State National 9/14/16
GMFTO September 14, 2016
George offers opinions on Obama’s Campaign and America’s threats as well as his Short Moments for GMFTO.
Fetch Football Friday with Sports Director Jason Banks, BKP and Rick!
Sports December 1, 2017
Today BKP and Jason had an extra “player” on the couch. Rick sat in this morning to give his insight on the college football games that are going down this weekend. We are in week 14 of college football and here are the HOT match-ups for this weekend: TCU is taking on Oklahoma at 12:30 PM, Georgia is going against Auburn at 4:00 PM, and then at 8:00 PM you have Ohio State vs Wisconsin and Miami vs Clemson. Who do you think is going to come out as top dog in these great games? Tune in again Monday at 8:30 AM to hear TeamFYNSports recap of each of these games during Monday Morning Quarterback.
Violent gang member apprehended in Fannin County
Featured, News January 12, 2018
BLUE RIDGE, Ga.-A police chase ended with the detainment of the suspect involved. The Fannin County Sheriff’s Office made the arrest after becoming involved in the chase shortly after midnight on Wednesday, Jan. 10.
Edmundo Ramirez was apprehended after a police chase in Fannin County.
Fannin County Sheriff Deputy Jared Wood noticed a green Nissan Pathfinder traveling South on Ga 2 with a brake light out and failing to maintain its lane. Initially the Pathfinder pulled over, coming to a stop, when Wood signaled for the driver to do so.
After pulling over the vehicle then sped off to avoid the traffic stop. Several illegal traffic maneuvers later, the Pathfinder turned on to Old Hwy. 76 and proceeded towards downtown Blue Ridge.
Blue Ridge City Police Department was made aware of the situation and attempted to deploy spike strips at the Orvin Lance Connector and Old Hwy. 76.
The driver, identified as Edmundo Ramirez, eluded this attempt and continued closer to the downtown area. After turning off of East First Street, the Pathfinder was then observed running the stop sign at the intersection of East Main Street and Mountain Street.
Ramirez continued traveling down East Main Street going the wrong way on a One Way designated section and maintaining a speed of approximately 50-55 m.p.h.
After reaching the end of East Main Street, the vehicle turned right onto Old Hwy. 76 in the direction of Ga 2 once again. Ramirez lost control of the Pathfinder before reaching Ga 2, and struck a natural rock formation, leading to a crash that would disable the vehicle in front of Bill Holt Chevrolet.
Upon wrecking the vehicle Ramirez attempted to flee, but quickly surrendered when Deputy Wood, conducting the scene as a felony traffic stop, pulled his handgun and demanded the suspect to halt. Ramirez then put his hands in the air and lay face down on the ground.
Edmundo Ramirez, age 25 of Buford, Ga., was arrested and charged with multiple traffic misdemeanors. These misdemeanors include reckless driving, driving on the wrong side of the road, failure to stop at a stop sign, failure to obey traffic devices or police, failure to wear a seat belt, and failure to maintain lane.
Along with these traffic misdemeanors, Ramirez is being charged with driving on a suspended or revoked license and felony fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer.
Ramirez, who has a criminal history throughout the state of Georgia, was detained for similar charges in Buford. He currently has an outstanding criminal warrant in Hall County.
A list of distinctive markings from Ramirez’s booking sheet.
As indicated by the tattoos covering his body, Ramirez also has confirmed ties with the violent street and prison gang, the Barrio Aztecas.
The Barrio Aztecas formed in the late 1980s in El Paso, Texas, and quickly grew to become an international crime group with strong ties to the Juarez Cartel in Mexico. Known for drug trafficking and contract killing, the Barrio Aztecas are considered one of the most dangerous gangs in America.
Barrio Azteca Captain Eduardo Ravelo is currently on the the FBI’s Ten Most Wanted Fugitive list.
Fannin County Sheriff Dane Kirby was unable to comment on the detainee’s affiliations.
A source with the Appalachian Drug Task Force spoke with FetchYourNews about gang related activity in North Georgia.
“North Georgia, I can not confirm,” the source said speaking about Barrio Azteca infiltration in our area, “Atlanta, yes. There is a bit of every gang there.”
The source did confirm that there is known drug trafficking related to cartel activity in North Georgia, and added about why Ramirez might have been in Fannin County, “If he doesn’t live there, I would say it is likely that he was passing through for a specific reason.”
Ramirez made an initial appearance in court on Wednesday, Jan. 10. Magistrate Judge Brian Jones set bond at $12,500 for the charges in Fannin County.
Ramirez is currently being held at the Fannin County Jail. A hold has been placed on the detainee for transfer to Hall County, Georgia where Ramirez has an outstanding criminal warrant.
Fetch Your News is a hyper local news outlet that attracts more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, Towns and Murray counties as well as Cherokee County in N.C. FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week and reaches between 15,000 to 60,000 per week on our Facebook page. For the most effective, least expensive local advertising, call 706-276-6397 or email us at [email protected]
Convenience Store Owners Sentenced for Food Stamp Fraud and Identity Theft
State & National August 7, 2017
ATLANTA – Jonathan and Stephanie Dupiton have been sentenced for using stolen identities to steal over $395,000 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The defendants illegally obtained SNAP benefits for themselves, and then cashed them at stores they owned in several Georgia communities.
“These defendants subverted the SNAP program to line their own pockets and also used hundreds of stolen identities to commit their crimes,” said U.S. Attorney John Horn. “They used the SNAP system as an ATM for their personal gain, diverting critical benefits that help those who need assistance in our communities.”
“The United States Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General- Investigations, actively investigates allegations of Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP) fraud. These defendants stole unsuspecting people’s identities, used those identities to fraudulently acquire EBT cards, and misused thousands of dollars worth of SNAP benefits to enrich themselves at the expense of American taxpayers. Collectively, this type of fraudulent activity undermines this vital program by misdirecting millions of dollars of taxpayer funds from the purposes they were intended,” said Karen Citizen-Wilcox, Special Agent-in-Charge, USDA-OIG. “We would like to thank U.S. Attorney’s Office for aggressively prosecuting perpetrators of fraud and sending a strong message that illegally profiting by defrauding USDA programs will not be tolerated.”
“This investigation was a great example of partnership and cooperation between our Department and federal authorities,” said Georgia Department of Human Services Commissioner Robyn A. Crittenden. “DHS has zero tolerance for fraud, waste and abuse in the programs it administers. After internal efforts to detect fraud, DHS was able to work with the U.S. District Attorney’s Office in bringing these individuals to justice. Georgia’s most vulnerable citizens need these valuable resources, and we are committed to ensuring the integrity of SNAP in Georgia.”
According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the charges and other information presented in court: From July 2014 through October 2015, Jonathan and Stephanie Dupiton owned and operated two convenience stores in Cobb County, Georgia; J. Good Groceries in Mableton, and Stephanie’s Groceries in Austell. The USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service manages and funds SNAP, formerly known as the Food Stamp Program, with the purpose of alleviating hunger and malnutrition among low-income families. The Georgia Department of Human Services (DHS) administers the SNAP program.
The defendants used stolen identities to apply for SNAP benefits instead of accepting SNAP benefits from qualified recipients to purchase food. These SNAP benefits were loaded on EBT cards, which are similar to debit cards. The defendants directed DHS to mail hundreds of EBT cards to addresses they controlled. The Dupitons then collected and swiped the fraudulent SNAP cards at their convenience stores. Over $800,000 in SNAP payments were deposited in the defendants’ bank accounts. DHS and USDA were able to link $395,000 of those funds to 321 fraudulent SNAP accounts.
Jonathan Dupiton, 28, of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to three years, nine months in prison, and Stephanie Dupiton, 24, also of Atlanta, Georgia, was sentenced to six months in prison. Both defendants were also sentenced to three years of supervised release, a special assessment of $100, and ordered to pay $395,388.01 in restitution. Both defendants were convicted of conspiracy to commit wire and mail fraud in April 2017, after pleading guilty to these charges. Jonathan Dupiton was also convicted of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory two-year consecutive sentence.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Office of Inspector General and the Georgia Department of Human Services investigated this case.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected]<m
Cartecay Vineyard receives highest award for Chimney Blush
Featured, Lifestyle November 29, 2016
Cartecay Vineyards’ Chimney Blush recently received the highest award given for a Hybrid Grape Wine.
The award was received at the Georgia Wine Trustees Wine Challenge:The Thomas McCall Award for Best Hybrid Grape Wine 2016. This competition for Georgia wineries is Co-Directed by Jane Garvey and Douglas Mabry, with Parks Redwine presiding as Chief of Judges.
The Georgia Trustees Wine Challenge recognizes the excellence of Georgia-produced wines as well as other wines produced by Georgia wineries using grapes and fruits grown in other states. ALL ENTRIES MUST BE FERMENTED IN GEORGIA
The “NOT 100% Georgia grown” entries MAY list Georgia as an appellation on their label as Federal law allows 25% of the grapes or fruit to come from outside the state and still be labelled Georgia. Even wines with NO fruit grown in Georgia may be an eligible entry IF the wine is “produced” (i.e., fermented) in Georgia. It may also be “produced” by one Georgia winery and “vinted” by a different Georgia winery.
A wine whose label says “Made and Bottled” infers that at least 10% of the wine is made by the winery or company listed. If the label says “Vinted and Bottled,” the winery on the label may have had little to do with the making of the wine in that bottle.
Technically, a wine “vinted and bottled” by an out-of-state (non-Georgia) winery COULD be eligible for entry IF the wine was actually 100% fermented by a Georgia winery. A wine “Produced and Bottled” would have to be 100% fermented by a Georgia winery. Thus, if a wine so labeled is NOT from a Georgia winery, that wine may NOT be entered in the competition.
Cartecay Vineyards’ wines also received the following medals at the event: Chimney Blush, Gold; 2015 Vidal Blanc, Bronze; 2014 Traminette, Bronze.
Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
State & National August 7, 2017
MEDIA ADVISORY
Contact: Ines Owens, Director
Elisabeth Fletcher, Communications Specialist
[email protected]
404.656.0028
Sen. David Lucas to Host Second Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
ATLANTA (August 7, 2017) | Sen. David Lucas (D – Macon) will hold a two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting to discuss broadband, healthcare, telecommunications and developing tourism TOMORROW from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and WEDNESDAY from 9 a.m. until 12 p.m. The meeting will be held at the University of North Georgia in Dahlonega.
WHO: Sen. David Lucas and Rural Georgia Study Committee Members
WHAT: Two-day Rural Georgia Study Committee Meeting
WHEN: Tuesday, August 8, 2017
9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Wednesday, August 9, 2017
9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
WHERE: University of North Georgia
Continuing Education Center in Dahlonega
25 Schultz Avenue
Dahlonega, GA 30597
Sen. David Lucas, Sr. represents the 26th Senate District, which includes portions of Bibb, Houston and Jones Counties and all of Hancock, Twiggs, Washington and Wilkinson Counties. He may be reached at 404.656.5035 or by email at[email protected].
North Georgia Communities Feed Thanksgiving meal to Firefighting volunteers working away from home
Featured, News November 25, 2016
Raging fires have been spreading through dry land in the North Georgia Mountains for weeks. A few sprinkles of rain fell in the past few days but really didn’t make much of an impact.
The local community appreciates the firefighters and a local church in Chatsworth decided to show it on Thanksgiving Day! The First Baptist Church of Chatsworth fed over 400 out of town firefighters who didn’t make it home to be with their families. Locals from various areas including Blue Ridge brought food to the Church to assist in the program to feed the firefighters. Much of the food cooked in their homes and a local Ingles Market also took orders from those who wanted to donate a meal but didn’t have time to cook.
A local man told us, “It’s a small effort to say a big thank you to those firefighters protecting us and our homes.”
Firefighters have been working tirelessly for weeks to battle the wildfires and a home cooked meal of turkey was an extension of the gratitude felt by the folks in the North Georgia Mountains.
Rough Ridge Fire Update
North Georgia Drug Task Force and Lavonia Police Department Arrest Tennessee man for Trafficking Methamphetamine
Featured, Featured Stories, News August 26, 2016
Lavonia, Georgia – On August 14, 2016, Travis Shelton Courtner, 33 years old, was arrested for trafficking in methamphetamine, possession of Xanax (a schedule IV drug), giving false name and date of birth, and two counts of obstructing of a law enforcement officer.
Lavonia Police Department received a call of a suspicious vehicle with Tennessee license plates on the vehicle that had been running for two hours with no one in the vehicle.
The Lavonia Police Officer arrived on scene and observed a prescription pill lying in plain view inside the vehicle. The officer encountered Courtner in the roadway who provided them with a false name. As a result, Courtner was arrested for providing a false name and obstruction.
The North Georgia Drug Task Force was called to the scene and initiated an investigation with the Lavonia Police resulting in the seizure of approximately a 1/2 pound of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $9,000.00. The investigation is ongoing and additional arrests are possible.
The North Georgia Drug Task Force is a Multi-Jurisdictional Narcotics Task Force comprised of the following agencies: Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Madison County Sheriff’s Office, Lavonia Police Department, Elberton Police Department, and Hartwell Police Department. The North Georgia Drug Task Force is supervised by a supervisory agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation.
Senator David Perdue Holds Farm Bill Round Table Discussion
State & National November 22, 2017
Senator David Perdue Holds Farm Bill Round Table Discussion
ATLANTA, GA – U.S. Senator David Perdue (R-GA) last week held a round table discussion about the upcoming farm bill with Georgia farmers and industry leaders.
“Agriculture is one of Georgia’s largest economic drivers and a way of life for many people in our state. I saw this firsthand while working on my family’s farm as a teenager,” said Senator Perdue. “It was great to hear from Georgia farmers and industry leaders about their priorities for the upcoming farm bill since this legislation impacts them directly. Their input is critical as we work toward developing a farm bill that will contribute to a safer, stronger, and more abundant agricultural industry.”
Georgia State Patrol sends warning on placing homemade/advertising signs – It is illegal and will be enforced!
Featured, News November 23, 2016
FetchYourNews.com recently spoke with the Georgia State Patrol regarding individuals who are placing illegal signage on State Roadways and on State Road Signs.
It is illegal and dangerous. Road signs are engineered to breakaway in a safe manner if a motorist loses control of a vehicle and hits a sign. If someone places another sign, such as a homemade sign, on the structure, it changes the engineering and becomes a hazard. If you put up a sign on the roadway or in the median and someone wrecks it could put you in a position of liability to be sued for their injuries and damages.
Georgia State Patrol wants to send the warning – if anyone is caught placing any signage on road signs or otherwise on the road illegally the law will be enforced with no exceptions. The idea is to keep the roads as safe as possible for travelers. Just because you have done so in the past doesn’t make it okay and violators will find themselves in trouble. If people have been warned and cited it may end up with an individual going to jail.
No one may place, maintain, or display on, or in view from any highway an unauthorized sign, signal, marking, or device that purports to be or is an imitation of or resembles any official traffic control device (such as a stop or slow sign) that attempts to direct traffic movement or that hides from view or interferes with the effectiveness of any official traffic control device or sign. No one may place or maintain, nor may any public authority permit, commercial advertising on any highway traffic sign or signal. The state or local traffic authority with jurisdiction over the highway may cause any prohibited sign, signal, or marking to be removed without notice as a public nuisance (CGS § 14-310).
See this link for additional info: Road Sign Laws
Jennifer Hazelton Talks Trump 9/6/16
GMFTO September 6, 2016
BKP speaks with Jennifer Hazelton, Georgia Communication Director for the Donald Trump Campaign, about the election and campaigns so far.
Georgia State Patrol Making Final Preparations for the Thanksgiving Travel Period
Community, Featured November 23, 2016
State troopers urge safety for the Thanksgiving holiday. The holiday travel period is 102 hours and it begins at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, November 23, and ends at midnight Sunday, November 27.
“Troopers will be focusing on occupant protection violations, and keeping a close eye out for impaired drivers and other traffic violations that could potentially cause a crash,” said Colonel Mark W. McDonough, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Public Safety. “We want to make holiday travel as safe as possible,” he added.
Last year, during a similar 102-hour period, troopers investigated 788 traffic crashes across the state that resulted in 377 injuries and nine fatalities. In addition to the traffic crash investigations, troopers arrested 319 people for driving under the influence while issuing 9,620 citations and 15,729 warnings.
Troopers will not only be patrolling the interstates but the secondary roads as well. Make sure that everyone in your vehicle is wearing a seat belt and that small children are properly restrained in a child safety seat. Also, do not drive distracted and obey the posted speed. If you know that you will be consuming alcohol, designate a sober driver. “Sadly, each holiday period more than one-half of the people killed in motor vehicle crashes are impaired or not using safety belts,” Colonel McDonough said.
The Georgia State Patrol will also be teaming up with law enforcement officials from across the state for a concerted effort to encourage safe travel through Operation Click It or Ticket, Georgia’s high visibility seat belt enforcement program and Operation C.A.R.E., or Combined Accident Reduction Effort. Operation C.A.R.E. is a nationwide traffic safety initiative aimed at reducing the number of crashes, injuries and fatalities on the nation’s roads by balancing high visibility enforcement with educational outreach.
The holiday traffic count will be updated throughout the holiday travel period on the Georgia Department of Public Safety Twitter page: https://twitter.com/ga_dps.
Georgia Mountain Hospice Mardi Gras Queen Nominee
Business, Community January 23, 2018
Gilmer County Queen Nominee
I NEED YOUR VOTES
($100.00 equals 100 votes)
You may vote at any time up until the day of the event.
Money can be mailed to Georgia Mountains Hospice, 70 Caring Way, Jasper, GA 30143 or
www.mardigrasinthemountains.org, go to Vote for Coronation tab, vote for nominee of your choice,
or call Georgia Mountains Hospice office at 706-253-4100 or 800-692-7199. For questions concerning the event contact Gina Pendley at numbers above or [email protected]
Mardi Gras in the Mountains is a joint event sponsored by Georgia Mountains Hospice, The Knights of Columbus and Jasper Rotary Club. The event happens on February 10, 2018
Two Indicted in Nationwide Unclaimed Property Fraud Scheme
State & National July 28, 2017
TWO INDICTED IN NATIONWIDE
UnCLAIMED PROPERTY FRAUD SCHEME
ATLANTA – Allen J. Pendergrass and Terrell McQueen have been arraigned on charges of orchestrating a nationwide unclaimed property fraud scheme. They provided asset recovery services for clients, claiming they would recover unclaimed money and assets held by local and state governments for a fee. During that process, they allegedly forged documents, claiming thousands of dollars due to citizens, which they placed into accounts they controlled, never distributing the money owed.
“These defendants are charged with forging power of attorney forms to steal over $100,000 owed to local businesses and residents,” said U. S. Attorney John Horn. “Citizens should remain vigilant in guarding their personal information as thieves continue to find new and creative ways to use it to perpetuate fraud schemes.”
“The defendants stole individual’s identities and received money that was not rightfully theirs,” said James Dorsey, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS Criminal Investigation. “The IRS will continue to investigate and disrupt these complex financial schemes holding those accountable for their wrongdoing.”
“This investigation involved the meticulous gathering of hard evidence which uncovered a significant financial fraud and identity theft scheme,” said David M. McGinnis, Inspector in Charge, Charlotte Division. “Postal Inspectors will vigorously pursue and bring to justice anyone who commits a crime by utilizing the US Mail system.”
According to U.S. Attorney Horn, the indictment, and other information presented in court: From on or about 2004 until 2014, Pendergrass owned and operated Guishard, Wilburn & Shorts, LLC a company based on College Park, Georgia, that purportedly provided asset recovery services, including recovering unclaimed money and assets held by local and state governments for a fee. During that time, Pendergrass also owned or controlled other companies in Georgia that purported to provide the same services, including Asset Financial Recovery, Inc., Recovery Capital, Attorney Recovery System, National Asset Recovery Agency, Inc., Beacon Asset Recovery Agency, LLC, National Unclaimed Funds, Inc. and Service Pros, Inc.
In 2012, Pendergrass started Asset Financial Recovery, Inc., and was listed as the company’s chief executive officer. McQueen was listed as the chief financial officer. In 2013, Pendergrass and McQueen mailed forged power of attorney forms to the City of Atlanta and fraudulently claimed over $100,000 owed to local businesses and residents. These forms included forged signatures. Pendergrass and McQueen deposited stolen funds into bank accounts they controlled and did not provide the funds to rightful owners. Pendergrass, McQueen, and companies they controlled, perpetuated this fraud scheme across the country.
Allen J. Pendergrass, 60, of Fayetteville, Georgia, and Terrell McQueen, 37, of Fort Worth, Texas, were indicted on June 27, 2017.
Members of the public are reminded that the indictment only contains charges. The defendants are presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government’s burden to prove the defendants’ guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.
This case is being investigated by the Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jeffrey Brown is prosecuting the case.
In that this remains an ongoing investigation, anyone with information regarding this matter should contact the United States Postal Inspection Service at 877-876-2455.
For further information please contact the U.S. Attorney’s Public Affairs Office at [email protected]<m
Governor Signs House Bill 146 in Gilmer Fire Station
News May 4, 2017
Georgia Governor Nathan Deal visited Fire House 1 in Gilmer County Thursday to officially sign House Bill 146 known as the “Firefigher’s Cancer Insurance Bill.”
Joined by several officials including Georgia House Speaker David Ralston and Senator Steve Gooch, author of the bill Micah Gravley, District 67 Representative, opened the ceremony by speaking about the two year effort to bring the bill to this point. Gravley related his interactions with two firefighters, Frank Martinez and Brian Scutter, who he said were the honor of the Bill as they fought for and spoke with legislators to get the bill passed, as well as the appropriateness to have the signing in Scutter’s home station in Gilmer County. Scutter was also mentioned by Speaker Ralston who said he had made a promise to Brian that he would give all that was in him to bring this day about. Turning to face Scutter, Ralston said, “I kept my promise.”
Governor Nathan Deal, who originally vetoed last year’s Bill 216 called the new House Bill 146 an “innovative and great solution to the situation.” Deal said the Bill provides relief for firefighters by providing a different method for compensation and money for treatment and care for firefighters who contract cancers during their work. Gravley thanked the Governor for his support of, as he called it, a “better bill.”
The sentiment was echoed by Speaker Ralston who said, “We have arrived at a better solution. By requiring a local government to provide insurance to our firefighters for certain types of cancer, the firefighter can skip the process of litigating a worker’s comp claim. This will allow the firefighter to focus on getting better and recovery rather than having to worry about legal bills and depositions and hearings.”
FYN caught up with Speaker Ralston and Governor Deal to ask them to elaborate on why the bill is better, comparative to last years Bill 216. The Speaker replied saying, “This uses a Health Insurance Model as opposed to a Workman’s Comp model which means instead of having to make a claim and perhaps go through a court type process to get benefits and income, Firefighters in this case will file a claim just like health insurance.”
Governor Deal also spoke on the insurance versus workman’s comp comparison saying it was an awkward and “adversarial way of deciding whether or not compensation is owed.” Deal went on to say the newer Bill is a much better solution “to provide insurance coverage that will define benefits and give some flexibility as to deciding the compensation that will be given to firefighters.”
More than Senators and Congressman came to see Deal sign the Bill, though. Several representatives from neighboring and local emergency services attended the event including Gilmer’s own Director of Public Safety Tony Pritchett who said the Bill “gives you a sense of protection… You can lay your head down and sleep better at night knowing that if you contract cancer because of the job, there’s some protection that will take care of you and your family.”
For more on the Signing of House Bill 146 watch the full ceremony below or find more Photos in our Album:
Georgia is Not in Play
GMFTO August 24, 2016BKP highlights why Georgia will remain a Red State and is “Trump Country.”