Leaders of a 26-mile light rail project to connect Gaston County to uptown Charlotte, Charlotte Douglas International Airport and beyond recently refined the proposed track alignment through Belmont and presented the refinement during a virtual meeting this week.
Though portions of Charlotte Area Transit System’s LYNX Silver Line most likely won’t run until the 2030s, riders could one day board the light rail in Belmont and ride it along Wilkinson Boulevard to stops near the airport, Bank of America Stadium, the LYNX Blue Line light rail, Ovens Auditorium and Bojangles Coliseum and through Charlotte to downtown Matthews, Stallings and Indian Trail.
Students at Gaston County Schools have yet another choice in educational programs and pathways.
Denise McLean, Gaston County Schools’ executive director of student support services, recently announced the launch of the Gaston Early College of Medical Sciences – a healthcare-driven high school with four- and five-year pathways – ahead of the 2021-22 school year.
It’s the school districts 21st student choice program ever to be offered.
Students can earn their high school diploma, as well as an associate degree from Gaston College, while sticking to one of a number of concentrations, which include nursing, human services, human services technology, pre-medicine, biotechnology and medical office administration.
A new deal signed by leaders at Gaston College and Belmont Abbey will pave a quicker and more-affordable path for local students to earn a bachelor s degree.
Gaston College President John Hauser and Belmont Abbey College President Bill Thierfelder established Belmont Abbey Connect, a direct-entry program which enables students to apply their credits earned at Gaston College to a bachelor’s degree at Belmont Abbey.
“We have a long history and a strong partnership for working with Belmont Abbey College and it continues to grow,” Tonia Broome, Gaston College’s dean of arts and sciences, said Tuesday.
“The program prioritizes the students’ ability to receive financial aid, admission, registration and orientation communications early in the transition process. This will set students up for success at both institutions.”
Strand Hospitality Services, a leading regional hotel management company, is proud to announce the opening Home2 Suites by Hilton Charlotte Belmont. The hotel was developed by Montcross Hawley Ave. LLC, which is made up of local investment partners Warren Norman Company, Belmont Land & Investment Company and Belmont Abbey.
Gastonia Police Chief Travis Brittain announced four new sergeants and eight recently hired officers during a virtual promotion and swearing-in ceremony on Dec. 17.
“This ceremony is different than how we’ve done it in the past due to the pandemic, and this is a proud moment for us as we formally recognize our new officers and sergeants,” Brittain said. “We look forward to the great work they will do with our department and our community.”
Promotions:
Sgt. Shane Johnson, promoted on Dec. 3, joined Gastonia Police Department in 1998 and has served in patrol, and as a community coordinator, field training officer, police training officer and shift tactical officer. Johnson served the N.C. Air National Guard for 23 years.