Good morning, Hickory.

The NC governor signed a law that limits cellphones, tablets, laptops, pagers, two-way radios + gaming devices in public schools after lawmakers reached a compromise that kept the Senate's version of the restrictions.

The Hickory Crawdads swept both games of a doubleheader against the Lynchburg Hillcats on July 12 with wins of 4-2 and 4-3 on the road.

Maxton Martin scored in each game and the team used only two pitchers — Garrett Horn and Thomas Ireland — to secure the win as they improved to a 48-36 record.

Lenoir-Rhyne Athletics will launch its 2025-26 season at the Bears Club Annual Social on Friday, August 22 from 5:30 to 8 p.m. at Moretz Mills, 74 8th St SE in Hickory; attendees will hear remarks from new President Dr. Summer McGee and meet new officials Daron Montgomery ’95 and JuJu Phillips ’83 along with five new coaches.

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.

Furniture Festival & Clearance Sale

9 AM – 6 PM — Hickory Furniture Mart — Free entry — Discover amazing discounts on furniture while enjoying artisan displays and demonstrations.

Sunny Ledfurd Live Performance

7-10 p.m. — The Premier — No cover — Enjoy an eclectic mix of tunes from Sunny Ledfurd's broad musical influences.

Summer Heat Mixed Moneyball Tournament

5:30 AM — Carolina Pickleball Club - Hickory — Competitive entry — Enjoy an exciting day of mixed doubles pickleball action under the summer sun.