The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton July unemployment rate was 4.3%, with the Asheville rate at 3.6%. Area county rates include:
Alexander - 3.7%
Avery - 4.1%
Burke - 4.3%
Caldwell - 4.5%
Catawba - 4.2%
Lincoln - 3.9%
McDowell - 4.1%
Watauga - 4.2%
Buncombe County had the state's lowest July unemployment rate at 3.4%, with Scotland County  recording the state's highest unemployment at 7.6%, according to figures released by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Two Lenoir men have been charged in connection with a double-homicide in Hickory. With the assistance of the Burke County Sheriff's Office and the Lenoir Police Department, Hickory Police arrested and charged 20-year-old Daniel Minton and 20-year-old Maurice Brown. Minton is charged with murder in the shooting deaths of Branique McKnight of Conover and Janarion Knox of Hickory. Brown is charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to murder. Reports state Hickory officers responded to a report of shots fired Thursday afternoon at a Hickory apartment where they discovered McKnight and knox who both died at the scene. Minton turned himself in at the Lenoir Police Department sometime following the shooting. Both he and Brown are being held without bond in the Catawba County Detention facility. Hickory Police continue to investigate.

Governor Cooper last week signed a proclamation declaring September 2017, Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in North Carolina, while visiting a treatment center. Addiction is a growing problem in North Carolina and opiod drug overdoses are on the rise. In 2016 opiod-related deaths were up by 20% from 2015.

The City of Hickory is developing a master plan for the future Sandy Pines Park, which is located on a 13 acre tract in the northeast quadrant. In an effort to gather essential public input regarding the park, a drop-in workshop is being held on Thursday September 14th from 5-7pm at the Highland recreation Center (1451 8th Street Drive NE). Citizens are encouraged to come by anytime during these hours to share their desires for recreation, health, fitness opportunities, and any items of concern.