🗞️ N.C. lawmakers vote to suspend the state gas tax through Nov. 30

🗞️ NCLA's National Honor Society chapter earns a national Chapter of Distinction Award

🗞️ Clouds couldn't keep the crowd away from Oktoberfest at Körner's Folly

🗞️ Your Thursday in Kernersville: jazz in High Point, the fair's final stretch and a summery forecast

🗞️ A love of matcha inspires Kernersville's new Matcha Oasis Bar

🗞️ Luke Cope turns two chairs and joins Team Queen Latifah on "The Voice"

☀️ Sunny and summery | High: 83°F | Low: 55°F

Thursday feels more like late summer than early fall, with sunshine all day and a high near 83 on a light west breeze. Tonight turns partly cloudy, with a low around 55. Friday stays pleasant but a bit cooler, with partly sunny skies and a high near 77, just right for Friday night football.

Relief at the pump is one signature away. The N.C. General Assembly voted nearly unanimously Wednesday afternoon to suspend the state's 41-cents-a-gallon gas tax through Nov. 30. Rep. Pricey Harrison, a Guilford County Democrat, cast the only no vote.

The bill now goes to Gov. Josh Stein, who has signaled his support and said the measure should have happened sooner. The pause takes effect as soon as he signs it. At 41 cents a gallon, a 16-gallon fill-up carries about $6.56 in state gas tax, although lawmakers couldn't say how much of the cut will actually show up in prices at the pump.

The suspension is expected to cost about $360 million in transportation money, which helps pay for road projects and maintenance across the state. Senate leader Phil Berger said the state will cover that gap from an inflation reserve fund so road work isn't disrupted. "The pressure on individual citizens is much greater now than it was then," Berger said, explaining why he came around on an idea he had once doubted.

Why Nov. 30? Sen. Michael Lee of New Hanover County said the date lines up with holiday travel. "It seems like kind of a natural time," he said, pointing to Thanksgiving.

Read more

The National Honor Society chapter at The North Carolina Leadership Academy in Kernersville has been recognized with a national Chapter of Distinction Award for its record of leadership and service. The award comes from the National Association of Secondary School Principals, the parent organization of NHS.

According to NASSP, NCLA's members spent the school year on service projects, supporting local nonprofits and leading inside and outside the school, including an ongoing partnership with Second Harvest Food Bank. NASSP CEO Ronn Nozoe said the chapter shows "how powerful it can be when young leaders channel their talents toward meaningful service and positive change."

"They have embraced the opportunity to identify needs, step up, serve others, and make our school and community better," said Gina Tucker, the chapter's adviser. "This award is a wonderful reflection of the character and dedication of our students."

Read more

Gray skies and the threat of rain didn't dampen the 16th annual Kernersville Oktoberfest at Körner's Folly on Saturday afternoon. A big crowd turned out for German-inspired food and drink, live music and plenty of festive fun on the grounds of the historic house.

The Piedmont Wind Symphony's German Band led a sing-along, and Justin Redfern took home bragging rights as winner of the pretzel-eating contest. Plenty of guests came dressed for the occasion, too, in traditional German attire. The Kernersville News has a photo gallery from the afternoon.

If you missed it, Körner's Folly has more fall fun on the way, including its after-dark Mystery Tour on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Read more

Thursday feels more like August than October, with sunshine and a high near 83. Here's what's happening around town.

Jazz in High Point. Jazz and gospel singer Lizz Wright performs at 7:30 p.m. at the High Point Theatre, 220 E. Commerce Ave. Tickets run $42 to $90. Details are here.

The fair's final stretch. The Carolina Classic Fair wraps up Sunday, Oct. 11. Weekday admission is free before 1 p.m., and gates open at 11 a.m.

Come sing. The Heart of the Triad Choral Society rehearses from 7 to 9 p.m. at Main St. United Methodist Church, 306 S. Main St. All singers are welcome, and no audition is required.

Looking ahead to Friday. Friday is packed: Sip for United Way Day at KVL Nutrition, the Drive Out Domestic Violence Golf Tournament at Pine Knolls, and home football games for Glenn and Bishop McGuinness. Heads up for drivers: N.C. 66 at Old Hollow Road in Walkertown closes at 8 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday for drain work.

Aldermen update. Results from Tuesday's vote on the 670-unit apartment rezoning near N.C. 66 and Interstate 40, and on the Bost Street rezoning, still hadn't been published as of press time. We'll share them as soon as they're out.

Kernersville has a new spot for green tea fans. Matcha Oasis Bar, which goes by MOB, is a new Kernersville shop built around a love of matcha, the bright green, finely ground tea that has become a coffee-shop favorite.

The Winston-Salem Journal stopped by for a video look at the new shop and the story behind it. It's another new locally owned business worth checking out the next time you're craving something besides coffee.

Watch the video

More from Kernersville's big night on network TV: Luke Cope's blind audition on NBC's "The Voice" got both Adam Levine and Queen Latifah to turn their chairs. Cope, a father of three who runs a lawn care business here in town, sang "Burning House" during the second-to-last night of blind auditions.

"That's beautiful, that's beautiful," Queen Latifah said. Cope told WXII he was torn between the two coaches before picking Team Queen Latifah, and that making a team brought relief along with some nerves. "I'm also equally as overwhelmed and anxious just about what's to come, but excited nonetheless," he said.

The battle rounds begin next Monday on NBC, so stay tuned to see how Kernersville's own does next.

Read more