Good morning, Hickory.

The Hickory Parks, Recreation + Sports Tourism Department will host a Back to School Bash on August 23 at Taft Broome Park at 115 7th Avenue S.W. in Hickory.

The event will offer free haircuts, face painting + prizes from 5 to 7 p.m.

Carissa Lynn Lochbaum, 33, of Hickory, was sentenced on July 22 by Judge Peter Knight to serve six to eight years in prison—she was fined $500,000 for trafficking fentanyl and failing to report a death.

North Carolina's labor force dropped by 950 workers in June as 6,560 jobs were lost and 5,610 more people became unemployed, keeping the jobless rate at 3.7%.

Private sector gains in education, health, construction and services were offset by declines in trade and manufacturing, and tariffs may slow growth further.

Catawba Valley Community College will launch its new Red Hawk Ready program this fall—this program will include most required textbooks in tuition and deliver them digitally through Blackboard to help students start class prepared.

Some courses may still require separate supplies.

Governor Josh Stein announced Wednesday that 27 counties received more than $204 million to improve drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.

The City of Lenoir will get $5.6 million for wastewater treatment plant improvements — and $1 million for lead service line replacement as the Division of Water Infrastructure begins its Fall 2025 funding round.

On July 23, the Lenoir-Rhyne Women’s Lacrosse team placed 11 athletes on the IWLCA NCAA Division II Academic Honor Roll—the most among SAC schools and tied for ninth nationally—and earned 2025 Academic Squad honors for a 3.55 team GPA over the 2024—25 school year.

The Bears also posted key wins on the field, including their best record and first SAC Tournament win since 2019.

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.

ASICS XC Night

6-8 p.m. — Fleet Feet Hickory — Free entry — Gear up for your XC season with exclusive insights and gear at Fleet Feet.

Metallica & Guns and Roses Tribute

7-11 p.m. — The Premier — $17.45 - $519.00 — Experience a night of classic rock as tribute bands King Nothing and Appetite for Illusion rock out to legends Metallica and Guns N' Roses.

Throwdown Jones & Bad Romeo Concert

7-11 p.m. — The Premier — Tickets starting at $17.45 — Enjoy a night of energetic rock music from the vibrant Throwdown Jones band.