Archive - May 17, 2012
Growing up in Las Vegas, Hickory Crawdads third baseman Drew Robinson said he lived a normal life growing up.
Now, the 20-year-old is pursuing his dream and following in his brother's footsteps at the minor league level.
To read more of this story, pick up the Friday edition of Catawba County's community newspaper, The Observer News Enterprise, at newsstands throughout the county.
Thursday's scheduled game between the Hickory Crawdads and the Asheville Tourists at Historic McCormick Field in Asheville was postponed due to inclement weather and wet grounds.
The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader in Asheville this Saturday, featuring two 7-inning games. Game one on Saturday will start at 5:35 p.m.
By
STEVE REED,AP Sports Writer
CHARLOTTE — Jimmie Johnson's No. 48 pit crew got its revenge.
Johnson's team won the NASCAR Sprint Pit Crew Challenge on Thursday night, avenging last year's loss in the finals to Denny Hamlin's No. 11 team.
Hamlin's team was the two-time defending champions coming into the event and cruised into the finals again this year, but lost to Johnson's team by three-tenths of a second.
Sweepstakes parlors, also referred to as Internet cafés, are plentiful in Catawba County.
Newton has three, Conover has a handful and Hickory has several, too, including the state’s first parlor.
Area residents may see even more in the near future.
Maiden’s Town Council recently agreed to permit sweepstakes establishments within town limits.
The Zahra Baker All Children’s Memorial Playground opens Saturday in Hickory.


Community residents, Hickory city staff and special guests all help dedicate the playground at 11 a.m. Saturday at Kiwanis Park at 805 6th St. SE in Hickory.
Billy Mack Strickland, 57, of Conover, died unexpectedly Thursday, May 17, 2012.
A memorial service is Saturday, May 19, 2012 at 3 p.m. at Burke Mortuary Chapel in Newton.
Sally Bradshaw's ties to the Fred T. Foard community stretch nearly 40 years.
She plans to retire June 30 after nearly a decade as principal at the school.
Catawba County Schools Superintendent Glenn Barger, who also retires June 30, said the system will fill the open Foard principal position by July 1.
By
Hope Yen/Associated Press
The nearly bankrupt U.S. Postal Service (USPS) is moving forward with a multibillion-dollar cost-cutting plan that will close nearly 250 mail processing centers, including its Hickory facility.
Conover plans to pass along a water rate increase to city customers. For the average water consumer, budget proposal will mean a $3 increase annually.
Maiden and Claremont plan to absorb the water rate increase issued by the city of Hickory.
More details from Conover’s proposed budget are in the Thursday edition of The O-N-E.
