Good morning, Hickory.

The Bill McDonald Scholarship Fund Committee donated $4,500 yesterday to help local children during the holiday season—$2,250 went to Hickory Fire Department’s Bikes for Tykes and $2,250 to Hickory Police Department’s Cops for Tots.

This donation marks the fund’s 10th consecutive year of supporting programs for underprivileged children in Hickory.

Construction on a 101,000-square-foot shell building at Burke Business Park—valued at $9 million with a price set at $11.2 million—is expected to begin soon.

Town officials in Long View inspected Hilltop Apartments at 151 18th Street Place NW following repeated citizen complaints and found 25 units in disrepair.

The town issued repair orders for 15 units due by February 10 and two additional units due by February 16, with possible enforcement actions if repairs are not completed.

Hickory Holiday Parade

6-8 p.m. — Hickory Music Factory — Free entry — Enjoy lively performances by the HMF Steel Band and Jazz Band under the sails in downtown Hickory!

Point of View Teen Writing Club

5-6 p.m. — Patrick Beaver Memorial Library — Free entry — Unleash creativity through writing challenges and storytelling games with fellow teen writers.