Good morning, Hickory.

At a briefing held on June 24 at the Catawba County Justice Center, officials said the June 1 mass shooting in Mountain View killed 58-year-old Shawn Patrick Hood in self defense and led the District Attorney to indict seven people—six charged with conspiracy to commit first-degree murder and 63 counts of attempted first-degree murder and one on accessory charges—with no murder charges filed.

Six men have been indicted on 63 counts of attempted first-degree murder and one count of conspiracy after a mass shooting at a pool party on June 1 at Walnut Acres Drive in Mountain View that killed one man and injured 11, with a partygoer’s return fire believed to have caused the death.

37-year-old Keon Gaither (from 12th Street Court SE in Hickory) was arrested Tuesday, June 24 by Conover police for firearm possession by a felon and possession of up to a half ounce of marijuana, and he is held without bond with a District court date set for today.

On Tuesday, the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, state and federal officials announced indictments against seven individuals involved in the mass shooting on June 1st—charges include counts of conspiracy, multiple counts of attempted murder, and accessory charges linked to a separate Hickory shooting on April 5th that left one person dead and 10 others injured.

The City of Hickory named Darin Kiracofe as its new information technology director on June 23, and he now leads the I.T. department that supports over 300 computers and 400 mobile devices (he brings over 12 years of network management experience, including his role as chief information officer at Broughton Hospital in Morganton).

North Carolina Attorney General Jeff Jackson demanded information from software company PowerSchool after a 2024 data breach exposed personal data of nearly four million teachers, students, and parents — his request seeks details on the number of affected users, the security flaws that led to the breach, and the company’s actions to improve its cybersecurity measures.

On June 24, 2025 the B.A.S.S.

N.C. State Qualifier was held on Lake James where CVCC anglers Hunter Keller and Wes Smith won with a 15.04‑pound limit—qualifying them for the College National Championship on Cherokee Lake near Jefferson City, Tenn. Four CVCC teams will now compete in the College Bracket Tournament starting July 10.

Framed Felt Bugs Workshop

2-3 p.m. — Patrick Beaver Memorial Library — Free entry — Create fun framed felt bugs in a hands-on crafting session designed for kids aged 9-12.

Color Our World Tiny Canvas Painting Workshop

6-7 p.m. — Patrick Beaver Memorial Library — Free entry — Get creative by painting your own tiny canvas while enjoying an artistic atmosphere.

Chess Club

6-7 p.m. — Patrick Beaver Memorial Library — Free entry — Enhance your chess skills and strategies while engaging with local enthusiasts of all levels.

All Ages Story Time

10:00 – 10:30 AM — Patrick Beaver Memorial Library — Free entry — Enjoy an engaging story time with dancing and singing for all ages.

Bottle Cap Art

2-3:30 p.m. — Patrick Beaver Memorial Library — Free entry — Create vivid collages with recycled materials at this fun and artistic event.

Story Time with Hickory Police Department

10:00 – 10:30 AM — Patrick Beaver Memorial Library — Free entry — Learn about safety from Officer Null while enjoying story time at the library.

Scanography: Plant Collages

6-7 p.m. — Patrick Beaver Memorial Library — Materials provided — Create beautiful art using greenery and florals using only a flatbed scanner.

House of Hair 80's Metal

7-11 p.m. — The Premier — $17.45+ — Experience a blast from the past with an electrifying tribute to 80's Hair Metal.

ZMAX Cars Pro Tour

4:30-10 p.m. — Hickory Motor Speedway — Check website for ticket prices — Experience the thrill of stock car racing at one of NASCAR's historic tracks.

Big Bang Boom!

10-11 a.m. — Patrick Beaver Memorial Library — Free entry — Enjoy a family-friendly rock concert perfect for kids of all ages in a cozy library setting.