The Hickory Scoop- What’s Really Happening in the Unifour

The Hickory Scoop- What’s Really Happening in the Unifour Let’s Start Making Hickory & our Unifour Community better together. Share the thoughts here!

02/13/2026

Learn more about the Catawba County Republican candidates for sheriff.

02/13/2026

We have been notified of a potential scam in our area involving persons utilizing names of Hickory Police Department staff and requesting payment.

HPD will never reach out and request payment to resolve warrants or cases.

If you receive a suspicious call, hang up and call our communications center at 828-328-5551.

Posting for Input- 9 month old roof leaking near a valley. Does anyone see an issue on why it would leak there? I’m gett...
02/08/2026

Posting for Input- 9 month old roof leaking near a valley. Does anyone see an issue on why it would leak there? I’m getting the run around and believe a cheap fix that isn’t going to last. They are saying it is installed correctly but then why would I have a leak already the first heavy rains of the season? TIA

2/7/26 Couple Arrested on Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking Charges in LenoirLENOIR, N.C. — The Caldwell County S...
02/08/2026

2/7/26 Couple Arrested on Fentanyl and Methamphetamine Trafficking Charges in Lenoir

LENOIR, N.C. — The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office I.C.E. Unit arrested two local residents following a traffic stop that led to the seizure of fentanyl and methamphetamine.

Narcotic agents conducted a traffic stop for a moving violation. K9 Lesi was deployed and alerted to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle. A search recovered approximately 32 grams of fentanyl and 26 grams of methamphetamine.

Jonathan David Minton, 30, and Brittany Danielle Hoy, 29, both of Caldwell County, were charged with two counts of trafficking fentanyl, possession with intent to sell/deliver methamphetamine, and maintaining a vehicle for narcotics.

Both were placed in the Caldwell County Detention Center under secured bonds. Bond amounts were not specified in the release.

The seized narcotics have a street value of $10,300 according to North Carolina State Drug Guidelines.

Sheriff Kevin H. Bean stated that the arrests are part of ongoing efforts to remove illegal drugs from the community.

The Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office encourages anyone with information on the use or distribution of illegal controlled substances to contact authorities. Information will be kept confidential.

Contacts include:
- Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office I.C.E. Unit: 828-757-1178
- Lenoir Police Department Narcotics Division: 828-757-2145
- Hudson Police Department: 828-728-5021
- Granite Falls Police Department: 828-396-3358
- Caldwell County Crimestoppers: 828-758-8300

Man with Felony Warrants from Statesville Found Deceased During Burke County Standoff**HILDEBRAN, N.C. — Joel Scott Wimb...
02/08/2026

Man with Felony Warrants from Statesville Found Deceased During Burke County Standoff**

HILDEBRAN, N.C. — Joel Scott Wimbish, Jr., 44, of 110 Tenth Street SE in Hildebran, was found deceased inside a residence on February 5, 2026, during an attempt by U.S. Marshals to locate him on active felony warrants issued by the Statesville Police Department.

The warrants were for attempted first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury, assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury with intent to kill, robbery with a dangerous weapon, and possession of a firearm by a felon.

Investigators received information that Wimbish was staying at the residence. Officers confirmed he was inside and armed. Despite several hours of negotiation, he did not surrender.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office S.W.A.T. Team, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office STAR Team, drone unit, and negotiation teams responded. Catawba County’s armored vehicle was used to breach the front door, allowing drone access inside the residence.

Using drone technology, officers located Wimbish deceased inside. The North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) was contacted to investigate the death.

Sheriff Hinceman stated, “The Burke County Sheriff’s Office is appreciative of the assistance provided by law enforcement partners.”

Agencies involved included the Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Burke County EMS, Catawba County EMS, NC SBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Statesville Police Department, and Burke County Communications Center.

No additional details on the cause of death or circumstances inside the residence were released.

02/01/2026

You shouldn’t be out and about… but apparently some folks have decided today is the day.

Our crews are attempting to plow and treat the streets, but are being crowded in the roadway, making it almost impossible to do their jobs.

These are large machines working in tough conditions, and they need space to operate safely. Our operators do not have full visibility behind the trucks, and they often have to stop and reverse as they work.

If you insist on making our jobs more difficult today, when you run into a plow or treatment truck, please give it plenty of room and do not follow closely behind.

Our crews will continue working as long as they can do so safely.

Stay safe, stay warm, and stay home.

02/01/2026

The area was expected to see 4-8 inches of snow.

02/01/2026

Hickory Police are requesting assistance in identifying the individuals pictured below.

Anyone with information is asked to contact our department at 828-328-5551 and reference the case number and officer.

Thank you for your assistance.

02/01/2026

Update: closer to 6:35 now
Catawba County- setting up now for my live shot on channel 9 at 6:25. Hearing state troopers responding to several calls right now. Temps are expected to plunge overnight causing very icy conditions. Watch channel 9 eyewitness news for updates tonight and tomorrow morning first thing. (Notice the bag I put over the light. My wife gave me a clothes pin to hold it in place)

12/10/2025

Are you interested in learning more about law enforcement to include patrol techniques, community policing, and criminal investigations? Do you want to become more familiar with the Hickory Police Department in general? Now is your opportunity!

The 47th session of the Hickory Police Department Citizens’ Police Academy (CPA) begins Thursday, January 15, 2026. Sessions are held at the department each Thursday from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., concluding with a graduation from the academy on March 5, 2026.

Interested parties are encouraged to contact our department or complete an application no later than January 8, 2026: https://www.hickorync.gov/police-forms Space is limited and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis and application approval.

Return Applications to:
Hickory Police Department
Attn: Sgt. A. J. Totillo
347 2nd Ave SW
Hickory, NC 28602

12/10/2025

12/10/25 6:30 PM Weather Update

A quick line of showers will sweep through over the next hour as a fast-moving cold front clears the area and ushers in a true shot of Arctic air for Thursday.

Once the northwest flow kicks in tonight, the mountains (especially the western-facing slopes) will pick up a quick 2–4 inches of snow. Occasionally, strong NW flow allows a few flurries to “escape” the high terrain and drift across the foothills and Piedmont. It’s unlikely this time, but I’ll give it a 5–10% chance at best that someone east of the mountains sees a brief flurry or two early Thursday morning. Picture this: partly cloudy skies, then a small cloud rolls overhead, drops a handful of flakes for a minute or two, then the sun pops right back out — all in about 30 minutes. No accumulation expected, of course.

Looking ahead, an even stronger surge of cold air arrives Sunday into Monday. Morning lows Monday could drop into the mid-teens — easily the coldest air of the season so far across the foothills and Piedmont.

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