Here's your local news at a glance for Thursday, the 18th of December.
Good morning, Hickory.
🏘️ Community
The City of Hickory awarded the Business.
Well Crafted. Legacy Award to WHKY on Tuesday, Dec. 16 for 85 years of service and community connection. The veteran-owned station supported local news + small businesses with solid programming over the decades.
💼 Business
Coley Home in Claremont plans a new facility, investing $9 million + creating 45 new jobs to boost local furniture manufacturing.
Gov. Stein said the move reinforces North Carolina's reputation as the furniture capital.
📰 Economy
City and county officials celebrated the completion of a new aircraft hangar at Hickory Regional Airport this morning.
The facility, featuring 12,000 sqft of hangar space (3,000 sqft office area), will host helicopter operations and boost local economic development.
Catawba County Economic Development Corporation announced that five local companies received $200,000 through its inaugural Future-Ready Manufacturing Grant.
The program will help firms implement advanced automation upgrades (including robotics and quality systems) to boost productivity.
🎓 Education
About 430 students from 20 schools competed at a robotics competition with 143 teams practicing science skills tied to STEM careers at Catawba County Schools (part of a local education push).
🏥 Health
Hickory med spa celebrated its first anniversary by offering free filler treatments for patients with cleft lip to boost confidence.
The owner says the service reflects a community commitment + helping those in need.
🏈 Sports
Lenoir-Rhyne's men's basketball team beat Wingate 89-75 on Dec.
17 at Wingate's home court. Junior Hodnett led with 18 points as the Bears improved to 9-3 overall and will host Mars Hill Saturday.
Lenoir-Rhyne women’s basketball beat Wingate 74-64 on Wednesday as Elyseia Brown set a career-high with 18 points and Abigail Brown and Ralee Bare also scored in double digits.
The Bears are now 6-4 and will host Mars Hill Saturday at 2:00 p.m.
Appalachian State senior guard Alonzo Dodd was named Player of the Week after he scored a career-high 25 points, seven rebounds + seven assists in an overtime win at the Hickory Hoops Classic on Sunday.
He will face Coastal Carolina at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Holmes Center.
Lenoir-Rhyne volleyball earned Academic All-District honors as four players were recognized by College Sports Communicators on Dec.
17; two players, Kayli Cleaver and Hadley Prince, advance as Academic All-America finalists with final selections to be voted on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2026.
🎉 Hickory Events
Submit an event →
SAFe® 5.1 (LPM) Training Workshop
9 AM-1 AM — Hickory, NC — Early bird pricing starts at $1,346.06 — This two-day workshop equips attendees with essential Lean Portfolio Management tools and techniques.
Collin Raye Concert
7:30-9 p.m. — Newton Performing Arts Center — Ticket prices vary — Experience soulful country ballads from the passionate Collin Raye.
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