Good morning, Hickory.

Hildebran-based electrical contractor IEM Electric, which has 40 employees, was acquired by a private equity-backed firm on Sept.

30 (terms were not disclosed).

IEM Electric, a local electrical contractor with 40 employees, was acquired by a private equity-backed firm when the deal closed Sept.

30. Financial terms were not disclosed.

Burke and Caldwell counties saw a 17% rise in business registrations in September with 109 filings mostly as LLCs.

The new filings bring the total near 1,000 for 2026 and underscore a growing trend in rural entrepreneurship.

Lenoir-Rhyne University will host homecoming weekend from Oct.

16–17 with alumni, students and families gathering for reunions and a groundbreaking for Eastside Commons student housing (designed for 246 residents) and will feature a football game on Oct. 17 at Moretz Stadium with tickets starting at $15.

On Monday, Oct. 5, Governor Josh Stein urged federal officials to preserve Head Start standards by maintaining staffing ratios and program guidelines that benefit more than 17,600 children + over 5,600 jobs statewide.

He asked for consultations with states, educators, and families before a final rule is issued.

The Granite Falls Fire Department held a live burn on Oct.

5 on New Farm Road (closed from River Bend Drive through Alex Lee Boulevard until midnight) and heavy smoke and flames were visible during the exercise.

City Council will consider a $1.23M contract for Sandy Pines Park today at City Hall (76 North Center Street) at 6 p.m. Eagle-Wood Inc. submitted the lowest bid among four, with plans for parking, sidewalks, trails, an accessible restroom, play structures and cornhole amenities.

Frye Regional Medical Center earned two American Heart Association Get With The Guidelines awards for STEMI and NSTEMI care — recognizing its strong heart treatment protocols.

The honors were bestowed recently in acknowledgment of the hospital's quality performance.

The Walk to End Alzheimer’s event drew over 1,000 participants and raised nearly $1 million to fund research & care services for Alzheimer’s today in our community.

Organizers say the event supports ongoing efforts to help those affected by the disease.

Frye Regional Medical Center earned NSTEMI Gold and STEMI Receiving Center Gold+ recognition from the American Heart Association on Oct.

5, reflecting its long-standing ability to provide timely, evidence-based heart attack care. The awards add to 16 years of national acclaim in heart disease treatment.