Independent local coverage for Catawba County, Hickory, Newton, and Conover.
Latest local news
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WPCOG seeks on-call engineers and architects for Helene disaster-recovery reports
Qualifications are due Sept. 14 at 5 p.m. for Preliminary Engineering Reports tied to EDA Disaster Supplemental grants of $250,000 to $20 million.
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Claremont celebrates Prysmian’s $1 billion expansion, hearing set on local incentives
The city’s Aug. 12 notice cites about 900,000 square feet of new manufacturing and research space, hundreds of jobs, and a mid-September groundbreaking.
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Newton CDBG grant puts a cargo van at Ashure Ministry
A $957,612 Commerce CDBG award also previously bought Ashure a walk-in cooler and freezer and funded other Newton nonprofit and Wi-Fi work.
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Hickory City Schools: State Board has merger filings, review not final
Superintendent Jennifer Griffin relayed Chairman Eric Davis’s report that proposals arrived June 25 and July 7; process and timeline were set for discussion Sept. 2–3.
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Animal Services suspends non-emergency surrenders during shelter construction
Starting Aug. 18, Catawba County’s shelter will drop well below its normal 150-cat and 115-dog housing for about three months of phased work.
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Hickory presents Business. Well Crafted. Legacy Award to HSM Solutions
Business Development Director Dave Leonetti gave the award to President and CEO Mark S. Jones at the Aug. 4 City Council meeting, citing more than 80 years in Hickory.
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Aug. 3 commissioners OK library plan, 5310 grant, and Microsoft incentive change
The 7 p.m. meeting adjourned at 8:02 p.m. after NACo library awards, a 2026-2031 Library Strategic Plan, and an attorney note that Microsoft will forgo economic-investment incentives.
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Newton says October is first month vehicle renewals drop the city registration fee
Bills print about 90 days ahead, so pre-October renewals still show the old city vehicle tax even after the July 1 cut.
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Hickory Assistant Public Works Director Caroline Kone named 2026 Government Engineer of the Year
Professional Engineers of North Carolina gave the statewide honor at its June conference; City Council recognized Kone on July 21.
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Long View stops bamboo in regular brush pickup after landfill ban
Blackburn Landfill no longer takes bamboo; residents may rent the town box truck for $75 a load, and mixed piles will be left.
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July 20 commissioners approve rezonings, REACH grant, sheriff radios, detention medical increase
The July 20 Board of Commissioners meeting covered two rezonings, a $185,386 REACH grant, Sheriff’s Office radios, and $228,665 for Newton Detention Center medical services.
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Hickory launches inaugural HKY 100 ultramarathon on Oct. 17 at Winkler Park
The 4-mile loop course is about 70% trail, with more than 17,950 feet of elevation gain; $125 registration includes a hoodie and a finisher’s award.
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Hickory 101 offers a free five-week look at city government in October
Thursday sessions run 1:30–5 p.m.; the city capped the class at 30 seats, with registration closing Aug. 28.
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Lightning Bug Boogie 5K lights Lake Hickory Trails at 9 p.m. Aug. 14
Early registration is $30 through Aug. 3, then $35; a headlamp or flashlight is required on the mixed paved and off-road course.
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CVCC Social Sciences and Library mark America 250 with Stamp Act talks and colonial costumes
Ethan Brooks-Livingston and Robert Carr presented in March; fall sessions list Dr. Christopher Moore on founders’ religion and Jeremy Wilson on Yorktown.
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Century Communities opens Cedar Hollow on 31st Street NE in Hickory
The national builder posted a July 1 Chamber notice that the Hickory community is open for model tours, with a Newton community listed as coming soon.
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German manufacturer Goldhofer to put North American plant and U.S. HQ at Trivium in Hickory
The Memmingen firm said June 30 it will invest more than $20 million and create up to 80 jobs by the end of 2030 in an initial 80,000-square-foot hall on Lot 5.
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Hickory reopens Urgent Repair loans of up to $15,000 for low-income homeowners
Forgivable loans are for city-limit owners at or below 50% of statewide median income, currently $48,950 for a family of four, for urgent repairs or accessibility work.
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HCS Superintendent Jennifer Griffin named 2026 NCSSA Dr. Brad Sneeden Leadership Award winner
Board Chair Amanda McGuire and NCSSA Executive Director Jack Hoke cited her three years as superintendent, Franklin Covey grants, and High Country STEM Network work.
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Conover posts joint statement on Microsoft data centers, taxes, and water
Dated June 23, the joint release from county and municipal partners says four phased centers were announced in 2022 and that Hickory water use is projected at about 1 percent of daily production once sites are fully operating.
