JEKYLL ISLAND, GA – Gary Black, Georgia’s Agriculture Commissioner who received more votes than any candidate for U.S. Senate or Governor in 2018 and 2014, today launched his campaign for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Raphael Warnock. “Warnock and Biden promised to ‘fundamentally change America,’” Black said. “They’re five months into it and […]
Read More »Union County Farmer’s Market opens June 5
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The Farmer’s Market will open this Saturday, June 5 at 7 a.m. The market’s purpose is to encourage the “development of local agriculture” and serves as a gathering place for vendors and customers to meet. Local artisans are also encouraged to open a booth at the seasonal event. It will be open […]
Read More »One arrested following a domestic-related shooting
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Towns County Sheriff’s Office took Joshua Clarke Nelson into custody on June 1 for his suspected involvement in a May 9 domestic shooting. The incident occurred in the Hall Creek Community around 5 a.m. on Sunday, May 9. Nelson who was shot suffered from critical injuries following the altercation. He allegedly busted […]
Read More »Pickens County Man Arrested for the Sexual Exploitation of Children
Ball Ground, GA (June 2, 2021) – On Tuesday, June 1, 2021, Frederick Austin Homonek, age 33, was arrested and charged with four counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession of Child Pornography) by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation’s Child Exploitation and Computer Crimes (CEACC) Unit. The GBI CEACC Unit began an investigation into Homonek’s online […]
Read More »Referendum for package stores will appear on November ballot
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 »30-day moratorium on special use permit for alcohol license
BLUE RIDGE, Ga – Fannin County Commissioners opted for a 30-day moratorium on special use permits for alcohol licenses while they gather more information and the ordinance is rewritten. When Fannin County added the alcohol permit ordinance to its official code, commissioners did not include a special use provision, but the application for a special […]
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 »Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan announces he won’t be running for reelection
ATLANTA – Earlier today, Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan released a statement on his decision to not run for reelection. He plans to focus on forging a new version of the Republican Party. Duncan’s political energy will go toward the organization GOP 2.0. The group seeks to reform the Republican Party through policy, empathy, and tone, […]
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 »Kemp and State Labor Commissioner to end federal unemployment programs
ATLANTA – Governor Brian Kemp and Georgia Department of Labor Commissioner Mark Butler outlined a plan to combat the labor shortage and jumpstart Georgia’s economic recovery. Federal pandemic unemployment programs will end on Saturday, June 26, 2021. State officials will provide resources for job search support, education and training opportunities, childcare and transportation services, and […]
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 »Ralston and leadership issue Israel statement of support
ATLANTA – Speaker David Ralston (R-Blue Ridge), Speaker Pro Tempore Jan Jones (R-Milton) and the leadership of the House Majority Caucus issue the following statement in support of Israel: “In the last two days, more than 1,000 rockets have been fired at innocent men, women and children in Israel. The Israeli people are being attacked […]
Read More »Gooch asks Kemp to end federal unemployment relief
ATLANTA – Majority Whip and State Senator Steve Gooch (R-51) has asked Governor Brian Kemp (R) to halt the federal unemployment relief in Georgia. In a letter sent to Kemp’s desk today, Gooch details how many small businesses are struggling to find people to work. Many restaurants can’t fully open because they don’t have the […]
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 months ago. Several […]
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