Drug overdoses in Burke County dropped to their lowest level in five years in 2025, while the sheriff’s staffing shortages have nearly disappeared — two of the key public safety improvements county officials highlighted during a recent budget planning session.

On Thursday, Feb. 5, U.S. Marshals searching for Joel Scott Wimbish, Jr., 44, on charges from the Statesville Police Department, discovered he was staying at a residence in Hildebran. Following several hours of negotiation, officers using a drone found him dead inside the home.

Monday marked the 44th anniversary of Rhonda Hinson’s murder, and once again, the Burke County Sheriff’s Office reminded residents of the $94,…

After a plethora of calls pertaining to overdoses, drugs, and general criminal activity, Burke County Sheriff Banks Hinceman decided to switch tactics in curbing crime on U.S. 64.

As of Oct. 13, courthouse visits in Western North Carolina went digital.

A fatal fire left two people dead and multiple dogs in the animal shelter on Sunday.

Two bodies were taken to Baptist Hospital medical examiner’s office for autopsy.

The Burke County Sheriff’s Office, Catawba County Sheriff’s Office, Hickory Police Department, and North Carolina Department of Public Safety, collaborated in the arrest of Kenneth Otto Jones, who was under investigation for a suspected methamphetamine trafficking operation.