The June unemployment rate for the Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area was up slightly from May, according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The 5% rate was up .4 of 1 % from May's rate of 4.6%. Area county rates include Burke at 5.1%, Caldwell 5.4, Catawba 4.9, McDowell 4.8, Alexander 4.5, Avery 5.2 and Lincoln County at 4.7%. Buncombe County had the state's lowest unemployment rate at 3.9% with Scotland County recording the highest at 9.2%.

The Western Piedmont Foundation has awarded Jonathan Crumpler the 2016 Excellence in Teaching Award. Crumpler was recognized during WPCC's spring commencement excercises in May. As an instructor and coordinator for the Digital Effects and Animation Technology and Simulation and Game Development Programs at WPCC. Crumpler has been the driving force behind these innovative programs, his students have won numerous awards in the 48 Hour Film Festival, he has mentored numerous high school students working on senoir projects, and he also established partnership in the community with NCSD and Burke County Public Schools.

A Haywood County grandmother wins big in the state lottery. Brenda McCannon of Canton can now create lasting memories with her 15 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren. McCannon tried her luck Monday in a new lottery game, Lucky For Life, and won the second prize - $25,000 A Year For Life. She claimed her prize Tuesday at lottery headquarters in Raleigh. McCannon bought the $2 Quick Pick ticket at Lankfords Grocery on North Main Street in Canton. She matched all five white balls, beating the odds of one to 1.8 million to win the game's second prize. Ticket sales from games like Lucky For Life made it possible for the lottery to raise more than $600 million for the state last year.