HIAWASSEE, Ga – Hiawassee City Council approved an alcohol referendum on the package sale of spirits to appear on the November ballot for city residents. The measure will read “shall the issuance of licenses for package sale of spirits be approved? Yes or no?” Previously, the state of Georgia required signatures to be presented before […]
Read More »Mountain City fire ruled arson by Fire Marshall
ATLANTA – On May 24, a member of Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King’s Fire Investigation Unit was requested to assist in a Rabun County fire on Electric Ave. The fire occurred just before 5:00 p.m. and caused minor damage to the 80-year-old, 1000-square-foot residence in Mountain City that was in the process […]
Read More »Public raise concerns surrounding multifamily development ordinance
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – At the second reading of the multifamily development ordinance, several Union County residents expressed concern about apartments/townhome complexes. The new section of the building ordinance establishes rules and regulations for multifamily housing. Previously, Union County didn’t have protocols set for these units. “As more and more apartment complexes are being built here […]
Read More »Union County Class of 2021 bids farewell to their high school years
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Union County’s 2021 graduates returned to a more traditional ceremony, as the pandemic continues to ease up across the United States. The students matriculated arm-in-arm with their fellow classmates at Mike Colwell Memorial Stadium on May 21, 2021. Graduated joked that mother nature canceled all the class of 2021 field trips, never […]
Read More »May proclaimed Mental Health Awareness Month
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Fannin County Commissioners declared May 2021 as Mental Health Awareness Month. Members of Fannin County Connection accepted the proclamation. Nearly 1 in 5 Americans are diagnosed with a mental health condition per year. 46 percent of Americans will be diagnosable with a mental health condition at some point in their lifetime […]
Read More »Colonial Pipeline back online; Kemp urges Georgians to not panic buy
ATLANTA – Following several days of gas shortages in North Georgia and across the country, the Colonial Pipeline announced the restarting of operations on May 12 at 5 p.m. Colonial stated, “it will take several days for the product delivery supply chain to return to normal. Some markets served by Colonial Pipeline may experience, or […]
Read More »Highway safety checks continue to clean up Towns’ streets
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Increased road safety checks are a part of Sheriff Ken Henderson’s proactive approach to law enforcement in Towns County and so far, they’ve proven successful. On April 29, Henderson, Highway Safety, and other law enforcement agencies conducted a road safety check in Young Harris. The check resulted in a “major drug bust […]
Read More »Commissioners officially dismiss Animal Control Head
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Following an executive session, all three Fannin County Commissioners voted to terminate Animal Control Department Head John Drullinger. When asked about the dismissal later, Chairman Jamie Hensley stated it was time to make a change and go in a different direction. The public began calling for Drullinger’s termination began months ago. […]
Read More »Kennesaw suspect named in connection with bank robbery, high speed chase
BLUE RIDGE, Ga -Kennesaw man Brandon Nunnally gave chase to Gilmer County deputies after allegedly executed an armed bank robbery in Fannin County. This morning around 10:15 a.m. a BOLO was issued for a black car with tinted windows in connection with an armed bank robbery in Fannin County. Gilmer County deputies spotted a car […]
Read More »Blue Ridge’s Panter provides county with brief aquatic center synopsis
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Blue Ridge City Councilmember Mike Panter attended the April 27 Board of Commissioners meeting to present his idea for an aquatic and wellness center. Though not officially on the agenda, the commissioners granted Panter time to present during public commentary. Previously, the commissioners all encouraged the city council to publicly present […]
Read More »Union County introduces multifamily development ordinance
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – At the April meeting, the new multifamily development ordinance was presented to those in attendance. Long in process, the ordinance will need a public hearing and second reading before becoming local law. The new section will be added to the existing code. In the measure, it outlines the minimum standards, perimeter buffers, […]
Read More »April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Fannin County Commissioners signed a proclamation declaring April 2021 Sexual Assault Awareness Month. North Georgia Mountain Crisis Network (NGMCN) employees accepted the proclamation and Executive Director Kim O’Neal thanked the commissioners for their support. Sexual assault is any type of sexual contact or behavior that occurs without consent. In today’s world, […]
Read More »Report confirms asbestos and mold at old Whitepath building
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – A hazardous materials survey revealed asbestos, mold, lead-based paint, and lead-containing paint within the former Whitepath facility. A state-certified asbestos inspector with Contour Engineering surveyed the property on March 17, 2021. They conducted a visual inspection and collected samples for testing. “89 bulk asbestos samples were collected with 106 samples or […]
Read More »Pickens man arrested for arson and fraud
ATLANTA – Insurance and Safety Fire Commissioner John F. King announced today that Douglas Eaton, 54, was arrested on charges of 1st Degree Arson and Insurance Fraud. The fire occurred on Sunday, February 7, in Ball Ground. The 1200-square-foot structure was approximately 26 years old. “It was discovered that the fire occurred in the master […]
Read More »Track Rock Gap Petroglyphs vandalized
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – U.S. Forest Service reported an incident of vandalism to the Track Rock Gap Petroglyphs in the Chattahoochee-Oconee National Forest. Track Rock Gap is the location of a series of historical rock carvings created by Creek and Cherokee people on soapstone boulders almost 1,000 years ago. Visitors to the area can view up […]
Read More »Hiawassee moving forward with planning ordinance modifications
Hiawassee, Ga – City Council agreed everyone needed to participate in the review and potential rewrite of the planning ordinance. After Celtic Management presented its plan to develop 16 townhomes on two acres next to Georgia Vision Center, it was clear the ordinance would need rewriting. The existing ordinance only allows for four units per […]
Read More »