• Developing: Single Motor Vehicle Accident, Possible Fatality

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – A serious single motor vehicle accident, wih the possibility of a fatality, recently occurred in the vicinity of Highway 76 and Ridgecrest Circle, west of Hiawassee. It is unknown at this time whether current weather conditions contributed to the accident. An eyewitness to the wreckage reported the vehicle involved to be a […]

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  • Cooler weather expected to arrive next weekend

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – It would be difficult to realize autumn officially begins tomorrow simply by taking a walk outside, as temperatures continue to soar into the mid-80s. According to meteorologists, however, fall-like weather is slowly making its way to the Georgia mountains, expected to arrive next weekend. Cloud coverage is forecasted to lower temperatures gradually […]

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  • Local Republicans concerned apathy may turn Georgia blue in November

    Kemp Abrams Towns County

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – An echoing theme from Towns County GOP Chair Betsy Young, along with Party members in recent months, has been dire concern that voter apathy could shock local Republicans this coming November. “If this is all we’ve got, we’re in trouble,” Young said on Thursday night, referencing the slight attendance at the monthly […]

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  • Billboard ban in place until mandate revision finalized

    Towns County SPLOST

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Discussion of the sign ordinance revision continued at the monthly county meeting, held on Tuesday, Sept. 18, 2018, at the Towns County Courthouse. A 90-day moratorium was enacted in July, temporarily freezing permits to authorize off-premise billboards in Towns County. The decision was reached after an influx of requests reached the Towns […]

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  • Towns County Fire and Rescue Activity Report

    Towns County Fire Department

    Towns County Fire and Rescue Activity Report August 20-26, 2018   8/20/18 Medical assist (4) Landing zone (2) Assist other agency (1) 8/21/18 Medical assist (3) No incident found (1) Public service (1) 8/22/18 Medical assist (1) 8/23/18 Medical assist (3) MVA (1) Landing zone (1) Assist other agency (1) No incident found (1) 8/24/18 […]

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  • Rep. Matt Gurtler: First out of trench, last to step off battlefield

    Matt Gurtler

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – State House Representative Matt Gurtler is intent on bringing principles back to politics, and the District 8 leader appears reinvigorated after attending the recent National Liberty Coalition Annual Summit, Young Americans for Liberty National Convention, and the Georgia House of Representatives Republican Summer Caucus. Gurtler, a staunch proponent of local control, fiscal […]

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  • Loitering suspect arrested for methamphetamine at local store

    Hiawassee Police Department

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On Tuesday, Aug. 7, Towns County Sheriff’s deputies, along with an officer from the Hiawassee Police Department, responded to the Lakeview store on Highway 76 East in Hiawassee, in reference to a subject who was loitering on the property. Upon arriving on the scene, the officers located the subject whom the compliant […]

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  • Commissioner Bradshaw set to rollback millage rate

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw announced an upcoming special-called meeting, scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 23, at 5:30 pm, at the Towns County Courthouse, to set the annual millage rate. The rate will rollback from 5.375 to 5.197 mills, amounting to $3,919,757 in county revenue. “My goal is to keep property taxes […]

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  • Councilwoman proposes citywide plastic bag ban, five-cent fee

    City of Hiawassee

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. –  With progressive, environmentally conscious Starbucks vowing to eliminate plastic straws from their 28,000 chains by 2020, a local leader strives to make progress of her own. Hiawassee City Council convened for their monthly work session on Monday, July 30, and an item listed on the agenda contained a council member’s concern for […]

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  • Towns County Historical Society honors military heritage

    Fronz Goring

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County Historical Society honored local military veterans on Saturday, July 14, during an annual heritage ceremony which began in 2014, founded by Historical Society Secretary Betty Phillips. Phillips – the daughter of a veteran, and the widow of a World War 2 United States Army Staff Sergeant – recalled a conversation […]

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  • Hiawassee strives to add liquor vote to November ballot

    Hiawassee liquor

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Hiawassee City Council is in the process of introducing legislation related to alcohol sales, with an item appearing on the agenda of the monthly work session, held Tuesday, June 26. Hiawassee Mayor Liz Ordiales explained that local restaurants holding alcohol permits, such as Monte Alban and Sundance Grill, would like to offer the […]

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  • Made in Georgia Festival set to shine spotlight on Peach State

    Made in Georgia

    YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – “Made in Georgia” kicks off this weekend at the Towns County County Recreation and Conference Center, featuring a wide variety of products from the Peach State. Vendors offering items that were made, grown, harvested, crafted, brewed, grown, stitched, or inspired in Georgia will be on site at the unique event. Towns […]

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  • Towns County officials discuss animal control

    Towns County animal control

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Animal control was the topic of spirited discussion at Mountain Movers & Shakers Friday, May 18, 2018. Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw, Towns County Sheriff Chris Clinton, Hiawassee Police Chief Paul Smith, and representatives from the Mountain Shelter Human Society spoke on the subject. Many residents were unaware of how to handle […]

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  • Enchanted Music on the Square – 2018 schedule

    Music on Square

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – ‘Enchanted Music on the Square’ begins May 26, 2018, and an exciting line-up of performers has been announced. The performances will be held on Saturday evenings, throughout the summer months, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Hiawassee Town Square. The program is sponsored by audience donations, in partnership with the Georgia […]

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  • Towns County tourism steadily soars

    Lake Chatuge

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Tourism is on the rise throughout the Georgia mountains, and Towns County has seen a steady increase in the past several years. Out of 17 counties reviewed, Towns County placed second in terms of growth in 2016, when the study was last conducted. Research reveals an 8.9 percent increase in domestic tourism […]

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  • Towns County joins lawsuit against opioid industry

    Drugs Towns County GA

    HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County has joined in a class-action lawsuit filed against the pharmaceutical industry, holding manufacturers responsible for fostering the opioid epidemic that is prevalent throughout the United States. The lawsuit was initiated by a northern Ohio district, and numerous Georgia counties are proceeding toward pending litigation in order to recover financial expenditures. […]

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