Renata Crawley has been selected as the 2019-2020 Teacher of the Year for McDowell County Schools.

Crawley currently teaches Science and English Language Arts in 5th grade at West Marion Elementary. She was most recently a recipient of the prestigious Burroughs Wellcome Award for Science and Math Teachers. Also announced Friday, was Mary Ann Basney as the Secondary Teacher of the Year. She teaches 7th grade math at East Middle.

All of the 14 McDowell County School winners were honored Thursday night at the annual Teacher of the Year Celebration.

The longtime director of Hickory Parks and Recreation has announced his retirement.

Mack McLeod will retire on June 1st after more than 37 years with the City of Hickory.

McLeod began his career with the city as Assistant Recreation Director at the original Highland Recreation Center in 1982, and was appointed as Hickory's Parks and Recreation Director in 1998.

Applications are being accepted for the Hickory Fire Department's Citizens' Fire Academy.

The Fire Academy is an 8-week course offered to adults who either live or work in the City of Hickory.

Participants will learn about equipment, services, and duties of the Hickory Fire Department and how it serves the city.

The course meets on Thursday nights from 6:30-8:30, beginning September 5th, at Hickory Fire Station #7.

Applications can be found at www.HickoryNCgov or at any Hickory fire station. For additional information, call 323-7420.