• Towns accepting rollback millage rate, new parks and recreation director

    millage

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – At the October county meeting, Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw announced the county would be accepting the rollback millage rate for 2021. Towns County hasn’t increased taxes since 2008. The 2021 millage digest is 4.753 mills. The city of Hiawassee accepted a rollback earlier in the year after a contested 3-2 vote. The […]

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  • Hiawassee Council discusses hiring economic development role

    economic development

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – Hiawassee City Council tabled the discussion of a new economic development role exclusively for the city. If ultimately approved, the position would be part-time, three days a week at $20 per hour. The role would be around $24,000 a year. Hiawassee wants someone with experience in a similar role. The council moved […]

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  • Moderate to heavy rain expected through Thursday

    rain

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – Towns County remains under a flash flood watch until October 7 at 8 p.m. Much of north Georgia is under the watch including all surrounding counties. The National Weather Service Office out of Peachtree City (NWS) cautioned residents to pay attention to later forecasts in case they need to take action. In […]

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  • Hiawassee Halloween moving to Fairgrounds

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – Halloween 2021 in Hiawassee will be moving to the Georgia Mountain Fairgrounds. The event will take place on Sunday, October 31 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and businesses participating will set up in Pioneer Village. The fairgrounds allow people to space out at least six feet to hopefully prevent the spread […]

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  • Towns County Civic Association hosting public forum on drug use

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – On October 11, Towns County Civic Association will be holding a public forum on drug abuse. The forum is open for students to address the issue. Michael Courey spoke about the necessity of children and teenagers understanding the effects of drugs and hearing their perspectives. “We’ve addressed this in the past, we’ve […]

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  • Towns elections in need of poll managers and workers

    poll workers

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – Towns County Elections and Registration Office needs poll workers for the upcoming 2022 election season. “With COVID, we’re having a problem getting poll workers guys. We need experienced poll workers especially,” Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw said at the county meeting. Many poll workers are older, and COVID-19 predominately affects that age group. […]

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  • Towns and BRMEMC hope to expand broadband access

    broadband

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – Towns County and Blue Ridge Mountain EMC (BRMEMC) are in the process of applying for grants to increase broadband internet access in the area. Recently, the county applied for a $7 million National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) Grant with the BRMEMC listed as the carrier. “We will hopefully get this grant,” […]

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  • Senate releases proposed Congressional Map, moves Clyde out of Ninth?

    proposed congressional map

    ATLANTA – The proposed Senate Congressional Map, presented by Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan and Senator John F. Kennedy, Chairman of the Senate Redistricting and Reapportionment Committee, makes significant changes to the Ninth District. The map places Jackson County in the Tenth District. Ninth Congressman Andrew Clyde (R-Ga) resides in Jackson County. If the proposed map […]

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  • 2021 TCHS Homecoming Parade canceled

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – Due to the weather forecast, the Towns County High School Homecoming parade for September 16 will be canceled. Here’s the statement from the school: “According to the forecast, it’s going to rain on our parade tomorrow.  In consideration of everyone who has to bring cars and trailers to prepare for the parade, […]

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  • COVID-19 vaccine moving off-site at some health department locations

    Labor Day vaccines health departments covid

    GAINESVILLE – In anticipation of the upcoming flu season and to prepare for the approval of the COVID-19 booster dose for the general population, District 2 Health Departments will be re-opening some of its off-site COVID-19 mass vaccination sites. Approval for the booster dose is still pending; however, starting Monday, September 20, Forsyth and Hall […]

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  • Hiawassee accepts rollback on 2021 millage rate in 3 to 2 vote

    2021 millage rate

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – Hiawassee City Council moved to accept the rollback on the 2021 millage rate at 1.977 mills in a three to two vote. Councilmembers Anne Mitchell and Patsy Owens opposed the lowering of the millage rate. “We’re gonna get to the point where we don’t have any money coming into the city,” Owens […]

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  • September 11 memorial service planned in Towns County

    September 11

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – Saturday marks the 20th anniversary of the worst terror attack on United States soil as well as the deadliest single day incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers. On September 11, 2001, a series of four attacks were executed by al-Quaeda. Two planes hit the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center […]

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  • Towns most COVID-19 vaccinated county in the North Georgia Mountains

    purple heart vaccine Towns

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – In Towns County, 51 percent of the population have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. 47 percent are fully vaccinated. Union General Hospital is over capacity in the ICU by 160 percent and 140 percent over inpatient capacity as of August 31. Chatuge Regional Hospital is part of the […]

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  • Hall County Health Department providing vaccines on Labor Day

    Labor Day vaccines

    HALL COUNTY – Labor Day weekend will look a little different this year due to an increased need to be vaccinated due to the Delta surge.  Hall County Health Department will be working on Labor Day to vaccinate the community. On Friday, September 3, Governor Kemp is providing paid time off for state employees to […]

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  • Masks again required in Towns and Union Courthouses

    mask requirement courthouses

    BLAIRSVILLE, Ga – Enotah Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Raymond George issued a mask requirement for all visiting the courthouses in Union, Towns, White, and Lumpkin Counties. The mandate will be in place at least until the Delta Variant wave of COVID-19 abates in the area. The order begins on Monday, August 23, 2021. All who […]

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  • Incumbents only qualifiers for Hiawassee City Council election

    incumbents

    HIAWASSEE, Ga – Qualifying for the 2021 municipal election closed today in Hiawassee, and no challengers came forward to face the incumbents. All three incumbents were the only candidates to qualify for the city council and mayoral races. Post 1 – Amy Barrett Post 2 – Patsy Owens Mayor – Liz Ordiales The official election […]

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