Good morning, Hickory.

The Wittenburg Swim Beach in Bethlehem is closed because a pump station failed due to lightning.

Officials are checking bacteria levels over the next days and will reopen the beach when tests show the water is safe.

Full Circle Arts invites local photographers to join the Summer Memories photography competition.

Submissions are accepted from July 9 to 11 and the exhibition runs from July 23 to August 29, offering $225 in prizes and judged by Michael Gaines.

Conover School will remain open next year as Newton-Conover works with Hickory City Schools (and Catawba County Schools) on memorandums of understanding to secure its long-term operations.

The City of Hickory announced that its Yard Waste Facility is now open only on Fridays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 310 Cloninger Mill Road NE, where residents can purchase mulch and leaf compost for $25 per three-yard scoop on a first-come, first-served basis.

Today the NC Department of Commerce announced $70 million in funding to rebuild affordable rental housing in communities hit by Hurricane Helene, including in Catawba County, through its Renew NC Multi-Family Construction and Repair Program — grants range from $500,000 to $15 million and applications are accepted until Nov. 2.

State Fire Marshal Brian Taylor advised residents to let professionals handle fireworks this Fourth of July amid drought risks—urging families to follow local burn bans, attend sanctioned displays, and call 911 for any fires.

CVCC baseball players Sylas Mills and Pierce Bouwman were named NJCAA All-Americans after impressive spring seasons that helped the team finish 36-23; their honors mark only the second time the program has had two honorees in one season.

American Legion baseball games on Sunday, June 29 featured the Hill City Howlers winning against the Hickory Crawdads with five homers, while other contests recorded scores of Caldwell County 8 to Gastonia 3, Gaston Braves 10 to Burke County 2, and Cherryville 10 to Burke County 0.

In the series finale on Sunday, the Hill City Howlers defeated the Hickory Crawdads 9-4 at LP Frans Stadium after firing five home runs, snapping the Crawdads' eight-game winning streak.

Hickory begins a 12-game road trip starting Tuesday in Myrtle Beach & returns on July 17 at 7 p.m.

The Lenoir-Rhyne women’s track and field team earned six new spots on the CSC Academic All-District team on June 29 with each athlete making their first appearance.

Mackenzie Pringle is set for Academic All-America consideration, with the full team to be announced at noon on Wednesday, July 15.

4th of July Music Festival and Fireworks

5:30-11:30 p.m. — L. P. Frans Stadium — $25-$30 — Celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a vibrant concert and a spectacular fireworks show.