Good morning, Hickory.

Garfield Kenny Wilson, Jr. (34) of Hickory was arrested by the Hickory Police Department and Catawba County Sheriff’s Office on several charges including felony possession of a schedule II controlled substance, impaired driving, and simple assault, and he was held at the Catawba County Detention Facility this morning on a $5,800 bond with a District Court date set for today.

Timothy Setzer was fatally shot by Hickory police on Aug.

13 in a parking lot and his mother filed a lawsuit claiming he was unarmed and the officers used excessive force—she seeks $25 million in damages and the release of body camera footage to show what happened. The suit accuses three officers of negligence and wrongful death, prompting a call for accountability in the shooting.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson launched Operation Robocall Roundup as part of a multistate effort by 51 attorneys general to stop illegal robocalls in North Carolina by sending warning letters to 37 voice providers & 99 downstream providers who did not follow FCC rules.

He gave these companies three weeks to begin stopping the calls and won a court order against Articul8 and its owner for helping fraudsters.

The North Carolina High School Athletic Association finalized a new conference realignment plan for high school sports in the Hickory Metro on March 6, following a draft in December 2024 and monthly revisions.

The plan creates four area conferences and assigns specific classifications for sports, with some schools joining different conferences for football—reflecting adjustments for limited varsity programs.

Throwdown Jones & Bad Romeo Concert

7-11 p.m. — The Premier — Tickets starting at $17.45 — Enjoy a night of energetic rock music from the vibrant Throwdown Jones band.

Hickory Fair

9:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. — Hickory American Legion Fairgrounds — Cost varies — Enjoy a vibrant mix of arts, crafts, and farming exhibits over six days.

Hickory Bot Battles Combat Robot Competition

September 12th & 13th — Carpenter Hall — Entry details TBA — Get ready for an exciting showdown of combat robots at the 8th annual Hickory Bot Battles.

Sails Original Music Series

6-7:30 p.m. — Taft Broome Park — Free admission — Experience the electrifying sounds of Selwyn Birchwood as part of a vibrant music series in Hickory.