Good morning, Hickory.

The Spring Craft Market will be held this Saturday, April 26, on Temple Field behind the Old Rock School in downtown Valdese — it will feature 80 vendors offering crafts, food, bounce houses, and live music.

The free event runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and is expected to draw many local visitors.

A Hickory family's house was gutted and left charred by a fire Tuesday morning—fire officials are investigating the cause.

Hickory man Clifton Thorn Smoot (37) was arrested on April 21 by Catawba County Sheriff’s Officers on two counts of assault on a female, two counts of communicating threats, and one count of resisting a public officer, with bond set at $10,000 and a District Court appearance in Newton on April 22.

ACAP of Hickory & the Foothills invites adult children, family caregivers, and community members to a free program called Residential Options When Home No Longer Meets Your Parents' Needs that will be held on May 8 from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Catawba County Library Main Branch on 115 West C Street in Newton to learn about housing alternatives for aging parents.

On April 17, the NC House passed HB 610 which directs the Department of Public Instruction to study year-round schools—The bill will check costs, travel issues and enrollment effects as it now awaits Senate review.

Catawba County will host its annual household hazardous waste collection event at the Hickory American Legion Fairground on May 3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.—County residents can drop off household chemicals, automotive fluids, and other accepted items while advised to expect high wait times and note that trailers are not allowed.

Starting Monday, April 28, Old Lenoir Road will be closed from 15th Avenue N.W. to 12th Street Drive N.W. for OLLE Art Walk construction — the road will be open only to local traffic and emergency responders, and drivers should detour via U.S. 321.

The closure is expected to last two to three months as work continues on the trail project that will connect key segments of the Hickory Trail.

Mackenzie Wainwright hit his 19th home run in the third inning on April 22nd, breaking the single-season record at Lenoir-Rhyne and helping his team win 12 to 2 over Concord.

The Bears scored seven runs in one inning and have 37 wins this season — they will face Anderson this weekend in their last SAC series.

Lenoir-Rhyne’s Madison Primm batted .533 over four games last week — tallying nine RBI’s, including two home runs and a grand slam — to earn SAC Softball Player of the Week honors.

Her performance helped the Bears clinch the number two seed in the SAC Tournament.

On April 22, Lenoir-Rhyne’s junior sprinter Alexis Brown earned her second South Atlantic Conference Women’s Outdoor Track and Field Athlete of the Week honor after winning the 100m dash at the Aggie Invitational with a wind-legal time of 11.08 seconds—recorded as the second fastest legal time among NCAA Divisions this season.

SAFe® 5.1 Product Owner/Product Manager Classroom Training

9 AM-1 PM — Hickory North Carolina — Early Bird Price: $1199 | Gain your SAFe® PO/PM certification with interactive sessions and hands-on learning.

Trial by Fire - Journey Tribute

7-10 p.m. — The Premier — Tickets from $17.45 — Experience the music of Journey as TRIAL BY FIRE transports you back to their iconic 1996 era.

Jimmy Buffett's Escape to Margaritaville

7:30-10 p.m. — The Green Room Community Theatre — Ticket prices vary — Experience a tropical musical journey filled with favorite Jimmy Buffett hits and island vibes.

Derby Day Celebration

Afternoon — Salt Block Foundation — Ticket includes two drink vouchers — Dress in festive Derby attire and enjoy live music, Southern cuisine, and best-dressed contests.

Charlotte Grappling & BJJ Championship

8 a.m. – 5 p.m. — Hickory Metro Convention Center — Registration fees apply — Experience the excitement of one of the largest mixed grappling tournaments in the world.

The Chain - Fleetwood Mac Tribute

7:30-9 p.m. — The Hum — Tickets available — Experience the exceptional sounds of Fleetwood Mac brought to life by The Chain featuring Dani Kerr from America's Got Talent.