There was an armed robbery at a Hildebran convenience store last weekend. Officers with the Burke County Sheriff's Office continue to investigate Sunday's robbery that occurred at the Fast Track Convenience Store on South Center Street. Reports state the store's clerk told deputies a black male walked into the business, pulled something out of his pocket, and demanded money. The suspect took money and items from the store, and then fled the scene in a '90's-model gold Mitsubishi headed in the direction of Henry River Road. The suspect is described as being about 5-feet tall with dreads wearing a hoodie and blue jeans. Anyone having information should contact Burke County Crimestoppers at 437-3333.

A Hickory man is charged with Felony Breaking and or Entering and Safecracking. Burke County Sheriff's Deputies responded about 4am Saturday, to a Breaking and Entering to a physician's office at 107 South Main Street in Hildebran. When deputies arrived a suspect fled on foot. Around 7:40am a deputy observed a man walking along Wilson Road near 40th Street NW, but the suspect ran when the deputy approached for questioning. After a short chase through the woods, the man was apprehended and identified as 45-year-old Jerome Lee McNeely. He was placed in the Burke Catawba Confinement Facility under a $50,000 secured bond. The investigation is continuing.

Hickory City Council met in a regular meeting Tuesday night. Council heard from Parks and Recreation Director Mac McCloud and two volunteers concerning improvements to mountain bike trails at both Hickory City Park and Rotary-Geitner park. City Council was told the estimated cost of improvements to these trails is $75,000 to $100,000 and a study by ASU shows an economic impact in Hickory of $2.8 million dollars. A proposal to get finanical and other assistance was passed by an agreement in principal with a unanimous 7-0 vote of Council. A Quarterly Financial Report by Assistant City Manager Rodney Miller, revealed that after only about 50% of the current fiscal year complete, Hickory has collected about 78% of the total amount projected to be collected by the end of the 2016-2017 fiscal year.