Good morning, Hickory.

Hickory Ward 5 held its primary on October 7 where Arnita Dula and David Zagaroli won with 42.86% and 29.40% of the votes respectively—5,000 voters from downtown, northwest Hickory, and the Viewmont section took part as they advance to the November City Council election.

Voter registration closes on October 10 and early voting starts on October 16 ahead of Election Day on November 4.

After a deadly flu season last winter, North Carolina health experts urge everyone to get the flu vaccine — they warn that vaccination may help prevent another severe outbreak.

Lenoir-Rhyne Baseball announced several staff promotions on October 7th, naming Micah Baumfeld as Associate Head Coach, promoting Blake Bean to full-time assistant coach, and adding former Bear Owen Blackledge as a volunteer assistant—moves that follow a record-setting pitching season. These changes mark a new chapter for the program as they build on recent on-field successes.

The Lenoir-Rhyne men's golf team finished third among 16 teams at the Anderson/Erskine Currahee Invitational on October 7 and recorded their second top-five finish this season—Matthew McDougall led with an eighth-place finish at a score of 213, and the team will compete in the Fripp Island to Bermuda Invite on October 20-21.

Junior Eve Neild finished second at the St. Simons Island Intercollegiate on October 7 with a record three-round score of 214—marking her second consecutive top-ten finish—while the Bears placed eighth among 18 teams.

The team will compete next at the D2 Elite Invitational on October 27-28.

Wingate beat Lenoir-Rhyne 3-1 at Shuford Arena on October 7 — Emmie Modlin had 15 kills, 26 assists, and 19 digs while Wingate extended its win streak to nine and the Bears fell to third in the SAC.

Hickory Oktoberfest

9-11 p.m. — Hickory North Carolina — Free entry — Experience the best of local beer and food at the main stage during Oktoberfest.

$3,000 to Win Race at Hickory Motor Speedway

4:30-10 p.m. — Hickory Motor Speedway — $3,000 to win — Experience thrilling stock car racing at one of NASCAR's most legendary venues.

JAZZ LEGACY Concert Series

2-4 p.m. — Sails On The Square — Free entry — Experience the Byron Bean All Star Big Band in a vibrant outdoor jazz concert.

CWGMP Association Convention and Fan Awards 2025

6:30-10:30 p.m. — Brookford Community Building — Check website for ticket info — Experience vibrant vocal performances and instruction from talented artists.