Good morning, Hickory.

On July 18, Lenoir-Rhyne University received Accreditation-Provisional status from ARC-PA that lets the school move ahead with its PA Studies program — the program will welcome its first cohort in January 2026 pending SACSCOC approval.

Hickory’s new police chief Bryan Adams— a 27-year veteran and great-grandson of former chief Eugene W.

Lentz— was sworn in on July 11 and now leads the department. He said his family taught him to care for others and that his biggest challenge is solving unsolved cases.

Nine candidates are running for three Newton City Council seats, with filing having closed at noon on July 18.

Voters will soon learn about the three incumbents and six challengers and consider their plans ahead of the Nov. 4 election.

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced Tuesday that a free Talkspace virtual therapy platform is available for teens in the justice system aged 13 to 17—part of a two-year program that may serve up to 20,000 youth.

The platform offers asynchronous therapy with clinicians via text, audio and video and participation is voluntary.

Yeremy Cabrera hit a grand slam in the seventh inning to give the Hickory Crawdads a 6-2 win over Fayetteville on Tuesday night after Fayetteville led 2-0 before Cabrera’s hit tied the game+he later stole a base to fuel the rally.

Lenoir-Rhyne will host its annual 828 celebration at Helen & Leonard Moretz Stadium on August 29th.

The free event, presented by FryeCare Orthopedics and Neurosurgery, will feature a football watch party as the Bears open the season against West Florida, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. and kickoff at 6:00 p.m. on the field along with food stands and games.

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.

Metallica & Guns and Roses Tribute

7-11 p.m. — The Premier — $17.45 - $519.00 — Experience a night of classic rock as tribute bands King Nothing and Appetite for Illusion rock out to legends Metallica and Guns N' Roses.

Throwdown Jones & Bad Romeo Concert

7-11 p.m. — The Premier — Tickets starting at $17.45 — Enjoy a night of energetic rock music from the vibrant Throwdown Jones band.

Hickory Fair

9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. — Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds — Cost varies — Enjoy a vibrant mix of arts, crafts, and farming exhibits over six days.