Gaston County

North Carolina confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus in 2026 in Gaston County, with a positive blood donor identified in Mecklenburg County and the virus detected in mosquitoes across multiple counties. Health officials emphasize prevention measures like mosquito repellent and eliminating standing water, as the virus spreads through infected mosquito bites and poses higher risks for elderly and immunocompromised individuals.

North Carolina confirmed its first West Nile virus case in a Gaston County resident, with a blood donor in Mecklenburg County also testing positive. The virus was detected in mosquitoes across Cabarrus, Forsyth, and Mecklenburg counties, prompting public health advisories on prevention.

Six people were arrested and a stolen dog was rescued in Gaston County after Flock cameras identified a wanted vehicle linked to a Burke County break-in. The search of a home following the traffic stop revealed drug paraphernalia and an improvised explosive device.

A 14-year-old boy is accused of intentionally starting a fire at a Gastonia, N.C., Dollar Tree store on July 5, causing $1 million in damage. No injuries were reported, but the fire led to a highway closure. Police have released surveillance photos and are offering a cash reward for information.

Weather alerts were issued for the Carolinas on August 2 due to heavy rain and storms, with concerns about flash flooding in Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, and Mecklenburg counties. A slow-moving cold front and high moisture levels fueled prolonged rainfall, and Duke Energy provided safety guidelines for downed power lines.

Thunderstorms and heavy rain with potential flash flooding are impacting the Carolinas on Aug. 1, 2026, particularly affecting the foothills and mountains of North Carolina. The National Weather Service issued special weather statements for Mecklenburg, Gaston, and York counties, while Duke Energy provided safety tips for downed power lines.

Three people were arrested in Gaston County after Flock cameras flagged a stolen car. Devone Walker, identified as a convicted felon, was charged with firearm and concealed weapon offenses, Keyshawn Gilmore, the alleged driver, had an outstanding warrant, and Anthony Goddard was charged with drug possession. The investigation began with a Flock camera alert.

A woman won $1 million after purchasing a scratch-off lottery ticket at a Gaston County food mart. Invasive species were discovered for the first time in North Carolina at a Charlotte-area home, and 70 pounds of drugs were seized during an FBI Charlotte operation involving a police K-9.

Emily Morgan won $1 million after purchasing a $10 Jumbo Bucks scratch-off ticket at Bre-ina’s Food Mart in Gaston County, North Carolina. She opted for a $600,000 lump sum payment, which totaled $432,063 after taxes.

A truck overturned on I-85 in Gaston County near Bessemer City Road on Tuesday afternoon, spilling its load and closing lanes in both directions. The incident caused major traffic delays, with two southbound lanes and one northbound lane closed as of 1 p.m. No injuries were reported.

Multiple crashes on I-85 in Gaston County caused lane closures and a highway shutdown, with the North Carolina Department of Transportation urging drivers to avoid the area. The two left lanes on I-85 South near Exit 17A were closed.

A 20-year-old man, Damieon Keith Brinson, was killed in an ATV crash near the Gaston-Cleveland County line after colliding with a pickup truck during a four-wheeling event. The incident occurred near a construction site on Sara Lee Access Road in Gaston County, with witnesses reporting Brinson swerved into gravel and struck the truck. Investigations are ongoing.

Kahla Jeffries, a Gaston County woman, won $100,000 with her first lottery ticket purchase at Wills Food Store in Gastonia. After taxes, she received $71,018 and plans to use the funds for a new car and school savings.

A Dollar Tree store in Gaston County, North Carolina, was intentionally set on fire on July 5, causing $1 million in damage and destroying the building. No injuries were reported, and a 'substantial' cash reward is being offered for information leading to the suspect's identification. Surveillance photos of a possible suspect were released by the Gastonia Police Department on July 23.

Republican Michael Whatley and Democrat Roy Cooper discussed energy costs and the Iran War during campaign stops in Gaston County as part of their North Carolina U.S. Senate race.

Michael Whatley and Roy Cooper made opposing visits to Gaston County to discuss affordability issues in North Carolina’s Senate race. Whatley praised Trump’s energy policies and criticized Cooper for accepting healthcare industry donations, while Cooper accused Whatley of prioritizing corporate interests and supporting Medicaid cuts. They also disagreed on Iran’s nuclear threat and a COVID-19 prisoner release settlement.

A Charlotte tow truck driver faces felony charges after towing a vehicle containing two women, including Joyce Bradley and her godmother Shelby Graham, at a North Carolina gas station. Video evidence shows the driver, David Satterfield, bumping and dragging the car while passengers were inside, leading to charges of felonious restraint and assault. The incident involved an attempted repossession and prior investigations into Satterfield's practices.

A Gaston County homeowner shot a 57-year-old man attempting to break into his home, resulting in the suspect's hospitalization and subsequent charges. The homeowner, who reported multiple prior burglaries linked to the suspect and his girlfriend, will not face charges for the shooting.

A flood watch was issued for multiple counties in the Charlotte region starting July 22, with heavy rains expected through Thursday evening. Counties under the watch include Anson, Ashe, Avery, Burke, Cabarrus, Caldwell, Cleveland, Gaston, Iredell, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, Richmond, Rowan, and Stanly. The watch will expire Thursday evening for most areas but remain through Friday morning for Anson, Richmond, and Stanly counties.

An undocumented immigrant from Mexico, Francisco Rosales Ortiz, was indicted on 10 counts of production of child sexual abuse material and firearms charges in Gaston County. The indictment was returned by a federal grand jury.

Francisco Rosales Ortiz, a 41-year-old man from Mexico, was federally indicted on 10 counts of child sex crimes and firearm possession after his arrest in Gaston County by U.S. Marshals and local police. He is being held in the Gaston County Jail without bond and faces up to 325 years in prison if convicted.

A popular beach in Gaston County, South Point Access, was closed due to high E. Coli levels in the water, impacting families and boaters. County officials cited safety concerns, but the beach was set to reopen after test results showed acceptable E. Coli levels. Residents expressed disappointment, particularly over the impact on children near the end of summer.

The Charlotte region is expected to experience high temperatures, storms, and an air quality alert this weekend. Severe weather is likely on Sunday, with a cold front potentially lowering temperatures by mid-week.

A beach in Gaston County, North Carolina, was closed on July 16 after high levels of E. coli were detected during routine water testing. Officials stated the closure at South Point Access Park in Belmont was immediate, with test results from Pace Labs expected on July 17. Other park amenities remain open.

Rain and thunderstorms return to the Charlotte region this weekend, with severe weather risks on Sunday. High temperatures in the upper 90s and a Code Orange Air Quality Alert are in effect Friday through Sunday, with storm coverage peaking on Sunday.

David Satterfield, a tow truck driver in North Carolina, faces new criminal charges after a court order by Attorney General Jeff Jackson over predatory towing practices. The court order requires Satterfield to repay victims and imposes penalties for non-compliance, following allegations of targeting Black drivers, excessive fees, and illegal towing during emergencies.

Residents along Old Dowd Road in west Charlotte face severe traffic congestion caused by drivers using the road as a shortcut to Gaston County. The city and North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) are working on traffic light installations, but no timeline has been provided. Local residents describe the situation as 'unbearable' due to increased traffic from new construction and GPS-directed detours.

Cleveland County Paramedic Ashley Moore died in a crash caused by a drunk driver traveling over 100 mph. EMT Gabriel Smith, who survived a similar ambulance collision in May 2023, highlighted ongoing safety concerns for EMS workers.

Severe thunderstorms with wind gusts up to 60 mph and hail were moving through multiple counties in the Carolinas on July 10, 2026, prompting weather alerts. Interactive radar tools and safety guidelines from Duke Energy were provided to track storms and avoid hazards like downed power lines.

A Gastonia mother filed a $15 million lawsuit, alleging she was wrongly accused of identity theft and falsely arrested after being misidentified in an investigation. She is suing Gaston County and a police officer.

A man was arrested after a deadly shooting at an apartment complex in Gaston County. James Lewis, 45, is charged with first-degree murder and possession of a firearm by a felon in connection with the death of Terrill C. Gilmore, 34. The shooting occurred at Greenview Meadows Apartments, and Lewis was later found holding his 3-year-old child at Hudson Landings Apartments before surrendering peacefully.

A Cleveland County paramedic was killed in a high-speed crash while treating a patient in an ambulance. A retired Mecklenburg County paramedic, who lost both legs in a past ambulance collision, is advocating for improved safety measures in ambulances to protect emergency workers.

A driver was traveling over 100 mph and allegedly impaired when he crashed into an ambulance, killing Cleveland County paramedic Ashley Moore. The driver, Jared Logan, has a history of DWI convictions and traffic violations, and prosecutors are seeking a second-degree murder charge. Logan’s father expressed regret, calling the crash a 'bad decision.'

A Cleveland County paramedic, Ashley Moore, was killed when an ambulance she was in was struck from behind by a car and flipped in Gaston County. The driver of the car faces pending charges, with alcohol and speeding likely contributing factors. Moore, a nine-year EMS veteran, was tending to a patient at the time of the crash, while the patient and ambulance driver sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

A busy store was intentionally set on fire in Gaston County, a paramedic was killed and another injured in an ambulance accident near the Gaston-Cleveland County line, 28 people were arrested during the America 250 celebration in Uptown Charlotte, and high heat and storm chances continued in the area.

A Cleveland County paramedic died and another was injured after an ambulance flipped on Highway 74 near the Gaston-Cleveland County line on July 6. A damaged car was also involved in the crash, and Highway 74 was closed in the eastbound direction during the investigation.

An ambulance flipped during a crash near the Gaston-Cleveland County line on Highway 74 on July 6. A damaged car was also involved, and the ambulance was righted by a wrecker. No injuries or fatalities have been confirmed, and the highway was temporarily closed during the investigation.

A crash involving a Cleveland County ambulance occurred on Highway 74 near Interstate 85 in Gaston County, leading to a highway shutdown. Both directions of Highway 74 were closed just east of I-85, and details about injuries remain unclear as authorities continue to investigate.

A Dollar Tree store on South York Road in Gastonia, N.C., was intentionally set on fire on July 5 around 2 p.m., causing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage. No injuries were reported, and authorities are seeking information through Gaston County Crime Stoppers.

A fire at a Dollar Tree in Gaston County, Gastonia, N.C., caused a road closure on Sunday afternoon, July 5. The blaze, reported at 3 p.m. near South York Road and Bush Street, led to traffic disruptions for several hours. No injuries were reported, and the cause remains under investigation.