Jasper, GA (February 8, 2021) – On Thursday, February 4, 2021, Pickens County resident, Danny Wright, age 57, was charged with one count of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material) and three counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material) by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation […]
Read More »Pickens County Man Arrested for the Sexual Exploitation of Children
Jasper, GA (February 8, 2021) – On Thursday, February 4, 2021, Pickens County resident, Danny Wright, age 57, was charged with one count of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Possession of Child Sexual Abuse Material) and three counts of Sexual Exploitation of Children (Distribution of Child Sexual Abuse Material) by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation Child Exploitation […]
Read More »Former Fannin resident allegedly identified as “zip tie guy” in Capitol riot
WASHINGTON DC – FBI tracked down with the public’s help the alleged “zip tie guy” and identified him as Erik Munchel using context clues in the Capitol Hill photographs. The zip tie guy was covered head to toe with few identifying markers, which led to close examinations of any photo with the individual. Once identified, […]
Read More »Hiawassee man arrested for threatening Speaker Nancy Pelosi
WASHINGTON DC – The North Georgia man, Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr, attended the Capitol Hill riots on Wednesday and allegedly sent hostile text messages about Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. CNN obtained the arrest warrant from the FBI. In the warrants, the agency charged Meredith with written threats and possessing an unregistered firearm and […]
Read More »Towns tenth in the nation for new COVID-19 cases
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Hiawassee Mayor Liz Ordiales attended a Georgia Municipal Association conference call where Emory doctors and CDC officials warned Towns County and Georgia COVID-19 numbers were trending in the wrong direction. “Georgia’s below the national average in testing. They’re higher than the national average in positive cases – 120 percent higher than we […]
Read More »Governor Cooper Extends Modified Stay At Home Order
Governor Cooper extended North Carolina’s Modified Stay At Home Order that requires people to be at home from 10 pm – 5 am to last through at least Friday, January 29. Secretary Cohen also issued a Secretarial Directive with stark warnings for North Carolinians to avoid indoor spaces without masks and gatherings between households. Read here […]
Read More »Ralston to form House election integrity committee
ATLANTA, Ga – During the pre-legislative conference, Georgia Speaker of the House David Ralston confirmed they would form a special committee concerning election integrity. The committee will devote its “full attention” to restoring confidence in the election process. Several Georgians continue to believe voter fraud occurred in the presidential election, but three recounts confirmed the […]
Read More »Rep. Andrew Clyde reaffirms commitment to object to election’s certification, condemns violence
WASHINGTON DC – Ninth District Representative Andrew Clyde (R-GA) issued a statement following today’s events at the nation’s Capitol. “I fully support the right to peacefully protest and I will always defend that right. I also share and understand the frustration of the millions of Americans that feel cheated out of a fair election. That […]
Read More »“Un-American”: Kemp, Ralston, Duncan condemn violence at the Capitol
ATLANTA, Ga – Georgia Republican Leaders Governor Brian Kemp, Speaker of the House David Ralston, and Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan spoke out against the violence in the United States Capitol. Kemp called the actions of the extremists “un-American” and a “disgrace.” He commented on the peaceful protests that took place in Georgia over the summer, […]
Read More »1,341 November voters stayed home for the Senate Runoff in Union
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The U.S. Senate Runoff experienced lower voter turnout than the General Election, but traditionally runoffs experience lower numbers. In November, 15,547 Union County residents voted and 14,206 in the January runoff – approximately 19,628 people are registered to vote in Union County. 72.38 percent of Union County voters turned out on January […]
Read More »UCS issues temporary mask mandate, suspends games for one week
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Given the sharp increase in COVID-19 cases, Union County Board of Education moved to heighten virus precautions in the classroom with a mask mandate. Students returned to class today, January 5, from winter break. Previously, the school encouraged masks but didn’t require face coverings for students. Now all students and teachers must […]
Read More »What’s going on with the Fannin’s Post One seat?
BLUE RIDGE, Ga: With Post One-elect Johnny Scearce continuing to recover from COVID-19-related illnesses, Fannin County Commissioners discussed the board’s options until he assumes responsibilities. At this time, there’s not a set timeline for Scearce to take his oath of office and begin his commission term. However, the law is ambiguous about when the oath […]
Read More »Governor Cooper Will Extend Evictions Moratorium
RALEIGH: Governor Roy Cooper announced that he plans to extend the state’s evictions moratorium on residential evictions for non-payment of rent through at least January 31, 2021. “This holiday season, too many families are struggling to pay rent as the pandemic surges,” said Governor Cooper. “As the first of the month approaches and rent becomes […]
Read More »More Georgians to Become Eligible to Receive COVID-19 Vaccine
Atlanta – Governor Brian Kemp and Commissioner Kathleen Toomey, M.D., M.P.H., announced plans to add adults aged 65 and older, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and first responders to the current group of individuals eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Healthcare workers and staff and residents of long-term care facilities are already in this highest priority group. […]
Read More »Governor Lee Calls for Special Legislative Session on Education
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee Governor Bill Lee announced a call for the Tennessee General Assembly to convene for a special legislative session on January 19, 2021 to address urgent issues facing Tennessee students and schools in the 2021-22 school year. Preliminary data projects an estimated 50% decrease in proficiency rates in 3rd grade reading and […]
Read More »Union County 2021 operating budget adopted
BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – The 2021 operating budget for Union County was officially set in a called meeting on December 28, 2020. The total budget for $21,748,780 which was an 11.7 increase from 2020. In a public hearing, Sole Commissioner Lamar Paris cited several reasons for the rising budget including state cuts, property reevaluation, potential gun […]
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