Good morning, Hickory.

Greater Hickory Cooperative Christian Ministry announced the appointment of Rev.

Amanda Sowards as its Interim Executive Director on July 14, and she has supported the ministry as a volunteer and church liaison for over a year. She brings extensive leadership experience from her work locally and in Nicaragua—guiding faith-based initiatives focused on serving the underserved.

North Carolina is now ranked the best state for business by CNBC for 2025—this is the third top ranking in four years.

Gov. Stein said the state has a strong workforce and bipartisan support—even as it works to recover from rising costs and last fall’s Hurricane Helene.

A Burke County farm joined the new Red Hen mobile app to let local customers order fresh poultry and other farm products online with pick up or delivery options.

Flat Gap Farm in Connelly Springs hopes the app—launched nationwide in late June—will grow its customer base and help small farms compete with larger retailers.

Hickory Police responded to a fatal drive-by shooting at Keating Pointe Apartments on 2nd Street SE on July 14 when a 22-year-old victim was killed + officers secured the area and are investigating with no suspect information released.

A Sherrills Ford man was charged with breaking into a Morganton cycling business — detectives learned he pawned items stolen from the business in Cherokee.

Paige Walker, a Health Science Educator at Hickory Career + Arts Magnet High School, was chosen as a finalist for the NC Center for the Advancement of Teaching Career and Technical Education Teacher of the Year award and will attend a week-long professional development program in December as part of the final review process. Hickory City Schools nominated her, and she will represent the district at the state level.

15th Avenue NE in Hickory is closed today from the intersection with Springs Road NE to about 300 feet west from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. — road crews are installing water and sewer taps and the road will reopen on July 18.

Starting next week, the Sherrills Ford location of the Catawba County Sheriff’s Office will open only on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m.—the hours were reduced due to decreased appointments and walk-in traffic.

The North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill 850, which Governor Josh Stein signed on July 9 to impose a moratorium on interbasin water transfer approvals that would have let Charlotte Water increase its rate from 33 MGD to 63 MGD.

The law will remain in effect until after March 2027—public meetings raised local concerns about water supply and river pollution.

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.

ASICS XC Night

6-8 p.m. — Fleet Feet Hickory — Free entry — Gear up for your XC season with exclusive insights and gear at Fleet Feet.