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After public pleas, Gastonia council extends cooling-station operations to Sept. 12 amid debate over temperature, food and sleeping rules
Summary
Council voted to continue joint operation of the cooling station at 107 S. Broad through Sept. 12. Volunteers and residents urged changes — using heat index, allowing naps and providing packaged foods and electrolyte drinks. Council split 4–1 after extended discussion about whether county EMS or the National Weather Service should set metrics.
The Gastonia City Council voted Aug. 5 to continue joint operation of the city’s cooling station at 107 South Broad Street until Friday, Sept. 12, retaining the operating guidelines staff presented. The vote followed public comment from volunteers and service providers urging broader services and from council members who said the city should rely on medical expertise when deciding whether to open.
Volunteer testimony and recommendations
Volunteers who staffed the facility described how many people used the cooling station and suggested changes. Sally Hendrick, a volunteer, said the interior site typically hosted 28–30 people and asked that volunteers be allowed to let guests lie down and sleep without a…
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