Good morning, Hickory.

Clay County nonprofit The Still Place offers free retreats, lodging + activities for families facing serious illness and child loss, funded by a 2025 NCCF grant.

Local high school teacher Terry Drum was awarded a $75,000 prize by Harbor Freight Tools, which he says will boost his school’s programs.

This recognition highlights his dedication to teaching at Hickory High.

Freedom High principal Shanda Epley — a 1992 Freedom graduate — was named Burke County Public Schools’ 2026-2027 Principal of the Year today; she will represent the county at North Carolina’s regional program.

Riversweep, the largest one-day river cleanup event in the Southeast, is set for Saturday and aims to remove at least 50,000 pounds of trash from local waterways.

Volunteers + community members are invited to help keep our rivers clear.

The Hickory Police Department will enforce speed limits and distracted driving rules on Falling Creek Road + select routes as part of its October campaign.

Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians must obey traffic laws to stay safe.

Hickory Police will enforce traffic laws during its October P.A.C.T. campaign on Falling Creek Road, 8th Avenue NW/NE (2nd to 4th Streets) and 33rd Avenue NW/4th Street Boulevard NW (North Center to 39th Ave Drive) to curb speeding and distractions.

Burke County Water urged customers to reduce usage by 10% under Stage 2 restrictions as reservoir levels reached 94.9% yet streamflow remained at 48.8% of average, so officials said more rain is needed.

Restrictions include watering twice weekly (8 p.m. to 8 a.m.) and bans on washing driveways.

Runners join the annual Trick or Trot 5K on Oct.

31 at 9 a.m. at Highland Recreation Center in Stanford Park, with food trucks, vendors plus free face painting along the route; registration is $30 before Oct. 18 and bib pickup is available on Oct. 29 and 30.