Good morning, Hickory.

Today, ten area nonprofits are sharing $90,000 from the Statesville ABC Board to support substance-use prevention, treatment and recovery programs.

The funding will benefit initiatives like youth drug education, sober housing and crisis assistance.

Utili-Serve is investing $11 million to expand its Conover headquarters, which will create 150 new jobs in Catawba County over the next three years.

Public hearings on local incentives will be held on Nov. 2 at the Catawba County Board meeting + Conover City Council.

The Alexander County Board of Education approved one-time bonuses of 1,000 dollars for 34 Head Start and NC Pre-K employees on Oct.

12 using 36,601 dollars from fund balance, and the bonuses cover the employer’s Social Security cost but carry no retirement expense.

At 9 a.m. on Wednesday, Oct.

21, a private contractor will close Fifth Avenue NE from North Center Street to Second Street NE in Hickory for crane lift operations; the work will finish by 4 p.m. and drivers should use caution in the area.

Hickory Police will hold a career open house on October 21 at police headquarters (347 Second Avenue Southwest) from 5:30 to 8 p.m., where prospective officers can tour the department and learn about career opportunities regardless of certification.

North Carolina's State Health Plan lost its bid to block the Atrium program and warned that state workers and retirees might soon face a $50 monthly premium hike.

Officials said the decision could reshape costs in the state's health care system.

Catawba Valley Health System (CVHS) has added Catawba Radiology Associates, expanding its network to 31 primary and specialty care practices serving Catawba, Alexander and Caldwell counties.

New Beginnings Hickory marks five years of service for men overcoming addiction and plans to expand as Executive Director Melissa Sheller (who led key improvements) will step down at the end of this year, with the board beginning its search for a new leader.