Independent local coverage for Catawba County, Hickory, Newton, and Conover.
Latest local news
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Fifth Green Fest gives away potted trees and milkweed at the April 25 Farmers Market
Free dogwood, hawthorn, sourwood, honey locust, and golden raintree are listed 8 a.m.–1 p.m. under The Sails.
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April 6 commissioners approve $129,215 audit contract, $70,000 Beech Tree surplus, and three fire Tahoes
Consent also assigned the Blue Ridge Biofuels lease, surplus-listed retiring Chief Brian Kelly’s badge and weapon, and added map review officers for Maiden, Long View, and the Town of Catawba.
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Chamber seeks Partner Relations Manager and Partner Events & Experience Manager
A March 31 hiring notice says the nonprofit is adding two staff roles to serve about 850 business partners.
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Oakwood Elementary Battle of the Books team wins Region 7 title at Challenger
The Hickory City Schools squad beat teams from six districts in seven rounds March 27 and advanced to the April 28 state meet in Statesville.
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$850,000 Rural Downtown grant starts Government Avenue and First Avenue NW streetscape March 30
Wider sidewalks, bulb-outs, and lighting infrastructure are listed; the city said the full job is due by August.
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Hickory Literary Festival brings Virginia Evans and Meagan Church to the SALT Block April 25–26
Author talks, a Dale Bailey workshop, and Redhawk poetry sessions are free with registration; Catawba Science Center is free Saturday.
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Long View Town Manager James R. Cozart to retire June 30 after 30 years
The March 21 town release traces Cozart from Hickory finance in 1997 through 24 years in Long View, including appointment as manager in July 2023.
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Newton cuts ribbon on Chilangos Tacos-n-Cantina at 30 East 1st St.
Mayor Jerry T. Hodge welcomed owners Donna and Roger Zamora, who also operate Los Compadres in Hickory, Hildebran, and Valdese.
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March 16 commissioners advertise delinquent tax liens and authorize opioid-settlement join
The board also approved February tax releases and refunds and moved $26,353 in contingency to the Lake Norman Marine Commission.
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Hickory Elks name Romano, Steele, and Sherrill 2026 public servants of the year
The March 14 Americanism Awards honor a fire captain, a master police officer, and a Street Division crew leader who started in 1994.
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Conover reports more than $1.29 million in state grants in 45 days
Mayor Kyle Hayman credits staff after NCDOT, Public Safety, and Commerce awards for sidewalks, a wastewater pump station, and building reuse.
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CCS technology director Sharpe receives two statewide awards in two days
Catawba County Schools says Chief Technology Officer Marty Sharpe was named NCDPI Technology Director of the Year and received NCTIES’ ISTE “Making IT Happen” Award.
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March 2 commissioners approve 0.44-acre Claremont rail-park purchase and planning appointments
The board declined to pursue Board of Education surplus on Little Mountain Road and heard an interbasin-transfer update from WPCOG’s Anthony Starr.
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Chamber board adopts 2026 legislative agenda
Directors listed six priority areas, including Hickory Regional Airport funding, energy, school construction, a state park, child care, and workforce housing.
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Chamber publishes 2025 annual report
A March 3 notice frames the yearly report as accountability to investors and partners, with a stated focus on county competitiveness.
