Here's your local news at a glance for Monday, the 14th of July.
Good morning, Hickory.
💼 Business
Toyota Battery Manufacturing NC in Randolph County sent its first car batteries from its Triad plant to power the Corolla Cross after a $13.9 billion investment that began more than three and a half years ago.
Local officials worry that tax credit cuts under the Big Beautiful Bill may slow the ramp up to 14 production lines and 5,100 jobs — a change that could affect future growth.
North Carolina has regained its status as the nation’s top state for business according to CNBC’s 2025 rankings, marking the third time in four years it has earned the honor—officials credit a strong workforce, solid infrastructure, and bipartisan leadership while noting challenges from Hurricane Helene and rising costs.
🏛️ Government
Ninth Avenue Drive Northwest near Hickory Regional Airport will close for two days starting at 7 a.m. Tuesday, July 15 for a pipe installation by NCDOT contractors; the road will reopen for local traffic at 5 p.m. Thursday, July 17 (non-local drivers will follow a detour via Hickory Airport Road, Second Avenue Northwest, Eighth Avenue Northwest, and 21st Street Northwest).
🏈 Sports
The Hickory Crawdads lost 11-2 to the Lynchburg Hillcats on July 13th in Virginia, snapping their five-game winning streak and marking Lynchburg’s only series win – Esteban Mejia hit a home run to open the scoring.
The team is 49-37 overall and will resume home games Friday against the Charleston RiverDogs.
The Hickory Crawdads beat the Lynchburg Hillcats 4-0 Saturday with single-run scoring in four innings and strong pitching that limited Lynchburg to five hits—Caden Scarborough earned his first win with five shutout innings.
The team improved to a 49-36 record and will wrap up the series on the road Sunday—further details await in the next game.
Hickory FC won the Southeast Conference title by beating Appalachian FC 1-0 in extra time at Moretz Stadium; Tomas Pollacchi scored the winning goal plus the victory secures the team a spot in the NPSL National Tournament.
Keelan Harvick won the PLM Tour race at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday by leading every lap, which secured him a starting spot in next month's Throwback Classic for a $30,000 prize (his first win in a full-bodied stock car).
He celebrated the win with his family, including his father, NASCAR champion Kevin Harvick.
🎉 Hickory Events
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Big Bang Boom!
10-11 a.m. — Patrick Beaver Memorial Library — Free entry — Enjoy a family-friendly rock concert perfect for kids of all ages in a cozy library setting.
Furniture Festival & Clearance Sale
9 AM – 6 PM — Hickory Furniture Mart — Free entry — Discover amazing discounts on furniture while enjoying artisan displays and demonstrations.
Sunny Ledfurd Live Performance
7-10 p.m. — The Premier — No cover — Enjoy an eclectic mix of tunes from Sunny Ledfurd's broad musical influences.
Summer Heat Mixed Moneyball Tournament
5:30 AM — Carolina Pickleball Club - Hickory — Competitive entry — Enjoy an exciting day of mixed doubles pickleball action under the summer sun.
🏠 Hickory Real Estate
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💼 Hickory Job Board
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📣 Hickory Announcements
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