Hickory
Morning News
Thursday, May 21st, 2026
Good morning, Hickory. Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 21st of May.
COMMUNITY NEWS
- ➤ AAA is offering free Tow to Go rides across North Carolina for drivers planning to drink this Memorial Day weekend, providing a confidential run from 6 p.m. Friday, May 22 to 6 a.m. Tuesday, May 26 within 10 miles for a single driver and vehicle — a last-resort safety option. WHKY
ECONOMY NEWS
- ➤ AAA expects a record number of North Carolinians to travel this Memorial Day weekend as over 1.2 million are projected to drive (1.17 million by car) amid heavier traffic on Thursday and Friday afternoons, while higher fuel prices may lead some to take shorter trips until Monday. WHKY
EDUCATION NEWS
- ➤ Burke County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Mike Swan was named the 2027 Regional Superintendent of the Year by NWRESA and is now a contender for North Carolina’s statewide award—his leadership has driven improvements in academic and technical programs across the district. WHKY
- ➤ Hickory City Schools is hosting Kindergarten Registration Day on Tuesday, June 2 from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at St. Luke’s Family Life Center (52 16th Ave NW) to help rising kindergarten students complete enrollment, meet staff, and tour a school bus; Catawba County families attend tuition-free. WHKY
- ➤ City officials and local educators met today at the Appalachian State University Hickory campus to share innovative teaching strategies as part of the National Great Teachers Movement + discussions included student engagement and artificial intelligence in classrooms. WHKY
- ➤ Discovery High School awarded 31 diplomas on Wednesday at Lenoir-Rhyne University's P.E. Monroe Auditorium during its commencement ceremony. The event celebrated the accomplishments of the graduates. Hickory Daily Record
GOVERNMENT NEWS
- ➤ City offices will close on Memorial Day, Monday, May 25 — libraries, recreation centers, and the police lobby will also be closed while trash and recycling pickup run as scheduled and parks remain open although splash pads are closed due to drought. Most city services will resume Tuesday. WHKY
- ➤ Chesterfield Fire Rescue was awarded a state grant today as part of the 2026 North Carolina Volunteer Fire Grant Fund; the $38,780.75 contribution will be matched to buy new equipment such as nozzles, SCBA Airpacks, hoses and more. The department invites community volunteers to its Tuesday 7 p.m. meeting. Go Foothills
SPORTS NEWS
- ➤ On Tuesday, May 19, the high school softball regional finals saw West Wilkes win 19-3, West Stanly beat Fred T. Foard 3-0, and South Caldwell defeat Kings Mountain 9-0; each series now stands at 1-0, with game two scheduled for Wednesday. WHKY
- ➤ Following a strong national quarterfinal run, five members of Lenoir-Rhyne men's lacrosse team earned All-South Region honors on May 20 as recognized by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association (USILA); Donovan Powell led with first team recognition while teammates earned second team status and honorable mentions. WHKY
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Networking Night at Hickory Crawdads Stadium
6:30-9:30 p.m. — L. P. Frans Stadium — $5 admission — Network with Emerging Leaders while enjoying a baseball game and family-friendly atmosphere.
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Charleston RiverDogs vs. Hickory Crawdads
6:30-9:30 p.m. — L. P. Frans Stadium — Ticket prices vary — Enjoy a thrilling baseball game featuring the Charleston RiverDogs and Hickory Crawdads.
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PMP Certification Training in Hickory, NC
9 AM – 5 PM — Hickory North Carolina — $1599 — Enhance your project management skills with comprehensive PMP certification training over four days.
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Hank Williams Jr Tribute Concert
7-10 p.m. — The Premier — Tickets starting at $20.78 — Experience high-energy performances of Hank Williams Jr.'s classic hits by a top tribute band.
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Furniture Manufacturing Expo 2026
Trade Show — June 3-4 — Hickory Metro Convention Center — Entry fee varies — Explore the latest innovations in furniture manufacturing with over 300 exhibitors.
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Candlelight Concert Series in Hickory
7-8 p.m. — Hickory, NC — Ticket purchase required — Enjoy an intimate musical experience in a candle-lit setting.
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Concerts by Candlelight
7-8 p.m. — Hickory North Carolina — Ticketed event — Experience an intimate musical performance illuminated by candlelight in a historic venue.
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.
TODAY'S FOOD FOR THOUGHT
There are no shortcuts to any place worth going.
~ Beverly Sills
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