Free Republic

An ice cream shop is at the center of ongoing protests in Gastonia. The ongoing protests are centered around Tony’s Ice Cream on East Franklin Boulevard. When police responded Wednesday night, they closed all roads near the business. Thursday, Tony’s Ice Cream was closed. People came by to write supportive messages on their door. Police say the protests happened following some “civil disturbances” there at Tony’s Ice Cream on Monday and Tuesday. The crowd was being dispersed by police.

GASTONIA, N.C. (WBTV) - Police responded to protests outside an ice cream shop in Gastonia Wednesday night. The situation happened at Tony’s Ice Cream on East Franklin Boulevard. All roads were closed near the business. The situation is happening at Tony’s Ice Cream on East Franklin Boulevard. All roads were closed near the business. Gastonia Police, Gaston County Police, the Gaston County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. Highway Patrol, Belmont Police, Mt. Holly Police, Bessemer City Police and Lowell Police responded to the incident they say started at 3:15 p.m. Police say the protests happened following some civil disturbances there at Tony’s...

GASTONIA, N.C. — A QuikTrip gas station clerk was injured early Sunday morning as a 'flash mob' took over the store and caused extensive damage. Video posted to social media, and reviewed by the Gastonia Police Department, shows numerous individuals ransacking the QuikTrip convenience store at 1843 West Franklin Blvd in Gastonia around 2:43 a.m. Investigators have reviewed the video and are working to identify and locate possible suspects. A store clerk in the video can be seen with a facial injury. " A Flashmob entered the store and began to steal and throw items throughout the store," a QuikTrip...

The father of a missing 6-year-old boy with autism says his son ran away from him in a park last Saturday in North Carolina and he couldn't catch him. The FBI and over 300 officers are searching the more than 240-acre park, including a lake. Snip "It didn't look as though, they were that concerned," Foxx said of the boy's father and his girlfriend, who was with him at the park. "I've worked there almost three years and we see everybody come in and out of that park pretty much. I didn't see that kid one time."

The father of a missing 6-year-old boy with autism blamed himself for his son’s disappearance this weekend, as officials continue to canvas the surrounding area of a North Carolina park for any signs of the child. Maddox Ritch, 6, has been missing since Saturday and was last seen at Rankin Lake Park, about 20 miles west of Charlotte, with his father, Ian Ritch, and another adult who was not identified. Ritch told ABC's "Good Morning America" on Wednesday his son ran ahead of him and disappeared from his view.

Katelyn Self, a deputy with the Gaston County Sheriff's Office, was killed at the Surf and Turf Lodge in Bessemer City, officials announced at a news conference Sunday afternoon. The second woman who died was identified by Fox 46 as Amanda Self. Investigators said that 62-year-old Roger Self, Katelyn Self's father, and reportedly Amanda Self's father-in-law, drove right into the restaurant -- apparently on purpose. The Gaston Gazette reported that restaurant staff claimed Roger Self went with his family to the restaurant and had them seated. The father then allegedly went outside and purposely drove his Jeep into the building.

The Gastonia (NC) City Council voted Tuesday evening to allow concealed carry in all areas of that city's parks. The vote was 6-1 and came despite a recommendation from the Gastonia Recreation Advisory Commission to impose a ban on concealed carry in athletic facilities. The city’s 6-1 vote, with only Councilman Dave Kirlin opposing, went against a 5-0 recommendation of the Gastonia Recreation Advisory Commission. The commission wanted to allow licensed, concealed weapons in public parks, but to continue to ban them in the more specific recreational areas. But Councilman Jim Gallagher was one of the six who favored a...