Tuesday, February 24th, 2026
Good morning, Hickory. Here's your local news at a glance for Tuesday, the 24th of February.
CULTURE NEWS
- ➤ Playmakers at Lenoir-Rhyne University will bring Tony Award-winning 'Peter and the Starcatcher' to life at Belk Centrum from Thursday, Feb. 26 to Sunday, March 1. The production features 14 actors and inventive stagecraft that creates adventure for audiences. WHKY
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ Burke County’s Great Meadows industrial site has been named one of five top Western NC locations in the N.C. SelectSite Readiness Program. Officials say work remains and more funding will be sought to prepare the 570-acre property for a major manufacturing tenant near I-40 + Norfolk Southern rail. Go Foothills
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Catawba County school board candidates discussed a plan to merge the two city school systems into a county system today. The board stated it lacks authority over a merger while county commissioners consider pushing for the change. Hickory Daily Record
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ Hickory officials announced mulch and leaf compost will be sold at the City Yard Waste Facility at 310 Cloninger Mill Road NE near Lake Hickory starting Friday, Feb. 27. The facility will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. (weather permitting) at $25 per 3-yard scoop. WHKY
- ➤ Residents in disaster-declared counties can apply until Saturday (Feb. 28) for up to 50% reimbursement for private road and bridge repairs. The online form will be processed as work is reviewed as part of recovery efforts after Tropical Storm Helene. WHKY
HEALTH NEWS
- ➤ A measles case was reported in Burke County, with possible exposure at NY Hibachi Buffet in Hickory and Bo’s Family Entertainment in Lenoir. Health officials are monitoring the situation and advising anyone who visited these sites to seek medical guidance if symptoms develop. Hickory Daily Record
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ Hickory’s 5K Series returns with five themed races from March through Oct. The Easter Egg Scramble 5K will start at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 28 at Hickory City Park (1581 12th St Dr NW), and other runs include aviation, night trails, dog runs, plus Halloween costumes with $30 fees. WHKY
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2026 Academy Awards Viewing Party
6:30-11:30 p.m. — Main Cellar City Club — Free for members, $10 for guests — Celebrate cinema at a lively viewing party with refreshments and an Oscar contest.
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NJCAA Basketball Tournament
March 16-21 — Catawba Valley Community College — Day Passes $20, All Tournament Pass $100, Recruiter Pass $225 — Catch the excitement of the NJCAA Basketball Tournament in Hickory, NC.
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Tommy's Rock Trip
7-11 p.m. — The Premier — $17.50 admission — Experience the ultimate rock tribute featuring world-renowned drummer Tommy Clufetos.
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Carolina Classic Cheerleading Competition
7 AM - 6 PM — Hickory Metro Convention Center & Visitors Bureau — Adult $25, Children $15 — A day packed with cheerleading performances and competitions.
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29th Annual Catawba Valley Pottery Festival
6-9 p.m. on Mar 27 & 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Mar 28 — Hickory Metro Convention Center & Visitors Bureau — $50 for Friday Premiere, $10 for Saturday adults — Celebrate North Carolina’s rich pottery heritage with artists, demonstrations, and unique buying opportunities.
No new real estate listings today. You can submit one here.
No new job posts today. You can submit one here.
No new community announcements today. You can submit one here.
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Reveal the authorAbout Hickory Morning News
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