MURRAY COUNTY, Ga. — Murray County officials paid $200,000 to ransomware attackers following a cyberattack that disrupted multiple county government systems and forced several offices to close, according to county leadership. The cyberattack occurred on May 13 and impacted network operations across several county departments, resulting in limited functionality throughout county government. In a statement […]

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A 19-year-old Jonesboro man died Sunday afternoon after an accidental drowning at Panther Creek Falls, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division. Game Wardens responded to the scene at approximately 4 p.m. on June 7 following reports of a drowning at the popular hiking destination in Habersham […]

HARALSON COUNTY, Ga. — A Haralson County man has been sentenced to 30 years after pleading guilty to trafficking methamphetamine in connection with a traffic stop that led to the seizure of approximately 800 grams of the drug. According to the Haralson County Sheriff’s Office, Charles Robert Morris pleaded guilty on May 13, 2026, to […]

PRESS RELEASE – The Union County Sheriff’s Office continues to reach across borders (county lines and state lines) to assist other agencies for the common goal of ridding our local community of dangerous substances. This week, Investigators assigned to our Narcotics Division, assisted the Cherokee County, NC Sheriff’s Office with a narcotics investigation that resulted […]

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. – Nicholas Antonio Cheaton, a 42-year-old Chattanooga man and longtime Chattanooga criminal, was sentenced to serve the remainder of his life in the Georgia Department of Corrections without the possibility of parole, plus an additional 45 years for the murder of William Jones, a 39-year-old man from Chickamauga. The evidence, presented to […]

DADE COUNTY, Ga. — A former Dade County Jail administrator has been arrested following an investigation into financial records associated with the county jail, according to the Dade County Sheriff’s Office. Chief Deputy Tommy Bradford requested assistance from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation on May 28 after concerns were raised regarding purchases allegedly made by […]

HART COUNTY, Ga. — Several people were safely rescued Sunday evening after a boat began taking on water on Lake Hartwell, prompting a response from local and state authorities. According to the Hart County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were dispatched just after 7 p.m. on June 7 following reports of a vessel in distress with multiple […]

WALKER COUNTY, Ga. – On May 19, 2026, a Walker County jury found James Franklin Frazier guilty of four counts of Aggravated Child Molestation, Aggravated Sodomy, and eighteen counts of Child Molestation following a two-day trial before the Honorable Chief Judge Brian House. The evidence presented at trial showed that the Defendant used his position […]

ROME, Ga. — A Rome man is facing multiple felony charges, including malice murder and felony murder, following the death of a 58-year-old woman who was allegedly beaten inside her apartment at Etowah Terrace last month. According to arrest warrants, 47-year-old James Lincoln Lowe is accused of attacking Leatrice Ruth Frye on May 1, striking […]

HARTWELL, Ga. — A vehicle pursuit through downtown Hartwell early Monday morning resulted in the arrest of two individuals on multiple charges, including drug-related offenses, according to the Hart County Sheriff’s Office. Authorities said the incident began shortly before 1:30 a.m. on June 1 when a deputy attempted to stop a 1998 Toyota Corolla on […]

MADISON COUNTY, Ga. — A man has been charged with murder following a fatal shooting at a residence in Madison County, according to the Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting on May 17, 2026, at a residence located at 2338 Osley Mill Road in Comer. Upon arrival, deputies […]

HABERSHAM COUNTY, Ga. — A combination of modern technology and cooperation between law enforcement agencies led to the safe recovery of a missing 12-year-old Habersham County girl and the arrest of a suspect in Florida, according to the Habersham County Sheriff’s Office. The girl was reported missing from the Mt. Airy area on Thursday, May […]

FLOYD COUNTY, Ga. — The Floyd County Commission has approved legal representation to pursue claims related to PFAS contamination and recognized a district attorney investigator for rescuing a child from drowning. During its May 26 meeting, the commission approved Arnold & Itkin LLP as lead counsel to represent Floyd County in pursuing claims against individuals […]

HARTWELL, Ga. — A Hartwell man was arrested Sunday night after authorities say a domestic violence investigation led to a vehicle pursuit and foot chase. According to the Hart County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded to a residence on Forest Circle shortly after 8 p.m. on May 31 regarding a reported physical domestic violence incident. While […]

STEPHENS COUNTY, Ga. — A Toccoa man wanted on an outstanding probation warrant was arrested following a multi-jurisdictional search that spanned several counties and resulted in the seizure of suspected methamphetamine and other narcotics, according to the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office. In early May, agents with the Stephens County Sheriff’s Office Narcotics Division began receiving […]

DAWSON COUNTY, Ga. — Federal investigators are continuing to examine the cause of a helicopter crash in Dawson County that claimed the lives of two people and left a third injured late Friday night. According to authorities, a Robinson R66 helicopter crashed in a heavily wooded area near Mt. Vernon Drive at approximately 10:30 p.m. […]