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Volume 83 • Issue 15
Good news for great people!
Thursday, April 13, 2017
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Thursday, April 13, 2017
• Belmont • Cramerton • Lowell • McAdenville • Mount Holly • Stanley
CaroMont Health Criterium coming to Belmont The City of Belmont and the Downtown Belmont Development Association are excited to announce that high-speed, professional bicycle racing will return to the streets of Downtown Belmont on April 23, 2017. The criterium event, now in its fifth year in Belmont, is a fast-paced bike race on city streets in the beautiful, historic downtown district. CaroMont Health is the title sponsor of the race, aptly named the CaroMont Health Criterium. “We are fortunate to have such a great community partner in CaroMont Health. Their team recognized the criterium’s ability to promote active, healthy lifestyles and to bring new people to eastern Gaston County,” said Adrian Miller, Belmont City Manager. “We are excited to have CaroMont Health partner with us on this great event.” “We’re proud to partner with the City of Belmont for this year’s Criterium,” said Todd Davis, MD, Interim CEO at CaroMont Health. “The energy of the crowd and seeing top athletes race through the streets of downtown is an exciting experience. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon with family and friends.” See CRITERIUM page 2
The Belmont Criterium bicycle races are returning for the fifth year on April 23. Dozens and dozens of brightly-clad riders will whizz through the streets of Belmont in front of hundreds of enthusiastic viewers. Photos by Alan Hodge
Belmont’s new police chief, Chad Hawkins, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the job. Photo by Alan Hodge
Hawkins named Belmont police chief The Belmont city manager and city council approved the hiring of Chad Hawkins as the City of Belmont’s new police chief last Monday and officially gave him that title the next day. Hawkins was hired as the Assistant Police Chief in Belmont in February 2017. He was named the Interim Police Chief on March 13, 2017, upon the resignation of former Chief Skip Clark. “Chad has over 20 years of policing experience in Gaston County and is a perfect fit for our department,” said Belmont Mayor Charlie Martin. “The city council and I look forward to working with Chief Hawkins and supporting both him and the men and women in our police department. See BELMONT CHIEF page 2
New boat ramp opens at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park by Alan Hodge alan.bannernews@gmail.com
The long awaited new boat launch area on the Catawba River at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park is now open to the public. The facility is located near the US29/74 bridge behind Dale’s Superette. The area will be open 24/7 and boasts two paved boat launch ramps as well as a floating dock with up to eight slips. Currently, the lot is still gravel, but paving will begin in July. The paving job will mean the ramp will be closed for about a week at that time. Other features of the new ramp includes improved lighting- seven new lights on 30foot poles- as well as new signage and trash receptacles. The launch area will be patrolled by Belmont PD during all shifts. See BOAT RAMP page 2
Dalton Conner was spotted enjoying a day fishing from the new floating docks at Kevin Loftin Riverfront Park. Photo by Alan Hodge
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