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Freightliner could announce 1,000 layoffs Thursday

ROWAN COUNTY, NC (WBTV)- Hundreds of people could soon be out of a job as Daimler Trucks North America warns of possible job cuts nationwide.

According to company officials, DTNA "is in the process of notifying production workers across DTNA's North American manufacturing facilities of a potential layoff in compliance with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act."

Daimler has not confirmed how many people could lose their jobs in the Charlotte area.

But employees told WBTV as many as 80 people could lose their jobs in Gastonia, possibly 400 in Mount Holly and up to 715 in Cleveland.

"It hurts. It's a hardship on everybody. You don't ever want to lose a job," said one employee.

A spokesman for the company would not give an exact number. The company is expected to release more information on Thursday.

At Mount Holly's Freightliner Plant, it is the waiting that seems to be the toughest.

Food Lion announces "Fresh from the Field"

Food Lion announces "Fresh from the Field"

SALISBURY - Salisbury based Food Lion has launched a new initiative in 581 stores focused on improved quality, enhanced freshness and expanded variety of produce. Fresh fruits and vegetables also now come with a double-your-money-back guarantee, and customers will soon find helpful tips in-store for keeping produce fresher longer at home.

To enhance freshness and quality, the company has transformed its fresh produce processes, from purchasing the best products to enhancing warehouse storage and transportation, and, finally, careful handling at our stores. Examples of improved produce handling practices include temperature adjustments and reduced time at distribution centers.  Warehouse, transportation and produce associates at stores have also undergone extensive training to support the company’s new produce initiative. 

AAA Carolinas hosts annual Great Fall Battery Roundup

AAA Carolinas hosts annual Great Fall Battery Roundup

AAA Carolinas will host its annual Great Fall Battery Roundup, a used battery collection and recycling program, as part of Car Care Month in October. It is available to the general public, as well as AAA members.

North Carolina motorists can receive $5 for every auto or marine battery they bring in to any one of 24 AAA Car Care Centers, or 34 Approved Auto Repair shops from October 16 through the 31.

“Improperly disposed batteries do serious harm to our environment,” said David E. Parsons, president and CEO of AAA Carolinas.  “This program is a win-win for everyone including motorists, AAA, battery recycle centers and the environment at large.”

AAA encourages residents to help fight stream and ground pollution and raise awareness by recycling batteries at one of 58 convenient North Carolina locations.

VA announces local grants for homeless veterans

VA announces local grants for homeless veterans

SALISBURY - From the Department of Veterans Affairs: Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki announced  the award of approximately $1.2 million in grant money to Community Link Programs of Traveler Aid Society of Central Carolinas, Inc. one of 38 projects around the country that will provide temporary housing to formerly homeless Veterans with the goal they will retain the residence as their own.

“As we drive toward our goal to end homelessness among Veterans in 2015, VA continues to find innovative ways to permanently house Veterans who were formerly homeless,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.

The grant to Community Link Programs of Traveler Aid Society of Central Carolinas, Inc. will be used to provide a daily average of 25 beds for homeless Veterans to promote increased housing stabilization.  Housing will be provided at scattered site apartments in the Charlotte, N.C., Metropolitan Area. 

NC named 8th worst state for power plant pollution, SC named 13th worst

NC named 8th worst state for power plant pollution, SC named 13th worst

The Natural Resources Defense Council released a report Thursday, named North Carolina the 8th worst state in the nation for power plant pollution.

The analysis looked at exposure to toxic air pollution from coal-fired plants.

The following information has been condensed from the NRDC report:

  • North Carolina’s electric sector ranked 8th in industrial toxic air pollution in 2010, emitting more than 14.6 million pounds of harmful chemicals, which accounted for 48 percent of state pollution and about 5 percent of toxic pollution from all U.S. power plants.
  • North Carolina ranked 24th among all states in industrial mercury air pollution from power plants with about 960 pounds emitted in 2010, which accounted for 47 percent of state mercury air pollution and 1 percent of U.S.

H&R Block career fair Wednesday

H&R Block in Gastonia is holding a career fair Wednesday, August 8th.

The tax preparation company is hiring for the upcoming tax season. Open positions include office managers, customer service representatives, and tax professionals. H&R Block says the positions offer flexible schedules, the potential to earn extra income and bonuses, and opportunity for advancement.

The company asks applicants to bring a resume to the career fair so that interviews can be conducted on-site. Bilingual candidates are encouraged to attend.

The career fair runs Wednesday from 11am-5pm at the H&R Block in Franklin Square in Gastonia.

Call (704) 864-5701 with questions.

Copyright 2012 WBTV. All rights reserved.

Red Ventures expands, plans to create an additional 1,000 jobs

Red Ventures announced Tuesday it has acquired 16 acres of land next to its headquarters in Indian Land, South Carolina. The technology company plans to use that land to expand its 150,000 square foot campus.

"We are thrilled to be able to add this adjacent land to our campus.  The next few years will be full of challenges and opportunities and we are hoping to double the size of our current workforce,” said Red Ventures CEO Ric Elias. “This additional land will allow us to grow, while also maintaining the unique, employee-friendly environment we’ve created."

The expansion will create an additional 1,000 jobs within the next five years.

Red Ventures expects to grow an additional 30 percent in 2012.