The City of Hickory Office of Business Development presented its Hickory Trail Report at Tuesday’s Hickory City Council meeting.

The report outlines economic goals for city projects – namely a 5-point-2 mile pathway that will connect amenities and destinations throughout the city from Lenoir-Rhyne University through downtown to Lake Hickory.

City staff with the Business development Office report the trail will lead to job and population growth.

The report lists goals to complete by 2035 – 8-thousand new jobs, an increase in population by 35-hundred, 17-hundred-50 new housing units, and 500-million dollars in private investment.

To read the entire report, visit hickory nc-dot-gov.

Advice to drivers during the fall months – Buckle Up, Slow Down, and Look Out for Deer!

Motor vehicle crashes involving deer typically peak during the fall months in NC, and the state’s most recent crash data indicates that trend continued in 2017.

Last year, almost half of all deer-related crashes in the state occurred in October, November, and December, with a fourth of that number in November alone.

Data shows the number of NC deer-related crashes in 2017 increased to more than 16-thousand-500; one of which included a fatality.

Officials say almost four out of five deer crashes occur between 6 pm and 8 am in the fall, and usually when light conditions were dark with no streetlights.

Some tips for motorists – always wear a seatbelt.

Slow down near wooded of farmland areas.

Watch for eyes reflecting from headlights.

Remember that deer travel in herds- where there’s one, there may be more.

Avoid relying on deer whistles or other devices placed on your vehicle.

Attempt to maintain control of your vehicle.

Officials say its safer to hit the deer than to swerve to void it, causing a crash with another vehicle.

If you should collide with a deer though, the Highway Patrol says to pull over to a safe location off the roadway and call 911 or star-HP for assistance.

With Thanksgiving Day only two weeks away, our thoughts turn to turkey, pumpkin pie, and football.

The City of Lenoir has several events planned to make your holiday special!

On November 17^th from Noon to 2, the Lenoir Caldwell County Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance is providing a free Thanksgiving dinner at the Martin Luther King Center at 313 Greenhaven Drive Southeast.

And you do not need to register or sign up.

Lenoir City Council members Crissy Thomas and Reverend Ike Perkins will be on hand to celebrate the 5^th Annual Cross Community Turkey Tuesday on November 20^th at the Martin Luther King Center.

Starting at 6 pm, volunteers will hand out free turkeys until they’re gone.

Fifty turkeys will be set aside for the first 50 senior citizens or persons with disabilities.

And of course a wonderful way to give back to the community, you can help support your neighbors by donating a frozen turkey to a family in need.

Drop off a turkey donation at the Martin Luther King Center 8 am till 5 pm Tuesday November 20^th.

Or you can donate money to help purchase turkeys for the needy.

Make checks payable to New Covenant UMC.