received from the people of my home state whom I love so much,' she wrote. Whatley did not respond to a July 24 request for comment from the Asheville Citizen Times. A White House spokesperson also did not respond to a request for comment on the president's reported endorsement. On the Democratic side, Axios first reported Cooper's intentions July 23. When reached by the Citizen Times, Morgan Jackson, a longtime political adviser to Cooper, declined to confirm Axios' reporting, but said the former governor 'would be making his intentions known in the coming days.' Cooper, who served two terms as North Carolina's governor, is a likely frontrunner to win his party's primary. Former Congressman Wiley Nickel is also vying for the seat, currently held by Tillis, who annnounced in June that he would not seek a third term in office. A matchup between Cooper and Whatley will likely be a high-stakes, expensive election that could determine whether Republicans can maintain control of the Senate. The race could prove to be 'as close to a toss-up as exists in American politics,' Chris Cooper, a professor of political science and public affairs at Western Carolina University, told the Citizen Times on July 24. Cooper, who is not related to the former governor, said both are 'heavyweight candidates with access to deep pockets and networks.' But neither Roy Cooper, nor Whatley, have outsized personalities that have often dominated politics in recent years. 'I think people who are expecting a barn-burner campaign driven by candidate narratives may be surprised,' Cooper said. Sarah Honosky contributed reporting. Jacob Biba is the Helene recovery reporter at the Asheville Citizen Times, part of the USA TODAY Network. Email him at jbiba@ This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia resident and RNC chair Michael Whatley may campaign for Tillis' seat
Yahoo
18-07-2025
- Yahoo
1 person killed in Gastonia officer-involved shooting
One person is dead after an officer-involved shooting in Gastonia Thursday night, police said. ALSO READ >> Second arrest made in deadly east Charlotte shooting According to a release from the Gastonia Police Department, officers responded to a call about an assault around 10:30 p.m. on Hickory Hollow Road, not far from New Hope Road and Hudson Boulevard. Upon arrival, officers were informed by a relative of the suspect that the suspect was armed and had fired a shot. After about two hours of negotiations, police say the suspect, identified as Jeremy Jackson Bonham, 39, emerged from the back of the house and opened fire on the officers with a rifle. Multiple officers returned fire, killing Bonham. No officers were injured during the incident. As per protocol, the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave while the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation conducts an investigation into the shooting. Channel 9 is asking Gastonia Police for more information about the shooting and what led up to it. This is a developing story. Check back with for updates. VIDEO: Suspect denied bond after shooting officer in Uptown; victim in ICU
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Interstate 85 near Charlotte to undergo $337 million expansion, NCDOT says
A Charlotte-based road builder will expand four congested, wreck-prone miles of Interstate 85 near the Queen City for $337 million, state highway officials said Friday. Lane Construction Corp. was selected to widen I-85 from six to eight lanes with a 26-foot median between N.C. 7 exit 23 in Mount Holly and N.C. 273 exit 27 near the Catawba River in Belmont, according to an N.C. Department of Transportation news release. A lane in each direction will be added, and six bridges will be replaced or improved, officials said. The bridges are on N.C. 7 over I-85; I-85 over the South Fork Catawba River; Hickory Grove Road over I-85; Belmont-Mt. Holly Road/Main Street over I-85; P&R Railway over I-85, east of Belmont-Mt. Holly Road; and N.C. 273 over I-85 The intersection of N.C. 7/U.S. 29/U.S. 74 (Wilkinson Boulevard) will be redesigned to reduce wrecks, according to NCDOT. Design work has started, and construction is scheduled for next summer, officials said. NCDOT eventually plans to expand the interstate to U.S. 321 in Gastonia, totaling about 10 miles of widening and other improvements. In late 2028, the department intends to advertise for bids on the segment from McAdenville Road exit 23 to the U.S. 321 interchange exit 17, officials said. The intersection of Cox Road and U.S. 29-74/Franklin Boulevard will be improved. A contractor and designer are working on plans for three railroad bridges and a roadway bridge through the section. NCDOT first revealed plans for the 10-mile widening in August 2022.
Axios
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
The biggest Fourth of July fireworks in the Carolinas
The Fourth of July is days away, and our news partners at WBTV have compiled a list of the biggest events happening across the Charlotte area to help get you ready for this Independence Day. SkyShow 2025 (Uptown Charlotte) The biggest fireworks show in the Queen City is happening Thursday, when the Charlotte Knights take on Jacksonville in Uptown. After the game, which starts at 6:05pm, the 2025 SkyShow Fireworks Spectacular will happen. For ticket information, click here. City of Monroe Fourth of July Celebration The City of Monroe's Fourth of July Celebration kicks off at 5pm Friday in downtown. There's no cost, and it will feature bouncy houses, live music, and fireworks. U.S. of Cay (Tega Cay's Fourth of July Celebration) The U.S. of Cay (Tega Cay's Fourth of July Celebration) is an all-day event on Friday and starts at 9am. There's no cost, and it will feature fireworks at 9pm over the town at the golf course. Gastonia Fourth of July Celebration Gastonia's Fourth of July Celebration kicks off at 5pm on Friday at the Rotary Centennial Pavilion. There's no cost, and it will feature music, food, and fireworks. Red, White & Belmont The Red, White & Belmont celebration starts at 6pm on Friday in Stowe Park. There's no cost, and it will feature music and fireworks. Lake Wylie Fireworks Lake Wylie Fireworks kick off around 9pm on Friday at the Boyd Bridge area. There's no cost to see the fireworks. Rock Hill's Red, White & BOOM! Rock Hill's Red, White & BOOM! will happen from 4-9pm on Friday on Main Street. There's no cost, and it will feature live music, food and fireworks. Carowinds Star-Spangled Nights Fireworks Spectacular The Carowinds Star-Spangled Nights Fireworks Spectacular happens at 9:30pm on both Friday and Saturday. Ticket prices for the event vary as they're included with admission to the amusement park. The event features music and a fireworks show. Fourth of July in Lincoln County The Fourth of July in Lincoln County starts at 6:30pm, before fireworks at 9:30pm Friday near City Park. There's no cost, and it will feature a parade, fireworks, and a Lincolnton Fire Department spray zone. Field of Flags The annual event in Lake Norman honors our veterans, fallen and active service members and first responders with hundreds of American-made flags on the Lowe's YMCA.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
$1,000 in plants stolen from Gastonia shop; plants recovered, suspect arrested
A Gastonia business owner says her rare plants are back home and a suspect is in custody after she posted surveillance photos of the alleged thief on social media. Lauren Dawsey-Smith, owner of Wild & Whimsy Living, said that on June 24, a man entered her shop at 231 E. Main Ave. around lunchtime and selected several plants as if he intended to buy them. When employees weren't nearby, the man went into a back room and grabbed an exotic cactus and other mother plants that were given to Dawsey-Smith by her grandmother, Gladis Morris. He then loaded about $1,000 in plants into a vehicle and left. The stolen plants included a Thai Consolation plant, a monstera ablo plant, two variegated burle mark plants and others. After Dawsey-Smith shared security stills online, social media users identified the alleged culprit. Jackson Cartner, 26, is charged with felony larceny in the Wild & Whimsy theft, according to Gastonia police. Court records show he also has theft charges pending in Alamance County. Dawsey-Smith said she went with police to the home Cartner shared with his mother. "When we were on the property and we saw the plants, police arrested him for another theft in another county," Dawsey-Smith said. As for the plants, Dawsey-Smith said she returned to the property days later and was able to retrieve them from the property. "This definitely won't change anything. If anything, we might be a little more alert that maybe, not everyone has the most pure intentions just because we do," she said. "The community coming together has reignited a passion in me. We really do have a lot of good, wonderful people who wanted to help... If anything, I just feel like it has created ties to the community even stronger." This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Gastonia shop owner recovers stolen heirloom plants
