Savvy Citizen: A Gaston County Podcast

This month's Savvier Citizen takes a deep dive into how Gaston County is battling the opioid crisis. Hear from GEMS Capt. Brandon Miller, Lt. Justin Greer, First Baptist Church of Cramerton's David Julen, and others on some of the initiatives that have helped reverse a significant rise in overdoses. 

Drew Horine with Gastonia East Rotary swings by the studio to talk about this year's Gastonia Concert Series, which has events at both the Rotary Centennial Pavilion and CaroMont Health Park. The series continues to raise funds that go right back into the community through grants provided through Gastonia East Rotary. Find the full lineup at https://gastoniaeastrotary.org/concerts/. 

Audrey Leazer, Madison Darnell and Abby Helms from Gaston Community Foundation's Teens Changing Gaston County group talk with Savvy Citizen about their microgrant program and the nonprofits they're supporting in our community. 

In this month's Savvier Citizen, we look at how social media is affecting our children. Journalist and author Fortesa Latifi, Rep. Donnie Loftis, and Hope United Survivor Network's Rose Planer and Mollie Weakland share insights for this episode covering everything from the concerns around cyberbullying and children that have grown up with their lives online, to political actions meant to provide stronger protections.

Your favorite Gaston County planners, Jamie and Peyton, are back with a new episode! They're talking with their colleagues from the City of Gastonia about why city and county zoning rules are often different, and some of the differences between the two that you may not know about. 

Keep Gastonia Beautiful's Juliann Lehman, Wild 'N Whimsy's Lauren Smith and Gastonia Farmer's Market Manager and Belmont Farmer's Market SNAP Manager Emily Thomasson are talking about farmer's market season, and the ways our farmer's markets can help our lower income families. 

With growth comes worry that our agricultural roots may get lost. Natural Resources Director Will Wier talks about a program that would help local farmers protect their farmland for the next generation. 

Gaston County Cooperative Extension Director Jonette Mungo and Agriculture Agent Payton Flowers talk about how the use of AI is spreading incorrect and sometimes hazardous information in their field, and how they're working to provide a solution. 

U.S. News and World Report Home Services Editor Katie Core and Assistant County Manager Brian Sciba talk about Gaston County's recent inclusion in the news outlet's Top 10 of Most Desirable Counties to Move To for 2025. We look at what's driving that ranking and why it shows Gaston County on the rise nationally. 

In honor of Government Communicators Day, we talk with three local government communications directors in North Carolina: Union County's Liz Cooper, Indian Trail's Abbey Ball and Hendersonville's Allison Justus on why effective storytelling can be so important for building trust in our communities. 

Gaston 250 Committee Chair Jane Kaylor and Committee Member Alicyn Wiedrich highlight the upcoming programs and initiatives in Gaston County celebrating America's history, including the 4th of July Parade happening in Dallas this year to celebrate America's 250th Birthday!

Our Planned Party miniseries returns for Season 2! Peyton is in the host chair, talking with guest co-host Alex about setbacks -- what they are, why they matter and how they determine where you can put things on your land. 

With an ongoing measles outbreak in South Carolina, and a growing number of cases here in North Carolina, Khristie Jackson and Lesley Sellers from Gaston County Public Health talk with our Executive Producer Joshua Braswell about what you need to know to be prepared. 

As the old saying goes, there's only two things for certain in life: Death and taxes. But right now in North Carolina, who makes decisions on property taxes is under the microscope. North Carolina Association of County Commissioners Executive Director Kevin Leonard and current President Wallace Nelson talk about the committee discussions at the General Assembly and their push to maintain local control over these decisions. 

HealthNet Gaston and Unity Baptist Church are taking the lead on a Cold Weather Station this winter, in sponsorship by the City of Gastonia and Gaston County. Hear how these groups are working together to provide a warm place to stay during the winter's coldest nights, and how you can get involved. 

The Gaston Community Foundation transitioned to a new president and executive vice president this year -- though not ones new to the organization. Richard Rankin and Elizabeth Patton talk to us about GCF's continued mission and the work they've done to strengthen Gaston County over the years.