Good morning, Hickory.

Mellow Swells will perform at 7 p.m. on Friday, Sept.

11 at Union Square in downtown Hickory as part of the free Sails Original Music Series (presented by Protection Products, Inc.). Local artist Kimberly Bost will add live art scheduled to be auctioned on Oct. 2 during Passions Alive.

Business and community leaders met at the Hickory Metro Convention Center Wednesday to examine how a child care crisis cost Catawba County $50.5 million a year by affecting 8,185 workers — discussions focused on subsidy reforms that could boost the state’s economy.

Hickory City Schools reported that students completed 398 AP exams last school year, with nearly 75% scoring 3 or higher, showing strong academic performance in our district.

The City of Hickory will hold a Patriot Day Remembrance Ceremony this Friday, Sept.

11 at 9:30 a.m. at Union Square. Local officials and community leaders will lead bell tolling at 8:46 a.m. and musical tributes to honor 9/11.

After over 48 hours of work, the Town of Long View completed water line repairs near Indian Hills/Cape Hickory Road — residents may see water gradually returning and should run an outside spigot to flush cloudy water.