[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6166183,"mediaKeyId","5415971-861572844d5a9f695451ff61c8ef3c21","parentId",5415971,"title","Council members express condolences after Ridgeview shooting; chief marks first council meeting since swearing-in","audioSeconds",125,"startMs",1482725,"endMs",1608130,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415971-861572844d5a9f695451ff61c8ef3c21&start=1482&end=1608","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415971-861572844d5a9f695451ff61c8ef3c21/thumbnail_1482725.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6166183/Hickory-City/Catawba-County/North-Carolina/Council-members-express-condolences-after-Ridgeview-shooting-chief-marks-first-council-meeting-since-swearing-in","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166183-4912785248375430e47e7b6441723fd8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775297272&Signature=AE7JCVJETMudKp-cbXLaTxmY1yFJZJn-sNLpwwebWDaX0dcWq8vEZnOS4AKxeKTJFXEhLLZkD2-wx1GDfgHaJrzCXshcduMU2C6ygqB0OS3lu2bb4L3C1HuU9eLOBJSipji~NWXbNfApydHgNmgoUu9GM5U5F4SEJUuae41Prb59gMsnvmzCDp2xEi9eW9Bm6UumtUTjDvyzsQZ03x4QvATw1EQ0vywiq2Y0L9-U3H78iyLJOA4vH5eM4PrOCKaR-PZ-GCqI4waDxzUxm3MPo65YtI8XzAX3ooKoVGXUUVLmbWS8M09FikjJX1Q6LaH57eNAVR7EmZGl8k4Zp6oCIA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City Council of Hickory, NC","date","2025-07-18T04:06:03.777Z","article","A council member expressed condolences to the Peterson family and the Ridgeview community on July 15 after a drive-by shooting that the speaker said killed a 22-year-old man.

\"My heart goes out to the Ridgeview community,\" the council member said, adding condolences to the Peterson family and saying they had confidence in the Hickory Police Department. The speaker said they “have strong confidence in our new chief of police, Bridal Adams,” and that they believed the department was working to bring those involved to justice.

Mayor Hank Gess also acknowledged Chief Bridal Adams, saying the July 11 swearing-in ceremony for Adams was well attended — about 200 people — and that the July 15 session was the chief’s first official city council meeting since taking office.

The council did not take formal action on the shooting during the meeting; no investigative details or suspects were reported on the council record. The remarks were expressions of condolence and support and did not include new operational directives recorded in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: A fatal shooting in a neighborhood raises public safety and community trust issues; the council’s public remarks signaled community concern and called attention to ongoing police work.

What the record shows and does not show: Council members expressed condolences and confidence in the police department; the meeting transcript contains no detailed briefing on the investigation, no motions, and no requests for a specific staff report at this meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Hickory City Council Meeting - July 15, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council members on July 15 offered condolences to the Peterson family and the Ridgeview community after a reported drive-by shooting that killed a 22-year-old; council members also noted Chief Bridal Adams’ July 11 swearing-in and his first council meeting role.","taxTitle","Hickory City, Catawba County, North Carolina","taxId",3980,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166188,"Hickory council approves reappointments and new members to multiple boards and commissions",168,1238645,1406965,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415971-861572844d5a9f695451ff61c8ef3c21&start=1238&end=1406","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415971-861572844d5a9f695451ff61c8ef3c21/thumbnail_1238645.jpg","/articles/6166188/Hickory-City/Catawba-County/North-Carolina/Hickory-council-approves-reappointments-and-new-members-to-multiple-boards-and-commissions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166188-88762cd85931c3a64603ff3b07c35fea/orig.mp4?Expires=1775297272&Signature=VT4NAfcSokkbA9vQDwWLdwzh6N~fY7tkJah3YK-H1w4VVL3cHMm9WB1rPSYMJZ3JoV1OcXI3GBuI2h-i2XfYfvI44IiUgpdZxMmjeqkfmA1JhyDzh05sl6auD2T0Yw6xc30pIQzdlCokSPWWxHmNfpu75EsvQrd89ZApySESOTwTnfOIiNyeKWTlToHZL1sEKTUtMZhFSozEg6aRrajIK8XkTGnWIvDDlr2F-Rd1Egm7Txg16JU1ZJiYRlaI6vbUAR1RwloX1Ldi27FatC00pEJRkLye-OjXJDva14iVYEXoJgGMQvMpAcXCKkqXTPegEreRCoAlyG~HPloqa1rUrA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hickory City Council on July 15 approved nominations to multiple boards and commissions, reappointing several incumbents and appointing new members.

Mayor Hank Gess nominated reappointments and new appointees across advisory bodies: Grace McLaren (business development committee reappointment), Yvonne Setzer (Citizens Advisory Committee), Tony Jackson and Sharon Cosby (Community Appearance Commission), Jacob Beaver (Community Relations Council), Nick Sailor and Susan Siegler (Parks and Recreation and Sports Tourism), David Workman (Public Arts Commission), Andrew Moose (Recycling Advisory Board), Renee Keever (tourism development authority owner-operator representative), Toddy Eddington (Youth Council, St. Stephens High School), Adam Oakley and Jonathan Wyant (Historic Preservation Commission), and Tim Trong (University City Commission).

The mayor stated many nominees were eligible for reappointment; the council moved to approve the slate, and the motion carried unanimously by voice vote. No council debate or opposition to the nominations was recorded in the meeting transcript.

Why it matters: Boards and commissions advise the city on policy, programming and development matters from parks and recreation to historic preservation and tourism; appointed members can affect recommendations that come to the council for decisions.

What the record shows and does not show: The meeting record captures nominations and a unanimous council approval; it does not include resumes, conflict-of-interest screening, or a separate roll-call vote in the transcript.","Council voted unanimously on July 15 to approve a slate of reappointments and new appointments to advisory boards including parks, historic preservation, community relations and the tourism development authority.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":79,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166193,"Hickory council unanimously rezones 14-acre parcel near Robinson Road to regional commercial",612,626370,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415971-861572844d5a9f695451ff61c8ef3c21&start=626&end=1238","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415971-861572844d5a9f695451ff61c8ef3c21/thumbnail_626370.jpg","/articles/6166193/Hickory-City/Catawba-County/North-Carolina/Hickory-council-unanimously-rezones-14-acre-parcel-near-Robinson-Road-to-regional-commercial","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166193-0fe0745cf6a1906b71f5d0e5e5fc469d/orig.mp4?Expires=1775297272&Signature=Eu1VHNSLIIxYgR-YH86IIkDoCKjqfuXyFRNR9hnIn6r1hsrl5vWVT-x6gJnbvOCWePMWbBBzeYVu77ViX-TGcv5ZWthwoUwWjbwJbNTEG2pcTIOUwWFcvjOI1yr8uDg4z6Jt6qdWZuFTOFmNx4mO4NOeIA0kd3RsZ1pfBR-DYS441Owcem4vZI2EO-i7Y7XuTJhGn-0TGJk95RddpLT4GWkYH6cvk~BfMihDQTxPcknsT9JnkTuRfJctn1JQD1oEKPiIfbj-ioh79qn60Ln3Sf8kD0xBSMqwC-t38ZcXhsoolx9TR7UM~l8lOtIVcSbBmSBvJJ8WQqhH33Zbg5S5VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Hickory City Council on July 15 approved rezoning petition 25-03 to change a roughly 14-acre parcel at Seventh Street Southeast from industrial to C-3 regional commercial. The vote was unanimous.

Bridal Frasier, planning director, said the property is owned by Kinsale Enterprises LLC and the applicant is Marybeth Shanahan. The parcel is vacant, sits just west and contiguous to the rear of the Home Depot on Robinson Road, and is located near Catawba Valley Boulevard and U.S. Highway 70.

Frasier said the change to regional commercial (C-3) would make the site more marketable by allowing a wider range of uses — from big-box retail to small shops, medical offices and multifamily — than the existing industrial zoning. The city’s comprehensive plan, “Hickory by Choice 02/1930,” designates the area as general business and identifies regional commercial as appropriate along major thoroughfares, Frasier told council.

The Hickory Regional Planning Commission held a public hearing and voted 5–1 to recommend approval. Frasier said the dissenting commissioner was concerned about access because there is currently a single means of access from Highway 70 into the site and about proximity to the adjacent Providence Forest medium-density residential subdivision. Frasier said the C-3 zoning would act as a transitional use between industrial and residential and that access and traffic issues would be addressed when a development application is submitted.

Will Clayton, the owner’s representative, told council the owner has prepared surveys and annexation work but “we don't know what's gonna go there yet.” Frasier said, depending on the proposed use, the city and N.C. Department of Transportation could require a traffic impact analysis and additional means of ingress/egress; the parcel is on a DOT road and residential development thresholds (99 lots or fewer) and site-specific requirements will affect any future approvals.

Council took no site-plan action at the meeting; the rezoning was a map amendment only. No individual recorded roll-call vote was given in the meeting transcript; the council approved the rezoning by voice vote with all members saying “aye.”","On July 15 the City Council approved rezoning petition 25-03 to change roughly 14 acres off Seventh Street Southeast from industrial to C-3 regional commercial; planning staff said access and possible traffic analysis will be evaluated when a site proposal is submitted.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6166196,"Hickory resident urges city action to expand broadband competition after service outages",66,446625,512680,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5415971-861572844d5a9f695451ff61c8ef3c21&start=446&end=512","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5415971-861572844d5a9f695451ff61c8ef3c21/thumbnail_446625.jpg","/articles/6166196/Hickory-City/Catawba-County/North-Carolina/Hickory-resident-urges-city-action-to-expand-broadband-competition-after-service-outages","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6166196-6944c364e43df914a67af0be4ae66fb8/orig.mp4?Expires=1775297272&Signature=fQA3uK7ZqEt64ogfpPWtv4wkV8Dq9UfjN7D9lC1N4bCFJfegUiCzVDisV33qk3XMUIClG4vKG1Xu8b5gED40SiGw0JmrZ6Ma0DR3TAvOvrh3rEEfmw6IEXaFHVrDiikQfoFa3YtfiOzNThGqNxX-tMUlq4X1hkqInyr6T8yigJJ8OoQiM9oRdHpCS3HcU0laNVwN7sBuJWAkwgy7PsM0yY1l6Wb9z~68S8aI95hjo2Q5ZGoFd8D3nCsfsWQ1yz5QaAfO23Y~6hfwsFKVWWLW06VkG-rqyl2Z15XdQ1PsuZkOex0CJD4w9T~fpfjgNIoaI9Bu6Lj30N8KPAvcORspOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Kimberly Turk, a Ward 6 resident, told the Hickory City Council on July 15 that long-standing reliance on Spectrum has left parts of the city without reliable competition and asked the council to facilitate broader rollout by MetroNet and Ripple.

Turk, who gave her address as 2436 20 Ninth Avenue Court Northeast, said Spectrum “has had a monopoly on my life for over 20 years.” She told council that after she cancelled her home phone her internet costs increased, that “every couple of days, my streaming just stops for a minute or 2,” and that “at least once a month, I will lose service for 2 or 3 hours.”

Turk said she was encouraged when MetroNet and Ripple entered the market but that those carriers did not extend service to her neighborhood. She reported a neighborhood rumor that Ripple could not get a city permit because local roads were “too new,” and asked council to “give Spectrum competition everywhere in the county.”

No council member made a formal response on the record during the public comment period and the council did not take any immediate action addressing Turk’s request during the meeting. The city’s public speaker rules, read by the mayor before public comment, note speakers should limit remarks to three minutes and to matters pertaining to the City of Hickory.

Why it matters: Competition among internet service providers can affect price, service reliability and local consumer choice. Turk’s remarks identified specific service reliability problems and asked the council to consider steps that would enable alternative providers to serve her neighborhood.

What the record shows and does not show: Turk raised alleged permit issues and service gaps; the council did not provide an on-the-record explanation of permitting limits or cite any specific ordinance or policy during the meeting. No staff presentation or vote followed the public comment to indicate city action would be taken.","At the July 15 City Council meeting, Ward 6 resident Kimberly Turk told council that intermittent outages and limited rollout by new providers have left parts of the city without competition for internet service and asked the council to help open access for MetroNet and Ripple.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Council members express condolences after Ridgeview shooting; chief marks first council meeting since swearing-in

Hickory council approves reappointments and new members to multiple boards and commissions

Hickory council unanimously rezones 14-acre parcel near Robinson Road to regional commercial

Hickory resident urges city action to expand broadband competition after service outages