Independent local coverage for Catawba County, Hickory, Newton, and Conover.
Latest local news
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Claremont City Council adopts FY 2026-27 budget, holds tax rate at $0.4175
The June 18 vote sets a General Fund of about $5.78 million and a Water and Sewer Fund of about $2.69 million, effective July 1.
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Commissioners adopt $353,319,157 FY 2026/27 budget with no property-tax rate increase
The June 16 adopted budget holds the property tax rate at .3985 cents per $100 valuation, funds $120 million toward Catawba County Schools middle-school expansions, and adds public-safety staffing.
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Saturday Screenings return to Union Square with four family films
Free movies are listed at 8:30 p.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of July and August; Inside Out moved to Sept. 12 after weather.
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CVCC students take three golds, two silvers, and two bronzes at SkillsUSA nationals in Atlanta
Twenty-three competitors in 16 events also brought CVCC a Gold Chapter of Distinction and the postsecondary Outstanding Chapter Award.
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Hickory City Schools names Dr. Jessica Anthony principal of Viewmont Elementary
The 2025 Northwest Region Principal of the Year starts July 1 after leading Davenport A+; she cited Viewmont’s dual-language program and a relationship-first approach.
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CCS names four principals for Mountain View, Murray, St. Stephens Elementary, and St. Stephens High
Superintendent Matt Stover said Heather Kelly, Rai Robinson, Lauren Timblin, and Matthew Barham take their new posts July 1 after the June 8 board vote.
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Maiden sets June 8 hearing on proposed FY 2026-27 budget
Town Council will take public comment at 6 p.m. in Town Hall chambers; copies are available from the clerk’s office.
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Newton Appearance Commission gives June Looking Good award to El Batán
Owner Marcelo Castillo’s patio murals at 100 North Main Ave. cite Andes and Peruvian symbols, including a llama and the phrase “Antes Soñaba.”
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June 1 commissioners close $750,000 CDBG housing grant and award Mediko a $2,400,167 jail medical contract
The board also reappointed Deanna Taylor to the CVCC trustees and filled Public Health Board, aging, and agriculture seats before adjourning at 7:42 p.m.
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Newton Parks & Rec opens 2026 youth football registration June 1 through July 24
Flag football is listed for ages 4–6 and tackle for ages 7–12; a 2026 physical, birth certificate, blue card, and signed forms are required.
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Hickory Assistant City Manager Steve Miller receives APWA-NC Samuel A. Greeley award
The honor requires 30 or more years at one local agency and at least 15 years of APWA membership; Miller started with the city in August 1993.
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University City Commission hosts Great College Teachers Workshop at App State Hickory
Nominated faculty from Lenoir-Rhyne, Appalachian State University in Hickory, and CVCC met May 12 on teaching, including use of AI.
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Hickory manager proposes $162,760,671 FY 2026-27 budget, tax rate held at 46 cents
Warren Wood’s May 19 plan adds $1 million for street resurfacing, $3 on the average water-and-sewer bill, and $1 to push the sanitation fee to $30.
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May 18 commissioners deny Startown Road industrial rezoning, approve Claremont fireworks permit
The board also advertised EMS Week, approved April tax releases and refunds, and moved $5,000 in contingency to Catawba-Wateree.
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CCS names Devin Houston director of maintenance after May 18 board confirmation
The Claremont resident has 18 years with the district, most recently as assistant director of construction and maintenance.
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Furtado recommends $369,702,666 FY 2026/27 budget with 2.5-cent tax for school construction
The manager’s May 11 plan would set the rate at 42.35 cents per $100 and send about $8.1 million in new tax to a $264 million facility-needs strategy.
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Challenger Early College students take multiple SkillsUSA North Carolina titles in Greensboro
The April 15–17 state championships drew more than 3,100 students; several Challenger first-place finishers were listed to advance to Atlanta.
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Fred T. Foard math teacher Melia Stover named to DNCR’s 2026 Teacher Ambassador cohort
Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell said 20 K–12 educators statewide will connect classrooms to more than 100 Natural and Cultural Resources sites.
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Hickory seeks public input on N.C. 127 sidewalk and intersection work for SS4A grant
Proposed safety work on Second Street NE from 12th Avenue NE to 16th Avenue NW comes from the Hickory Moving Forward plan; a May 18 meeting was set in Council Chambers.
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CVCC selected for $250,000 Careers Electric training network
The college is one of 10 North Carolina community colleges in a Siemens Foundation expansion aimed at electrical-trades training after a Wake Tech pilot.
