Highlighting impactful journalism of 2023
The importance of community journalism has never been more important than it is today.
Local journalists are looked to for reliable information, whether it’s the groundbreaking of a community project, recognition of heroes in the community or controversial topics being talked about around town.
As we start a new year, we reflect on some stories that made an impact in our community during 2023.
Trouble behind the scenes
The Gastonia Honey Hunters had a rough season off the field in 2023.
N.C. Gas House Gang LLC filed for bankruptcy on Dec. 1 in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Maryland.
The filing followed a tumultuous time for the Honey Hunters.
Additionally, the lawsuit, which was filed in Gaston County Superior Court against the company in late November by the city of Gastonia, asked that the Honey Hunters be forced from the city-owned stadium where they played, CaroMont Health Park in Gastonia's FUSE District.
The trouble with the team first surfaced in July, when the organization was outed for owing the city and Gaston County tens of thousands of dollars. The company paid the city and the county, but the city alleges the team still owes Gastonia an annual payment for naming rights, according to the lawsuit.
In August, the lawsuit claims, the organization also did not pay the gas bill for the stadium, resulting in the gas supply being shut off. The emergency generator in the stadium malfunctioned, and the city paid to repair it, according to the lawsuit.
The Atlantic League said in an earlier statement that it has plans to field a team in Gastonia for the 2024 season.
Breaking ground
The board of Gaston Aquatics plans to make a splash with the construction of an $11 million aquatic center.
The project will not only benefit Gaston County’s competitive swim team, the Gaston Gators, but also the community at large, according to representatives from Gaston Aquatics.
The first conversations about the need for an aquatic center in the county started nearly 30 years ago.
In 2024, that vision will be brought to life in the form of a 34,000-sqare-foot aquatic center, to be located at 642 W. Carpenter St. in Dallas.
The facility will also work with community members to offer programs like adult swim lessons, buoyancy and drown-proof lessons for children including some specifically designed for children who are differently abled, aquatic rehabilitation for those enrolled in aquatic therapy, programs designed for veterans to exercise in the water, and even training spaces for local emergency personnel.
The facility is set to include a cool water 50-meter pool, which will be the only one of its kind in the state west of Charlotte.
The regional aquatic center will also include a warm water programming pool with zero-degree entry, therapy, and aquatic safety instruction, elevated spectator seating for more than 1,200 people, clinical rooms for medical professionals to meet with patients before or after aquatic therapy, a weight room and a hospitality suite.
Homeless encampment cleared
Following citations and a lawsuit from the city, a homeless encampment was evacuated in August.
The action displaced dozens of people on the property of Faith, Hope and Love Community Enrichment Ministries on North Oakland Street.
The announcement that the encampment would be cleared came suddenly, but it was precipitated by a snarl of legal troubles. The city of Gastonia sued Faith, Hope and Love.
City officials intended to ask a judge to have the encampment cleared, and the city also fined Faith, Hope and Love for zoning and nuisance ordinance violations. The nonprofit owed the city more than $100,000 in fines for the violations.
Adding to their troubles, a resident of the encampment, 57-year-old Freddie Byrd, was shot and killed Aug. 20. Fifty-six-year-old Donald Ray Beatty, who also lived on the property, is charged with first-degree murder.
The fines were ultimately forgiven after the encampment was cleared.
All about the eats
One thing that didn’t change in 2023 is readers’ interest in restaurants.
Restaurant ratings returned to The Gaston Gazette and let readers know how local eaters scored in sanitation inspections.
The Gazette also reports on restaurants coming to the area, those that have relocated and unfortunately the ones that close, such as O’Charley’s.
We let readers know when a fire caused the closure of Sake Express on Franklin Boulevard, and we’re happy to report that they recently reopened.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: Highlighting impactful journalism of 2023
