Savvy Citizen: A Gaston County Podcast

We're excited to introduce a new miniseries, Planned Party, which will be airing once a month. It goes inside some of your questions on how Planning & Zoning can strengthen a community. Jamie Kanburoglu and Peyton Wiggins host. 

There's a lot that goes into your bloodwork report when you go to the doctor or have a wellness exam. This week, Gaston County Wellness Coordinator Heather Huth and Atrium Health Family Nurse Practitioner Logan Breakfield break down what you need to know about good cholesterol, lipids and what that blood pressure readout actually means for your health. 

Bessemer City High School senior Tionna Pettus tied the state single-game scoring record in girls basketball... set 30+ years ago by Konecka Drakeford, who now works for with foster care children in Gaston County. Hear these two hoop legends discuss how the sport has impacted their lives. 

Noah Williams and Kelly Gilbert talk about what it took to put together the first marching band and color guard for the Highland School of Technology, and how that work has gone a long way in deepening school spirit at one of Gaston County Schools' most renowned schools. 

Dallas Mayor Hayley Beaty talks about her idea to create a mayor for a day program, and the partnership she established with Carr Elementary that saw 3rd grader Kyleigh Camp get to experience leadership at a whole new level. 

The United Tennis Organization is introducing children of all backgrounds to the game of tennis. Founder and Executive Director Belén Gómez-Jordana talks about starting the nonprofit organization and the opportunity some of the students had recently to meet tennis stars Carlos Alcaraz and Frances Tiafoe in an exhibition event. 

Founding Historic Preservation Commission members Lucy Penegar and Robert Carpenter talk about the work they did getting the group going in the late 1970s and why its more important than ever to continue on the work of recognizing Gaston County's historic places. 

Transportation planning can often take a backseat at the county level, but not in Gaston County. Senior Transportation Planner Juan Garcia and GCLMPO Administrator Tori Dellinger talk about the unique opportunity Gaston County has to map out its transportation needs. 

New residents are coming to Gaston County nearly every day, and the county is making sure it can provide the services those residents expect. Executive Director of Capital Improvements Ray Maxwell and Public Works Director Dan Ziehm kick off Season 6 of Savvy Citizen with a look ahead to some major projects in the pipeline and some already underway. 

It's our last episode of 2024! We're highlighting the work of the Passport Team inside the Register of Deeds Office, which won the Team Award during the 2024 Gaston Globe Awards. Learn how some planning and hard work has helped make this program a huge success for residents in our area.