HIAWASSEE, Ga – Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw and Chief Superior Court Judge Raymond George are recommending everyone to wear a mask and get vaccinated. At the August meeting, Bradshaw announced he would be posting a letter from George urging everyone to be safe. “Cases of coronavirus, COVID, or the variants thereof are rapidly increasing through […]
Read More »Georgia sending more state-supported staff to help hospitals
ATLANTA – Governor Brian Kemp announced the state will increase the total number of supported staff in hospitals to 2,800 from the original 1,300. Across the state, hospitals told the governor’s office that they needed more staff to treat the influx of COVID-19 patients as well as other patients. Through October 2021, Georgia had committed […]
Read More »Towns deputies bust organized theft ring
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Three individuals were arrested for theft and two on drug charges for stealing $5,000 worth of equipment in chainsaws and lawn care items. After a ten-day investigation, law enforcement located and arrested three men for the thefts. At this time, the investigation is active and ongoing as they determine if other thefts […]
Read More »Towns Elementary School is closed to in-person due to outbreak
HIAWASSEE, Ga: Towns County Elementary is experiencing a COVID-19 outbreak with ten positive staff members and six positive students. The building is closed for the week with students moving online. In an online statement, Superintendent Dr. Darren Berrong explained that the virus is rapidly moving through the elementary school staff. “We are seeing kinda what […]
Read More »COVID-19 cases beginning to increase in Towns County
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Towns County’s beginning to see an increase in cases possibly due to the spread of the Delta Variant in Georgia or people returning to normal. According to Georgia Department of Health (DPH) Data, all North Georgia is again listed as high transmission communities as of August 9, 2021. The Towns County indicator […]
Read More »City Council declares Hiawassee a Purple Heart Community
HIAWASSEE, Ga – The City of Hiawassee became a Purple Heart City following Towns County’s move to do so last month. Veteran and Purple Heart Recipient Ryan McPherson continued his quest to add Northeast Georgia communities to the Purple Heart Trail and spoke about the importance of recognizing veterans at the work session. “Here in […]
Read More »City council will continue to learn more about land use options
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Hiawassee City Council agreed to move forward with learning more about land use and potentially zoning options for the city. After attending a planning and land use class to learn more about the options on the table for cities, the council wanted more information before making any lasting decisions. “It was a […]
Read More »Qualifying for Hiawassee City Council election begins August 16
HIAWASSEE, Ga – City of Hiawassee qualifying for the upcoming election begins on Monday, August 16, and runs through Friday, August 20 at City Hall. The offices up for election in November are Mayor, Councilmember Post 1 and Councilmember Post 2. The cost associated to qualify and be placed on the ballot for those offices […]
Read More »Safety road check leads to two drug-related arrests
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Towns County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested two suspects on drug-related charges after receiving information at the Gumlog Road/ Hwy. 66 road safety check. The two suspects were located in Young Harris, Ga. Candi Sue Merritt, 47 of Hayesville, NC was charged with possession and use of drug-related objects, possession of methamphetamine, Purchase, possession, […]
Read More »August 12 Public Hearing Scheduled for Joint Comprehensive Plan
HIAWASSEE, Ga – A public hearing concerning the comprehensive plan is scheduled for August 12 at City Hall, starting at 7 p.m. The joint comprehensive plan outlines goals for the future of Hiawassee, Young Harris, and Towns County as a whole. It’s updated every five years. Public input helps city and county officials determine the […]
Read More »Towns County becomes a Purple Heart County
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw signed the Purple Heart County Proclamation during the July commission meeting. “We support our veterans very strongly. The county supports them in every way we can,” Bradshaw stated. Veteran and Purple Heart recipient Ryan McPherson attended to accept the proclamation and say a few words. “It’s important that […]
Read More »Full-time county employees receive $2,000 in ARP funds
HIAWASSEE, Ga – Towns County employees received a lump sum payment from American Rescue Act (ARP) funds as part of their steadfast service throughout the pandemic. The county received $1,169,023 million in ARP Act funds. “As soon as I knew the money was in the bank, I called our county attorney because reading how you […]
Read More »Towns new courthouse designs near final stage
Hiawassee, Ga – The courthouse plans are almost complete and going through the final stages. Sole Commissioner Cliff Bradshaw has included Chief Superior Court Judge Raymond George, Probate Judge David Rogers District Attorney Jeff Langley, and Clerk of Court Cecil Dye in the planning process. “Any day now they are going to have the plans […]
Read More »Towns County asking citizens’ input in comprehensive plan
HIAWASSEE, GA – Towns County, City of Hiawassee, and City of Young Harris want citizens’ input in the joint comprehensive plan for the next five years. The public survey can be found here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/W7MHXXN?fbclid=IwAR0Pc7lMiYqfPwuKAY1gggoUSsqnxmhNxtN03u53oHu8uT7h5v8Spu9AvPQ The goal is to hear from those living in the area and gain a better understanding of how they would like […]
Read More »Ralston calls for GBI investigation into Fulton County elections
ATLANTA, Ga – Elected officials are taking aim and Fulton County and its elections director Richard Barron, following new details regarding the 2020 election. Today, Speaker of the House David Ralston (R – Blue Ridge) released the letter he sent to Fulton Elections Director Richard Barron. In the letter, Ralston requests Barron ask the GBI […]
Read More »Building and planning ordinance amendment unanimously approved
HIAWASSEE, Ga – The second reading of the amended building and planning ordinance and later unanimously approved by Hiawassee City Council. “In an effort to maintain proper density within the city the following shall apply, parcels of land shall be limited to six living spaces with no more than four structures per acre. No parcel […]
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