History of The Observer News Enterprise

The Observer News Enterprise is the oldest newspaper serving Catawba County, North Carolina. Founded in February 1879 by George Warlick and WB. Gaither, The Newton Enterprise was a historical ground-breaker in the Tar Heel state's newspaper industry. With the inception of the weekly product, Newton became one of only13 towns in North Carolina to be served by a community newspaper.

Since that early start more than 125 years ago, The Newton Enterprise has provided great local news for citizens of Newton and Catawba County through incarnations, including The Catawba County News, The Catawba News Enterprise and The Newton Observer.
Today, The Observer News Enterprise continues to provide great local news coverage for the Catawba County communities of Newton, Conover, Maiden, Claremont and Catawba.

The five-day newspaper hits the streets at noon each day with comprehensive coverage of government activity, police and courts news, business developments, education beats and area sports. Meanwhile, The Observer News Enterprise provides great feature stories that highlight the people and places that make Catawba County such a great place to work, live and play.

The Observer News Enterprise also produces a one-of-a-kind "good news" product in Catawba County - Outlook. This free weekly feature publication spotlights arts and entertainment happenings throughout the Hickory Metropolitan area. Outlook is available in the Thursday edition of The Observer News Enterprise, and is also delivered to hundreds of restaurants, grocery stores, businesses and other retailers throughout Catawba County.

In addition to producing the daily newspaper of record Catawba County, the Observer News Enterprise operates an exceptional press shop which produces other news products and sales papers for businesses thoughout western North Carolina. Likewise, The Observer News Enterprise proudly prints school newspapers for high schools and colleges throughout the Catawba County and the Hickory Metro.