Towns County citizens, first responders trained as NWS storm spotters

News
SKYWARN spotter

YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. – The National Weather Service (NWS), in cooperation with Towns County Emergency Management Agency (EMA), held a SKYWARN storm spotter class Oct. 18 at the Towns County Emergency Operations Center. Towns County citizens, along with first responders from Hiawassee Police Department, Towns County Fire and Rescue, and Towns County Emergency Medical Services, attended the severe weather seminar. The course was conducted by Peachtree City NWS meteorologist Dave Nadler.

An instructional SKYWARN slide shown during the presentation.

The SKYWARN class was designed to prepare participants to identify and report severe weather events, alerting the NWS of meteorological ground conditions and resulting damage to the area. Attendees were supplied with information on how to determine and monitor the structure of approaching storms, and what to report to the NWS in the event of severe weather. Safety instructions were included in the course.

Towns County became a StormReady community approximately 12 years ago, and re-certification is required by the NWS every four years.

Towns County EMA urged the community to sign-up for the CodeRED Weather Warning system, a computer-operated program that alerts residents of foul weather-related conditions. CodeRED Weather Warning is a unique service that automatically notifies citizens in the path of severe weather, moments after a warning has been issued by the NWS. CodeRED alerts are available at no cost.

Luke Dockery

Luke Dockery, a local weather enthusiast who completed the SKYWARN training.

The service delivers notifications to landlines and cell phones, emails, texts, social media, and/or mobile alerts. Residents and visitors will receive enhanced public safety alerts no matter where they are located via the CodeRED Mobile Alert app – a free public safety app for both Android and iPhone users. The CodeRED Mobile Alert app delivers community and emergency alerts to individuals targeted within an impacted geographical area so that citizens receive timely notifications when traveling away from home.

Click here to sign-up for CodeRED alerts

 

Feature Image: NWS meteorologist Dave Nadler leading the SKYWARN class.

 

 

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CodeRed Alert Activated: Winter Storm Warning

News
HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County’s CodeRED alert system was activated shortly before noon on Saturday, Dec. 8, warning of approaching winter weather.
The winter storm warning will take effect at 10 p.m. tonight and run through 1 a.m. Monday, Dec. 10.
The expected forecast for Towns County, according to the National Weather Service, is as follows:
Tonight
Rain and sleet before midnight, then freezing rain between midnight, followed by snow after 3am. Low around 30. East wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of 0.2 to 0.4 of an inch possible. New snow and sleet accumulation of 2 to 4 inches possible.
Sunday
Snow and freezing rain before 10am, then snow between 10am and 2pm, then rain likely after 2pm. High near 36. East wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New ice accumulation of around a 0.1 of an inch possible. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Sunday Night
Rain and snow showers likely. Cloudy, with a low around 32. North wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%.
Monday
A chance of rain and snow showers before 10am, then a chance of rain showers. Cloudy, with a high near 39. Northwest wind around 5 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Monday Night
A slight chance of rain and snow showers. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Hiawassee manhunt leads to four arrests, recovery of stolen firearms

Arrest Reports, News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – On Wednesday, Aug. 22, Towns County Sheriff’s Office responded to assist Hiawassee Police Department following a traffic stop at Chatuge Lodge, after two suspects exited a vehicle they were occupying, and fled on foot. Law enforcement officers established a perimeter in the area, and a sheriff’s bloodhound was deployed on scene in an attempt to locate the fleeing subjects. The suspects were not apprehended at that time.

The following day, Aug. 23, Towns County 911 received a call pertaining to two subjects fitting the description in the vicinity of Pioneer Trail, located off Highway 75 North. A responding deputy spotted the two suspects, whom proceeded to flee on foot. Additional law enforcement officers arrived on scene, and established a perimeter. A female subject was discovered hiding near a residential area, and was taken into custody without incident.Hiawassee manhunt

A CodeRed 911 alert call was dispatched to residents in the area, advising citizens to be on the lookout for the second suspect.

The male suspect, Shaun Ewing, 36, of Hiawassee, was spotted shortly thereafter on Upper Bell Creek Road. Towns County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Hiawassee Police Department officers continued the search throughout the night, and into the following morning.

On the morning of Friday, Aug. 24, a tip was received that Ewing was at a location off of Highway 75 North. Law enforcement officers responded on scene, taking the suspect into custody without further incident. A second CodeRed alert was activated, alerting area residents that the manhunt had concluded due to the suspect’s arrest.

Towns County Sheriff's Office

K-9 Unit searching the Upper Bell Creek area

The suspects have been linked to an ongoing investigation by the Towns County Sheriff’s Office related to a burglary that was reported on Aug. 15, at a residence off of Fodder Creek Road. A victim reported that numerous firearms, along with other items, had been stolen.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office investigators teamed with officers from the Hiawassee Police Department to execute a search warrant at a residence on Kontahetta Way in Hiawassee.

Deputies arrested James Robert Gregory, 38, seizing items that had been stolen during the burglary, along with a quantity of methamphetamine.

On Friday, Aug. 24, law enforcement officers recovered additional firearms and items from a location off of Swallow Creek Road that had been reported as stolen from the Fodder Creek residence.

Hiawassee Police Department arrested and charged Bobbie LeAnn Saxon, 37, of Hiawassee, with the following offenses:

  • One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine
  • One Count Fleeing and Attempting to Elude
  • One Count Failure to Maintain Lane
  • One Count No Seat Belt
  • One Count Possession of Drug-Related Objects

Towns County Sheriff’s Office arrested the following suspects:

  • Sandi Pate, 29, of Hiawassee — Probation Violation Warrant
  • Shaun Keith Ewing, 36, of Hiawassee —- Probation Violation Warrant
  • James Robert Gregory, 38, of Hiawassee — One Count Violation of Georgia Controlled Substance Act, Possession of Methamphetamine

According to the Towns County Sheriff’s Office, the investigation into the burglary is considered active and ongoing, and additional charges are forthcoming.

All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office extends their appreciation to the following agencies for their assistance in the search and apprehension of the suspects:   Hiawassee Police Department, Georgia Wildlife Resources Department, Georgia State Patrol, U.S. Forest Service, Towns County 911, Towns County Fire and Rescue, along with the residents in the area of Upper Bell Creek.

 

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 Towns, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, 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]

 

 

Missing Man Located Safely

Community

Missing Man Located Safely

On Friday evening, June 16 th , a call came into the Towns County 911 Center of an elderly man who had wandered off from a residence on Hickory Cove Lane in Hiawassee. Towns County Sheriff’s deputies, along with personnel from the Towns County Fire and Rescue responded to the scene. The missing person was identified as George Chastain, age 87, of Starkville, Mississippi. The missing man was at the residence on Hickory Cove Lane visiting and was last seen at 8:00pm.

Towns County Sheriff’s Office and Fire and Rescue personnel searched the immediate area around the residence, but they were unable to locate the missing person. A CodeRED telephone alert was sent out to the Upper Bell Creek Area to notify the residents to be on the lookout for the missing person. He was last seen wearing a yellow shirt and tan khaki pants and described as 5’7” in height and 150 pounds. The Towns County Sheriff’s Office’s bloodhound was used to search the area, along with another bloodhound from Blairsville. A heavy rain had occurred prior to the bloodhounds arriving on the scene and the dogs were unable to locate the missing person.

A helicopter with heat-seeking thermal imaging was requested from the Georgia State Patrol Aviation Unit and arrived on the scene to fly the area surrounding the residence. The helicopter was unable to locate the missing person.

On Saturday morning, as ground searchers were planning to search the area further, the missing person was located by a neighbor and returned to the residence.

CodeRED delivers notifications by phone calls to landlines and cell phones, emails, texts, social media, and/or mobile alerts. CodeRED is compatible with TDD/TTY devices for those with hearing impairments. Individuals and businesses may add as many phone numbers, emails, and texts numbers you’d like. Registering for CodeRED is quick and easy. There is no charge to register for or use CodeRED and your personal information will be kept confidential. If you would like to be included in this automated alert system to receive emergency alerts, go to this web address and sign up using your landline telephone or cell phone numbers: https://public.coderedweb.com/cne/6B4D39EC2439

Add the following numbers to your caller ID:

4070 State Hwy 339, Young Harris, Ga. 30582 (706) 896-4444 Fax (706) 896-3349

866-419- 5000 – EMERGENCY CALLS

855-969- 4636 – GENERAL CALLS

800-566- 9780 – WEATHER WARNINGS

As well, residents and visitors alike can receive enhanced public safety alerts no matter where you are located via the CodeRED Mobile Alert app – a free public safety app for both Android and iPhone users. The CodeRED Mobile Alert app delivers community and emergency alerts to individuals targeted within an impacted geographical area so that you may also receive timely notifications when you’re on the road, away from home.

If you are currently a CodeRED subscriber who has already registered your mobile phone to receive notifications from Towns County, you will continue to receive calls. However, if you download the CodeRED Mobile Alert app, you will also be able to receive alerts via your smartphone anywhere in the country, including Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and Alaska.

To download the free CodeRED Mobile Alert app, visit the Google Play or iTunes store.

 

SUMMER SAFETY TIPS

Summer is a time for outdoor play, renewing friendships, reliving memories, and trying new activities. So you and your family will also have a safe season, the Georgia Sheriffs’ Association offers the following summer safety guidelines:

 Never allow a child to swim unsupervised. If your child is going with a friend to swim, be sure to speak with the adult in charge. Don’t be afraid to ask if they know CPR. Children can drown quickly, and in very small amounts of water. Even a brief span of inattention can be fatal. Take the opportunity to evaluate your child’s ability and general comfort in the water. Make sure your child knows the safety rules.

 Hydration is important for all ages, particularly in the summer. A dehydrated person can become weak, faint, and vulnerable. Make sure you allow at least eight glasses of water per day for each person, more if you’re involved in athletics or strenuous activities. If you’re traveling, freeze water in reusable containers to pack in a cooler. The ice will thaw gradually, but the water will stay cooler and more refreshing during the long, hot summer days.

 When schools are not in session, children often spend more time on the computer or in front of the television. Make sure your computer has an Internet filter (available from many family-oriented websites), and that you have activated the parental controls on your television. Teach your child never to give out their name, address, or other identifying information to anyone on the Internet. Make an effort to become acquainted with the parents of your children’s friends. Don’t be afraid to ask them what their guidelines are for their child’s Internet and television use.

 Set outdoor boundaries for your child. A good way to establish these limits is to take a tour of the neighborhood with your child and determine what areas are off limits. Perhaps you live near a highway or a busy intersection that might be designated “out of bounds” because of the risks they present to your child. Often, places with water, such as creeks, streams, and ponds are also out of bounds. Entering unfamiliar homes without a parent should always be out of bounds. Discuss these boundaries with your child and make sure they understand.

 Get to know your child’s camp counselors, coaches, troop leaders, ministers, and teachers. When you speak to the adults in your child’s life, establish yourself as your child’s parent. If time allows, consider offering to volunteer or help out in some capacity. Not only will you enjoy the time you spend engaged with your child in summer activities, but you can watch their interaction with others and monitor their activities.

As your sheriff, it is my goal to help keep our community a safe place to live, work, and raise a family. Never hesitate to call upon your Sheriff’s Office for assistance. I hope that each of you have a safe summer season.

POSTPONED: Trump to text Towns this Thursday

News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – UPDATED: The national emergency test has been postponed until Wednesday, Oct. 3, due to Hurricane Florence’s impact to the eastern seaboard.

Many Towns County citizens are aware of the existence of the CodeRed alert system, designed to warn citizens in the event of a local emergency, but others may be unaware that a national notification program is in place.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that a text alert will be sent to celluar phones, nationwide, in order to test the efficency of the system. The mass message is scheduled to be delivered on Thursday, Sept. 20, at 2:18 p.m. The message will state that the text is a “Presidential Alert”, with phones blasting a jarring tone with unique vibrations.

Although the federal emergency alert system was adopted in 2012, this will be the first time it will serve under the direction of a president. Since the program’s inception, the service has transmitted over 36,000 messagess, ranging from Amber Alerts to extreme weather warnings.

The test will clarify that it is just that – a test – and no response is necessary. The alert strives to ensure that the notification system will operate correctly in the event of a national emergency.

Cellphone users are permitted to opt-out of Thursday’s test.

According to FEMA, the message will read, “THIS IS A TEST of the National Emergency Alert System. This system was developed by broadcast and cable operators in voluntary cooperation with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Federal Communications Commission, and local authorities to keep you informed in the event of an emergency. If this had been an actual emergency, an official message would have followed the tone alert you heard at the start of this message. A similar wireless emergency alert test has been sent to all cell phones nationwide. Some cell phones will received the alert; others will not. No action is required.”

The wireless emergency alert system “shall not be used to transmit a message that does not relate to a natural disaster, act of terrorism, other man-made disaster, or threat to public safety,” according to regulations authorized by Congress.

In the event of a major weather event, the test will be postponed until Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018.

CodeRED emergency notification sign up available at courthouse next month

Community, News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Towns County is offering citizens, who may not be computer-savvy, an opportunity to sign up for emergency alerts through the CodeRED program.

“There’s a lot of folks in the county that are not signed up on this, so we are going to have two sign up dates at the commissioner’s office for folks who need help signing up,” Towns County Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw offered.

CodeRED is an emergency alert system designed to notify residents of pertinent information impacting the community. Towns County encourages residents to enroll in the effective communication network.

Crucial notifications can be delivered via phone calls, text messages, emails, and social media.

Critical information, such as weather warnings, emergency preparedness, wildfire advisories, road closures, and missing person alerts, can be distributed on a mass scale to those enrolled in the program.

For those unable to sign up electronically without assistance, the Towns County Commissioner’s Office is offering an option to help.

Residents may visit the Towns County Commissioner’s Office, located downstairs in the Towns County Courthouse, Tuesday, May 1, and Tuesday, May 8, between the hours of 1 p.m. and 4:30 p.m.

“We are asking all the citizens who are interested, and hopefully most of them are, to come out and we’ll do it for you,” Commissioner Bradshaw said.

No appointment is necessary, and sign up is expected to take a mere five minutes per resident.

Notifications can be targeted to specific areas in the event only a portion of the county is affected, such as a water line break within city limits.

Those who are able to enroll online may do so at http://www.townscountyga.org/emergency-alert-system.html

 

 

Area responders urge residents to prepare for rounds of rain

News

HIAWASSEE, Ga. – Meteorologists are forecasting a heavy amount of rainfall to descend on the north Georgia and western North Carolina mountains throughout the coming week, warning that possible flash flooding may occur in prone locations. According to the National Weather Service, a total of 5 to 7 inches of rain is expected in the region with the potential of 10 inches of localized precipitation possible.

Clay County weather

North Carolina forecast by WNC Weather

Area first responders urge residents to remain aware of current conditions as rainfall amounts accumulate.

Towns County Emergency Management Agency encourages citizens to register with the CodeRED call-text alert system, an automated program that notifies residents of impending concern.

“We are aware of the potential of this storm impact over the next several days,” Towns County EMA Director Rickey Mathis explained to FYN this morning. “I have spoken to the Area 1 GEMA field coordinator as well as the chapter chairman of the Red Cross. If needed, we will open a comfort station for those that may need to evacuate. The situation that is most concerning is a heavy rain 1-2 inches in a short period of time. With the ground saturation, it just runs off. Subscribing to the CodeRED alert system is a great way to get local information, and a great way for us to quickly alert the citizens as well as social media and FYN.”

Residents can subscribe for CodeRED alerts at http://www.townscountyga.org/emergency-alert-system.html

Hiwassee Dam Fire Department is ready should conditions warrant an emergency response. “Our swift water response team is prepared. If you live in flood prone areas, stay alert,” the Murphy, NC department advised. “Monitor the streams as well as NOAA radio. Be prepared to evacuate. The forecast is still not set in stone, but we have seen predictions for anywhere from 6 to 12 inches of rain through Friday. The ground is saturated and the streams are already above normal flow.”

Emergency crews in Towns County, GA, Clay County, NC, and surrounding areas are additionally trained in swift water rescue.

Follow FYN for weather-related updates in our area of coverage.

 

Fetch Your News is a local now-news outlet, attracting more than 300,000 page views and 3.5 million impressions per month in Towns, Dawson, Lumpkin, White, Fannin, Gilmer, Pickens, Union, and Murray counties, as well as Clay and Cherokee County in N.C. – FYNTV attracts approximately 15,000 viewers per week, reaching between 15,000 to 60,000 on our Facebook page.

 

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